Luxury Spitsbergen, Bear Island & Fjords

Embark the Silver Cloud this afternoon and depart on your exciting expedition. After a mandatory safety drill head out on deck for a ‘Sail Away’ party, leaving Tromsø (and civilization) behind you. Later during the afternoon the Expedition Team and important crew members will be introduced.

In the evening enjoy the first of many fine dining experiences in The Restaurant and relax in the Panorama Lounge.

Nordkapp, Norway – Watch for reindeer that graze the tundra on the way to reach what is officially claimed to be mainland Europe’s northernmost point, Nordkapp. At the Nordkapp take your time to study the different monuments, and imagine what it must be like to live in a place where the sun does not set from the middle of May to the end of July.

Gjesverstappan Islands - Almost a hundred islands and rocks make up the Gjesverstappan Nature Reserve, one of Europe’s largest and most accessible nesting areas for Atlantic seabirds. The islands have one of the largest Atlantic Puffin colonies in North Norway. From our Zodiacs (if weather conditions allow), we will look for Atlantic Puffins and the other species such as Northern Gannets, White-tailed Eagles, Common Eider Ducks, Great Cormorants, auks, fulmars, petrels and Arctic Skuas that bring the number of nesting birds to almost 2 million.

As we near this arctic island, now a nature reserve, we will see thousands of sea birds diving into and out of the island’s steep cliffs. With our Zodiacs, we will explore the rugged coastline and if weather conditions are favourable, make a landing. The Expedition Team will provide insights into the environment, the terrain, and the wildlife that exist in these extreme conditions. As we leave Bear Island (Bjørnøya), head out on deck to watch for whales that are known to frequent the area.

Svalbard’s Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen’s west coast is less ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of Spitsbergen and have been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the archipelago’s largest island of Spitsbergen. Remains of huts and mines, as well as active commercial and scientific settlements can be found and visited. Depending on the time of the season, glaciers can be visited on foot or by sea.

In the fjords of southern Svalbard, search the ice and shorelines for seabirds, walruses, seals, and polar bears. Shore walks and Zodiac landings will bring you close to mystical wintry settings. The Expedition Leader and Captain will determine the ship’s best course, depending on changing weather, ice conditions and the wildlife we encounter.

There are several deep fjords and prominent glaciers in the northern reaches of Svalbard, as well as the northern hemisphere’s widest glacier front. Ice conditions will dictate how much can be accessed in terms of cruising bird islets like the Andøyane Islets or approaching glaciers like Monaco Glacier and Seliger Glacier. The Northern Region is also known to have several walrus haul-outs and areas defined as “Arctic Desert”. Walks and hikes ashore to have a closer look at flora and wildlife are a possibility in the spectacular Northern Region of Svalbard.

Silver Cloud will have a number of expedition options in northern Svalbard past majestic red Devonian sandstone mountains to reach the end of Liefdefjorden, for Zodiac cruises in front of glaciers and looking for seals, Black-legged Kittiwakes and Ivory Gulls. From the deck of the ship search for walrus and polar bears as we devote time to explore the pack ice north of Spitsbergen. Conditions permitting, we might head out in the Zodiacs for an even closer look.

Following breakfast, disembark the Silver Cloud.