SPITSBERGEN, GREENLAND & ICELAND

SHIP OFFERING THIS ITINERARY

SEA SPIRIT

The Sea Spirit was built in Italy in 1991. She’s a very comfortable ice-strengthened, small (114 guests), all-suite expedition ship. The vessel was updated in late 2010 and had additional refurbishment in April 2017. All suites have private facilities and exterior views. Some of the suites feature private balconies for enjoying fantastic landscapes of Antarctica.

She has a fleet of ten rubber inflatable zodiac boats for landings, an experienced crew, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing. This ship features an open bridge, 2 rear outdoor viewing areas, an outdoor viewing area at the front of the vessel, a bar, lounge, presentation room and dining area all lined with windows. There is also a gym on-board as well as a library and media centre.

Day 1 Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen, Norway

Arrive in Longyearbyen today and explore this small, interesting town. The capital of Svalbard, Spitsbergen has a museum and a few cafes and restaurants you may wish to try. Spend tonight in a hotel in the town.

Day 2 Embark in Longyearbyen

Today you will board your ship in Longyearbyen and begin your Arctic cruise. . Enjoy views of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains, rising majestically from icy waters.

Days 3-4 Spitsbergen

The itinerary in Spitsbergen is heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions you encounter. This is true expeditioning. The experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities arise. Rest assured they will take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.

The ship will head to the northwestern part of Spitsbergen to an area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife spotting opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and Arctic fox. These waters are home to a wide variety of marine mammals. Polar Bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard so keep your eyes peeled.

In this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for attempts to reach the North Pole.

Days 5-6 Greenland Sea

From Spitsbergen the ship will head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. In these far northern latitudes it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way you may see marine mammals such as whales, seals, and polar bears.

Days 7-11 East Greenland

As the ship cruises through the fjords of East Greenland the expedition team will make the most of any opportunities that may come about. Enjoy incredible scenery, Zodiac cruises and onshore excursions. You may wish to join some of the hikes offered or visit the local Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit. Throughout this region you will find ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts and modern Inuit hinters’ cabins.

Day 12 Denmark Strait

At sea, the Denmark Strait is the pathway toward Iceland. Enjoy onboard presentations about the history of exploration in the Arctic. Out on deck you will be joined by seabirds soaring above the ship.

Day 13 Snaefellsnes, Iceland

Snæfellsjökull Volcano and Kirkjufell Mountain are impressive landmarks of the Snæfellsjökull peninsula. Local fishermen and merchants are welcoming as you visit the towns.

Day 14 Reykjavik

You’ll disembark in Reykjavik after breakfast. You will be provided with a transfer to the airport or to the city centre if you are planning to stay a few days and explore this beautiful city.