Svalbard Explorer Cruise on M/S Fram
9 days, 8 nights, Cruise onboard the Coastal Steamer M/S Fram
Longyearbyen - Barentsburg - Hornsund - Bjørnøya - Magdalenefjord - Moffen Island - Forlandssundet - Skansbukta - Ny Alesund - Longyearbyen | A totally new and exciting coastal cruise, voyaging along the entire western coast of Spitsbergen aboard the luxurious M/S Fram - from its southernmost extremes all the way up to the near-polar 80th Parallel North.
During the cruise you will experience wildlife and the fierce environment of the Arctic. The birdlife is remarkable, and even the most blasé ornithologists will be completely astonished. Most likely you will spot seals, whales, walruses and the "King of the Arctic" himself, the polar bear, in their natural habitat.
Spitsbergen is last stop before the North Pole. Further north than Siberia, Alaska and most parts of Greenland. Explore the kingdom of the Polar Bear on the M/S Fram!
| MG | M | Q | QJ | U | N | I | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,403 | $7,065 | $6,274 | $5,613 | $4,823 | $4,565 | $4,016 | $4,565 |
Prices are per person, double occupancy, in USD and subject to change without notice. Single supplement 75%. Rates are per person, double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to withdrawl without notice. Cruise fuel surcharge is additional and will be advised at time of booking. Restrictions apply.
| Departure | Tuesday, June 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, 2010 |
| Price | From $4,016 per person in inside cabin I |
| Included | Transfer on scheduled arrivals and departures to and from the quayside 1 night Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen Breakfast & lunch at Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen Services of expedition guides Sightseeing and visit to museum in Longyearbyen Accommodations onboard the MS Fram Cabin category of choice Three meals daily shipboard breakfast, lunch buffet, 3-course dinner Port charges Shore excursions, usually once or twice a day by PolarCircle boats Transfer guide when arriving on Tuesday and throughout the stay in Longyearbyen Cruise guides providing information, give talks and lead the shore excursions |
| Not Included | International and domestic flights Airport taxes Gratuities Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages, mineral water (sold on board) Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended) $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Ships' registry: Norway. Our expedition staff will on all departures lecture about arctic topics, both on shore, out on deck, as well as in our excellent observation lounge. All departures have Norwegian, English (E) and German (G) speaking guides onboard the ship. There is a medical doctor onboard M/S Fram. |
| Tour Options | Extended stay in Longyearbyen Flight Tromsø - Longyearbyen Flight Oslo - Longyearbyen Additional nights in Longyearbyen International flights available on SAS, please request Additional nights in Oslo Ask about great air fare from NY to Longyearbyen via Oslo! |
General information & Travel Tips
Norwegian Polar Institute: Polar Bears in Svalbard in pdf
Day 1 ARRIVAL LONGYEARBYEN
Arrive Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen; transfer to Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen upon arrival.
Day 2 LONGYEARBYEN - EMBARKATION (B, L, D)
Free time in morning, followed by a welcome meeting and lunch at the Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen. After lunch, we sightsee in Longyearbyen, including a visit to the Svalbard Museum. You embark the MS Fram at 5:30 p.m.; we sail for the Russian outpost of Barentsburg at 6 p.m. Upon arrival at 8:30 p.m., enjoy sightseeing and free time on your own. Take in a folklore show at the Culture House (tickets included) before descending the 263 steps back down to the harbor. We sail from Barentsburg at 11 p.m. By night, we sail out of the Icefjord, then head south along the western coast of Spitsbergen.
Day 3 HORNSUND - BJORNØYA (B, L, D)
We arrive at the beautiful Hornsund fjord, where we make landings at either Gashamna or Gnalodden before lunch. On board the ship, lectures will be given. After lunch, we enjoy the scenery of Brepollen, or cruise in the Hamburgerbukta. In the afternoon, we sail south toward Bjornoya, or Bear Island.
Day 4 BJORNØYA (B, L, D)
Before lunch, we arrive at the southern tip of Bjornoya. The famous cliff Stappen is home to hundreds of thousands of Brunnich's guillemots, birds that nest here during the high Arctic summer. Enjoy a lecture about Svalbard's birds. On our way north, we are on the lookout for whales. The most common species here are the Fin, Humpback, and Minke whale. The Fin whale is the largest of these, measuring up to 80 feet long.
Day 5 BELLSUND - MAGDALENEFJORD (B, L, D)
When you wake up, we are in the Bellsund sound. We make a landing, on either the Ahlstrands Peninsula or in Calypsobyen. After lunch, we sail towards the beautiful Varsolbukta. In the afternoon, we cruise north towards the Magdalenefjord.
Day 6 MAGDALENEFJORD - MOFFEN ISLAND(B, L, D)
We arrive in the Magdalenefjord, a famous fjord at the northwestern corner of Spitsbergen, and make a landing on Gravneset, with its interesting whaling history. During lunch, we depart towards Moffen Island and the ice edge, depending on ice conditions. If we're successful, we celebrate as we cross the 80th Parallel North. We arrive on Moffen in the afternoon; alternatively, we spend time close to the ice edge, looking for wildlife.
Day 7 KROSSFJORD - NY ÅLESUND (B, L, D)
We arrive in the Krossfjord by night. After breakfast, enjoy a possible Polarcirkel boat cruise, with a lecture, to the Lilliehook glacier. We sail into the harbor at Ny-Alesund, the world's northernmost settlement, at 4 p.m. Embark on a guided walk, touching on the history of coal mining and Arctic exploration. After the tour, enjoy free time. At 6:30 p.m., we set sail again, southbound.
Day 8 FORLANDSUNDET - SKANSBUKTA B, L, D)
In the morning, we cruise the Forlandssund, with lectures on the St. Jonsfjord and Poolepynten. By 3 p.m., we arrive at Skansbukta in the Billefjord. We go ashore for a farewell dinner.
Day 9 LONGYEARBYEN - DISEMBARKATION
We cruise into Longyearbyen at 2 a.m. Direct airport transfers are provided for passengers with early morning flights to Oslo. Passengers with later departures or additional nights in Spitsbergen may disembark by 8 a.m. Transfers from the harbor to the Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen to buy breakfast and store luggage.