Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this "express" Arctic adventure cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Experience high summer in the Arctic with Ocean Albatros - one of the few ice-class expedition ships built to withstand the Arctic pack ice.
Embark on an incredible journey as you traverse through icy waters and landscapes in six short days. Get ready to explore and discover the unique ecology of this mountain-clad and glaciated island - and get close to a vast array of majestic Arctic creatures. Spot the charismatic walrus, their long tusks and whiskers, and the ever-resilient Arctic birds. The crowning glory, of course, will be sightings of the beloved polar bear.
Treat yourself to a grand experience on this Ocean Albatros’ Arctic adventure cruise - onboard one of the few ships that are built to traverse through pack ice and polar seas. Get ready to share waters with whales, walruses, polar bears, and an abundance of birds while also witnessing the astonishing beauty of Svalbard at the peak of summer. With our fleet of zodiacs, you can explore the majestic glacial landscapes, get closer to the wildlife, and embark on fascinating landings on the shore.
- Sail aboard one of the world’s only ice-class expedition ships built to meet the North Pole pack ice.
- Former Whaling Station At Smeerensburg And Ytre Norskøya
- Amazing Birdlife At Alkefjellet, Polar Desert Landscape At Torrelnesset
- Liefde Fjord With Monaco Glacier And Texas Bar
- Ny Ålesund And Ny London
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Arrival at Longyearbyen, capital of Svalbard – possibly the northernmost ‘real’ town in the world. After our initial onboarding and a celebratory toast from our Expedition Leader, you will be provided with all essential information regarding the voyage, the daily routine of the ship, and important safety protocols. We are all then required to partake in a safety drill, before our captain steers us away from Advent Fjord, and into the unknowns of our Arctic adventure.
On entering North West Svalbard, declared a national park in 1973, we begin the day with a cruise through Danskergattet, in search of seals at Virgohamna. Then, we 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 we can visit, should the weather be accommodating - among them, Ytre Norskøya, a lookout post used by whalers in the past.
In the morning, we 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 molluscs found in the shallow waters of Svalbard.
During the night, we will venture to the Wood Fjord and its side arm, the Liefde Fjord. Our mission is to travel slowly alongside the sweeping glacier face of Monacobreen, giving us 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. Our plan is to take a tour around this area and enjoy the amazing scenery.
We enter the beautiful Kongs Fjord, renowned for its former mining settlement and captivating beauty. Our first destination is Ny Ålesund - a scientific research centre situated even further north than Longyearbyen, though it can be argued whether this constitutes an actual town. Our Captain will do their best to bring the boat close to the shore, allowing us to explore the area on foot. Our 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. We can still see the remains of workshops, locomotives, and cranes that tell the story of the ambitious yet failed enterprise. Finally, we will 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, our 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.
Please keep in mind, the itinerary and outdoor activities during each voyage are solely dependent on weather and operational conditions to ensure the safety and quality of experience of our guests.
Ocean Albatros
| Launch | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Cabins | 95 |
The Ocean Albatros will be deployed to a large selection of expedition cruise destinations, Antarctica, the Arctic, any various exciting new destinations in between.
With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership, the Ocean Victory, it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities. The vessel will have more than a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and be one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests. Unlike the Ocean Victory, the Ocean Albatros will also offer a unique panorama sauna, and a total of 12 dedicated solo travel cabins without a single-supplement.
The vessel belongs to the greenest generation of cruise ships in the world. Its tier 3 compliant engines give up to 80 percent less emissions and operate on significantly lower fuel consumption.
BRIDGE
Due to its important role as a control center for all nautical and technical processes, the ship's bridge is a vital, sensitive place. Therefore, the bridge may not be accessible to the public at all times. Conditions permitting, we will be happy to welcome you into the bridge for a visit. Guests must be accompanied by the master or our expedition leader.
STATEROOM SERVICE
Your stateroom is serviced daily. We provide a turn-down service. We provide meal to room only for serious cases of guest being sick. Our suites will have VIP services.
