Arctic Cruise Adventure: In Search of the Polar Bear

Arrive in Oslo, your gateway to the Arctic. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to the conveniently located Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. This evening, gather for a welcome briefing and dinner.

Board your charter flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, also known as Spitsbergen, the sovereign Arctic Archipelago of Norway. It is one of the most remote groups of islands on the planet, with nearly two-thirds of its surface covered in luminous glaciers. This afternoon, board your luxury expedition cruiser.

Awake to your first morning aboard as your vessel cruises up the Svalbard coast. Today’s explorations may feature Ny-Alesund, home to a polar research station and the northernmost post office in the world. Back aboard, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by the Captain.

Today, your vessel sets course for Monacobreen. Formerly known as Monaco Bay, this glacier reaches down into Spitsbergen and is frequented by polar bears, harbor and bearded seals, walrus and a multitude of seabirds. You may also cruise through Liefdefjorden (The Love Fjord), another excellent area for spotting polar bears.

Conditions permitting, you may set out on a Zodiac excursion along steep cliffs harboring vast colonies of auk diving birds. This afternoon, your Captain and Expedition Team may take advantage of sea conditions and arrange an invigorating and scenic hike ashore.

Your expedition continues northward as you take in breathtaking mountains, glaciers and icebergs and keep watch for polar bears, Brünnich's guillemots and numerous species of kittiwakes.

The day’s explorations may take you to the most northerly region of the Svalbard Islands.

Cruise south through the Greenland Sea as your Expedition Team lectures on the wildlife, history and geology of the Svalbard Islands.

The day’s planned shore excursion is Jan Mayen, a rugged island dominated by the 7,500-foot Beerenberg Volcano, the world’s northernmost active volcano. With special permission and conditions permitting, land on this rarely visited island to see its meteorological station and discover colonies of northern fulma, little auk, thick-billed guillemot and black guillemot.

Today, ice conditions permitting, disembark for a visit to the small settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the most isolated villages in Greenland.

Your Captain charts a course across the Greenland Sea, skirting the Arctic ice edge toward Greenland’s rarely visited eastern coast and Scoresby Sound, the largest and longest fjord system in the world. You may embark on Zodiac excursions through the fjord’s intricate network, taking in its islands and icebergs while searching for Arctic fox and musk ox.

Cruise the Denmark Strait as you relax or watch for seabirds and whale from the deck between insightful lectures from your Expedition Team.

Today, opt to visit picturesque Husavik and its fascinating whale museum. Supported by A&K Philanthropy, the museum is one of the world’s foremost whale research centers. Alternatively, choose to embark on a scenic whale-watching tour, or perhaps set off for Godafoss Falls and geothermal Lake Myvatn. Tonight, gather for a special farewell reception and dinner.

Explore the Westfjords of Iceland, a remote region of small settlements interspersed amid spectacular mountains and coves. Here, take in the stunning views as you enjoy a leisurely walk or embark on a more vigorous trek ashore.

This morning, disembark your expedition cruiser in Reykjavik and transfer to the airport for your onward departure or discover more of Iceland on the post-tour extension.