Your journey begins with a flight from Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side city surrounded by forested hills and lakes. The numerous electric cars you see on the roads illustrates the city’s commitment to sustainability, earning it the title of European Green Capital in 2019. Explore this green metropolis and discover its vibrant arts scene, modern beauty, and culinary delights.

Thanks to an efficient and well-connected public transportation system, all the various neighborhoods are accessible without a car. Make use of the buses, trains, and trams while you’re here! Or tour the city on an Oslo city bike and admire the work of Oslo’s world-renowned architects in the open air.

There’s no shortage of cultural experiences. Spend the day visiting some of the many excellent museums and contemporary art galleries. Soak up the history of Norwegian polar exploration at the Fram Museum, which features many displays and a chance to step aboard a polar exploration vessel. Discover what it was like to live and work on the Fram as you explore the decks and cabins.

Need to rest? Options abound for enjoying traditional Norwegian dishes or New Nordic cuisine. Choose from cozy cafés, hip coffee shops, modern fine dining, hot dog stands, and maybe even a microbrewery.

Oslo is surrounded by nature and offers a variety of activities. If you have time, take a walk in the forested hills that frame the city. Or simply spend some time relaxing in one of the many parks before your flight to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard Archipelago.

Estimated time of departure is 8:00 PM

After an overnight stay, you have the opportunity to explore the colorful frontier town of Longyearbyen on your own before boarding your ship in the afternoon. An excursion is included in your cruise, or choose from a selection of optional adventures before your cruise begins.

Longyearbyen is a small town on the island of Spitsbergen, where the 2,000 inhabitants are outnumbered by snowmobiles. Walk to the church during your stay, which is just a few minutes away from the hotel. You might encounter the Svalbard reindeer on the way, who often walk around town tending to their own business. Although wild, they are quite curious and tame. Stroll the main street, admire the colorful buildings, and pick out souvenirs and gifts from shops in the world’s northernmost town.

Make sure to remove your shoes before entering public buildings! This is a custom that originated in the mining days to prevent people from trekking coal dust indoors. It is just another way the town’s mining history continues to affect its culture.

Polar bears live outside Longyearbyen. It’s rare to see them in town, but you may spot art inspired by these iconic Arctic bears. See if you can find the polar bear statue or the giant mural in the town center.

Once you board the ship, pick up your complimentary expedition jacket and find your cabin before attending a mandatory safety drill. Locate the restaurants, Science Center, observation deck, and the Explorer Lounge & Bar—you may be spending a lot of time there. We’ll then say a fond farewell to Longyearbyen as we start our journey of discovery.

Leaving the limited civilization behind, we now enter full exploration mode. There is no Internet in these remote areas, nor are there telephone masts to provide a cell phone signal.

Free from emails and text messages, this is a rare opportunity to disconnect from the modern world. It's time to get back in sync with what truly matters.

North West Spitsbergen National Park embodies Arctic beauty in all its rugged, untouched glory. This is a wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers, and eerily beautiful offshore islands. It’s also a rare spots in the world where beauty and history collide. View the large concentration of graves, blubber ovens, and other cultural treasures from Svalbard’s first explorers.

Weather and sea conditions will determine which areas we attempt to visit. Kongsfjorden is one of the most beautiful fjord areas in Spitsbergen, with panoramic coastal views and a lush alpine tundra. Framed by dramatic mountains, you might even catch sights of glaciers calving icebergs into the sea.

We may also call on Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town that’s steeped in culture, and which has been transformed into an international science center. Its picturesque mix of old and new buildings hosts a variety of research stations from different countries, dedicated to studying glaciology, wildlife, and climate change.

In the summer months, the northwest corner of Spitsbergen is a birdwatching mecca. Scan for wildlife, including whales, bearded seals, walrus, Svalbard reindeer, and the ‘King of the Arctic’: the mighty polar bear. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot one or more of these apex predators as they trek along the coast’s drifting ice on the hunt for seals.

The stunning terrain of this region makes it ripe for outdoor adventure. We’ll attempt to take full advantage of any opportunities that come our way. Activities might include using our small boats (RIBs) to go ashore for hiking, participating in a beach clean-up, or launching our kayaks.

Eastern Svalbard boasts the highest population of polar bears in the archipelago. We have high hopes that over the next three days in this region, you’ll spot the elusive ‘King of the Arctic’.

