HIGHLIGHTS
- Sail
to Norway's northernmost point, and spend time searching for wildife at
the islands of Gjesværstappan, and stand at the end of the
European mainland at legendary Nordkapp
- Venture
even further north to Bjørnøya (Bear Island), a
lonely isle between Svalbard and mainland Norway, home to some of the
most spectacular bird colonies on Earth
- Visit
the majestic islands of Svalbard, the kingdom of the polar bear
- Experience
jaw-dropping natural beauty, keep watch for charismatic Arctic
wildlife, and discover the fascinating history of this incredible
archipelago
- Experience
the Arctic up close and personal, while our fleet of Zodiacs also allow
us to explore on the water
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Cat. F | Cat. G | Cat. E | Cat. D | Cat. C | Cat. C SP | Cat. C XL | Cat. B | Cat. A | Premium Suite | Family Suite |
|---|
| May 30, 2025 | Jun 06, 2025 | 7,195 | 10,595 | 8,895 | 8,395 | 9,195 | 9,595 | 10,095 | 11,995 | 15,395 | 17,295 | 17,295 |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Cat. F | (Mid-range)
Cat. C SP | (High-end)
Family Suite |
|---|
| May 30, 2025 | Jun 06, 2025 | 7,195 | 9,595 | 17,295 |
Day
1: Tromsø, Norway - Embarkation
Arrive
in Tromsø, the majestic 'Capital of the Arctic'. Situated
deep in the maze of fjords for which Norway is famous,
Tromsø sits on an island surrounded by steep mountains and
plunging seas.
Known
worldwide as Norway's Arctic capital, Tromsø is the largest
city in the European Arctic with around 80,000 residents, and is the
hub for transport, industry and tourism throughout the region. Visitors
from all ober the world come to experience this vibrant city, as well
as explore the stunning nature which surrounds it, or to simply bask in
the midnight summer sun.
Ocean
Albatros awaits in the calm waters of the city harbour, ready to take
our guests on a spectacular journey, leaving Europe behind and heading
into the wild north beyond. After the mandatory safety drill, relax on
the outer decks sipping a carefully crafted cocktail as Ocean Albatros
sets sail through the fjords of northern Norway.
Day
2: Gjesværstappan, Skarsvåg and the North Cape
In
the early morning of the first full day of our expedition, we will
arrive at Gjesværstappan, a maze of rugged islands and
skerries off the coast of the small village of Gjesvær. These
islands were designated a nature reserve in 1983, and exploring on the
nearby waters cleary shows why! These islands hold an incredible amount
of life, with vast colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills,
puffins and gannets all nesting in the area - one of Norway's greatest
natural wonders!
Ocean
Albatros will reposition over lunchtime to the tiny village of
Skarsvåg. Skarsvåg holds the distinction of being
the most northerly fishing village in the world, and many residents
work harvesting the rich chilly waters at the top of Scandinavia. From
Skarsvåg, we will join an excursion to Nordkapp, the monument
which marks the northernmost tip of mainland Norway and the European
continent. This famed landmark beckons us to the next part of our
journey, as we leave civilisation behind in the evening, and strike out
towards the wild Arctic islands of Svalbard.
Day
3: Bjørnøya/Bear Island
Situated
in the middle of the Barents Sea between northern Norway and southern
Svalbard lies Bjønøya, known in English as Bear
Island. This rugged island marks the start of the High Arctic, as the
peaks of the island loom on the horizon.
Small,
isolated and rarely visited, Bear Island was once heavily exploited by
whalers and sealers, who flocked to the island from across Europe to
harvest oil-bearing marine mammals. Thankfully, the island and
surrounding waters are now protected as a nature reserve, and the
island is returning to natural abundance. Despite the name, polar bears
are almost unknown here, but whales and seals are common in these rich
waters, and the steep cliffs of the isalnd are home to literally
millions of seabirds. Guillemots, razorbills, puffins and gannets all
crowd for space on tiny rock ledges, while hungry gulls and skuas
cruise overhead in a never-ending search for prey.
If
conditions permit, we will aim to offer a Zodiac cruise with our expert
expedition team to experience the incredible wildife of this remote
island - a true bucket-list experience!
Day
4: Southwest Svalbard
The
southwest coast of Svalbard is washed by warmer water coming up through
the Atlantic, so winter ice generally retreats first from this reagion.
