Coastal VoyagesSpitsbergen Adventure CruiseReturn to main Coastal Voyages page
Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago and thanks to the Gulf Stream, the west coast is surprisingly rich in wildlife. In places you’ll see some quite luxuriant vegetation, with tiny flowers growing amongst the rocks. Historical monuments are found all along the coast and give testimony to a heroic polar history. We sail through the Isfjord via Barentsburg and north along the coast of Prince Karl’s Forland. We pass the mouth of the Kongsfjord and sail past the exposed stretch of the coast known as “The Seven Icebergs”, before reaching the north-west corner of Spitsbergen. This area is home to some magnificent fjords, including the famous Magdalenefjord and Smeerenburgfjord, and the Danskeøya and Amsterdamøya islands. If conditions permit, we will sail across the 80° parallel. In the early part of the season there’s often a good deal of drift ice so it may be hard to get through but this is often a good time to see the large Arctic Ocean mammals. The weather on the north side of the archipelago is often stable and fine. We’ll usually go ashore once a day, perhaps to take a closer look at a glacier or the unique flora. We also visit remains of old trappers and hunters’ camps. During the voyage, our guides will host some informal lectures that will complement our shore visits, most of which will be by Zodiacs. Spitsbergen
Over 170 species of plants, and more than 100 types of migratory birds flourish in this national park, alongside its more famous residents; reindeer; seals, arctic foxes and polar bears. Spectacular cliffs dominate the coastline with deep hidden fjords offering protection to small picture perfect settlements. Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the west coast, some 400 kilometres long, is surprisingly rich in wildlife and in places you’ll see some quite luxuriant vegetation, with tiny beautiful flowers growing amongst the rocks. Historical monuments are found all along the coast and give testimony to a heroic polar history. The Dutch explorer, Willem Barents first saw this coastline in 1596, and the impressive peaks inspired the name Spitsbergen. The best way to experience this fantastic Arctic landscape is from a ship, and you have two different voyages to choose from; a week-long expedition cruise on board the former ice breaker, M/V Polar Star, and a 4-day cruise on board the M/S Nordstjernen. Climate & TemperaturesSpitsbergen, in spite of its proximity to the North Pole, has a relatively mild climate compared to other areas at the same latitude. In Longyearbyen the average summer temperature is 6ºC, and the highest ever recorded is 21.3ºC. The summers often bring fog, but rain is scarce, with an average annual rain- and snowfall of only 200-300mm.
Day-By-Day Itinerary:
Departures:Tuesday and Sunday departures from 14th June to 21st August 2005 Prices:
* single supplement - limited availability
Your holiday price includes:Return economy flights between UK and Longyearbyen (via Oslo and / or Tromsø), voyage on M/S Nordstjernen in chosen cabin grade, full board on ship, transfer between airport and ship as per itinerary, shore trips during voyage. Tuesday Departures include a night at an airport hotel in Oslo. Sunday departures include an evening meal at an airport hotel in Oslo. Not included:
CABINS
N.B. All cabins have private facilities except grade D
FLIGHT DETAILS
Tuesday & Sunday Departures to Longyearbyen Supplements
Your ShipThis ship was built in 1956 to operate on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage service and modernised on the early eighties. In recent years the ship has been used for voyages around the Spitsbergen Archipelago during the summer season.
SHIP SPECIFICATION
We are acting as agents for Norwegian Coastal Voyage Limited ATOL 3584 on the above cruise Return to Shenfield Travel's main Cruise page
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Five days of adventure, with a visit to Longyearbyen and a voyage on board the M/S Nordstjernen along the north-west coast of Spitsbergen with its beautiful fjords surrounded by jagged peaks and huge glaciers. 
The starkly beautiful Svalbard Archipelago, perhaps better known as Spitsbergen, lies 400 miles north of mainland Norway; just 600 miles from the North Pole itself. Two thirds of the land is covered by glaciers, yet from April to August the sun never sets.
