Svalbard Cruises, Expeditions & Tours
About Svalbard
Located in Norway, the Svalbard archipelago is a unique and distinctive arctic terrain with its history, peculiarities, and culture.
Geographical Facts
Svalbard is a northern archipelago that forms part of Norway. It is situated in the waters of the Arctic Ocean above the Arctic Circle.
There are nine islands in the archipelago; however, Spitsbergen is the largest one and serves as an important location in polar tours. In most cases, all arctic expeditions in the area depart from Longyearbyen, a developed administrative center.
Historical Background
Svalbard means “cold coast” in translation from Old Norse.
It is believed that it was discovered back in 1194. Although it only became widely known after rediscovering in 1596 by Willem Barents and Jacob van Heemskerck.
From 1611 many European whalers arrived in Svalbard and began to argue over whaling rights. All issues were settled by the decline of whaling only in 1800.
That led to a focus shift from whaling to coal, which also caused quarrels over export rights between European, Russian and American companies. Nowadays, only Norway and Russia are authorized to extract coal on the Svalbard territory.
Northern Landscape
It can be very exciting to go on a Spitsbergen cruise in Norway due to the unique mountainous landscape caused by faulting. The Newton Peak is considered the highest point (1717 meters).
Over half of the territory is covered with snowfields and glaciers that extend as far as the sea. Besides, there are many fjords on the northwestern coast of Spitsbergen.
Also, the packed ice around Spitsbergen accumulates quickly, which complicates access to the territory.
Climate conditions
The climate of Svalbard is truly arctic. The average temperature usually varies from +6°С in the summertime to -15°С in winter.
If you plan a cruise to Spitsbergen, remember it is a traditional yet fascinating, polar adventure.
Abundant wildlife
The raw nature of Svalbard is very rich. Most of the territory is out of reach for people; therefore, the wildlife is flourishing there.
Svalbard expedition enables tourists to exclusively observe different Arctic animals and sea mammals in their natural habitat. Prepare to meet polar bears, blue and white arctic foxes, reindeer, seals, walruses, and whales. Such excursions make dreams come true.
Top Things to See
Here is the list of the most attractive Svalbard locations and activities for visitors in 2021 that is worth your attention.
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A ghost town named Pyramiden grants the mysterious impression of visiting the Soviet Union.
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Isfjord is one of the largest and most beautiful fjords in the area, where you can meet polar bears, enjoy glacier views, or join a snowmobile safari.
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Barentsburg, the second-largest settlement in Svalbard, is an interesting place to visit for beautiful views, historical sightseeing, and wildlife.
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The uninhabited Edge island is the third-largest in Svalbard, where you can meet polar bears, walruses, and other animals and capture the most stunning views.
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The Svalbard Museum will help you learn more about the history and culture of the area.
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The North Pole Expedition Museum tells the amazing story of airships exploring the north.
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Svalbard snowmobile safari, ice cave visiting, dog-sledding with a husky, and many other activities and places are available.
Plan Your Svalbard Tour
Here is how to get ready for your unforgettable expedition.
How to Get to Svalbard
Poseidon Expeditions offers full-service and will help you get to the location where the Svalbard cruise begins. In 2022, the usual departure point is Longyearbyen. However, we can easily arrange your transfer to any necessary location at the lowest cost possible.
For an unforgettable cruise to Spitsbergen, we will provide you with the relevant information about all the flights, assist you with booking, suggest the best accommodation options according to your preferences.
Each Svalbard expedition is always thoroughly supported by our team. On top of onboard entertainment, we help the travelers to learn about the peculiarities of polar vacation and explain precaution measures.
Visa Control
If you plan to visit Svalbard this year or in 2022, you should remember about the visa control. Sometimes trips to Spitsbergen might require a special visa.
Our company will provide you a piece of expert advice on the necessity of getting a visa in your particular case. We will also assist you in applying to the consulate or embassy and preparing the set of needed documents.
Svalbard Ships
We deliver only a high-class fleet for each Svalbard cruise. We rely on small but advantageous ships:
The largest nuclear-powered icebreaker in the world, named “50 Years of Victory,” holds 124 passengers. It is the best option to cross the Arctic ocean.
The luxury expedition ship Sea Spirit is very maneuverable and contains 114 passengers. Comfortable accommodation on board and an additional fleet of Zodiacs make this vessel very attractive.
The icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn accommodated 100 passengers. In addition to regular services, there is a helicopter and a fleet of Zodiacs for the most exciting experience.
On our ships, we offer many different onboard entertaining options: restaurants, bars, game lounge, gym, shops, swimming pool, etc. You will never get bored. Besides, due to low passenger groups going ashore during stops is very pleasant.
Travels to Spitsbergen can never be very cheap, but we offer different options, including low-cost ones.
The summer season is the most pleasant time to visit Spitsbergen. So, you can plan your tour to Svalbard from May to September to get the best of it.
When to Visit Svalbard
The weather can be different, though, depending on location. The average temperature in Longyearbyen, for example, during the season can vary between -3°С and +6°С. And the average temperature in Barentsburg is usually between -1°С and +9°С.
It is of the utmost importance to bring clothes following the layered clothing scheme because the weather in Svalbard can change quickly and gradually. And “arctic” quality clothes will always make you feel comfortable.
Facts About Svalbard
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The total area of the land: 61022 km²
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Svalbard population as of 2020: 2939 people
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Spitsbergen administrative center: Longyearbyen
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Currency: Norwegian Krone