Cruise Advice
Duration
7 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
10 Ports
28 May
Setting sail from Longyearbyen
This is the world's northernmost city and the base for tourism in Svalbard. A bit quirky, as you would expect from somewhere that spends four months of the year in near darkness, Longyearbyen doesn't take long to explore. Its brightly coloured wooden houses are built on stilts, as the ground in Svalbard is permafrost. When you enter a building, you are normally asked to remove your shoes, and leave your gun at the door. Gun carrying is more or less essential for the locals, as with 3,000 local hungry polar bears, it is said that you never know when you might need protection. That said, we visited safely without a gun!
Our tip
Don’t die here – it’s illegal. There have been no new burials for over 70 years, because the permafrost prevents bodies from decomposing.
29-30 May
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: Hornsund, Bellsund
31 May
At sea
1 June
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: Monacobreen
Named in honour of the explorer and oceanographer Prince Albert I of Monaco, the Monacobreen is arguably the most stunning of Spitsbergen’s many glaciers. The blue-tinged wall of ice is nearly five miles wide when it reaches the Liefdefjord, where icebergs crash into the glassy water.
1-2 June
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: Texas Bar (Liefdefjorden), Smeerenburg (Amsterdam Island), Raudfjord
3 June
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: 14th July Glacier
The 14th July Glacier, on the northwest coast of Spitsbergen, was named in honour of Bastille Day by Prince Albert I of Monaco, who led several expeditions to Svalbard between 1898 and 1907. Look out for polar bears, seals, Arctic foxes, reindeer and birds including kittiwakes, puffins and guillemots.
3 June
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: Ny Ålesund
Ny Ålesund is one of the northernmost permanently inhabited settlements in the world, on the remote and inhospitable northwest coast of Spitsbergen. Once an important coal mining centre, this tiny town is now mostly home to scientists and researchers studying the Arctic.
4 June
Arriving in Longyearbyen
Don't miss
At the so called heart of the city, Huset has long been the centre for culture and community. Go there for great food and to sample one of the largest wine cellars in Europe!
Your home from home
Sleek and stylish, Le Boréal, Le Soléal, L'Austral and Le Lyrial are wonderful small ships that blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.
What we love
These chic sisters are amongst the most stylish ships at sea, with muted natural tones, minimalist interiors and playful splashes of colour. The accommodation is flexible, with the option to combine staterooms and create expansive suites, while the restaurants deliver the sort of outstanding gastronomic experience that you would expect from a French flag cruise line.
| Capacity | 264 Guests (Le Boréal, Le Soléal & L'Austral) / 244 Guests (Le Lyrial) |
|---|---|
| Crew | 140 Staff |
| Style | Refined with a wonderful mix of a modern super yacht and nautical tradition, all with a French flair. |
| Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Where to stay in Longyearbyen
There’s really not much choice! Go for the Radisson Blu.
Explore Spitsbergen
Travel out of Longyearbyen by snow scooter or dog sled to take a look at the amazing scenery and hunt for wildlife.
