Longyearbyen is the biggest settlement in Svalbard. Seat of the Norwegian administration, it also has the best services and infrastructure in the archipelago. Located deep in the Adventfjord, a sidearm of the Isfjorden (Icefjord), Longyearbyen’s airport can be used all-year round, but its harbor is blocked by ice in winter. Most shops, hotels, restaurants and a hospital are within easy walking distance of the port. One of the most prominent buildings in town is the UNIS center, where several Norwegian universities have joined forces to operate and offer the northernmost higher education to both Norwegian and international students. Adjacent to UNIS, and well worth a visit, is the Svalbard Museum, covering the natural history and exploitation of Svalbard. Remnants of the former mining activity can be seen all around Longyearbyen and even in town.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.

Southern Svalbard is home to Hornsund and Bellsund, two of the southernmost and most spectacular fjords on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Amidst floating icebergs, it is possible to watch for bearded seals, beluga whales and the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as are the polar bears’ favorite foods; the ringed and bearded seals. The surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting seabirds. Destinations like Bamsebu and Gnalodden hold the remains of whaling stations and trappers’ huts ready for exploration. Spots including Burgerbukta and Recherchebreen offer incredible glaciers, mountains, and opportunities for Zodiac cruising in search of wildlife and definitively Arctic scenery. Meanwhile, the knobby peak of Alkhornet is known for fabulous natural history walks, breathtaking views and sightings of reindeer and Arctic fox. Southern Svalbard offers many options for exploration.

Southern Svalbard is home to Hornsund and Bellsund, two of the southernmost and most spectacular fjords on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Amidst floating icebergs, it is possible to watch for bearded seals, beluga whales and the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as are the polar bears’ favorite foods; the ringed and bearded seals. The surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting seabirds. Destinations like Bamsebu and Gnalodden hold the remains of whaling stations and trappers’ huts ready for exploration. Spots including Burgerbukta and Recherchebreen offer incredible glaciers, mountains, and opportunities for Zodiac cruising in search of wildlife and definitively Arctic scenery. Meanwhile, the knobby peak of Alkhornet is known for fabulous natural history walks, breathtaking views and sightings of reindeer and Arctic fox. Southern Svalbard offers many options for exploration.

Southern Svalbard is home to Hornsund and Bellsund, two of the southernmost and most spectacular fjords on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Amidst floating icebergs, it is possible to watch for bearded seals, beluga whales and the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as are the polar bears’ favorite foods; the ringed and bearded seals. The surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting seabirds. Destinations like Bamsebu and Gnalodden hold the remains of whaling stations and trappers’ huts ready for exploration. Spots including Burgerbukta and Recherchebreen offer incredible glaciers, mountains, and opportunities for Zodiac cruising in search of wildlife and definitively Arctic scenery. Meanwhile, the knobby peak of Alkhornet is known for fabulous natural history walks, breathtaking views and sightings of reindeer and Arctic fox. Southern Svalbard offers many options for exploration.

Longyearbyen is the biggest settlement in Svalbard. Seat of the Norwegian administration, it also has the best services and infrastructure in the archipelago. Located deep in the Adventfjord, a sidearm of the Isfjorden (Icefjord), Longyearbyen’s airport can be used all-year round, but its harbor is blocked by ice in winter. Most shops, hotels, restaurants and a hospital are within easy walking distance of the port. One of the most prominent buildings in town is the UNIS center, where several Norwegian universities have joined forces to operate and offer the northernmost higher education to both Norwegian and international students. Adjacent to UNIS, and well worth a visit, is the Svalbard Museum, covering the natural history and exploitation of Svalbard. Remnants of the former mining activity can be seen all around Longyearbyen and even in town.