Voyage to the Arctic and Spitsbergen - MV Ocean Albatros - 10 Days - Expedition Cruises

10 Days - Expedition Cruises

Imagine gazing out over an empty landscape of vast creaking glaciers surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the sea around you dotted with small icebergs and the huge black tailfins of humpback whales as they dive. On land the low tundra vegetation is dotted with bright flowers taking advantage of the short summer warmth and look carefully to catch sight of an Arctic fox or some Svalbard reindeer, or perhaps a colony of walruses on the pristine beaches. As our ship skirts the pack ice, we may be lucky enough to spot a polar bear and her cub on their constant hunt for seals. All this and more awaits on a true Arctic adventure aboard the brand new four-star MV Ocean Albatros! Launched in 2023, this magnificent vessel spends its summer seasons sailing Northern Waters. Starting in the small Norwegian town of Longyearbyen, explore these magnificent inshore waters and fjords, and visit spectacular cliffs inhabited by thousands of seabirds. June is the perfect time to spot the amazing wildlife of one of the world’s most fascinating and remote polar regions; we’ll aim to voyage around 80 degrees north to meet the edge of the pack ice and spot polar bears in their preferred habitat. Located well inside the Arctic Circle, you’ll also experience the spectacular midnight sun. On our first and last nights, you’ll stay in Norway’s capital Oslo – a charming small city, with its futuristic waterside opera house and pedestrianised main street just 5 minutes by train from your hotel.

Highlights

Visit the vast glaciers, icebergs and stunning fjords of Spitsbergen & experience the midnight sun from within the Arctic Circle.
Sail around the Svalbard archipelago and along the rim of the Arctic pack ice and discover the most northern small rocky islands of Sjuøyane - almost vegetation-free they are located some 1000 km further north than the North Cape (conditions dependent).
Be amazed by the huge variety of wildlife, from polar bears, walruses and whales to arctic foxes and thousands of seabirds and visit former whaling stations and the northernmost settlement of Ny Ålesund.
Enjoy a programme of fascinating lectures by the on-board team of knowledgeable expedition guides.
Encounter the charming small city of Oslo with its futuristic waterside opera house on a guided tour.

Inclusions

The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room/cabin and includes:
Domestic return flights from Oslo to Longyearbyen
International flights between Oslo and the UK
One night's pre cruise stay and one night's post cruise stay at the Scandic Sjølyst Hotel.
Coffee & tea, plus house wines, beer & soft drinks included with dinner in the onboard restaurant
Seven nights' cruise on the MV Ocean Albatros, with daily breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
All shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies
Lectures by the on-board expedition team
Port charges
All transfers
Porterage of one item of luggage per person
The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions. On-board currency is the US dollar.
Not Included: US$16 per person daily for cruise staff gratuities, all drinks on board other than tea, coffee and iced water, and wine, beer or soft drinks outside dinner at the restaurant, wifi/phone charges, spa treatments & laundry.

1

Oslo Arrive in Oslo and stay at the 4* Scandic Sjølyst hotel.

2

Embarkation in Longyearbyen We fly from Oslo to Longyearbyen, the northernmost "real" town in the wold and largest inhabited settlement of Svalbard. Here we board the MV Ocean Albatros and begin our exciting Arctic voyage.

3

Regnardneset & Lilliehöök Glacier During the night (although the sun doesn’t set), we will have passed Prins Karls Forland and have arrived in the magnificent Krossfjord. We plan on making a landing during the morning at Möllerhamna or in another suitable location. The majestic landscape around Regnardneset in the innermost area of Krossfjorden give us our first taste of what has enticed the early explorers of these lands in the far north. In the afternoon, we continue further north into the fjord system, and depending on the ice situation, we may do a Zodiac cruise along the Lilliehöök Glacier front, or enjoy a lecture. With some Arctic luck we will be able to navigate past the magnificent scenery in the bay of Fjortende Juli, where the glacier Fjortende Juli-breen calves into the fjord. A fitting end to a day full of scenic views and Arctic wildlife. Included experiences: Shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies (weather permitting) & lectures by the on-board expedition team.

4

Arctic cruising We have now entered Northwest Svalbard, which was declared a national park in 1973. The day could begin with a cruise in Danskergattet, looking for seals in Virgohamna, before crossing from Danskøya to Amsterdamøya to make a landing at Smeerenburg, a legendary whaling town of the 17th century. 200-plus men were living (and quite often dying) here in the heyday of blubber production. If conditions allow we will also make a landing on Ytre Norskøya, where whalers would have their lookout posts. Included experiences: Shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies (weather permitting) & lectures by the on-board expedition team.

5

Arctic cruising In the morning we arrive and cruise slowly by the famous Alkefjellet (subject to weather conditions). The whole area is home to a dense congregation of Brünichs guillemots and you will have a good chance of seeing their frantic activity both along the cliffs and in the sea in front. More wildlife awaits us as we land at the polar desert landscapes of Torrelnesset. The beach here is home to a host of walruses that lay amongst each other. They feed on the clams and any other molluscs that they can find in the shallows of Svalbard’s waters. Included experiences: Shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies (weather permitting) & lectures by the on-board expedition team.

6

Cruising Towards the Pack Ice & Sjuøyane During the night the ship will steer far north towards the edge of the polar pack ice in search of polar bears! As the pack ice retreats during summer, polar bears ride the floes north, as this is where they hunt for food. During the day, lectures on polar mammals, the environment and local culture can be enjoyed on board in the Viking Theatre. Should we get into the pack ice where the sea usually is calm, our captain will cruise slowly between the floes and look for wildlife. A part goal of the day is to also reach the island Nordaustlandet and hopefully its 7 (or 9, depending on how you count) smaller islands Sjuøyane in the far north of Svalbard. The almost vegetation-free, rocky islands are located around 1000 km more northernly than mainland Norway’s renowned Nordkapp. Weather permitting, we will land and walk these most northern landmasses, an area rich in birdlife. Included experiences: Shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies (weather permitting) & lectures by the on-board expedition team.

7

Liefde Fjord with Monaco Glacier & Texas Bar During the night we sail towards Wood Fjord and its branch, the Liefde Fjord where we hope to slow cruise along the broad glacier front of Monacobreen. This gives a unique insight of the glacial forces and the numerous forms of icebergs. The ice front is named after Albert I of Monaco, who was a major sponsor of Svalbard research. Many trappers historically hunted and trapped in these areas and some built cabins to stay over the winter. The cabin known as Texas Bar built in 1927, is said to be named after the US state of Texas. Weather permitting, you can visit the area around the cabin and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Included experiences: Shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies (weather permitting) & lectures by the on-board expedition team.

8

Ny Ålesund & Ny London Today, enter the beautiful Kongs Fjord known for the former mining settlement and stunning scenery. The first landing will be at Ny Ålesund - further north than Longyearbyen it makes it THE northernmost town consisting of scientific stations, a post office and a single shop. On the opposite side of the fjord, find the abandoned marble mining settlement Ny London. Its history is short but hectic, as the marble deposits allowed for an almost Klondike like rush to mine the resources. Wars and failing financial viability ended the adventure only 9 years after it started. Wander amongst the ruins of workshops, locomotives and cranes, testament to the great but failed investments. After the visit, we begin to head south towards the entrance to the Isfjord back towards Longyearbyen. Included experiences: Shore excursions by Zodiac dinghies (weather permitting) & lectures by the on-board expedition team.

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.

10

Oslo & return home 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, it's time to say goodbye and return home. Included experiences: Guided tour of Oslo & visit to Vigeland Park.