This allows us to enter the southern fjords of the area, even at the
start of the summer - easily some of the most spectacular regions of
this stunning archipelago. Throughout this maze of fjords and islands,
birds cluster together on high cliffs and reindeer graze on the fertile
slopes below, while icebergs drift by from the various large glaciers
in the area. Tiny calico snow buntings flit between crags, while
perfectly camouflaged purple sandpipers scamper along the shore. Look
higher up on the vegetated slopes, and there - greyish white 'boulders'
move and resolve themselves into sheep-sized reindeer: the unique
subspecies native to Svalbard. A flash of bluish-black, and the
screeches of nearby birds herald the arrival of the Arctic fox, the
only native land predator on Svalbard (the polar bear being classified
as a marine mammal).
The
mountaintops are most often covered by dense clouds and the
East-Spitsbergen current often leads pack ice into the mouths of the
fjords. With a huge variety of landing sites to explore, this region is
without doubt one of the most exciting and diverse regions of
Svallbard! Options to explore in the area include the huge bird cliffs
of Alkhjornet and Vårsolbukta, and the historical sites of
Calypsobyen and Bambsebu, where prospectors, trappers and a range of
other adventurers attempted to make their fortunes.
Days
5-7: Northwest Svalbard
One
of the largest protected wilderness areas in Europe, North West
Svalbard was declared a national park in 1973. The area is famed for
its history, which documents some of the earliest human arrivals on
Svalbard. While Norse explorers may have sighted these icy shores
during the Viking Age, the first definite arrival was the expedition of
William Barents, the legendary Dutch explorer for whom the Barents Sea
is named. While now protected from human distruption, when Barents
arrived in 1596, he noted the vast numbers of whales and seals which
were soon prey to English and Dutch whalers, who arrived within a
decade of Barents to pillage the area's wildlife. The area occupies the
triple point between land, sea and ice, and as such was the perfect
location from which to harvest the gentle giants of the oceans. Sites
used to dismember whale carcasses and render them for their precious
oil include the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg, where the remains of
16th Century blubber ovens and building foundations can still be seen.
Other sites such as nearby Ytre Norskøya record the darker
side of this industrialised slaughter, where hundreds of young men who
hoped to make their fortunes are buried thousands of miles from home.
Today,
all that remains from this period of history are bones and the scant
remnants of human habitation. Slowly reclaimed by creeping Arctic
nature, the region is now a nature lovers paradise. Tiny Arctic poppies
and purple saxifrage defy the brutal conditions to flower in the brief
summer, while geese, eider ducks and other seabirds return to the
island to raise their young. Walrus can be found hauled out on beaches,
and we must always be on careful lookout for wandering polar bears in
this now again wild region.
A
haven of wildlife, fascinating history and jaw-dropping scenery,
northwest Svalbard is surely one of the most spectacular areas of the
Arctic, if not the world!
Day
8: Longyearbyen, Svalbard - Disembarkation
On
the final morning of our expedition, we arrive in Longyearbyen,
Svalbard - the world's northernmost... everything! This remarkable
little city is not only the northernmost town in the world (if one
excludes the tiny research community of Ny-Ålesund, slightly
further north on Svalbard), but also hosts the world's northernmost
civilian airport, schools, bank and supermarket.
The
town's rugged frontier edge belies a core of warm Nordic hospitality
and coziness, with comfy cafes, excellent restaurants and boutique
shops all within walking distance. Even this small town will feel like
a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic!
After
enjoying exploring Longyearbyen and a fond farewell to the crew and
fellow guests of Ocean Albatros, guest will be transported to Svalbard
Airport to flyy back to the Norwegian mainland- with memories to last a
lifetime.
Ocean Albatros (Luxury Expedition, 184-guests)
With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 8-day/7-night
cruise on Ocean Albatros in a shared outside double room with a private
bathroom in the category chosen
- Local
transport in Longyearbyen on day 8
- English-speaking
expedition staff
- Guided
walks with the expedition team
- Nature
hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
- Information
briefings and lectures by the expedition team
- Special
photo workshop
- Full
board on the ship
- Dinner
drink package
- Free
coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Welcome
and farewell cocktails
- Taxes,
tariffs, and landing fees
- Digital
visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery,
species list, and more
Exclusions
- Extra
excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Single
room supplement and cabin upgrades
- Meals
not on board the ship
- Beverages
(other than coffee and tea and dinner-drink package)
- Tips
for the crew (we recommend USD 16 per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Travel,
cancellation, and senior insurance
- Anything
not mentioned under ’Inclusions’
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Nature
Hikes
- Guided
walks with the expedition team
- Zodiac
Cruises
- Information
briefings and lectures by the expedition team
- Special
photo workshop
