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North Spitsbergen Explorer, Versatile Landscapes, Sea Ice & Wildlife

North Spitsbergen Explorer, Versatile Landscapes, Sea Ice & Wildlife

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Description

Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearben, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the polar bear. Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears. We hope to cruise to the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier before entering the Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region. We plan to sail to the edge of the ice-pack in search of whales before heading back to dry land in search of terrestrial wildlife.

Trip Name
North Spitsbergen Explorer, Versatile Landscapes, Sea Ice & Wildlife
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Polar Class Expedition Ship Length: 107.6 metres Passenger Capacity: 170 Built: 2019 Hondius is a purpose-built Polar Class 6 expedition ship designed to operate safely and efficiently in the Arctic and Antarctica. Its ice-strengthened hull, advanced navigation systems, and powerful twin engines support fast repositioning and reliable performance in challenging polar conditions. Interiors follow a clean, mid-century modern style, with accommodation for 170 guests across a wide range of cabin types, from suites with balconies to porthole cabins for groups. Public spaces include an expansive observation lounge and a dedicated lecture room used for workshops and briefings, reinforcing the vessel’s focus on education and discovery rather than traditional cruise entertainment. The ship is engineered for low environmental impact, using modern power management, LED lighting, and biodegradable materials. Shore access is prioritised through two gangways, an indoor Zodiac boarding area, and a large fleet of rigid-hull inflatables that support quick landings and near-shore exploration. With 70 crew, guides, and staff on board, Hondius offers the comfort of a well-run hotel while maintaining the flexibility required for wildlife encounters, shifting ice, and rapidly changing weather, ensuring maximum time in the field and minimal time at sea.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage.
Day 2 - Day 2: Route to Raudfjorden
Sailing to Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, you take in an expansive fjord spilling with glaciers – and maybe even visited by ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline of this fjord also support thriving seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and the possibility of polar bears.
Day 3 - Day 3: The massive Monaco Glacier
Depending on the weather, you could sail into Liefdefjorden and cruise within sight of the 5-kilometer-long (3.1 miles) face of the precipitous Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this glacier are a favorite feeding spot for thousands of kittiwakes, and the base of the ice is a popular polar bear hunting ground. If ice conditions prevent sailing here early in the season, an alternate route along the west coast of Spitsbergen can be implemented.
Day 4 - Day 4: Highlights of Hinlopen
Today you sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. At the entrance there is even the possibility to spot blue whales. After cruising among the ice floes of Lomfjordshalvøya in the Zodiacs, you can view the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with their thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the east side of Hinlopen Strait, you may attempt a landing on Nordaustlandet. Here reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses are likely sights. You can take an alternate route if ice prevents entry into Hinlopen.
Day 5 - Day 5: Stop at the Seven Islands
The northernmost point of your voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, in the Seven Islands. Here you reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, so the ship may park for several hours among the pack ice before wheeling around west again.
Day 6 - Day 6: Sailing the continental shelf
While retracing your route west, keep watch for polar bears and elusive Greenland (bowhead) whales. About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, you sail the edge of the continental shelf. Here fin whales forage during the summer in the upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water wells up from below the sea’s surface) that run along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of sighting minke whales.
Day 7 - Day 7: Reindeer, foxes, and so many seabirds
Walruses sometimes haul out in Forlandsundet, your next stop. Alternatively, you might sail into St. Johns Fjord or south to the mouth of Isfjorden, landing at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs, Arctic foxes search below for fallen eggs and chicks, and reindeer graze the sparse vegetation. You arrive in Longyearbyen later at night.
Day 8 - Day 8: There and back again
Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.
Day 9 - Please Note:
All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. The on-board expedition leader determines the final itinerary.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $4,500Quadruple Porthole
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $5,650Triple Porthole
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $6,250Twin Porthole
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $6,800Twin Window
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $7,200Twin Deluxe
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $8,150Superior
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $9,350Junior Suite
13-06-202620-06-2026USD $10,100Grand Suite With Private Balcony
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $6,250Twin Porthole
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $6,800Twin Window
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $7,200Twin Deluxe
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $8,150Superior
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $9,350Junior Suite
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $10,100Grand Suite With Private Balcony
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $0Summer Solstice Departure
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $4,500Quadruple Porthole
20-06-202627-06-2026USD $5,650Triple Porthole
21-06-202628-06-2026USD $4,500Quadruple Porthole
21-06-202628-06-2026USD $5,650Triple Porthole
21-06-202628-06-2026USD $6,250Twin Porthole
21-06-202628-06-2026USD $6,800Twin Window
21-06-202628-06-2026USD $7,200Twin Deluxe
21-06-202628-06-2026USD $8,150Superior
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $4,800Quadruple Porthole
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $5,950Triple Porthole
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $6,650Twin Porthole
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $7,200Twin Window
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $7,700Twin Deluxe
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $8,700Superior
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $9,900Junior Suite
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $10,750Grand Suite With Private Balcony
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $4,800Quadruple Porthole
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $5,950Triple Porthole
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $6,650Twin Porthole
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $7,200Twin Window
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $7,700Twin Deluxe
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $8,700Superior
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $9,900Junior Suite
08-06-202715-06-2027USD $10,750Grand Suite With Private Balcony
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $4,800Quadruple Porthole
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $5,950Triple Porthole
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $6,650Twin Porthole
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $7,200Twin Window
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $7,700Twin Deluxe
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $8,700Superior
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $9,900Junior Suite
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $10,750Grand Suite With Private Balcony
15-06-202722-06-2027USD $0Summer Solstice Departure
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $4,800Quadruple Porthole
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $5,950Triple Porthole
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $6,650Twin Porthole
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $7,200Twin Window
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $7,700Twin Deluxe
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $8,700Superior
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $9,900Junior Suite
22-06-202729-06-2027USD $10,750Grand Suite With Private Balcony
29-06-202706-07-2027USD $4,800Quadruple Porthole
29-06-202706-07-2027USD $5,950Triple Porthole
29-06-202706-07-2027USD $6,650Twin Porthole
29-06-202706-07-2027USD $7,200Twin Window
29-06-202706-07-2027USD $7,700Twin Deluxe
29-06-202706-07-2027USD $8,700Superior

Inclusions

    • Arctic Fox
    • Kittiwake
    • Polar Bear Tour
    • Shore-Based Walking
    • Sjuøyane
    • Svalbard Reindeer
    • Walrus
    • Zodiac Cruising & Shore program

Map