This expedition cruise is filled with history, wildlife, brilliant scenery and great adventure. We have sailed here since 1896, and now it´s your turn to explore beautiful Spitsbergen. Scan for the mighty polar bear on Bjørnøya and marvel at the North Cape before sailing into our final destination of Tromsø. As the pioneer of adventure travel in Svalbard, we use our knowledge to show you the best of this Arctic treasure. Get close to glaciers, fjords and dramatic national parks to experience beauty unlike anywhere else on the planet. Encounter rich wildlife, from whales and Arctic foxes to amazing birdlife and the ruler of Svalbard, the polar bear.
°SOL17 offers unique expedition cruises to some of the most remote and pristine waters of the world. As with all expeditions; nature prevails. Weather, and ice and sea conditions, sets the final framework for all operations. Safety and unparalleled guest experiences are at all times our top priorities. All our indicative itineraries are continuously evaluated for adaptions, whether this is due to constraints the elements unexpectedly presents – or exciting possibilities nature and wildlife offer.
Before your flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen, check out the urban pleasures of Norway´s capital. Your arrival in Longyearbyen reveals an entirely different world; a colourful town perched on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. Enjoy the museum and choose among several bars and restaurants. Transfer to your hotel for an overnight.
After an overnight stay in one of our hotels, join after lunch an excursion to get to know Longyearbyen, a prime destination for adventure travellers around the world. Enjoy the singular atmosphere of this colourful frontier outpost before boarding your ship, MS Spitsbergen.
The North West Corner of Spitsbergen is scattered with islands, fjords and beaches. Pioneering explorers
and hardy whalers were the first to set foot here. Today, we respect the power of nature and work with the
elements to ensure a safe and exciting itinerary.
We hope to land to see whaling settlements, or
visit Kongsfjorden, considered one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with mighty glaciers
calving icebergs into the sea. The former mining settlement of Ny-Ålesund is another possible destination,
now an international centre for research, with a picturesque mix of old and new buildings.
In the
Magdalenafjorden and Gravneset areas, you may have the chance to swim and earn a rare Arctic swimming
certificate. There will be exciting landings and optional scenic kayaking opportunities.
We head south to the Bellsund area, followed by Hornsund with its wonderful varied landscape and geology. On a clear day, we might even see the amazing Hornsundtind, 1,431 m above sea level. This area was popular with polar bear hunters until 1973. The old Hurtigruten steamer D/S Lyngen had scheduled stops here in past to serve trappers in the area. We hope to see a polar bear here too!
This isolated island is said to host the largest concentration of sea birds in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as a strong population of polar bears. In the North of the island, Bjørnøya weather station provides vital data to scientists. The wind and weather conditions will decide what we can do today.
In the early morning, we sail past the North Cape, and offer the chance to enjoy a steep hike to the Cape starting in Hornvika, or to visit the Cape by bus from Skarsvåg. The ship will continue to Gjesvær, where the excursion participants will come on board again. Next, we sail past Gjesværstappan, a bird cliff which is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in Norway.
Your expedition cruise will end in colourful Tromsø, often referred to as the Gateway to the Arctic. In early days, the town was full outfitters, hunters and dreamers who left their loved ones here to seek their fortune in the far north, and much of that pioneer spirit remains.
MS Spitsbergen will take you on a voyage beyond the ordinary. She cruises along the Norwegian coast from
September to May, and becomes part of our global Expedition sailings during the rest of the year.
The ship is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest
island, Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of travelling to Spitsbergen, beginning in 1896 with the
`Sports Route´
Enjoy from a wide range of comfortable cabins. They vary in size and location, sometimes within the same grade, and as a general rule, outside accommodation on the higher decks has a picture window while the lower decks have portholes.
Choose from a wide selection of innovative dishes based on high quality, local produce that each have a story to tell. Enjoy everything from ultra-fresh seafood to sustainably cultivated root vegetables and free-range reindeer meat, along with excellent cheeses from selected small-scale producers. We recommend topping off your meal with tempting Scandinavian desserts, inspired by the two extremities of Arctic light - the Midnight Sun and Polar Night.
