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Circumnavigating Spitsbergen - In The Realm Of The Polar Bear

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Inside
$11,203
Oceanview
$12,664
Suite
$16,617
* Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
10 Days
 Cruise Starts
Oslo
 Cruise Finishes
Oslo
10 Day Circumnavigating Spitsbergen - In The Realm Of The Polar Bear Itinerary (Hurtigruten)
Countries Explored: Norway
Ship
Ship Class
Expedition
Departures
Passengers
335
Crew
65
Launched
2009
Refurbished
2016
Cruise Code
CSIRP.6

Overview

This epic expedition cruise will see us attempt to find a way through the sea ice and venture above the 80th parallel. Ice conditions permitting, our goal is to successfully complete a circumnavigation of the island of Spitsbergen, discovering incredible Arctic wildlife and breathtaking scenery.

Your adventure takes you to Longyearbyen, Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, the breathtaking Hornsund mountains and the stunning Isfjord. Venturing into the realm of the polar bear, take in the scenic panoramas as we scout for these elusive predators and other wildlife like Arctic foxes and...read more Svalbard reindeer.

Itinerary

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway's fjord-side capital. If you have time, why not explore the city centre.

With its rich history and fashionable art scene, Oslo is a fascinating city. You'll find museums, galleries, and breathtaking architecture – including the beautiful Opera House and new Munch Museum.

Take a stroll in the Ekebergparken sculpture park, visit Akershus Fortress or relax in a floating sauna. Explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life or try New Nordic cuisine before spending the night in your airport hotel in Oslo.

Explore colourful Longyearbyen

After your morning flight to Longyearbyen, it's time to explore the world's northernmost town, a colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles.

Longyearbyen is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Although wild, they're curious and tame.

Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion after lunch, and get a glimpse of this amazing polar-bear inspired region at the top of the world.

Experience pristine Arctic wilderness

Over the next three days, you'll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. In this wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers and beautiful offshore islands, we'll scan for animals of the Arctic – whales, seals, walruses and reindeer. If we're really lucky, we might even see the elusive polar bear from the Observation Deck of the ship. In stunning Kongsfjord, you may see impressive glaciers calving into the sea.

Be ready for adventure; we'll seize any opportunity to launch our kayaks or use our small expedition boats and go ashore to hike or participate in a beach clean up.

Scouting for polar bears, seabirds and walruses

Be ready for anything as this stage of your journey becomes truly adventurous. If sea ice permits, we'll venture to the frozen seascape of Eastern Spitsbergen.

We have high hopes you'll see the elusive polar bear over the next two days. We'll also scout for walrus and colonies of Brünnich's Guillemots and other seabirds in the Hinlopen Strait. We may head south to Freemansundet and Kapp Lee or take our small expedition boats to Edgeøya or Barentsøya.

In true expedition style, exactly where we'll go will depend on the conditions on the day. Channel your inner explorer on exhilarating landings, hikes and kayak trips.

And if the ice doesn't allow us to pass through Hinlopen Strait, you'll experience just as much adventure as we delve deeper into the wonders of western Svalbard. We'll take a flexible route through deep fjords and by calving glaciers, seeking out remarkable Arctic wildlife.

Majestic glaciers, rich vegetation and seabirds

As we sail towards the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen, we'll enter Hornsund, one of Svalbard's most beautiful fjords. Rich, colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers calving into the sea.

The green patches of land you'll see here are fertilised by Little Auk colonies. This in turn attracts Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes, so keep your eyes peeled. In the evening, we'll journey north, past beautiful Bellsund towards Isfjord.

Witness living history and ecology

Our Svalbard circumnavigation continues into Isfjord's lush fjord system, where you'll see immense, glacier-carved valleys rich in wildlife, vegetation and human history.

To the north, Alkehornet is home to guillemots, kittiwakes, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes. The clear traces of the area's whaling and hunting past are visible on beaches and in bays. Farther south, we'll pass the former Isfjord Radio satellite communication station, now one of the world's most beautifully situated hotels.

Our activities today will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Isfjord. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day.

A final day on top of the world

Your Arctic adventure comes to an end back in Longyearbyen. A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home. You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience.

