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Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this Arctic adventure cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Experience high summer in the Arctic with Ocean Albatros – one of the few ice-class expedition ships built to withstand the polar pack ice.
Day | Place | Highlights |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Norway | Depart Norway and arrive Longyearbyen |
Days 2-3 | Northwest Spitzbergen | One of the largest protected wilderness areas in Europe |
Day 4 | Northeast Svalbard | Cruise into the vast icy wilderness. Vast glaciers flow from the mountains into the sea |
Days 5 and 6 | North Svalbard and Into the Ice | Reach some of the northernmost pieces of land on Earth. An environment like no other, the vast shape-shifting realm of floating ice |
Day 7 | Kongsfjorden Area | Surrounded by craggy mountains, bounded by the magnificent Kongsbreen and Kongvegen Glaciers |
Day 8 | Longyearbyen | Disembark the ship in Longyearbyen and fly to Norwegian mainland |
Ocean Albatros offers 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros is a popular expedition cruise vessel. Choice of two restaurants, a wellness area, Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities. It has a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for guests. There’s a unique panorama sauna and a total of 12 dedicated solo travel cabins without a single-supplement.
Board your flight in Norway and arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard – the world’s northernmost… everything! The town’s rugged frontier edge belies a core of warm Nordic hospitality and coziness – hyggligt, as we say in Denmark!
After landing you’ll find yourself in a different world. The chilly Arctic breeze can be felt as soon as you step onto the tarmac, and the famous signpost outside the terminal reminds visitors how far north they really are; as well as to keep watch for bears!
Board the awaiting Ocean Albatros settle in and explore the ship, head onto the outer decks to enjoy a glass of champagne while watching your expedition vessel leave civilisation behind.
One of the largest protected wilderness areas in Europe, North West Svalbard was declared a national park in 1973. Prior to this as the area occupied the triple point between land, sea and ice and hosted the perfect location from which to harvest the gentle giants of the oceans.
Today, all that remains from this period of history are bones and the scant remnants of human habitation. Slowly reclaimed by creeping Arctic nature, the region is now a nature lovers paradise. Tiny Arctic poppies and purple saxifrage defy the brutal conditions to flower in the brief summer, while geese, eider ducks and other seabirds return to the island to raise their young. Walrus can be found hauled out on beaches, and we must always be on careful lookout for wandering polar bears in this now again wild region.
In the morning cruise into the vast icy wilderness of northeastern Svalbard. This region does not recieve the ocean currents which keep western Svalbard warm and wet, and thus the environment is radicaly different, with rocky polar desert landscapes. Vast glaciers flow from the mountains into the sea, which is often choked with ice, even in summer.
Hardy animals such as Arctic foxes eke out a living on these chilly shores, constantly on the lookout for prey. In the cliffs above the sea, hundreds of thousands of seabirds crowd on rocky ledges, carefully tending their precious eggs. In the coastal waters there are shellfish grown in abundance, and these in turn are preyed upon by walrus, which are common in the area.
The exact locations we visit is sea dependent due to wind and ice conditions and can change rapidly even in summer – this is the essence of polar exploration, moving with the rhythms of Mother Nature, and taking the opportunities to explore which she provides!
Reach some of the northernmost pieces of land on Earth – the northerly coasts of Svalbard, barren landscapes almost permanently beset by ice. With luck we may reach the island of Nordaustlandet and hopefully the seven (or nine, depending on how you count) smaller islands of Sjuøyane in the far north of Svalbard.
Weather permitting, we will land and walk upon these most northern landmasses. Birdlife is rich, with flocks of grazing geese and some of the rarer gulls frequently seen on these islands.
Enter an environment like no other, the vast shape-shifting realm of floating ice which crowns our planet. The vast ever-changing ice pack to the north of Svalbard stretches from this already isolated archipelago to the North Pole, and onwards across the Arctic Ocean towards the northern shores of Chukotka and Alaska.
The Arctic ice pack is one of Earth’s largest habitats, although unlike most it varies hugely year on year, expanding in winter and retreating in summer. At first glance, this stark white wilderness seems barren, empty and lifeless. This icy wilderness holds on to its mysteries, and of course wildlife sightings are at the whims of Mother NatureWith a little perseverance however, the ice reveals its secrets.
Tiny cod-like fish can be seen silhouetted against the ice in the clear water. Kittiwakes and Gloucous Gulls follow the vessel as it disturbs the water. Look for pods of belugas, or maybe even the vast gentle bowhead whale crushing the ice from below as its massive body surfaces. It is also the kingdom of the polar bear.
During the ‘night’ Ocean Albatros will have repositioned past the saw-toothed mountains of Prins Karls Forland and arrived in magnificent Kongsfjord. Surrounded by craggy mountains, bounded by the magnificent Kongsbreen and Kongvegen Glaciers, and crowned by the Three Crowns (a set of pyramidal mountains said to represent the monarchies of Norway, Sweden and Denmark), this is surely one of the most beautiful and tranquil corners anywhere in the world.
Our first landing will be at the small settlement of Ny Ålesund. Situated further north than Longyearbyen, Ny-Ålesund is Earth’s northernmost settlement.
These islands’ geographical location has made them the staging post for exploratory and scientific expeditions for centuries – a proud legacy which continues to this day. The setting is spectacular, and the scientific projects are as fascinating as the history of the town, which has hosted the Nobile, the Norge and the Fram, Amundsen, Nansen and Nordenskiöld, all legends of polar exploration who passed this lonely outpost seeking to push the boundaries of humanity.
On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard – the world’s northernmost… everything! Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic!
After enjoying exploring Longyearbyen and a fond farewell to the crew and fellow guests of Ocean Albatros, return to Svalbard Airport and join your flight back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a lifetime.