Frequently asked questions

We require everyone travelling with us to have adequate travel insurance. We recommend that you check with your insurance company to ensure that you are covered for any helicopter evacuation, hospitalisation and repatriation. We also strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance to cover the full cost of your trip. Again, check with your insurance company to see what cover you have. In order to be valid, this insurance must be booked before you pay the deposit.

You can find your travel information by logging into My Bookings via our website. Log in with your booking number and the four-digit password found on your booking confirmation.

In My Bookings you will find payment information and a personal information form. There is also a tab called Before the trip where you will find the equipment list, ship information and more.

Generally, accommodation on board the ship, all meals on board and all excursions during the trip are included. You will find this information specified on your booking confirmation.

An expedition cruise means that the programme may vary depending on weather and ice conditions. Decisions regarding any changes are made in consultation between the captain and expedition leader, both of whom have extensive experience in the area. It is this flexibility that creates a unique and exciting expedition! 

If you have any special dietary requirements, it is important to notify us well in advance and clearly fill in the form with your personal information well before departure. Special diets such as gluten-free or lactose-free food are available on board, and the kitchens can also prepare vegetarian/vegan meals. Please speak to the chef (and our guides when you come on board) to ensure that your restrictions/allergies have been interpreted correctly. Please also note that the range/variety of special dietary requirements may vary as it is difficult to know what provisions are available in these remote areas.

To get the most out of the trip you should be able to get in and out of a Zodiac, have good balance and be able to walk freely. During a voyage on M/S Quest (50 passengers), expedition participants are often split into two different groups on land, based on interest and general fitness. Typically, one group will take a longer walk at a faster pace, while the other group will take a shorter walk at a more leisurely pace, staying on the beach or cruising in the Zodiacs. If you have a medical condition that requires ongoing care or medication, we will ask you to complete a medical form and have it signed by your doctor.

If you are visually or hearing impaired or have limited mobility, you will need an accompanying person to assist you. Both the expedition leader and the captain have the right to refuse your participation if they feel there is a risk to your safety or the safety of others.

On M/S Quest, M/S Sjøveien and Ocean Nova, we always offer the option of booking a shared cabin. Cabins are always divided into female and male cabins. On M/S Stockholm (which only has six double cabins) or on M/S Balto, you can submit a request to be matched with another person who wants to share, but we cannot guarantee this.

All seasons have their charms, here is a brief summary.

May and June offer beautiful winter landscapes and a wonderful purity. It's still spring in the Arctic and the bird mountains are full of life. Landings are often fewer and shorter, but Zodiac cruises along ice and snow-covered mountains are magical.

Summer is from late June to early August. The ice around the islands loosens its grip, making it possible to travel further east in the archipelago. Whales can often be seen in the water, and on land more and more areas become snow-free, allowing more and longer hikes. The colours of the Arctic flowers are breathtaking.

Autumn arrives in Svalbard at the end of August. The sun moves closer to the horizon and the light becomes mild and soft, making for great photography. The tundra begins to change to autumn colours. After mid-August, many bird species prepare for migration. But this is just a guide, and every year in the Arctic can be different. Please also see our webinar on Svalbard with more information about this.

To the webinar!

A summer holiday in the Arctic means many hours of light therapy, as the midnight sun prevails from mid-April to the end of August. Temperatures in Svalbard during the summer months vary from a few degrees below zero to a few degrees above. Average temperatures in Longyearbyen are: May -5 C, June +2 C, July +4 C, August +3 C and September -1 C. However, temperatures can drop slightly in the more eastern parts of the archipelago, and due to winds and a lot of ice, the experienced temperatures are lower than the thermometer reads. The weather in Svalbard can change quickly and visitors are often treated to a variety of sun, clouds, fog and possibly some precipitation in the form of snow or rain.

There are just over 20 different species of mammals that live on the land, ice and sea around Svalbard. Most of these are whales. Other mammals include walrus, polar bear, various species of seal, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer.

Svalbard has a rich bird life, especially seabirds, which nest in large colonies throughout the archipelago. More than 200 bird species have been observed in Svalbard and its waters, but only a few dozen species breed. Four species make up 95 per cent of the bird life: Brünnich's Guillemot, Northern fulmar, little auk and the lack-legged kittiwake. Their huge populations reflect the richness and productivity of the sea. Nowhere else is there such a rich bird life so far north. Some other bird species you have a chance of seeing are: Barnacle goose, Brent goose, common eider, king eider, purple sandpiper, grey phalarope, Red-throated Diver, snow bunting and rock ptarmigan.

Longyearbyen has several restaurants, cafés and museums to discover. Learn more here:

Discover Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen has several types of accommodation scattered in and around the village, and we work closely with a couple of the hotels that are centrally located. Contact us for more information.

All our trips start with a hotel night. You can therefore arrive at any time you wish on the day you check in at the hotel. The following day, the group will meet for lunch and in the afternoon you will board the ship.

If you have booked our group flight, transfer to and from the airport is included. The airport in Longyearbyen is not large; it has one baggage carousel, and right outside the terminal there are both taxis and airport buses that will take you to the city centre in 10-15 minutes. The airport bus leaves when all baggage has been delivered and stops at most hotels. Tell the driver which hotel you are going to.

