ARCTIC SVALBARD SUMMER EXPEDITION

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

Seabourn Venture

Seabourn Venture was launched in July of 2022, designed and built for diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards. She includes a plethora of modern hardware and technology that will extend the ship’s global deployment and capabilities. This ship features an innovative design, created specifically for the ultra-luxury expedition traveller. She is also designed to carry a complement of double sea kayaks as well as 24 Zodiacs that can accommodate all onboard guests at once, which will allow for a truly immersive experience. Venture features 132 all veranda, all ocean-front suites.

Day 1 Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, a city that effortlessly combines ancient history with a vibrant modern energy. Its streets are steeped in stories, from the cobblestones of the Old Town to the elegant Georgian avenues of the New Town, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Edinburgh Castle, majestically poised atop an ancient volcanic rock, and stroll the Royal Mile leading to the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse. Discover world-class art at the Scottish National Gallery and find serenity in the Princes Street Gardens. Marvel at the contemporary Scottish Parliament building, tour the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, and when night falls, immerse yourself in Edinburgh’s thriving cultural scene.

Day 2 Edinburgh to Longyearbyen, Norway

Fly from Edinburgh to the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. The town’s 2,100 inhabitants exist in one of the most northern settlements on Earth, making their living by a combination of coal mining, education and tourism. Because of the town’s extreme isolation, proximity to wildlife, and Svalbard’s pristine environment, unique laws exist that are found in few other places. All individuals venturing outside of town are required to carry a rifle for protection against polar bears, possessing a cat is illegal, no one is allowed to be buried here and how much alcohol can be purchased each month is restricted.

Embark the ship to start your Arctic adventure.

Days 3 – 8 Svalbard

Svalbard is a remote, vast and wild place, largely untouched by the human presence. In visiting this destination, our plans and itinerary are not set, as your expedition team allow the weather, conditions and wildlife to dictate each day. Should a polar bear appear on the horizon, you might stop the ship or the Zodiacs in order to get a better look at it. Should ice choke the waters in front of us, you might slow down and explore the edge of this ice while admiring its colors and forms while searching for wildlife, or else turn and choose another destination. Should storms lash against the site you want to visit, you may opt to find a more protected bay and explore a different spot. Whatever you do, Svalbard holds many beauties and mysteries and exciting discoveries are always available for those whose eyes and hearts are open.

Some of the highlights of visiting Svalbard include:

Tundra landscapes: Hike across stark, seemingly barren landscapes with Expedition Staff who will show you the delightful small plants and flowers that thrive in this hostile environment. Admire rock formations and landscapes created by frost and water over time. There is always a chance to encounter arctic foxes, reindeer and interesting bird species while exploring out on the tundra.

Polar bears: This iconic species, the King of the Arctic, is a magical creature to encounter. Whether seen as a tiny white speck in the distance, or ambling slowly along a shoreline, a glimpse of this special species is always awe-inspiring. We will never pursue polar bears or allow our encounters to have any adverse impacts on them, so we manage our activities carefully. Always on shore our walks are carefully monitored by our Bear Guards who work to maintain the safety of both visitors as well as the bears.

Historic remains: Although the history of human endeavors in Svalbard is minimal, some historic huts and remains from whaling eras linger on shore to remind us of the hardy souls who ventures before us into this hostile land and scraped a living from the resources they found here. Trappers huts stand as lonely sentinels in this vast landscape and provide visitors with the opportunity to contemplate a life of hardship and beautiful isolation for those who inhabited them in the past.

Day 9 Bjornoya (Bear Island)

Halfway between Europe’s North Cape and the Svalbard Archipelago, isolated Bjørnøya also sits along the line between the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea. Its fortress-like cliffs and sea stacks greet your arrival with the white-noise of uncountable nesting seabirds coming and going from the rock walls. They circle overhead as you explore the sea caves and narrow channels between the stacks and the cliff in Zodiacs. Conditions permitting, the flat, lunar terrain of the opposite shore at Herwighamna may allow you to land and meet the small crew of the weather station.

Day 10 At Sea

Take this day to enjoy the facilities aboard the ship, or to watch for bird and marine life from the ship.

Day 11 Hornvika, Skarsvag and the North Cape

Until the mid-20^th century, visitors to the North Cape had to arrive by sea, then be transferred ashore for the rather steep hike to the actual plateau 1,000 feet above. Most landed at Hornvika, set along a sheltered cove on the plateau’s eastern side. Seabourn guests reach the site via Zodiac departing from the fishing village of Skarsvåg; along the way, pass by a spectacular rock formation known as the Horn or Hornet (considered to be a sacred place by the Sami People). Follow the series of stairways and trails up to the plateau for snaps from the northernmost point of the European mainland — and relax knowing that your return to the ship is by road.

The looming cliffs of Norway’s North Cape rise directly from the sea 307m to a plateau as flat as a table. At 71° 10’ 20” N latitude, it is just 2,012 km from the North Pole. At this point, the Norwegian Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean, meets the Barents Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean. Further north, the mountainous archipelagoes of Franz Josef Land and Svalbard are the last lands before the Polar Ice Pack. The Midnight Sun does not dip below the horizon here at any time between May 14 and July 31 each year. Sheer and formidable, the North Cape pays its role to the hilt, emphatically declaring itself the end of Europe’s landmass.

Day 12 Tromso, Norway

End your adventure in Tromsø, the largest city in northern Norway and the ninth most populous municipality in the country. It surprises visitors with its sophisticated art scene, its contrasting modern and historical architecture, international cuisine, multicultural events, and festivals throughout the year.

Situated 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is within the land of the midnight sun during summer months and the elusive northern lights in winter. However, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream, the sea doesn’t freeze here in winter, and there is no permafrost in the vicinity. Tromsø is noticeably milder than other towns at the same latitudes in other parts of the world.

Tromsø is also ‘The City of Explorers’ and has seen a number of expeditions set off from its shores to the probe the polar realm. Both Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen frequently recruited men in the city. Nowadays home to the Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø continues a tradition of being one of the key centers in explorations of the Arctic.