Voyage to the Arctic & Spitsbergen

Oslo • Longyearbyen • Ny-Ålesund • Kross Fjord • Smeerenburg • Yttre Norskøya • Alkefjellet • Torrellneset • Sjuøyana • Monacobreen

Your adventure awaits! Experience the midnight sun from within the Arctic Circle. Visit the vast glaciers and fjords of Spitsbergen. Sail along the rim of the Arctic pack ice. See mesmerising wildlife like polar bears, walruses, whales and arctic foxes, as well as millions of seabirds. And discover Norway’s capital Oslo.

Spitsbergen

Your itinerary

DAY 1 – Departure & Oslo

Fly to charming Oslo where we stay for one night at the 4-star Scandic Sjølyst Hotel. Centrally located, the hotel is only five minutes by train from Oslo city centre with its futuristic waterside opera house and pedestrianised main street and an easy 12 minutes walk from the beach. The light, modern rooms are furnished in typically Scandinavian calm neutral tones and are well-appointed with all the facilities you would expect for a comfortable stay.

DAY 2 – Longyearbyen & Embarkation

We fly from Oslo to Svalbard and board the brand new four-star MV Ocean Albatros to begin our exciting Arctic voyage. (B,D)

DAYS 3 TO 8 – Arctic Cruising

Gaze out over an empty landscape of vast creaking glaciers surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the sea around you dotted with small icebergs. For the next six days, your voyage of exploration will take you to some of Svalbard’s innumerable bays and islands. Of course, it’s all weatherdependent, but normally our stops will include Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost permanent settlement, as well as former whaling stations and walrus colonies. We’ll also sail along the rim of the pack ice to spot polar bears

MV Ocean Albatros

in their natural environment. During the short summer, the local wildlife, such as reindeer and arctic foxes, are busy feeding their young for the polar winter to come. The birdlife is truly magnificent – watch out for Arctic terns, fulmars, kittiwakes, razorbills and guillemots, amongst the 80 recorded species found here.

The Ocean Albatros’s fleet of sturdy Zodiac dinghies will allow us frequent shore landings and mini-cruises in the fjords to marvel at the vast glacial landscapes. At all times, the aim of the captain and expedition leader is to include as many shore landings and Zodiac excursions as possible to get the best views of the wildlife at close quarters. In the evenings, you can look forward to informative lectures and presentations on all aspects of Arctic geography, wildlife and history, led by the various expedition leaders on board. After a nightcap at the bar, why not step outside again and enjoy the incredible light of the midnight sun as it skims the horizon – a wonderful time of ‘day’! + Included Experiences – Shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies & Lectures by the on-board expedition team

DAY 9 – Disembarkation & Oslo

Disembark and board our flight back to Oslo. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for your overnight stay. Why not make the most of the evening sunshine and take a stroll down to the beach or enjoy dinner at one of the numerous excellent restaurants in the city centre. (B)

DAY 10 – Oslo & Return flight

This morning, enjoy an inclusive sightseeing tour around Norway’s capital city. A scenic drive will take you past the modern Opera house, Karl Johans gate, Akerhus Castle and Fortress and the Royal Palace. You will also be taken for views of the city from Holmenkollen ski jump and for a visit to Vigeland Park to see some of the 200 sculptures cast in bronze, granite and iron by Gustav Vigeland. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. (B) + Included Experiences – Guided tour of Oslo & visit to Vigeland Park

Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions. On-board currency is the US dollar.

KEY

Arrive Depart Route Cruise

Smeerenburg

Into the pack ice

Yttre Norskøya Monacobreen

Kross Fjord

Ny-Ålesund Alkefjellet Sjuøyana

Torrellneset

SVALBARD

Guideline itinerary only, not all places guaranteed due to weather/sea conditions. Longyearbyen

To Oslo

2023

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Your cruise includes

• Seven nights’ cruise on the MV Ocean

Albatros, with daily breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner • One night’s pre-cruise stay and one night’s post-cruise stay at the Scandic

Sjølyst hotel in Oslo with breakfast • International flights between Oslo and the UK • Domestic return flights from Oslo to

Longyearbyen • Port charges • All transfers • Porterage of one item of luggage per person • The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager

(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner Prices are per person. For departure dates, prices and flights, please call or visit our website.

YOUR EXPERIENCES • Experience the midnight sun from within the Arctic Circle • See the vast glaciers and fjords of

Spitsbergen and sail along the rim of the Arctic pack ice • Visit the world’s most northerly permanent settlement • Spot a wide variety of wildlife, from polar bears, walruses and whales to arctic foxes and millions of seabirds • All shore excursions on the MV Ocean

Albatros’s fleet of Zodiac dinghies • A programme of fascinating lectures by the on-board team of knowledgeable expedition guides • Guided sightseeing tour of Oslo