Arriving in Tromso, you can find yourself in the picturesque 'Capital of the Arctic.' Situated on an island surrounded by towering mountains and deep seas, Tromso is the largest city in the European Arctic, home to approximately 80,000 residents. It is the region's central hub for transportation, industry, and tourism, drawing visitors worldwide. The city offers a vibrant atmosphere and is an ideal starting point for exploring the breathtaking natural surroundings or experiencing the phenomenon of the midnight sun.

The Ocean Albatros is moored in the tranquil waters of the city harbor, ready to embark on an unforgettable journey into the northern wilderness. Following a mandatory safety briefing, passengers can unwind on the outer decks with a thoughtfully prepared cocktail as the Ocean Albatros begins its voyage through the stunning fjords of northern Norway.

On the first full day of your expedition, arrive at Gjesværstappan, a group of rugged islands and skerries near the village of Gjesvær. These islands were declared a nature reserve in 1983, and exploring the nearby waters reveals why! The islands are home to numerous seabird colonies, including kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, puffins, and gannets, making it one of Norway's most remarkable natural sights.

Later in the day, the Ocean Albatros will sail to the small village of Skarsvåg, known as the northernmost fishing village in the world. Many locals make a living by fishing in the cold waters at the top of Scandinavia. From Skarsvåg, take an excursion to Nordkapp, the monument marking the northernmost point of mainland Norway and the European continent. This iconic landmark beckons you to the next part of your journey as you leave civilization behind in the evening and strike out towards the wild Arctic islands of Svalbard.

Situated in the middle of the Barents Sea between northern Norway and southern Svalbard lies Bjønøya, known in English as Bear Island. This rugged island, with its peaks looming on the horizon, marks the start of the High Arctic. 

Small, isolated, and rarely visited, Bear Island was once heavily exploited by whalers and sealers, who flocked to the island across Europe to harvest oil-bearing marine mammals. Thankfully, the island and surrounding waters are now protected as a nature reserve, and the island is returning to natural abundance. Despite the name, polar bears are almost unknown here, but whales and seals are common in these rich waters, and the island's cliffs are home to millions of seabirds. Guillemots, razorbills, puffins, and gannets all crowd for space on tiny rock ledges while hungry gulls and skuas cruise overhead in a never-ending search for prey. 

If conditions permit, take a Zodiac cruise with the expert expedition team to experience the incredible wildlife of this remote island—a true bucket-list experience! 

The southwest coast of Svalbard is washed by warmer water coming up through the Atlantic, so winter ice generally retreats first from this region. This allows you to enter the southern fjords of the area, even at the start of the summer - easily some of the most spectacular regions of this stunning archipelago. Throughout this maze of fjords and islands, birds cluster together on high cliffs, and reindeer graze on the fertile slopes below while icebergs drift by from the various large glaciers in the area. Tiny calico snow buntings flit between crags while perfectly camouflaged purple sandpipers scamper along the shore. Look higher up on the vegetated slopes, and there - greyish white 'boulders' move and resolve themselves into sheep-sized reindeer: the unique subspecies native to Svalbard. A flash of bluish-black and the screeches of nearby birds herald the arrival of the Arctic fox, the only native land predator on Svalbard (the polar bear is classified as a marine mammal). 

Dense clouds most often cover the mountaintops, and the East-Spitsbergen current usually leads to packing ice into the mouths of the fjords. With many landing sites to explore, this region is undoubtedly one of Svalbard's most exciting and diverse regions! Options to explore in the area include the huge bird cliffs of Alkhjornet and Vårsolbukta and the historical sites of Calypsobyen and Bambsebu, where prospectors, trappers, and a range of other adventurers attempted to make their fortunes. 

One of Europe's largest protected wilderness areas, North West Svalbard, was declared a national park in 1973. The area is famed for its history, which documents some of the earliest human arrivals on Svalbard. While Norse explorers may have sighted these icy shores during the Viking Age, the first definite arrival was the expedition of William Barents, the legendary Dutch explorer for whom the Barents Sea is named. While now protected from human disruption, when Barents arrived in 1596, he noted the vast numbers of whales and seals, soon prey to English and Dutch whalers, who came within a decade of Barents to pillage the area's wildlife. The area occupies the triple point between land, sea, and ice, and as such, was the perfect location to harvest the gentle giants of the oceans. Sites used to dismember whale carcasses and render them for their precious oil include the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg, where the remains of 16th-century blubber ovens and building foundations can still be seen. Other sites, such as nearby Ytre Norskøya, record the darker side of this industrialized slaughter, where hundreds of young men who hoped to make their fortunes are buried thousands of miles from home. 

Today, all that remains from this period of history are bones and the scant remnants of human habitation. Slowly reclaimed by creeping Arctic nature, the region is now a nature lovers paradise. Tiny Arctic poppies and purple saxifrage defy the brutal conditions to flower in the summer, while geese, eider ducks, and other seabirds return to the island to raise their young. Walrus can be found hauled out on beaches, and you must always be on the lookout for wandering polar bears in this now-again wild region. 

A haven of wildlife, fascinating history, and jaw-dropping scenery, northwest Svalbard is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular areas of the Arctic, if not the world! 

On the final morning of your expedition, arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard - the world's northernmost, everything! This remarkable little city is not only the northernmost town in the world (if one excludes the tiny research community of Ny-Ålesund, slightly further north on Svalbard) but also hosts the world's northernmost civilian airport, schools, bank, and supermarket.

The town's rugged frontier edge belies a core of warm Nordic hospitality and coziness. Cozy cafes, excellent restaurants, and boutique shops are all within walking distance. Even this tiny town will feel like a metropolis after days of isolation in the wilderness of the Arctic! 

After exploring Longyearbyen and bidding a fond farewell to the crew and fellow guests of Ocean Albatros, guests will be transported to Svalbard Airport to fly back to the Norwegian mainland—with memories to last a lifetime.