Price start from :
$
4,300
Contact Us
09 June 2025 - 16 Jun 2025
8 Days/7 Nights
Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen
This expedition focuses on the versatility of north Spitsbergen’s visually stunning landscapes, vast spans of sea ice, and many opportunities to spot whales, polar bears, seabirds, walruses, and other such wildlife. Enjoy the fantastically beautiful landscapes, adventurous landings, and shoreline hikes. For additional activities, check the tour description.
Description
All itineraries are for guidance only and may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings depend on site availability, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations.
You arrive in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen's main town. Explore this former mining town with its church and Svalbard Museum. In the evening, the ship sails out, and you might spot minke whales in Isfjorden.
Exploring North Spitsbergen
This cruise takes you through the pack ice and along the rugged shorelines of north Spitsbergen. Here are some places we might visit:
Raudfjord
On Spitsbergen's north coast, enjoy the expansive fjord with glaciers and maybe spot ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline are home to seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and possibly polar bears.
Monaco Glacier
If conditions allow, we sail into Liefdefjorden to see the 5-kilometer-long Monaco Glacier. This area is a feeding spot for kittiwakes and a hunting ground for polar bears. If ice blocks our way, we may sail along the west coast.
Highlights of Hinlopen
We aim to sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. You might spot blue whales at the entrance. After cruising among ice floes, visit bird cliffs with thousands of birds. On the east side, we may land on Nordaustlandet to see reindeer, geese, and walruses. We can take an alternate route if ice blocks Hinlopen.
The Seven Islands
The northernmost point of the cruise might be the Seven Islands, 540 miles from the North Pole. Polar bears live here, and the ship may stop among the pack ice before heading west.
Sailing the Continental Shelf
As we head west, watch for polar bears and Greenland whales. Near Spitsbergen, we sail the edge of the continental shelf, where fin whales feed in upwelling zones. At Kongsfjorden's mouth, you might see minke whales.
Forlandsundet, St. Johns Fjord, or Alkhornet
Walruses might be seen in Forlandsundet. Alternatively, we may sail into St. Johns Fjord or land at Alkhornet, where seabirds nest, Arctic foxes search for food, and reindeer graze.
Return to Longyearbyen
All adventures must end. The ship returns to Longyearbyen in the morning, with bus transport to the airport provided.
Highlights You Might Experience
Blue Whale
Barnacle Goose
Beluga Whale
Arctic Skua
Arctic Fox
Arctic Tern
Black Guillemot
Atlantic puffin
Bowhead Whale
Brunnics Guillemot Guillemot
Fulmar
Fin Whale
Bearded Seal
Glaucous Gull
Grey Phalarope
Hooded Seal
Ivory Gull
Harp Seal
King Eider
Killer Whale
Humpback Whale
Kittiwake
Little Auk
Northern Bottlenose Whale
Minke Whale
Pink-footed Goose
Polar Bear
Long-tailed Skua
Ringed Seal
Ptarmigan
Sperm Whale
Walrus
White-Beaked Dolphin
Svalbard reindeer
Cabins and Pricing
Quadruple Porthole
2 upper & lower berths
Complete Cabin
USD
17200 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
4300 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Triple Porthole
1 upper berth & 2 lower berths
Complete Cabin
USD
16050 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
5350 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Porthole
2 single beds
Complete Cabin
USD
11900 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
5950 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Window
2 single beds
Complete Cabin
USD
12900 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
6450 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Twin Deluxe
2 single beds
Complete Cabin
USD
13600 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
6800 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Superior
1 double bed
Complete Cabin
USD
15500 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
7750 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Junior Suite
1 double bed
Complete Cabin
USD
17700 USD
10600 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
8850 USD
5300 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Grand Suite with private balcony
1 double bed
Complete Cabin
USD
19100 Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.
Sharing Cabin
USD
9550 Share your cabin with others for the best price.
Map
IMPORTANT
EXCLUDED
INCLUDED
- Flights to the embarkation point and from the disembarkation point.
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Meals ashore.
- Personal health Insurance for Medical, Accident and Repatriation/Evacuating.
- All personal expenses, including but not limited to laundry services, bar beverages, and excess internet usage charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
- Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
FAQ
How do I know our location during a trip?
- The expedition team keeps you informed about our location and destination.
Can I bring children on my voyage?
- Yes, but the minimum age we can allow on board is three years old, however we advise against travelling with children under 8 years old. The maximum age we consider to be a child is 16 years old. We offer a 40% child discount in certain cabin types on a selection of voyages for children between three and 15 years old.
What form of payment do you accept on board?
- Aboard Hondius, Ortelius, Plancius, and Rembrandt van Rijn, refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before disembarking, you can settle your bill with the hotel manager and pay by Visa or MasterCard, Diners Club/Discover, Union Pay, or cash (Euro or USD). The prices and standard currency on board all of our vessels is the Euro.
Do I have to make a payment at the same time that I make a reservation?
- When you make a confirmed reservation, we require a 40% deposit. But if the reservation is made within two months prior to departure, the full price of the voyage is due at the time of booking.
Where can I see polar bears during a Svalbard voyage?
- As polar bears can travel great distances in a day, it is impossible to say where and when we will spot them. Sea ice is the best place to look, so we tend to focus our efforts there. Though you will have a good chance of seeing polar bears in Svalbard, nature makes the decisions. Sightings cannot be guaranteed.
When is the winter season in Spitsbergen?
- The sun sets for the last time in Spitsbergen in mid-September and rises above the horizon again in mid-February. The winter landscape and temperatures prevail until May.
When was the Hondius built?
- The Hondius was built in Croatia in 2018 and delivered in 2019.
How many people can travel on board the Hondius?
- The number of passengers is limited to 174 on the Hondius. Furthermore the vessel is manned by 24 highly experienced international nautical crew, 32-34 international hotel crew, 13 expedition staff (1 expedition leader, 2 assistant expedition leaders and 10 guides/lecturers) and 1 doctor.
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