In this part of Svalbard, the Arctic Ocean is full of drifting ice, and its frozen seascape changes constantly. As modern-day explorers, the Captain and the Expedition Team carefully analyze the density and movements of the sea ice using advanced sonar and live satellite imagery. They determine which part of this Arctic wilderness we explore in landings, hikes, and optional kayaking opportunities.

If conditions are favorable, we will cross 80°N, sail through the Hinlopen Strait and head south, scouting for walrus and seabirds along the way. This region is home to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots, gulls and kittiwakes.

As we cruise through Freemansundet, marvel at the sight of seabirds soaring against a panoramic backdrop. Freemansundet is a sound (not to be confused with its cousin, the fjord) that separates Barentsøya from Edgeøya.

We’ll attempt landings along the coast of Barentsøya or Edgeøya. We may explore Kapp Lee, which has a cultural heritage from all eras of human exploration of Svalbard. If we’re lucky, we may meet some of Svalbard’s marine mammals as we head toward South Cape Island.

Today’s goal is to reach the southernmost tip of Spitsbergen. Explore the varied landscape and interesting geology of Hornsund, a part of South Spitsbergen National Park. For many, this is considered Svalbard’s most beautiful fjord.

Hornsund’s rugged and steep mountains, stunning fjords, and lush vegetation make it one of the most spectacular natural corners of the world. As we cruise along the 18-mile fjord, you might catch sight of glaciers calving ice in the waters. On a clear day, you may also see Mt. Hornsundtind towering in the distance, which reaches 4,700 feet above sea level.

Fertilization from the little auk colonies here is responsible for the surprisingly green patches you might encounter in landings. The lush tundra around the bird colonies attract fauna, including Svalbard reindeer and Arctic fox. You should also keep an eye out for seals and whales when sailing in the ocean.

Hornsund’s other residents are the scientists based at the Polish polar station. Established here in 1957, the station serves as a research center for disciplines such as climate change, glaciology, and seismology.

In the evening, we’ll start our journey north as we sail past Bellsund towards Isfjord.

Today we sail into the remarkable Isfjord, the most prominent fjord system in the Svalbard archipelago. Leading to many smaller fjords, it forms a lush, beautiful environment rich in wildlife and vegetation. Prepare to explore immense U-shaped valleys carved out of the mountains by giant glaciers some 10,000 years ago.

Alkehornet is a prominent landmark north of the fjord. It’s an imposing example of carbonate rock, with a horn-shaped peak. Naturally, the surrounding wildlife has adapted to live in this harsh environment. You may spot the Arctic fox or the Svalbard reindeer, along with thousands of guillemots and kittiwakes.

It is noticeable how well the traces of early human presence have been preserved in the Isfjord. The beaches and bays are dotted with cultural remains of Svalbard’s whaling and hunting heritage, such as hunting stations and tryworks, a furnace used to heat whale blubber to create oil.

A more modern cultural icon lays farther south of the fjords. Here lies the famous yet defunct Isfjord radio station and its auxiliary buildings. This former radio and weather station was established in 1933 and now serves as one of the most beautifully situated hotels in the world.

The landscape of the inner parts of the Isfjord is constantly changing. Based on the weather and ice conditions, we’ll decide where to go and what to do when we arrive. We have several good landing sites to choose from in this area.

Estimated time of arrival is 6:00 AM

Your Arctic adventure around Svalbard is coming to its triumphant end. As you wind down from your expedition, you’ll have time to consider your recent experiences and the elated feeling of having been so close to the ‘top of the world’.

After saying goodbye to the ship and its crew, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Oslo.

Many places in Longyearbyen hold the record for being the ‘world’s northernmost’ something or other. The world’s northernmost cinema, church, library, high school, supermarket—they’re all here. Cross each landmark off your list with a selfie!

If you have time, grab some souvenirs from the local shops before heading home. A toasty Svalbard sweater or a box of local handmade chocolates are wonderful gifts for family and friends. Svalbard is a duty-free zone and Longyearbyen has a selection of sports and outdoor clothing shops. Why not stock up on supplies for your next expedition cruise?

Whatever’s next for you, we wish you a safe onward journey and look forward to seeing you again! Post-Program

Guests sailing aboard MS Fram have the option of extending their stay in Longyearbyen with one of our unique Post-Programs. Please inquire for further details.