Arrival at Longyearbyen, capital of Svalbard – possibly the northernmost ‘real’ town in the world.

After the initial onboarding and a celebratory toast from the Expedition Leader, guests will be provided with all essential information regarding the voyage, the daily routine of the ship, and important safety protocols. All are then required to partake in a safety drill before the captain steers away from Advent Fjord, and into the unknowns of the Arctic adventure.

On entering North West Svalbard, declared a national park in 1973, begin the day with a cruise through Danskergattet, in search of seals at Virgohamna. Then, travel from Danskøya to Amsterdamøya, to visit Smeerenburg, the famous 17th-century whaling settlement. It is said that during the peak of blubber production, over two-hundred men were living (and unfortunately dying) there.

This northwestern area of Spitsbergen contains many points of interest that you can visit, should the weather be accommodating - among them, Ytre Norskøya, a lookout post used by whalers in the past.

In the morning, glide by the iconic Alkefjellet with fingers crossed for clear skies to observe the vertiginous cliffs. Swarmed by an enormous population of Brünichs guillemots, almost every surface is cloaked with the avian species. In the summer, their frenzied courting is an awe-inspiring sight, both on the cliff face and in the waters below.

The polar desert of Torrelnesset also holds numerous walruses lounging on its shoreline, as they feed on the clams and mollusks found in the shallow waters of Svalbard.

During the night, venture to the Wood Fjord and its sidearm, the Liefde Fjord. The mission is to travel slowly alongside the sweeping glacier face of Monacobreen, giving a rare perspective of the tremendous force of glacial activity and its varying iceberg creations. This glacier was dubbed after Albert I of Monaco, who heavily backed Svalbard's research pursuits.

This expanse was heavily traveled by trappers in the past, some even living here over winter and constructing cabins. A particularly renowned cabin, referred to as Texas Bar, is thought to be named after the US state of Texas and erected in 1927. The plan is to take a tour around this area and enjoy the amazing scenery.

Enter the beautiful Kongs Fjord, renowned for its former mining settlement and captivating beauty. The first destination is Ny Ålesund - a scientific research center situated even further north than Longyearbyen, though it can be argued whether this constitutes an actual town. 

The next destination is the abandoned marble mining settlement of Ny London. It experienced a brief but eventful existence, beginning in a flurry of mining activity reminiscent of the Klondike Gold Rush before being crippled by wars and financial losses just nine years later. See the remains of workshops, locomotives, and cranes that tell the story of the ambitious yet failed enterprise.

Finally, return southbound to the entrance of the Isfjord and onwards to Longyearbyen, hopefully with one last glimpse of the amazing wildlife and unparalleled landscapes of Svalbard.

By the morning, the vessel will arrive back at the place where it started, Longyearbyen. After a goodbye to the team and crew and after breakfast, people will begin disembarking the boat. Travel to the airport is provided.