When the compass points to adventure, the ice recalls the feats of great explorers and a polar bear appears on the horizon, you will know that you have reached one of the planet’s most awe-inspiring regions: remote Spitsbergen. The wild archipelago is not only home to rare animals, but also steeped in pioneering history. It was here that Willem Barents sought a north-east passage to Asia and discovered an untamed island realm with mountains up to 1,700 m (5,577 ft) high. More than 400 years after this discovery, the HANSEATIC nature sets out to follow in his footsteps between primeval glaciers and picturesque fjords and circumnavigate Spitsbergen. The BREMEN, also part of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, was the first passenger ship worldwide to achieve this feat back in 1996. Experience this extraordinary expedition cruise for yourself with a small group of like-minded people. Every day brings new surprises – the weather and ice determine the route and, ultimately, whether you will achieve your circumnavigation. You will set foot on historic soil and important territory for modern researchers in Ny-Alesund, one of the most northerly settlements in the world. In 1926, this was the starting point for the airship Norge, in which the polar researcher Roald Amundsen and airship pioneer Umberto Nobile became the first people to reach the North Pole. Today it is home to scientists researching climate change and its consequences for flora and fauna. The region’s animal kingdom is ruled by the “King of the Arctic” – and you have a good chance of seeing him on your expedition. In Moellerhafen, you will visit the small “Lloyd’s Hotel” with an experienced polar bear lookout. This place once offered refuge to explorers in an overwhelming landscape full of stories and thrilling discoveries. The glacial masses in the Svalbard archipelago freeze and melt in constantly changing cycles, often within a few years – a phenomenon that draws many glaciologists to Spitsbergen. Historic whalers’ graves reveal momentous secrets on the Magdalenefjord. The Zodiacs will be used throughout your expedition – and, naturally, to allow you to watch the calving of the Monaco Glacier from a safe distance in the Liefdefjord. When masses of ice break away, it can create an edge up to 40 m (131 ft) high – a magnificent natural spectacle. Ursus maritimus also has plenty of power and charm – perhaps you’ll see one here? When someone shouts “polar bear ahead!”, the experienced on-board team will bring the ship about to ensure you enjoy unforgettable wildlife sightings. Mushamna exemplifies Spitsbergen’s colourful diversity: Arctic terns fly through the air while eider ducks take to the water to escape the Arctic foxes. The strictly protected island of Moffen, where walruses impress with their sharp tusks, is a sanctuary for numerous species. Meanwhile, deep fjords and small islands shape the scenery on your cruise through the Hinlopen Strait. The cliffs of the Alkefjellet suddenly come into view, its slopes inhabited by thick-billed murres, kittiwakes and glaucous gulls. The hustle and bustle of “bird mountain” is followed by the isolation of a surreal moraine landscape in Palanderbukta. An exhilarating interplay of colour and light will accompany your cruise through Freeman Sound. The passage takes you past Cape Lee, where walruses like to gather. Male walruses can weigh over 1,000 kg (2,204 lb) and grow to 3.5 m (11.5 ft) in length. With a little luck, a whale will appear next to your expedition ship to add another highlight. Minke whales, fin whales and humpback whales are particularly likely to glide majestically through these protected waters. Thanks to its small size and manoeuvrability, the HANSEATIC nature can also enter particularly narrow fjords. Rediscover Hornsund in a Zodiac and breathe in the clear Arctic air against a stunning backdrop. Are you now one of the select few to have circumnavigated Spitsbergen? This moving moment – and many others – will be etched on your memory forever.