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Expedition Svalbard with M/S Stockholm 2023

To travel on board our small and classic ship M/S Stockholm is a truly unique experience. With only 12 passengers on board, this is like travelling on a private yacht. After 20 years in Svalbard she has the experience and track record of being able to reach sites that are inaccessible to other ships. With ten nights on board we have plenty of time for grand nature experiences and wildlife encounters. 

Summer arrives in late June. The midnight sun reigns supreme and the purple saxifrage decorates the slopes. The ice thaws around the islands and this makes it possible to get further east. Whales are more frequently seen in the waters and more and more snow-free areas become accessible for longer walks.

Autumn arrives in late August and it is now that the snow free landscape is most visible. the midnight sun is brushing 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 11 990. Departures: 5 July 2023, 15 July 2023, 4 August 2023, 14 August 2023, 24 August 2023, 13 September 2023

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!

The Package Travel Directive – protects the traveller’s rights

When you have booked a trip with PolarQuest, you are protected by the Package Travel Directive. This includes that you have the right to rebook your trip or cancel and receive a full refund, if your Government, or other relevant authorities, have implemented restrictions against travelling. This includes documented quarantine requirements in the country you are travelling to. However, free cancellation is only possible when it is less than 30 days to departure, provided the travel restrictions are still in place and clearly will affect your trip. You are also entitled to a full refund, should PolarQuest cancel the trip for any reason whatsoever.

 

Be inspired by our digital polar lectures!

Few trips can compare with a magnificent adventure to the realm of the polar bear, Svalbard, or the world's most remote continent, Antarctica. Our popular Expedition Leader Adam Rheborg has recorded short lectures on what it is like to travel with PolarQuest to these spectacular places on earth, and we hope that your longing to experience these fantastic places is even greater after you have listened!

The ship M/S Stockholm

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

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 11 990
Twin Cabin for single use USD 22 690

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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Departure Return
5 July 2023 15 July 2023
15 July 2023 25 July 2023
4 August 2023 14 August 2023
14 August 2023 24 August 2023
24 August 2023 3 September 2023
13 September 2023 23 September 2023

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