You will be met at the airport and transferred to the group hotel for your overnight stay. In the evening, you’ll meet the expedition leaders and the rest of the group for a trip briefing.
Accommodation: Hotel in Longyearbyen
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You’ll have most of the day to explore Longyearbyen. Consider exploring The North Pole Expedition Museum, visiting the local brewery, and enjoying a reindeer burger in one of the local restaurants. We’ll board the M/S Quest in the late afternoon. Cruising out of the beautiful Isfjorden, we’ll be escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. There will be a briefing to distribute dry suits, poggies (paddling mitts for our hands), lifejackets and dry bags.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: M/S Quest
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Over the next 9 days we will explore the amazing wilderness of Svalbard! We’ll spend as much time as possible outside, be it zodiac cruising, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, or all four! Our experienced Arctic team will use their know-how to design a day-to-day itinerary that makes the best use of the weather, ice conditions and wildlife opportunities. We’ll aim for at least two outings per day and explore wonderful landing sites in small groups.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: M/S Quest
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As our Svalbard cruise comes to an end, we’ll disembark the ship around 9am and transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
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Included:
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- Experienced expedition guides with extensive knowledge of the area
- 12-day Svalbard cruise expedition
- Accommodation for 10 nights aboard M/S Quest (triple occupancy)
- Accommodation for one night in Longyearbyen (twin share)
- Zodiac shore excursions from the ship
- Active hikes in Svalbard
- 3-5 kayak outings
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- A welcome toast and captain’s drinks
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Transfer from the hotel to the ship
- Lectures, videos, slides and film shows
- Port taxes and port charges
- Medical services (resident doctor and well-equipped clinic on board)
Add-ons
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- Extra kayaking (available at checkout)
- Expert tuition photographic package
- Upgrades to twin or double rooms
Not included:
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- Flights to Norway
- Single supplement
- Accommodations and meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses (laundry, medical expenses, bar charges, phone/email charges)
- Alcohol
- Airport departure taxes and visa, passport, and vaccination charges
- Emergency evacuation charges
- Guide and crew gratuities — optional
- Travel and medical insurance — optional
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To enjoy this Svalbard cruise, you’ll need to be in good health, relatively fit and active, and adventurous. The shore landings and zodiac cruises in Svalbard are suitable for anyone with the ability to descend and ascend the ship’s gangway (a steep set of stairs with a handrail) and enter the zodiac with assistance from the expedition team.
The active hikes on the Svalbard cruise will involve up to 5 km (3 miles) of hiking on varied terrain, from gentle tundra to steep slopes on a mix of uneven, rocky ground, with 180 to 210 m (600 to 700 m) elevation on average. The hikes may involve some scrambling.
The kayaking program on this Svalbard cruise requires good fitness levels and being comfortable in water. You’ll go kayaking between 3 and 5 times on the cruise, depending on the weather. Kayaking requires basic upper body strength and endurance to navigate the icy waters. While prior paddling experience is helpful, beginners are welcome!
If you’re an enthusiastic kayaker and have the stamina to paddle for extended periods, consider adding extra kayaking sessions to your booking (available at checkout). You will get a dedicated kayak and gear so you can maximize your time on the water in Svalbard with 6 to 10 outings, depending on the weather.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Zodiacs & landings
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- Long-sleeve tops (Merino wool or polypropylene) — pack 3-4
- Leggings (Merino wool or polypropylene) — pack 2-3
- Polar fleece top or lightweight wool jumper
- Polar fleece or warm tracksuit bottoms
- Polar fleece or down zip-up jacket or vest
- Waterproof outer jacket
- Waterproof pants durable and wide enough to fit over the muck boots provided by the guides
- Sheepskin wool insoles — optional, but recommended
- Thick wool or synthetic socks — pack several pairs
- Polypropylene or wool inner gloves — pack 2
- Waterproof outer gloves — pack 2
- Neck gaiter large enough to cover your mouth
- Fleece or wool beanie that covers your ears
On board
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- Comfortable casual clothes (onboard temperature is approx. 20°C)
- Warm comfortable flat shoes with good grip or moccasins
Other recommended items
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- Personal medication
- Sea sickness medication
- Moisturizer for face and hands
- Lip balm/chapstick
- Sunscreen
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, and conditioner are supplied in all bathrooms)
- Earplugs and eye mask
- Extra prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Polarized sunglasses
- Glasses cord for glasses/sunglasses
- Waterproof bag for landings
- Dry bags or Ziplock plastic bag for your camera
- Camera and accessories, spare batteries and memory cards
- Binoculars
- Adaptor (the plugs aboard are European 2 prong)
- Water bottle
- Collapsible adjustable walking poles
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season and activities.
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Group sizes and pricing
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- For this Svalbard cruise, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
- The boat can accommodate up to 50 participants.
A Svalbard cruise can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 16 may be permitted to join the Svalbard cruise on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has adventurers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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The starting point of your Svalbard cruise is Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway. To get there, most people fly into Svalbard Airport (LYR). From there, an airport transfer will take you to the hotel in Longyearbyen for your overnight stay.
Once you’re there, you will meet your expedition leaders and the rest of the group in the evening of Day 1. More details will be provided before your departure.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
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