Greenland is a diverse island offering everything from deep fjords and glaciers to hot springs and lush meadows. Its three main regions feature very different landscapes:

• West Greenland: This relatively flat region is home to enormous glaciers that produce some of the largest icebergs in the Northern Hemisphere. The area is home to several picturesque fishing villages and the volcanic Disko Island, located near the town of Ilulissat, also known as the 'Town of Icebergs'.
• Southern Greenland: Here, you will find varied terrain, including narrow fjords and jagged mountains, as well as rich Arctic vegetation and wildflowers. The area is home to musk oxen and Arctic foxes, as well as many remains from Nordic culture, which give the area a sense of history and tradition.
•  East Greenland: Dramatic mountains plunge into narrow fjords, often filled with icebergs calved from glaciers. This remote area has only a few colourful settlements and boasts the magnificent Sermilik Fjord, an undiscovered gem for wilderness explorers. There are also some fantastic hiking trails here.

While many Inuit people still live a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle on the east coast, the west coast is becoming increasingly urbanised and offers greater educational and employment opportunities.

Greenland is home to seven species of land mammal, the most prominent of which are polar bears, musk oxen and arctic foxes. While these species have adapted to the challenging Arctic climate, spotting them can be difficult. Six species of seal live in the coastal areas and several species of whale, including humpback, herring and beluga, swim in the cold waters. The most common birds we are likely to see include four species of gull, fulmars and greater black-backed gulls, as well as geese. During our expeditions, we always keep an eye out for wildlife, but it is important to understand that sightings can be rare due to hunting pressure and the isolated nature of the environment. Exploring Greenland's magnificent landscapes is an unforgettable experience, regardless of whether you see any animals.

During the trip, you can enjoy rubber boat cruises among icebergs of all shapes and sizes, explore impressive glaciers, relax in a hot spring or go hiking. You will also have the opportunity to visit local villages, meet the population and gain an insight into their lives.

Yes, from the end of August onwards, we have the opportunity to witness the magical spectacle of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky, which is an incredible experience.

Due to the limited healthcare system in Greenland, and to ensure that information is available in case of emergency or illness, please fill out our health form (Medical form) and send it back to us. The form is in English.

Flights are not included in the price of our trips to western Greenland. For our trips to southern and eastern Greenland, however, we offer a mandatory flight and hotel package. See the question below for more information.

Eastern Greenland is a true wilderness and a very remote place. Travelling there from Iceland by small boat takes around three days, crossing the Denmark Strait, which can be quite rough for a small vessel such as the M/S Balto. To avoid these days at sea and provide a more comfortable experience with full focus on Greenland's spectacular nature, we have therefore chosen to book flights between Keflavik and Kulusuk instead. The package also includes two nights' accommodation in Iceland, one before and one after the expedition. This allows for potential flight delays.

Greenland has an Arctic climate, with summer temperatures rarely exceeding 10 °C. In the south, however, temperatures can sometimes rise above 20°C. As the weather can change quickly, we recommend packing warm base layer/long johns, one or two mid-layers, and windproof and waterproof clothing. High-top boots and sturdy hiking boots are also essential. You will receive an equipment list with recommendations when you book.

We recommend wearing high-top rubber boots with a lining, as you will probably need to step into the water when disembarking from the rubber boat. The significant variations in tide levels in Greenland mean that wearing boots is important. Once ashore, the terrain may be wet. Many people choose to hike in waterproof hiking boots.

The seven passenger cabins all have windows or portholes with sea views. All cabins have private facilities and are equipped with towels, soap, shampoo and hairdryers.

Due to limited kitchen space on board and restricted supply access in remote areas, dietary flexibility is limited. Our chefs can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten- and lactose-free diets, and avoid key allergens or a small number of specific requests. We are unable to cater to extensive preferences or detailed instructions. If you have serious allergies, we kindly ask that you also speak with the chef on your first day on board.

There is no access to the internet on board. Please note that you will not have mobile phone coverage during most of the expedition, except in the larger settlements. We recommend checking with your mobile operator before departure, as the costs of using your mobile in Greenland can be high.

We hope to see the magical Northern Lights when the weather is clear. Alta is one of the best destinations for experiencing this fascinating phenomenon.

During the trip, we hope to see both the Northern Lights and whales. When the opportunity arises, we will go on exciting rubber boat cruises and refreshing hikes to explore the beautiful islands up close. While we are between landings, we will enjoy good food and drink, relax on the deck and listen to our guides tell us about the area's wildlife, nature and history.

In recent years, groups of humpback whales and orcas have gathered in the area in search of the large shoals of herring that winter here. We have also spotted fin whales over the years.

Our trips begin in the small town of Alta, where you will spend the night in a hotel. You can fly here with either SAS or Norwegian.

We know that good food enhances the travel experience. The dining room on board the M/S Stockholm can seat all 12 passengers at once. The chef serves three meals a day: breakfast and dinner with table service, and a buffet for lunch.

As we are going on an expedition, informal and comfortable clothing is recommended on board.  During rubber boat cruises, you will be provided with a flotation suit. This is a warm, full-length overall that replaces your outer layer of clothing during rubber boat cruises. We do not use these during landings.

Answers coming soon!