fbpx

Summer in Svalbard Small Ship Cruise

Summer in Svalbard Small Ship Cruise

From USD $9,290

Description

Join us on an unforgettable journey through Svalbard, the land of the midnight sun! During the short and intense summer season, from early July to early August, the ice loosens its grip on the Svalbard archipelago, opening up more opportunities to explore further east. This is a time when whales are often seen in the surrounding waters, the Arctic flora is in bloom and increasingly snow-free landscapes allow for longer hikes and landings.
With nine nights aboard the comfortable 50-passenger M/S Quest, there will be plenty of time for both grand adventures and unexpected encounters. Our aim is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and, whenever conditions allow, to go ashore and explore.

Trip Name
Summer in Svalbard Small Ship Cruise
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 66 metres Passenger Capacity: 50 Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2005 / 2018 M/S Quest was built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on Greenland`s west-coast. In 2004/2005 she was redesigned as an expedition ship and has now a career as a small and comfortable expedition vessel. She was extensively renovated in 2018. Quest takes 53 passengers in 26 cabins, all with sea-view and private facilities. The triple cabins on deck 3 have upper and lower berths. All other cabins have two lower berths or a double bed. In your cabin you also find a desk with chair and ample storage space for clothes and equipment. The superior cabins on deck 3 and 4 are spacious and have a separate sitting area and TV/DVD. The Owner`s cabin, next to the Captain`s cabin, on deck 4 has a double bed, two large picture windows, a sitting area and TV/DVD. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, two large picture windows, a separate seating area and TV. In the dining room you are treated to delicious meals in between landings and in the panorama lounge you can enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape. Here you can listen to entertaining talks on the area’s flora, fauna and history. In the lounge you also find a bar and a small library. The ship has spacious observation decks, where you can enjoy the beautiful vistas. Passengers are welcome on the bridge around the clock and there is always something to see or search for. You are welcomed by an international crew and the atmosphere is relaxed and very friendly. There are five Zodiacs and five guides on board M/S Quest.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 - Day 2 - 10: Expedition cruising
Explore Longyearbyen on your own before meeting up your fellow travellers and guides for lunch. In the afternoon we board the expedition ship and sail out through the spectacular Isfjorden - the Arctic expedition has begun! We are now in a part of the world where we are completely dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary will depend on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our aim is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and to go ashore when the opportunity arises. Here are some examples of places we may visit.Northwest SpitsbergenThe scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is located in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. The Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon, and the American journalist Wellman started with an airship. Interesting remnants of these expeditions can still be seen here.Magnificent fjordsSvalbard offers visitors countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore some of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-capped mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pink-footed geese nest in the area. In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier and are greeted by the many kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots that nest on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by magnificent glaciers. It is also a favourite haunt of seals and the bird cliffs are abuzz with activity.SjuøyaneThese islands are situated north of Nordaustlandet and it is Svalbard’s northernmost outpost. On one of the islands, Rossøya, Andrée and his companions had one of their depots with supplies in case their, by now legendary, balloon trip in the late 1800s would fail.Hinlopen Strait and AlkefjelletIce conditions permitting, we enter the Hinlopen Strait. Here we find Alkefjellet, an impressive basalt cliff that is home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. We may also continue into the beautiful bay of Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.Eastern SvalbardThe island of Nordaustlandet is covered by a huge ice cap and has fascinated naturalists and historians alike. Here the giant glacier Bråsvellbreen stretches for 180 kilometres! The 15-20 metre high ice edge is punctuated by hundreds of by hundreds of waterfalls.
Day 3 - Day 11: Longyearbyen
Early in the morning, we disembark from our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
Day 4 - Please note:
All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on the ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
26-07-202805-08-2028USD $9,290Triple Cabin
26-07-202805-08-2028USD $11,390Twin Cabin
26-07-202805-08-2028USD $11,790Double Cabin
26-07-202805-08-2028USD $11,790Twin Cabin Plus
26-07-202805-08-2028USD $12,690Double Cabin Superior
26-07-202805-08-2028USD $13,590Owners Cabin
26-07-202805-08-2028USD $18,290Twin Cabin Solo

Inclusions

    • A once-in-a-lifetime adventure
    • 9 nights on board M/S Quest
    • Small group
    • great moments
    • 5-star nature experiences
    • 5 experienced guides
    • All trips are unique

Map