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Expedition Svalbard with M/S Stockholm 2020

To travel on board our 12-passenger ship M/S Stockholm is a truly unique experience. After 20 years in Svalbard she has the experience and track record of being able to reach sites that are inaccessible to other ships. In July the summer has arrived, the midnight sun reigns supreme and the purple saxifrage decorates the slopes. The ice is slowly starting to loosen its grip, which offers good opportunities to explore the seldom visited eastern parts of the archipelago. Whales are more frequently seen in the waters and more and more snowfree areas become accessible for longer walks. Later in August the sun is closer to the horizon, preparing for the polar night, giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect for photography. 

  • Only 12 passengers
  • Unique expedition ship from 1953
  • M/S Stockholm has salied in Svalbard since 1998
  • 2 experienced guides
  • Every trip is unique
  • 100 % climate compensated
Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiac. Ship: M/S Stockholm. Passengers: 12 passengers. Languages: English & Swedish. Length: 11 days, 10 nights on ship. Price: From USD 11 490. Departures: 25 June 2020, 15 July 2020, 25 July 2020, 4 August 2020, 14 August 2020, 24 August 2020, 3 September 2020

Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

We arrive in Longyearbyen, embark our expedition ship in the afternoon and sail out through the spectacular Isfjorden.

Day 2 - 10: Expedition

We are now in a part of the world where we are totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is to make landings or cruises every day with our Zodiacs. Here are some examples of places we may visit:

Northwest Spitsbergen

The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.

Magnificent fjords

Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area. In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity.

Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet

If the ice allows we enter Hinlopen Strait. Here is Alkefjellet, an impressive, basaltic cliff, which is the home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. We may also continue into the beautiful bay Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.

Eastern Svalbard

The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an by hundreds of waterfalls. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer are good here.

Southwest Spitsbergen

The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice.

Day 11: Longyearbyen

Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.

Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximize your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!

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The ship M/S Stockholm

  •
  • The beautiful M/S Stockholm
    Ulrich Kühn
  • Lisa Ström
  • Ulrich Kühn
  • Henrik Haaning Nielsen
  • Johanna Vakkila
  • Lisa Ström
  • The service on board is outstanding
    Ulrich Kühn
  • Cosy cabins with bunkbeds
    Niklas Nilsson
  • Niklas Nilsson
  • Katharina Miller
  • Ulrich Kühn
  • Adam Rheborg & Niklas Nilsson

A CLASSIC EXPEDITION SHIP LOVED BY MANY

The M/S Stockholm is a classic ship built in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1998 she was totally refitted and started her career as a comfortable polar passenger ship. The M/S Stockholm carries a maximum of 12 passengers in twin cabins with bunk beds. All cabins have private facilities and small windows (portholes). M/S Stockholm is a marvellous piece of maritime history with beautiful brass details and
wooden decks. It is no wonder she is loved by so many! After 20 years of navigating the waters in Svalbard she has the experience and track record of being able to access difficult to reach sites that are inaccessible to other ships.

On board you will enjoy delicious meals in the company of
likeminded travellers, who are all fascinated by the Arctic nature, wildlife and history. The food on board is of high standard and all beverages are included in the price. With such a small party on board, this is like travelling on a private yacht. The crew on board M/S Stockholm are also great enthusiasts of the unique wildlife and unspoiled nature. Their genuine curiosity is a prerequisite for expedition cruises of this kind. A trip on board M/S Stockholm in these northern waters, with its unique wildlife and pristine nature, is an experience of a lifetime! There are two Zodiacs and two guides on board M/S Stockholm.

Cabins & prices

Cabin category Price per person
Twin Cabin bunk beds & private facilities USD 11 490
Twin Cabin for single use USD 21 890

Price includes

  • 10 nights on board M/S Stockholm
  • All meals on board
  • All beverages
  • 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
  • Guiding ashore and talks on board
  • All excursions and activities
  • The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew
  • Comprehensive information material before the expedition
  • The trip is climate compensated

Not included

  • Flight to/from Longyearbyen
  • Travel and cancellation insurance

Departures & booking

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or wish to make a reservation.

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We are glad that you are interested in travelling with PolarQuest! Please enter your details below, and let us know if you have any specific preferences such as cabin category. Your request is non-binding.

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Departure Return
25 June 2020 5 July 2020
15 July 2020 25 July 2020
25 July 2020 4 August 2020
4 August 2020 14 August 2020
14 August 2020 24 August 2020
24 August 2020 3 September 2020
3 September 2020 13 September 2020

Related blog posts

  • 5 September - Isfjorden

    PolarQuest's Niklas Nilsson was given the opportunity to travel with our gem M/S Stockholm on a trip in early September - please read his blog post below!

    Read more

  • 50 shades of blue

    Please read a blog post about when M/S Stockholm's expedition members visited the former mining settlement Pyramiden.

    Read more

Our travelers' experiences

Every one of the crew worked very hard to give us the best trip possible. They went out of their way to look for bears and seals, to provide Zodiac excursions and to help make it like ‘home’ on the M/S Stockholm. Both our guides spent many hours either up in the crow’s nest, or awake during the night in the bridge, helping to look for photo subjects. We couldn’t have asked for more. Mary Ann McDonald
Jacob and I enjoyed the trip on board M/S Stockholm very much. It was truly an incredible experience. Our guide was very helpful and qualified. He was always pleasant and willing to answer questions for everyone. Blair & Jacob Briggs
We have just come back from Svalbard and have had the most wonderful time! It passed our wildest dreams. Thank you to everyone who helped us to organise it. The whole holiday from booking to going and being there has been excellent. David & Jackie March
The trip was absolutely amazing and I cannot commend the staff and crew of the Stockholm enough. The sightings and weather obviously takes care of itself but the Captain and his team made the experience truly next level. They are a very special group of people. Gerry Van der Walt