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Svalbard: North to the Midnight Sun Expedition

Svalbard: North to the Midnight Sun Expedition

From USD $7,895

Description

Join us aboard the Ocean Albatros on an unforgettable Arctic expedition through Svalbard’s breathtaking wilderness, cruising among whales, walruses, polar bears, and millions of seabirds. This ice-class vessel is specially built to navigate the polar pack ice, allowing exploration of remote and pristine environments. Experience the high summer in the Arctic, when reindeer and Arctic foxes prepare for winter and seabird cliffs teem with life. This expedition aims to sail as close as possible to the northern pack ice, the favored summer habitat of polar bears, while also visiting accessible locations along Svalbard’s west coast kept navigable by the warm Gulf Stream. From wildlife hotspots to eerie historical sites, glittering icebergs to breathtaking glaciers, this voyage offers a true immersion into nature’s high-Arctic paradise, blending staggering scenery, wildlife-watching, and historical discovery.

Trip Name
Svalbard: North to the Midnight Sun Expedition
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 108 metres Passenger Capacity: 140 Built / Refurbished: 1989 / 2023 / 2026 Discoverer is a boutique expedition ship purpose-built for exploring the polar regions, combining genuine expedition capability with a high level of comfort and personalised service. Carrying just 140 guests, the vessel offers an intimate atmosphere that allows for flexible shore landings, meaningful wildlife encounters, and access to remote destinations beyond the reach of larger ships. With an Ice Class 1A rating, expansive outdoor viewing areas, and a wrap-around deck designed for wildlife observation and photography, Discoverer is ideally equipped for immersive exploration in some of the world's most spectacular environments. Recently refurbished, the ship features stylish outward-facing accommodation, many with private balconies or Juliet balconies, alongside inviting public spaces that create a relaxed boutique feel. Guests can unwind in the panoramic Observation Lounge, outdoor Jacuzzis, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, or wellness area after a day of adventure. Onboard amenities also include a lecture theatre, library, restaurant, bar, outdoor grill, and expedition facilities, while expert-led presentations, Zodiac excursions, and an experienced expedition team ensure every voyage is both enriching and unforgettable.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1: All Aboard in Longyearbyen!
Begin your journey in Norway and arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard—the northernmost town on Earth. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by crisp polar air, dramatic mountain views, and a polar bear warning sign reminding visitors of their wild new location. Your expedition ship Ocean Albatros awaits you in the harbor; toast your departure from civilization as you sail into the Arctic wilderness, on course for adventure!
Day 2 - Days 2-3: Northwest Svalbard
Northwest Svalbard, a National Park since 1973, preserves a rich history of early Arctic exploration and whaling. First visited by William Barents in 1596, the area became a hub for Dutch and English whalers. Their haunting remnants, such as the blubber ovens and graves of young sailors at sites such as Smeerenburg, remain visible. Now heavily protected, the region has been reclaimed by nature, rich in Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears, making it once again a pristine wilderness and haven for wildlife.
Day 3 - Day 4: Northeast Svalbard
In the morning, the expedition enters the icy wilderness of northeastern Svalbard, a stark polar desert shaped by the absence of warming ocean currents. Here, vast glaciers descend into ice-choked waters, surrounding rugged landscapes which appear barren, yet teem with life. Arctic foxes prowl the chilly shores, while hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs above. These cold coastal waters are rich in shellfish, attracting the walrus, which are common in the area. Our exploration plans depend on rapidly changing sea, wind, and ice conditions, embodying the dynamic and unpredictable essence of true polar adventure.
Day 4 - Day 5: North Svalbard
Next, we strive for some of the northernmost pieces of land on Earth – stark landscapes almost permanently beset by ice. With luck, we may reach the polar desert island of Nordaustlandet, or the smaller islands of Sjuøyane in the far north of Svalbard. The almost vegetation-free, rocky islands are located around 1000 km further north than mainland Norway’s famous Nordkapp. Weather permitting, we will land and walk upon these most northern landmasses. These high Arctic islands are quite barren, and only moss, hardy tundra plants and lichens cover the stones. The birdlife is rich in this area, with scampering shore birds and nesting terns and skuas – keep your binoculars handy! At the end of the day, we will start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack which stretches from Svalbard to the North Pole and beyond.
Day 5 - Day 6: Into the Ice
The Arctic ice pack north of Svalbard is a vast, ever-changing wilderness stretching to the North Pole and beyond to Alaska and Siberia, forming one of Earth’s largest and most dynamic habitats. Though it appears empty at first, this icy realm conceals abundant wildlife—from tiny cod-like fish to seabirds and seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive polar bear, the region’s apex predator. Ocean Albatros can navigate these narrow ice channels, offering a rare glimpse into this mysterious, shifting environment where nature’s secrets unfold with patience and careful observation.
