SPITSBERGEN HIGHLIGHTS Expedition in Brief ARCTIC 2021 | INAUGURAL SEASON Contents 1 Overview 2 Itinerary 4 Arrival and Departure Details 6 Your Ship Options 9 Included Activities 10 Adventure Options 11 Dates & Rates 13 Inclusions & Exclusions 14 Your Expedition Team 15 Extend Your Trip 16 Meals on Board 17 Possible Excursions 19 Packing Checklist Overview Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief On this extraordinary journey, you will pack all the excitement of an epic Arctic EXPEDITION IN BRIEF cruise into just seven days, cruising through pack ice up to 80° north along the View iconic Arctic wildlife, such as west coast of Spitsbergen, retracing the steps of explorers from centuries past. polar bears, walrus and reindeer Though this rocky island is covered in mountains and glaciers, the towering cliffs Enjoy all the adventure of an Arctic and fjords play host to a thriving and diverse ecosystem. Exploring as much of expedition in a week the area as possible, you will enjoy maximum opportunities to spot, among other Cruise in a Zodiac to explore glaciers, wildlife, the walrus with its long tusks and distinctive whiskers, the resilient and fjords, icebergs and more Arctic birds in all their varied majesty, and that most iconic of Arctic creatures, Hike the colorful tundra the polar bear. Immerse yourself in the icy realm As one of our most popular Arctic voyages, Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief is of the Arctic with optional kayaking now available on two ships, each providing a distinct polar experience. Ultramarine, adventures our new, game-changing polar vessel, can take you to remote destinations no other ships can reach. Aboard Ultramarine, explore Spitsbergen in brand new ways—taking advantage of the 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, the most extensive adventure options in the industry, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ship its size—to create the Arctic experience perfect for you. Ocean Adventurer, a passenger favorite, is much loved for its intimate onboard ambience that enables guests to connect with other travelers and members of the expedition team. 1 Itinerary DAY 1 | ARRIVE IN OSLO, NORWAY DAYS 3 TO 6 | EXPLORING Kvitøya Your Arctic voyage begins in Oslo, SPITSBERGEN Phippsøya Norway’s vibrant capital city. If you You’ll sail around the shores of this Arctic Ocean arrive early, there are many museums, magical island, constantly searching Nordaustlandet restaurants and green spaces to keep you for polar bears and other natural busy before retiring at your included wonders. Covering western Spitsbergen, Monaco airport hotel. your expedition will afford ample Glacier SPITSBERGEN opportunities to view immense glaciers, Smeerenburg Barentsøya DAY 2 | EMBARKATION DAY IN LONGYEARBYEN, SVALBARD deep fjords, soaring mountains and Longyearbyen Edgeøya This morning, the group will transfer to unique flora and fauna. the airport and board our private charter Sailing north into Krossfjord, have your SVALBARD Bellsund flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s camera handy, ready to capture some of Calypsobyen largest settlement, where you’ll have Greenland the best glacier calving in Spitsbergen. Sea Hornsund TO/FROM some time to explore before embarkation. OSLO Deep in the fjord, the highly active As your ship sets sail, enjoy great vistas of Lilliehöök Glacier awaits. Listen in awe to the mountainous landscape that serves as SPITSBERGEN HIGHLIGHTS: the growling as big chunks break off into Expedition in Brief a backdrop for this historic town. Onboard the Ocean Adventurer & Ultramarine the icy waters below. A Zodiac excursion Flights to/from Oslo 2 to nearby Ny London, an abandoned time to explore ashore and learn about mining settlement, provides an ideal Spitsbergen’s whaling history. Afterwards, IMPORTANT REMINDER place for a guided walk. Encounters with cruising to Magdalenafjord rewards you Embracing the unexpected is part wildlife, such as the endemic Svalbard with panoramic vistas of snow-capped of the legacy—and excitement—of reindeer, are possible here. mountains and massive glaciers reflected expedition travel. When traveling in the crystal-clear waters. After cruising overnight, wake up to in extremely remote regions, your the stunning sight of the magnificent During your last full day of your Arctic Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route Monaco Glacier, another prolific iceberg adventure, you may visit the Russian and itinerary details. This itinerary is producer. To make this even more mining town of Barentsburg, home of a tentative outline of what you may thrilling, help your Expedition Team Russia’s northernmost brewery. We experience on this voyage; please be to scan the shorelines and ice edge for hope to round out the day in Alkehornet, aware that no specific itinerary can be marine mammals. Possible landing taking in the towering cliffs