We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
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888 308 4904
Quick Email
888 308 4904
Join us for an unforgettable Arctic cruise through the land of the polar bear and the midnight sun - Svalbard! During the month of May, Svalbard is characterised by a wonderful purity and spectacular scenery. The fairytale winter landscape is dominated by glittering ice formations, snow-capped mountains, fjord ice and pastel-coloured skies.
It is spring in the Arctic and it is an indescribable experience to be there and see the archipelago come alive: polar bear cubs venture out for the first time, Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer still wear their winter coats, and seals and walruses can often be seen resting on the fjord ice. This is also a good time to spot the king eider and the rock ptarmigan.
• Experience the Arctic spring
• Stunning winter landscapes
• Magical midnight sun
• True expedition cruising
• 5 experienced guides
Day 1 - Longyearbyen, Svalbard
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2/8 - Expedition cruising
We start our Svalbard adventure by exploring Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we embark our expedition ship and head out through Isfjorden - our Arctic adventure has started. Perhaps we could make a first outing before we continue either south or north – all depending on the weather and the current ice situation. Here are some examples of places we may visit:
Alkhornet
At the entrance of Isfjorden is the characteristic cliff Alkhornet. We go ashore to enjoy the beautiful tundra and its birdlife with barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Arctic foxes are sometimes seen in the rock crevices around the mountain and with some luck we might see these lovely little animals scurrying around, frantically looking for food.
Prins Karls Forland
This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbour seals
Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. In the nearby Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs.
Raudfjorden
Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity.
Virgohamna, Danskøya
Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these Arctic expeditions left on this site.
Bellsund
At the beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund little auks nest by the tens of thousands. We go ashore and walk across the tundra to take a closer look at these charming birds.
Hornsund
The majestic Hornsund consists of several magnificent fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen, where enormous glaciers calve out shimmering blue ice. This is one of the favourite haunts for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and if lucky we can spot one of them on the fjord ice.
Day 9 - Longyearbyen
In the morning we leave the ship in Longyearbyen and begin our journey home.
Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your captain and expedition leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
For the active there is a chance to explore the areas we visit with snowshoes. This is an extra option that requires a good level of fitness. Please note: this activity is always dependent on weather, wind and other safety precautions.
M/S Quest was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland’s west coast. In 2004/2005 she was completely refurbished into a comfortable expedition ship and in 2018 she underwent a renovation of the passenger areas.
M/S Quest has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. You are welcomed by an international crew and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly.
| Luxury star rating: | |
| Guests #: | 50 |
| Crew #: | |
| Ice Class: | 1D |
| Speed: | 11 |
| Refurbished: |
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| Length: | 49m |
| Width: | 11 |
| Draft: | |
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We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.
