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HANSEATIC nature

FROM LONGYEARBYEN TO TROMSø

Longyearbyen - Tromso

Expedition Spitsbergen circumnavigation: our explorers’ classic

  • 22.07.27 to 01.08.27|10 days

  • HANSEATIC nature

  • NAT2716

Longyearbyen - Tromso

22.07.2027 to 01.08.2027|10 days

from € 7.790

10 days Cruise incl. charter flight p.p.

What to expect

The highlights of this cruise

They still exist, those pioneering landscapes in which humans play only a minor role. Shaped by powerful glaciers, deep fjords and unspoilt wilderness, Spitsbergen is all about the thrill of adventure and expeditions. Four cruises to a world of wonders for which there is only one word: legendary!

  • Experience Spitsbergen’s wilderness on a flexible route and, with luck, complete a circumnavigation
  • Intensive Arctic experiences – with striking mountains, majestic glaciers and bizarre ice sculptures
  • Zodiacs take you into the kingdom of walruses, seals and polar bears
  • On hikes with experts, discover the archipelago with the spotlight on geopolitics and climate policy
  • The magic of the midnight sun: the summer days have no beginning or end
  • At anchor

  • Welcome to Spitsbergen – wild, raw island beauty and home to a fascinating animal world. In the kingdom of polar bears, your state-of-the-art expedition ship moves flexibly and safely thanks to its highest ice class – with one goal in sight, circumnavigation. Will it happen? You will only find out on board, since the expedition’s course will be determined by the weather and ice conditions. Every day is packed with experiences which bring together the pioneering spirit of the past and the thirst for action of the present. A passionate expedition spirit will also be awakened in you when the Zodiacs bring you to remote coastlines or, with luck, to see whales, walruses and polar bears.

    Forge your way along deserted coasts like the great pioneers before you visit Hornsund, where hundreds of thousands of little auks live on the shore. Blubber ovens, houses and graves are the main remnants of the early European whale industry here: some 50 whaling stations were registered in Spitsbergen. This site is one of the oldest and comes from a time when whaling was still operated from the shore.

    Ny-Alesund is known for its great polar history and international research. The world’s northernmost year-round research station is devoted to meteorology and research into global warming and the Northern Lights. Around 30 people live here in the winter and about 120 people in the summer. In Ny-Alesund, you can find the world’s northernmost post office.

    An impressive Arctic landscape of steep mountains surrounds the Smeerenburgfjord. When your expedition ship cruises here, you will be able to see some fantastic glacier views. When you go ashore, you might see the timid Arctic fox.

    In the Liefdefjord, the majestic Monacobreen glacier will catch your eye. Blocks of ice keep falling into the fjord from the 5 km (3.1 miles) wide front. Take a look from the deck or from a Zodiac. The glacier was named in honour of Prince Albert I of Monaco, who explored the area in 1906 and 1907 with Gunnar Isachsen.

    If the conditions allow, you’ll venture forth into the waters of north-east Spitsbergen, where you can experience the true expedition feeling. At only around 1,000 km (621 miles) from the North Pole, every extra kilometre may be increasingly difficult to negotiate. Will the ice grant a passage through the eye of the needle in the Hinlopen Strait? Pack ice often builds up here, making this a challenging route. The ability to complete a circumnavigation depends on this passage.

    The captain and officers will constantly look for impressive scenes such as the cliffs of Alkefjellet: the “bird mountain” is inhabited by thousands of birds from numerous species, including thick-billed murres, kittiwakes, glaucous gulls, Arctic terns and eider ducks.

    The Zodiacs will also take you ashore in Palanderbukta on the island of Nordaustlandet, most of which is covered by ice caps. On a hike through the sparse tundra, keep an eye out for Svalbard poppies and purple saxifrage.

    Herds of walrus like to lie on the flat ledges in Torellneset. The mighty bulls are a formidable and memorable sight from a respectful distance – they can weigh over 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) and grow to 3.5 m (11.5 ft) in length.

    Weather and ice permitting, you will pass through the narrow Freeman Sound. Keep your eyes peeled: whales seek out protected biotopes off Spitsbergen and will happily follow ships that are passing the archipelago from time to time.

    On Barents Island, you may be able to spot reindeer in their flourishing natural habitat. The island is also an important area for polar bears, which bring their cubs into the world here. With a little luck and from a safe distance, you will be able to observe these animals from the ship.

* Approximately three months before departure, you will be informed at which German airport the charter flight will take off and land. Connecting flights and possible hotel accommodation subject to a surcharge.

--- The ice conditions determine the course here (see map).

The itinerary depends on official approval, weather and ice conditions. The natural experiences and wildlife sightings described are possibilities on this expedition and are not guaranteed. The crew will endeavour to complete the circumnavigation of Spitsbergen. Circumnavigation is not guaranteed.

Included services

Expedition and knowledge
  • All landings and rides in the ship’s own Zodiacs (Use of the Zodiacs depends on the destination and on official permits)
  • Experienced experts from various disciplines accompany every cruise, give presentations and multimedia lectures, provide well-informed answers to questions about the cruising area and take part in the Zodiac landings/rides and hikes from/to ship
  • Use of the interactive Ocean Academy with individual knowledge formats
  • Comprehensive information before the cruise – for example about the Arctic, Antarctic, the South Seas and the Amazon, as well as expedition maps
Cabin
  • In every cabin: champagne to welcome you, mini bar restocked daily with non-alcoholic beverages (additional selection in Grand Suites and Junior Suites), coffee machine (tea on request), 24-hour cabin service
  • Equipment for loan: one pair of binoculars and two sets of Nordic Walking poles in the cabin itself, furthermore warm parkas, rubber boots, snorkelling equipment
  • Flat-screen TV with information and entertainment programme, personal email account and Internet access via Wi-Fi (free of charge for one hour per guest and day, satellite-dependent especially in polar areas)
  • Information about harbours and destinations (where available) in the cabin
Restaurants
  • International gourmet cuisine – full board: breakfast (early-bird and late riser breakfast), bouillon, afternoon coffee/tea time, lunch and dinner (three restaurants to choose from in the evening with flexible opening hours)
For all cases
  • German ship and expedition management as well as a mostly German-speaking service crew
  • Harbour and airport fees
  • Cancellation fee insurance (20% excess) in the PLATINUM and GOLD fares
Spa and fitness
  • Extensive sports programme: fitness area with ocean view, course programme, additional sports activities on shore depending on the destination (Personal training for an additional charge)
  • OCEAN SPA with Finnish sauna with an ocean view, steam sauna, indoor and outdoor relaxation area (spa treatments and hairdresser at a surcharge)