All about Russian Arctic cruises

Polar regions attract travelers from all corners of the world for different reasons. For some, it’s the remoteness of rarely visited places. Others come for the wilderness, looking to reconnect with nature and see icebergs, mountains, and rugged landscapes. A chance to encounter animals like polar bears, walruses, and whales adds to the appeal. History buffs are fascinated by the monuments to the heroic era of early polar exploration. But what if you could combine all of this into a single trip?

You can – with a Russian Arctic cruise! Follow the same routes as the brave explorers of times past, but without the hardships. A modern cruise ship will take you to must-see landmarks and islands of the Russian Arctic where you can go onshore and explore. Cruise ashore in small Zodiac boats, explore the pristine landscape in kayaks, hike, watch wildlife and take the most stunning pictures of your life. You will be accompanied by expert guides, well-versed in the history, flora, and fauna of the polar regions.

What you can see in the Russian High Arctic

On our Russian Arctic expeditions we explore Franz Josef Land, a remote archipelago of 192 islands. It lies entirely within the Arctic Circle and is part of the Russian Arctic National Park. The shore is mostly covered by ice, presenting a harsh, dry, and mountainous landscape. If you look closely during landings, you might notice Arctic flowers blooming in the polar desert.

During the cruise season, polar bears choose this area to hunt and give birth to their offspring. Other animals, such as harp seals, bearded seals and walruses, abound. Numerous cliffs and basalt columns across the area host enormous nesting colonies of seabirds.

Russian High Arctic Expeditions

The stark landscape of Franz Josef Land is dominated by mountains, cliffs, and scree slopes. Even more surprising is the diversity of wildlife thriving in these polar conditions: polar bears, walruses, whales, seabirds, and other species are frequently spotted on land and at sea. Over the course of two weeks, we will travel to Bell Island, Champ Island, Cape Flora on Northbrook Island and Cape Tegetthoff on Hall Island. About the  Russian Arctic: The territory of the Russian Arctic includes several archipelagos, like the Novaya Zemlya in the Kara Sea, Severnaya Zemlya in the Laptev Sea and Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Ocean. Franz Josef Land was officially discovered in August 1873 by the Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition led by Julius von Payer and Karl Weyprecht. The original goal of the expedition was to find the Northeast Passage, but their vessel got locked in pack ice near Novaya Zemlya. During the ice drift, new land was spotted, which was named in honor of the then-Austro-Hungarian Emperor.

In the Soviet era, travel restrictions imposed by Russian authorities made the Franz Josef Land archipelago almost completely off-limits to tourists. Today, visitor access is permitted only for members of a Russian Arctic expedition. To make that possible, the icy climate has a window of vessel navigation during the summer months.

Top Sights of the Russian Arctic

Cape Norway, Jackson Island

Cape Norway served as the wintering spot for Norwegian explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Hjalmar Johansen in 1895-96. After they left their vessel, Fram, the two men found shelter (in what they called “The Hole”), with a roof made of walrus skins and earthen walls. We plan to visit the hut during our cruise.

Tikhaya Bay

The remains of a Soviet-era research facility that served as a base for polar expeditions are a major attraction. Part of it now serves as a ranger station and museum and holds the northernmost post office in the world. Another place of interest is called Rubini Rock, located near Hooker Island. The curved basalt columns are home to thousands of nesting seabirds, including murres, guillemots, kittiwakes, little auks and northern fulmars.

Champ Island

This island is famous for the mysterious stone spheres, ranging in size from a tennis ball to the average human height.  The scenery is perfect for avid photographers. You can also spot icebergs and whales near the shore.

How to get to the Russian Arctic

Our Franz Josef Land cruises start and end in Longyearbyen, the main settlement on Svalbard’s biggest island, Spitsbergen. You can get there by a regular commercial flight from Norway. At the airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen (the first night included in our cruise package). Airfare is not included in the cost of the itinerary, but we can suggest the best routes and refer you to our partner air-booking agencies.

Visa control

Russian Arctic tours require a valid Russian visa. Refer to your local consulate or embassy to apply, or you may find a commercial visa service more efficient. We provide a support letter and advise on the necessary documents for all passengers. As the cruise starts in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, which is considered a part of Norway, citizens of some countries might need a Schengen visa as well to travel through the mainland on their way to the embarkation port.

Russian High Arctic Ships

Our expedition ship is resistant to ice, powerful enough to safely cover the distance from the embarkation port and back, and yet small enough to be maneuverable around the islands. Our ship, the Sea Spirit, meets all these requirements and adds a generous level of comfort to the journey.

Guests enjoy spacious common areas and different cabin categories with all the modern amenities. Fine dining is offered at the restaurant and a 24/7 tea and coffee station is available for all passengers. For entertainment and lectures on history, flora, and fauna, we use the onboard lounge areas. The Sea Spirit is also equipped with a fleet of Zodiac boats for marine and shore excursions.

When to visit Russian High Arctic

The travel season is set in July and August, as the ice sheets pull back and air temperatures are at their highest. You can expect 0 - 7°C (32 - 44.6°F), which allows us to schedule regular landings and explore the Russian Arctic islands in comfort. To stay warm, you should pack Arctic-quality clothing and dress in layers: thermal underwear, polar fleece and a windproof parka and waterproof pants. Facts about the Russian High Arctic:

• The area stretches along 24,140 kilometers of coastline and encompasses a 5.2 million-square-kilometer expanse.

• Cape Fligely on Rudolf Island is Franz Josef Land’s closest point to the North Pole at a distance of 911 kilometers.  Temperatures across Russia’s Arctic and sub-Arctic territories are the coldest on the planet recorded outside of Antarctica. 

• In 2009, the Russian Arctic National Park was established to preserve the area’s cultural heritage and encourage tourism.

FAQ

Do I need travel insurance?

Emergency medical insurance with evacuation and repatriation coverage of no less than 200,000 USD per person is required for Russian Arctic tours. Please note this is not the type of insurance required for a regular vacation. It should be purchased no sooner than six months before the cruise departure date.

How much money should I bring for the trip?

Most of the major expenses are already included in the cruise cost: accommodation, meals and all the excursions. You can pay for extra services onboard with major credit cards, like beverages at the bar or laundry services. Some Russian Rubles might come in handy at the museum and post office at Tikhaya Bay for souvenirs, but are not critical.

What is the easiest way to get to Franz Josef Land?

Poseidon Expeditions offers direct sailing from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to the archipelago, leaving you more time at the destination itself. The crossing will only take two days and the entire cruise program lasts two weeks.

What kind of entertainment is offered onboard?

The Sea Spirit, has an outdoor jacuzzi, bar,  small gym, polar library and lounges for lectures and daily events. You are cordially invited to Welcome and Farewell dinners, screenings of themed movies and presentations from our expert guides. The open decks provide wonderful opportunities for nature photography and wildlife watching.