The Arctic
Explore the top of the world and experience the stark beauty of the Arctic, where polar bears reign and blue ice floats serenely on the horizon. Here it is silent and still one moment, a cacophony of migrating birds, barking seals and crackling icebergs the next. From the seas surrounding Svalbard—a far northern Norwegian archipelago of frozen tundra, dramatic fjords and remote human settlements—witness this world awakening from winter slumber to the midnight sun.
The Arctic
Explore the top of the world and experience the stark beauty of the Arctic, where polar bears reign and blue ice floats serenely on the horizon. Here it is silent and still one moment, a cacophony of migrating birds, barking seals and crackling icebergs the next. From the seas surrounding Svalbard—a far northern Norwegian archipelago of frozen tundra, dramatic fjords and remote human settlements—witness this world awakening from winter slumber to the midnight sun.
Highlights of The Arctic
Discover the stark beauty of the polar north. Although over half this land is covered by glaciers, a delicate ecosystem thrives here under the midnight sun. We are able to sail this far north thanks to a branch of the Gulf Stream which brings navigable seas and warmer weather to the region each summer. Svalbard is one of the world’s most remote regions, offering a beautiful, pristine wilderness where animals are uniquely adapted to life in the extreme cold. Here are some highlights you may experience during your journey:
- Glimpse native species such as polar bears and Svalbard reindeer
- Learn the mining and whaling history of Svalbard and Barensburg
- Cruise through the "ice fjord" past jagged snow-covered peaks
- Get an intimate view of beluga, minke and white whales by RIB
- Visit Longyearbyen's seed vault and northernmost church
- Discover Arctic beauty by cross-country ski, snowshoe or dogsled