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.

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!

Situated at the very north tip of Norway and inside the Arctic Circle, there is something very special about being (almost) at the top of the world. Called the northernmost point of Europe, the North Cape (Nordkapp in Norwegian) lies about 1,306.3 mi from the North Pole, with no dry land between except for the Svalbald archipelago. Home to where the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this is the true land of the midnight sun – constant spectacular scenic views and 24-hour sunlight lends itself to a sense of giddy informality aboard. Just imagine sipping a chilled glass of champagne at the very top of the world in full daylight at midnight – sensational. Be sure to be on the lookout for hundreds of thousands of puffins, gannets, cormorants, seals, dolphins and whales that make this stretch of chilly water their home. Not forgetting the colourful, compact fishing villages, so at odds with the otherwise this stark, barren landscape.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Secure your space today by calling one of our Travel Specialists on 0203 196 1000 or enquire here