Journey through the Greenland Sea to the North

The Sea Spirit takes a northern course along the west coast of Spitsbergen. At first it passes the uninhabited island Prins Karls Forland. From now on all program points are dependent on ice and weather. The expedition cruise is designed to give you unforgettable experiences in the Arctic. The first destination is Ny Alesund, the northernmost research settlement in the world and a place where polar history was lived. The anchor mast of the airship “Norge” still stands in the background of the settlement and you will be able to hear and experience all the stories at the site of the events.

Spitsbergen's unique landscape

It quickly becomes clear where the archipelago gets its name from: the dark, pointy mountains stand out clearly against the sky. Spitsbergen, also called Svalbard, is shaped by the Arctic ice, which occupies two thirds of the country. Admire the glaciers and the blooming tundra at close range. New icebergs form from the glaciers in the fjords and drift out to sea. Let yourself be enchanted by this impressive game of nature. The sunlight plays with the blue and white landscape and surprises you with a palette of colorful facets and nuances.

But you will also be able to discover an amazing number of plants during your Svalbard vacation. Various species of saxifrage and buttercup grow in the mountainous surroundings. No matter if arctic dandelion, polar willow, rock flowers or a wide meadow, the colorful plants are a real eye catcher.

The Arctic is also inhabited by many animal species. Apart from polar bears, you can also look forward to seeing whales, walruses, polar foxes and bearded seals. But also let your gaze wander to the sky from time to time to enjoy the ravishingly elegant flight of the kingfishers.

If conditions are favorable, another highlight is when the ship takes you to the edge of the pack ice. Now only the blanket of ice that seems to float on the sea lies between you and the North Pole. You can fully concentrate on the landscape, the silence and unique beauty: Your expedition team will maneuver you safely through the ice world!

Unforgettable impressions

On your Spitsbergen tour, you can always discover relics of other times and journeys. On some beaches you will see the small huts of fur hunters. In Virgohamna Bay on the island of Danskøya you will find the graves of whalers and the remains of expeditions to the North Pole. Apart from the beauty of Svalbard, the relentlessness of the Arctic becomes apparent on this trip. The people who once lived here had a lot of courage, resilience and stamina.

In the last days you could learn a lot about the Arctic and Spitsbergen. Besides the animal inhabitants, you have also gained impressions into the stories of people on the edge of civilization. This expedition is a special experience that will remain in your memory forever.

The days in Spitsbergen pass quickly, and the MS Sea Spirit glides back towards Longyearbyen. Here your expedition ends. But the unforgettable pictures and impressions will remain!