Day 6 - Day 7: Kongsfjorden Area
During the Arctic “night,” we sail into the stunning Kongsfjord, a vast fjord system framed by glaciers and the dramatic Three Crowns mountains. Here we will visit Ny-Ålesund, Earth’s northernmost settlement, known for its scientific stations and historic role as a base for legendary polar explorers such as Amundsen and Nansen. This remote outpost continues to support vital research amid its breathtaking surroundings, blending the frontiers of science and exploration.
Day 7 - Day 8: Longyearbyen Disembarkation
On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive back in Longyearbyen. Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic! After exploring Longyearbyen and bidding a fond farewell to the crew and fellow Arctic explorers, return to Svalbard Airport and join your flight back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a lifetime.
Day 8 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $7,895Triple Stateroom
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $9,295Porthole Stateroom
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $9,795French Balcony Stateroom
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $10,595Superior Balcony Stateroom
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $11,095Grand Balcony Stateroom
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $12,195Balcony Suite
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $12,695Junior Suite
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $14,795Freydis Suite
18-05-202725-05-2027USD $17,895Brynhilde Suite
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $9,295Porthole Stateroom
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $9,795French Balcony Stateroom
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $10,595Superior Balcony Stateroom
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $11,095Grand Balcony Stateroom
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $12,195Balcony Suite
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $12,695Junior Suite
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $14,795Freydis Suite
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $17,895Brynhilde Suite
01-06-202708-06-2027USD $7,895Triple Stateroom
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $8,195Triple Stateroom
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $9,595Porthole Stateroom
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $10,095French Balcony Stateroom
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $10,995Superior Balcony Stateroom
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $11,495Grand Balcony Stateroom
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $12,595Balcony Suite
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $13,195Junior Suite
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $15,295Freydis Suite
03-07-202710-07-2027USD $18,595Brynhilde Suite
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $7,895Triple Stateroom
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $9,295Porthole Stateroom
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $9,795French Balcony Stateroom
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $10,595Superior Balcony Stateroom
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $11,095Grand Balcony Stateroom
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $12,195Balcony Suite
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $12,695Junior Suite
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $14,795Freydis Suite
15-08-202722-08-2027USD $17,895Brynhilde Suite
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $7,895Porthole Stateroom
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $8,995Ocean Stateroom
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $9,095Vista Stateroom
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $9,895Balcony Stateroom
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $10,395Discovery Suite
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $10,795Navigator Stateroom
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $12,395Owner's Suite
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $13,495Solo Vista Stateroom
17-08-202724-08-2027USD $13,495Grand Suite
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $7,895Porthole Stateroom
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $8,995Ocean Stateroom
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $9,095Vista Stateroom
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $9,895Balcony Stateroom
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $10,395Discovery Suite
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $10,795Navigator Stateroom
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $12,395Owner's Suite
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $13,495Solo Vista Stateroom
24-08-202731-08-2027USD $13,495Grand Suite

Inclusions

    • True High Arctic immersion: Northwest, Northeast, and far-north Svalbard, including polar deserts, glacier fronts, and the drifting ice pack toward the North Pole.
    • Polar wildlife and ecology: Walrus haul-outs, seabird cliffs, Arctic foxes, seals, whales, and the real possibility of polar bear encounters in their natural habitat.
    • Exploration heritage and science: Whaling history at Smeerenburg, the legacy of early Arctic explorers, and a visit to Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost research settlement.

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