ZODIAC LANDINGS
One feature of our expedition cruises includes landings and excursions aboard Ocean Albatros's fleet of 18 inflatable, motorized rubber "Zodiac" boats. The Zodiac brand has earned a well-deserved reputation as the sturdiest and safest small watercraft available. These boats have a low draft and great stability. Zodiacs are constructed for professional use and are outfitted with a top-quality outboard engine, yet their design minimally impacts the environment.
The Zodiacs are designed to provide unrestricted access to the world’s last great frontier. Their versatility enables us to make landfall on remote shores, cruise along awe-inspiring coastlines and share breathtakingly close encounters with whales, seals, penguins, seabirds and more. We will come within arm’s reach of icebergs and set foot on land discovered by pioneering explorers just over a century ago.
Your safety and comfort are our #1 priority, and your expedition leader will carefully plan for as many Zodiac excursions as possible, dependent upon the local weather and prevailing conditions. In each case, the expedition leader makes the final decision if the landing is possible or not. Safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the safety guidelines. Life jackets are mandatory to wear.
Please note, we highly recommend the use of waterproof bags in order to protect your personal camera or binoculars, as both hands must be free of everything during boarding. Participation is fairly easy and comfortable for able-bodied guests but can be more challenging for those with physical handicaps.
GRATUITIES
Following international standards in the service industry, it is customary to leave gratuity for the ship’s crew at the end of the voyage. All gratuities will be divided among the crew. Typically, a recommended amount is approximately 13.5 USD per person per day. Gratuity is, of course, not required and any gratuity payments are voluntary.
DRESS CODE
The dress code on board is casual. Ties, jackets and evening dresses you may leave at home. It is rather more important to wear the right clothes in order to adapt to the different weather conditions. We recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing. Also, you should have a pair of gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear in your luggage. For the captains and farewell cocktail, we recommend a smart casual dress style.
INTERNET / PHONE
Keep in mind, we will be cruising in a very remote region of the world. Where accessible, internet access is available for an extra charge. Mobile phone reception may be possible in select regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. Prices can be found in the information folder in your state room. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ function is switched off.
RECEPTION
The daily office hours of the board reception are from 06:00 until 23:00.
ALBATROS OCEAN SHOP
The selection of items available for purchase varies by ship, and may include a range of warm and practical clothing, as well as souvenirs, local arts and postcards at reasonable prices. A small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects are also sold.
HEALTH / MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Each of our vessels has a small medical facility equipped with the necessary equipment and medicine to handle small emergencies. The infirmary is always staffed by a professionally licensed, English-speaking physician and nurse. Should a serious incident occur, the nearest hospital will be contacted. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance.
Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. Please be aware that the ship does not provide wheelchair accessible state rooms.
Due to safety reasons a cruise is only possible for pregnant women until the 24th week of pregnancy. The state of pregnancy must be presented by a medical certificate.
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES / WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by Zodiac can be denied by the expedition leader due to security reasons. The instructions of the expedition leader must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs.
SEASICKNESS / STABILISATORS
The ship is equipped with stabilizers in order to reduce the ship’s roll. However, these expeditions are hosted in remote regions, and it is possible to periodically encounter changing environments and climate patterns, including rough seas and large swells. Seasickness patches (Scopoderm or similar) work solely or in part to help cure nausea for most people. These medicines can cause sleepiness. If you are prone to motion sickness, consult with your doctor prior to departure to help ensure your comfort while travelling.
SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS
All meals on board the vessel is chef-prepared. If you have special dietary requirements (food allergies, intolerances, health conditions or religious preferences), please inform us as early as possible - ideally, no later than 2 weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew upon boarding the ship.
LAUNDRY
If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, laundry service is available for an additional fee.
Includes
- 6-day/5-night cruise on Ocean Albatros in a shared outside double room with a private bathroom in the category chosen
- Fights: Oslo-Longyearbyen-Oslo
- Local transport in Longyearbyen on days 1 and 6
- English-speaking expedition staff
- Guided walks with the expedition team
- Nature hikes and Zodiac cruises per itinerary
- Information briefings and lectures by the expedition team
- Special photo workshop
- Full board on the ship
- Dinner drink package
- Free coffee, tea, and afternoon snacks on the ship
- Welcome and farewell cocktails
- Taxes, tariffs, and landing fees
- Digital visual journal link after the voyage, including voyage log, gallery, species list, and more