Set sail into the “North Spitsbergen Explorer: Into the Pack Ice – Polar Bear Special”, a spellbinding 7-night expedition that departs from and returns to Longyearbyen. This journey plunges you deep into the Arctic’s heart, navigating expansive pack ice and winding through life-rich coastlines under the midnight sun.
Your adventure begins in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s historic mining hub—where a stroll through the Svalbard Museum grounds you in Arctic lore. From there, the true voyage unfolds routing north into the icy wilderness of North Spitsbergen, where pack ice stretches like unbroken glass across the horizon. Here, Zodiacs are your key to front-row wildlife encounters—watch for polar bears patrolling the ice edge, walruses hauled out on frozen platforms, and mysterious ocean wanderers like bowhead, fin, and minke whales.
The expedition may press on toward Raudfjord, where glacier-sculpted fjords teem with seabirds and ringed seals. Cruise past the towering face of Monaco Glacier—a favorite polar bear hunting ground and seabird feeding zone—before pushing toward the remote Seven Islands, reaching as high as 80° north. Here at the edge of the world, Arctic silence becomes as vast as the views.
As you turn west, the ship traces the edge of the continental shelf. In these rich Arctic waters, whales feed in nutrient-packed upwellings, and seabird cliffs and glacier-front landings—like Alkhornet or Ymerbukta—offer mirrored moments of Arctic life close at hand.
Not sure this pack-ice journey is the perfect fit for you? Explore our broader Destination Arctic overview for expert insights on timings, routes, and the kind of immersive experiences you crave.
And why let the story end here? Extend your adventure with tailored pre- or post-voyage escapes through Mexico, Panama, or the legendary Cuba. Check out North South Journeys to turn this Arctic voyage into an epic, multi-chapter travel story.
