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European Arctic Cruises

The Svalbard archipelago—also known as Spitsbergen—is a remote Arctic wilderness dotted with dramatic landforms and abundant wildlife. Located just 650 miles from the North Pole, this is one of the last true European wilderness areas, where you can expect to train your camera lens on impressive jagged peaks, colossal glaciers, deep fjords and vast ice plateaus. It’s also one of the best places to position yourself to catch a glimpse of the elusive Aurora Borealis or see Polar Bear in their natural habitat.

It’s here that the world’s northernmost settlement can be found in Longyearbyen, the bustling starting point for your Arctic adventure. Join us as we cruise the stunning northern reaches of Iceland, Greenland and Norway and watch the rugged coastlines of Svalbard reveal a breathtaking landscape rich with diverse wildlife.

Explore the waters around Svalbard, home to ringed and bearded seals, walrus and beluga whales, and head ashore to discover reindeer, Arctic foxes and large flocks of migratory birds. Spot polar bears at play, trek across tundra, and explore the otherworldly beauty of the European Arctic by zodiac and sea kayak.

Take a look at our unique Arctic itineraries and be one of the lucky few to experience the serene beauty of this remarkable environment.

Polar Bears in Spitsbergen  | Elaine Clueit

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About European Arctic

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Useful European Arctic Info

The European Arctic offers dramatic polar landscapes, rich wildlife and remote island wilderness, with the best regions to explore including Svalbard, Greenland’s east coast, Jan Mayen, the Greenland Sea and the Arctic pack ice.

Svalbard Archipelago: Svalbard’s glaciers, fjords and tundra landscapes offer exceptional expedition cruising with opportunities to observe polar bears, walrus and seabird colonies.

East Greenland Fjords: Greenland’s remote eastern coastline reveals towering fjords, glaciers and Inuit settlements explored by expedition ship and Zodiac.

Jan Mayen Island: Isolated Jan Mayen rises from the Arctic Ocean where volcanic landscapes and seabird colonies surround the snow-covered Beerenberg volcano.

Greenland Sea Pack Ice: The drifting pack ice between Greenland and Svalbard provides prime habitat for polar bears, seals and Arctic wildlife.

Arctic Ocean Wilderness: Remote Arctic waters reveal pristine polar landscapes where expedition voyages explore some of the world’s least visited environments.

A Polar Bear curiously sniffs up towards the ship&#160;-&#160;<i>Photo:&#160;Gesine Cheung</i>

Summer in Spitsbergen is from June to September and the temperature is surprisingly mild. The midnight sun brings 24 hour daylight, and temperatures generally range from –10 to +15 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is unlikely. Day time temperatures in Greenland throughout summer range from 10 – 18 degrees celsius in the south, and between 5 – 10 degrees celsius in the north. Fog is common around all coasts, especially in the far south, but it frequently lifts before noon, or doesn’t roll in until late afternoon.

Spectacular Arctic scenery&#160;-&#160;<i>Photo:&#160;Rinie van Meurs</i>

Svalbard is +2 hours ahead of GMT/UTC

Norwegian

In Svalbard the official currency is Danish Kroner. Payment of incidental expenses aboard most ships can be paid for with US dollars cash, Euro or with Visa and Mastercards.

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We recommend taking a universal adapter.

Svalbard is not part of the Schengen area. Norwegian authorities do not require a visa for visiting Svalbard, but as most transport links connect Svalbard with Norway, foreigners with visa requirements to Norway/the Schengen area will need a valid visa to travel through the Schengen area.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.

Videos

Spitsbergen Arctic voyage with World Expeditions

Spitsbergen Arctic voyage with World Expeditions
Jewels Of The Arctic with World Expeditions

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Hikers enjoying the Snowies Alpine Walk |  Lachlan Gardiner

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Travel with purpose, placing local communities at the heart of your adventure.

Led by experienced local guides and supported by regional crews and partners, your trip helps sustain livelihoods, build skills and strengthen long term partnerships.

Every adventure is designed to encourage respectful cultural exchange and ensure the benefits of tourism are shared with the communities you visit.

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