Svalbard Express - Expedition cruise

Day 1: Welcome To Oslo

Arrival in Oslo, where a private transfer will take you to your hotel in the city centre. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day exploring Norway’s vibrant capital at your own pace. Discover its modern waterfront, green parks, and striking architecture, or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere of this welcoming Scandinavian city.

Day 2: All Aboard In Longyearbyen!

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a shared transfer takes you to Oslo Gardermoen Airport for your flight to Svalbard. Arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard—the northernmost town on Earth. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality. Upon arrival, you're greeted by crisp polar air, dramatic mountain views, and a polar bear warning sign reminding visitors of their wild new location. Your expedition ship Ocean Albatros awaits you in the harbour; toast your departure from civilization as you sail into the Arctic wilderness, on course for adventure.

Day 3: Northwest Svalbard

Northwest Svalbard, a National Park since 1973, preserves a rich history of early Arctic exploration and whaling. First visited by William Barents in 1596, the area became a hub for Dutch and English whalers. Their haunting remnants, such as the blubber ovens, and graves of young sailors at Smeerenburg, remain visible. Now heavily protected, the region has been reclaimed by nature, hosting Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears, making it once again a pristine wilderness and haven for wildlife. Back onboard, enjoy your dinner and cruise facilities.

Day 4: Northeast Svalbard

In the morning, the expedition enters the icy wilderness of northeastern Svalbard, a stark polar desert shaped by the absence of warming ocean currents. Here, vast glaciers descend into ice-choked waters, surrounding rugged landscapes which appear barren but teem with life. Arctic foxes prowl the chilly shores, while hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs above. The cold coastal waters are rich in shellfish, attracting the walrus, which are common in the area. Our exploration plans depend on rapidly changing sea, wind, and ice conditions, embodying the dynamic and unpredictable essence of true polar adventure. Back on board, challenge yourself and do a Polar plunge!

Day 5: North Svalbard

Next, we strive for some of the northernmost pieces of land on Earth - stark landscapes almost permanently beset by ice. With luck, we may reach the polar desert island of Nordaustlandet, or the smaller islands of Sjuøyane in the far north of Svalbard. The almost vegetation-free, rocky islands are located around 1000 km further north than mainland Norway’s famous Nordkapp. Weather permitting, we will land and walk upon these most northern landmasses. The high Arctic islands are quite barren, and only moss and lichens cover the stones. The birdlife is rich in this area, with f locks of grazing geese and nesting terns and skuas - keep your binoculars handy! At the end of the day, we will start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack which stretches from Svalbard to the North Pole and beyond. Enjoy dinner aboard and unwind in the ships jacuzzi.

Day 6: Into The Ice

The Arctic ice pack north of Svalbard is a vast, ever changing wilderness stretching to the North Pole and beyond to Alaska and Siberia, forming one of Earth’s largest and most dynamic habitats. Though it appears barren at first, this icy realm conceals abundant wildlife—from tiny cod-like fish and seabirds to seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive polar bear, the region’s apex predator. As Ocean Albatros navigates narrow ice channels, the expedition offers a rare glimpse into this mysterious, shifting environment where nature’s secrets unfold with patience and care.

Day 7: Kongsfjorden Area

During the Arctic “night,” we sail into the stunning Kongsfjord, a vast fjord system framed by glaciers and the dramatic Three Crowns mountains. Here we will visit Ny-Ålesund, Earth’s northernmost settlement, known for its scientific stations and historic role as a base for legendary polar explorers like Amundsen and Nansen. This remote outpost continues to support vital research amid its breathtaking surroundings, blending the frontiers of science and exploration. Back onboard, join the captain’s farewell reception, enjoy your last dinner, relax in the ships bar and reflect on your unforgettable holiday.

Day 8: Svalbard Oslo

On the final morning of our expedition, we arrive back in Longyearbyen. Even this small town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic! After exploring Longyearbyen and bidding a fond farewell to the crew and fellow Arctic explorers, join a shared transfer to Svalbard Airport and return on your flight to the Norwegian capital—carrying memories to last a lifetime. Once back in Oslo, a shared transfer will take you to your city hotel. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, exploring Norway’s vibrant capital, from its modern waterfront and cultural landmarks to its lively cafés and relaxed Scandinavian atmosphere.

Day 9: Oslo Goodbye

After breakfast we conclude our voyage with lasting memories of Norway’s vast Arctic wilderness, dramatic glaciers, and unique polar wildlife. A private transfer will take you to the airport for your onward journey.