Tromso to Longyearbyen by Silversea

Day 1: Tromso
Tromso is a unique town that looks the way a polar town should, with ice-capped mountains surrounding a bustling town with unique architecture and charm. Your cruise starts here, and boarding will be in the later afternoon. After the mandatory safety drill, you can settle in and enjoy your first dinner aboard your home for the next 11 days.

Day 2: Gjesvarstappan Islands
Almost a hundred islands and rocks make up the Gjesvӕrstappan Nature Reserve, one of Europe’s largest and most accessible nesting areas for seabirds, including the Atlantic Puffin. Explore the area on the Zodiacs and make sure you have your zoom lenses at the ready for the close ups!
This afternoon your ship will anchor off Skarsvag, which is known as the most northerly fishing village in the world. Weather conditions permitting, you’ll head ashore via Zodiac and travel by coach to the North Cape where you can admire the glorious scenery, stop in at the visitor’s centre and take photos at the famed globe monument. This is the last stop of the Norwegian Coastline; next stop is the High Arctic!

Day 3: Cruising North with a stop at Bear Island
Almost half way between Tromsø and Svalbard is isolated Bear Island – considered the southernmost island of the Svalbard Archipelago. The unglaciated island is an impressive Nature Reserve of steep, high cliffs that are frequented by seabirds, specifically at the southern tip.

Day 4 – 6: Southern Svalbard
The next 7 days will be spent exploring the high Arctic in search of the Polar Bear and other amazing wildlife of this region. The exact programme will be decided between the Captain and Expedition leader depending on wildlife, weather and sea conditions. The first 3 days are normally spent exploring the Southern regions of Svalbard which are less ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influenced of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of Spitsbergen, some of which contain some impressive glaciers. The area has been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the archipelago’s largest island of Spitsbergen. It’s a fascinating mix of wildlife, lanscapes and history waiting to be discovered.

Days 7 – 10: Northern Svalbard
There are several deep fjords and prominent glaciers in the northern reaches of Svalbard, as well as the northern hemisphere’s widest glacier front. Ice conditions will dictate how much can be accessed in terms of cruising bird islets like the Andøyane Islets or approaching glaciers like Monaco Glacier and Seliger Glacier. The Northern Region is also known to have several walrus haul-outs and areas defined as “Arctic Desert”. Walks and hikes ashore to have a closer look at flora and wildlife are a possibility in the spectacular Northern Region of Svalbard.

Day 11: Longyearbyen
Your cruise finishes in Longyerbyen, which is the biggest settlement on the archipelago. Here you will find a small mix of shops, restaurants and hotels to explore prior to your onward flight. If you would like to stay on for some more time to explore this archipelago by land then speak to your Travel Specialist, for some exciting land adventures that you can add on.