Life Onboard MS Spitsbergen

MS Spitsbergen
MS Spitsbergen

Intimately scaled and perfectly designed to take the scenic route; enjoy open viewing spaces and Scandinavian touches. Read more

Knowledgeable Guides
Knowledgeable Guides

Destinations come to life with a Guide Team on classic coastal voyages and an Expedition Team on expedition sailings. Read more

Comfortable Cabins
Comfortable Cabins

From cosy inside cabins to luxurious suites, the perfect home away from home awaits for every cruiser. Read more

Delicious Dining
Delicious Dining

Enjoy a delightful menu crafted from fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce served up in the main restaurant. Read more

Relaxed Atmosphere
Relaxed Atmosphere

Enjoy Hurtigruten's famously relaxed atmosphere and cruise comfortably day and night, with no need to change for dinner. Read more

Wellness at Sea
Wellness at Sea

Make use of the wellness and recreation facilities on board, including a gym, sauna, and outdoor hot tubs. Read more

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Brochure

Arctic Expeditions

Hurtigruten Arctic Expeditions (2024-25)

This season we have some truly exceptional voyages to your favourite destinations. We take you to some of the most naturally beautiful, culturally rich, and downright wildest places on the planet including Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard, Norway and Alaska and the Northwest Passage - and we do so in a way that gives back.

Availability Click on prices below to view cabin upgrades and details

Exclusive Deal
Friday 06 Jun 2025
Sunday 15 Jun 2025
Ship MS Fram
Inside
Save $1,645
$11,203
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $1,969
$12,921
View Cabins
Suite
Save $2,665
$16,617
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Friday 13 Jun 2025
Sunday 22 Jun 2025
Ship MS Spitsbergen
Inside
Save $1,645
$11,203
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $1,920
$12,664
View Cabins
Suite
Save $2,778
$17,219
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Saturday 14 Jun 2025
Monday 23 Jun 2025
Ship MS Fram
Inside
Save $1,645
$11,203
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $1,969
$12,921
View Cabins
Suite
Save $2,665
$16,617
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Saturday 21 Jun 2025
Monday 30 Jun 2025
Ship MS Spitsbergen
Inside
Save $1,645
$11,203
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $1,920
$12,664
View Cabins
Suite
Save $2,778
$17,219
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Sunday 22 Jun 2025
Tuesday 01 Jul 2025
Ship MS Fram
Inside
Save $1,645
$11,203
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $1,969
$12,921
View Cabins
Suite
Save $2,665
$16,617
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Sunday 29 Jun 2025
Tuesday 08 Jul 2025
Ship MS Spitsbergen
Inside
Save $1,645
$11,203
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $1,920
$12,664
View Cabins
Suite
Save $2,778
$17,219
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Friday 06 Jun 2025
Sunday 15 Jun 2025
Ship MS Fram
Inside
Save $2,376
$15,301
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $2,846
$17,793
View Cabins
Suite
Save $5,306
$30,856
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Friday 13 Jun 2025
Sunday 22 Jun 2025
Ship MS Spitsbergen
Inside
Save $2,780
$17,450
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $3,248
$19,934
View Cabins
Suite
Save $5,533
$32,060
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Saturday 14 Jun 2025
Monday 23 Jun 2025
Ship MS Fram
Inside
Save $2,376
$15,301
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $2,846
$17,793
View Cabins
Suite
Save $5,306
$30,856
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Saturday 21 Jun 2025
Monday 30 Jun 2025
Ship MS Spitsbergen
Inside
Save $2,780
$17,450
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $3,248
$19,934
View Cabins
Suite
Save $5,533
$32,060
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Sunday 22 Jun 2025
Tuesday 01 Jul 2025
Ship MS Fram
Inside
Save $2,376
$15,301
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $2,846
$17,793
View Cabins
Suite
Save $5,306
$30,856
View Cabins
Exclusive Deal
Sunday 29 Jun 2025
Tuesday 08 Jul 2025
Ship MS Spitsbergen
Inside
Save $2,780
$17,450
View Cabins
Oceanview
Save $3,248
$19,934
View Cabins
Suite
Save $5,533
$32,060
View Cabins
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Hurtigruten. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Hurtigruten. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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