teeming guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset with nesting seabirds, such as fulmars encounters as described are expected, and the Andoyane Islands (where polar and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed but not guaranteed. Your Expedition bears have been known to roam). If ice murres). Encounters with reindeer Team will use their considerable conditions permit reaching 80°N, you’ll might be possible here too. Later, in experience to seek out wildlife in reach a walrus sanctuary on the tiny, the evening, swap stories with your known habitats, but the presence crescent-shaped Moffen Island. Watching shipmates and crew one last time, at the of any particular species of bird or from the water as large groups of these captain’s dinner. marine wildlife is not guaranteed. lumbering giants jockey for space is an DAY 7 | DISEMBARK IN unforgettable experience, so be ready LONGYEARBYEN & FLY TO OSLO with your binoculars. The time to say goodbye has come. At Smeerenburg you can see the remains Your adventure ends as it began, of an abandoned settlement that was in the frontier-style settlement of established by Dutch whalers nearly Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer 400 years ago. Here, at one of Europe’s you to the airport for your return group most northerly outposts, you’ll have charter flight to Oslo. 3 Arrival & Departure Details As you prepare for your journey, you may be interested in your arrival and departure details. Since international air transportation is not included in the cost of your expedition, you have some flexibility in planning your flights. Looking to extend your adventure beyond your polar expedition? On page 15, learn how to add on a pre- or post-expedition stop—or both!—in Oslo or a nearby region of your choice. Arrival Day and Embarkation ARRIVING IN OSLO You may arrive at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Upon your arrival in Oslo, you will make your way to the included group hotel. Check in time is 3pm. Early the following morning, on Day 2, your group will transfer to the airport and PLEASE NOTE board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen. The scheduled flight time will be There is a strict luggage limit of communicated in your final documents. 50 lbs (23 kg) checked luggage and 18 lbs (8 kg) cabin baggage on the flights LONGYEARBYEN AND EMBARKATION between Oslo and Longyearbyen. Should Upon arrival in Longyearbyen (Day 2 of your itinerary), you will be transferred from you have additional luggage, it can be the airport to a drop off point to have some free time to explore this historic town. stored at the hotel in Oslo. There is NO Your luggage will be taken directly to the ship, and later you will be transferred option to pay for additional luggage. from the designated meeting point to the pier. Details of ship transfer times will be provided during your arrival transfer. Due to port logistics, it is possible that you may need to board the vessel by Zodiac, rather than from the pier. 4 Final Day and DEPARTING FROM OSLO Arrival and Departure Upon arrival in Oslo, you may connect Departure directly with your onward flight. Transfers DISEMBARKATION IN Scheduled charter flight times will OSLO AIRPORT TRANSFERS LONGYEARBYEN AND ONWARD appear in your final documents, and any Arrival and departure transfers in Oslo Your ship is scheduled to arrive back in additional updates will be communicated are not included in the expedition. Your Longyearbyen between 7am and 8am on board prior to disembarkation. first night’s included accommodation will local time. After breakfast, you will have be provided at the airport hotel, so please time to bid farewell to your Expedition Included Hotel make your way to the lobby for check-in Team and shipmates before completing Accommodations when you arrive. The voyage concludes your disembarkation. The process takes on arrival at the Oslo airport; if you Your included accommodation begins on about an hour and due to port logistics, require a transfer to the city, a Polar Day 1 of your itinerary, and the specific may involve one last Zodiac ride to the Travel Adviser or your travel professional hotel(s) will be indicated in your final pier. After disembarkation, you’ll be can arrange one for you. voyage confirmation. If you are arriving transferred to the central shopping area prior to Day 1 of your expedition or are If you are flying home right away, you will in Longyearbyen, and if you’ve chosen to staying after the disembarkation day and most likely be able to board a connecting continue your time in Svalbard, you will would like help booking a pre- or post- flight on the same day. Please be sure to be dropped off at your hotel. If you’ve stay, please contact your Polar Travel allow three hours between our charter purchased the Oslo hotel and transfer Adviser or travel professional for hotel arrival and your international departure.