Explore cosmopolitan Oslo

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side capital. If you have time, why not explore the city centre on your own.  

With its rich history and fashionable art scene, Oslo is a fascinating city. You'll find museums, galleries, and breathtaking architecture – including the beautiful Opera House and new Munch Museum.  

Take a stroll in the Ekebergparken sculpture park, visit Akershus Fortress or relax in a floating sauna. Explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life or try New Nordic cuisine before spending the night in your airport hotel in Oslo.  

Welcome to Longyearbyen

Get to know the town at the top of the world

After a morning flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with two nights in the world’s northernmost town. A colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, you’ll discover that Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness.   

Spend the next two-and-a-half days exploring Longyearbyen and its surroundings. The town is perfect for getting around on foot – stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer saunter by. But don’t worry, although wild, they're curious and tame.  

To give you a wider look, local guides will take you on an e-bike tour of the area and present the historic backdrop to the town at the top of the world.   

From the expedition centre you’ll head out of town and along an unpaved road to Hotellneset, which has a lake and showcases the remnants of the area’s mining past. Svalbard’s very first hotel was built here by Hurtigruten pioneer Richard With before the modern town we see today had even been constructed.   

We’ll then head back into Longyearbyen along the ‘Burma Road’, which was an important link for coal being shipped from the harbour, enjoying panoramic views as we ride. Sights along the way include an old funicular, the historic Svalbard Church and the ruined remains of the original Longyearbyen, which was bombed during WWII.   

From here we’ll continue under the steep cliffs of the Plateau Mountain, passing the graveyard and the iconic Huset – a building which has been everything from a cinema to bar, school and church. We will continue on to Coal Miners’ Cabins, the original miners’ home, and enjoy a relaxed lunch before completing our tour and returning to the hotel.  

On Day 4 you’ll have the morning to finish off looking around Longyearbyen before boarding the ship in the afternoon and beginning our expedition cruise.  

Expedition days

Experience pristine Arctic wilderness  

Over the next three days, you'll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. In this wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers and beautiful offshore islands, we’ll scan for animals of the Arctic – whales, seals, walruses and reindeer. If we’re really lucky, we might even see the elusive polar bear in its natural environment. 

Each day will be different. From landings to kayaking, be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Team decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions.   

Perhaps we’ll head to the snowcapped peaks of Raudfjord, Hornsund or Magdalenefjord, to see magnificent glaciers or visit Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost settlement and an important climate research station.

A relaxing day at sea

Enjoy a restorative day in the Arctic  

Take time to relax on the ship day as we cruise through Arctic waters towards Jan Mayen. Enjoy panoramic views and chat with fellow guests in the Explorer Lounge & Bar or take a soak in a hot tub out on deck while scanning for seabirds.  

You can also listen to a lecture or two on topics such as local history, geology or Arctic wildlife. Or visit the Science Center for more in-depth insights into the places we'll be visiting and maybe participate in a Citizen Science project that contributes to ongoing scientific research.

Volcanic Jan Mayen

Visit an active volcano that's a haven for birdlife  

Jan Mayen has no permanent residents and visits to the island are rare. In fact, we're one of the few to attempt landings here. If conditions allow, you’ll be setting foot in one of Earth’s most remote places.  

Jan Mayen’s surreal, moss- and lichen-streaked landscape is dominated by the Beerenberg volcanic cone. It's the world's northernmost active volcano and it last erupted in 1985.  

You won’t see land mammals here, but the island is designated an Important Bird Area, supporting large populations of Northern Fulmars, Brünnich’s Guillemots and Little Auks. Look out for abundant marine life in the surrounding waters too, including whales and seals.

Heading toward Greenland

Unwind and prepare for more adventures  

At this point, you'll have seen some spectacular Arctic wildlife and scenery, and may be curious to learn more. Join the Expedition Team in the lecture hall and find out about what’s coming up next in eastern Greenland and northern Iceland.    

A day at sea is also an opportunity to sort through your images and pick up some tips from our onboard photographer as we cruise towards the Scoresby Sund.

Greenland’s Scoresby Sund fjord system 

Witness the largest fjord system on Earth   

With stunning white and blue icebergs, mirror-like waters and looming mountains, the scenery in the world’s largest fjord system is simply spectacular.  

Scoresby Sund’s steep peaks, open waters and ice-free winters are a haven for Greenland’s iconic wildlife. Scan for musk oxen, Arctic foxes, mountain hares, whales and seals.  

Birdlife also thrives here, including Little Auks, Atlantic Puffins, fulmars, Snowy Owls, Greenlandic Gyrfalcons and Great Black-backed Gulls.  

We’ll make the best of the conditions and take our time, packing in as many shore landings, nature walks, ship cruising, kayaking tours and wildlife sightings as possible.

A relaxing day at sea

Relax as we head for Iceland  

A day at sea is an opportunity to wind down. Recline in the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar and take in the view. For even deeper relaxation, soak in a hot tub and recap the journey so far with your fellow travellers.    

If you’d rather work up a sweat, head to the gym.  Equipped with large windows, you can work out knowing you’re not missing out on any of the stunning scenery outside.

Charming Grundarfjörður

Gateway to spectacular Snæfellsnes 

The majestic Kirkjufell mountain, one of the best-known landmarks of Iceland, rises just 2 miles west of the small harbour of Grundarfjörður, a quaint fishing town in Breiðafjörður bay.  

Nearby, you’ll find Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park, with the striking, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano at the western tip. It’s nicknamed 'Little Iceland' for its array of landscapes. 

At the national park, you can visit Djúpalónssandur's black sand beach and the Saxhóll crater. Or why not ride a snowcat to the top of the Snæfellsjökull glacier or take a guided underground tour along a gigantic lava tube.

Reykjavík

 End of the expedition 

We say a fond farewell to MS Spitsbergen as we end our expedition in the fabulous city of Reykjavík. With its interesting museums, stylish galleries, restaurants and geothermal pools, there’s so much to enjoy in Iceland’s capital. 

And if you want to discover more of Iceland, you can join our optional Post-Programme. Or simply extend your stay to enjoy more of Reykjavík and its surrounding geothermal attractions. It’s a great place to end an epic journey.