Explore Spitsbergen and Arctic Norway with hurtigruten onboard MS Nordstjernen in 2012

In 2012 MS Nordstjernen makes an exciting return to Spitsbergen on a series of fascinating and enlightening voyages. The Spitsbergen Adventure Voyage is the essential Spitsbergen experience, taking in the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park’s extraordinary Arctic landscape, glaciers and bird cliffs. During your voyage, we will attempt to reach the 80th parallel – the only place on Earth where it is possible to sail so far north in open water. Our second itinerary is a voyage loaded with highlights in Svalbard and Norway. During this voyage you explore some of the most stunning parts of the Norwegian coast as well as the rugged beauty of Spitsbergen. We look forward to welcoming you on board your Arctic voyage of a lifetime.

Spitsbergen is the crown of Arctic Norway; a land forged by wind, ocean, ice and snow. With its location, on the edge of the ever frozen Arctic Ocean, where the warmer currents of the Gulf Stream meet the cold air and water from the north, Spitsbergen and the other islands in the Svalbard Archipelago have become a biological hot spot. Our programme of shore excursions will take you close to both the Arctic wildlife and the cultural remains from the early whaling era. Part of the Spitsbergen experience is visiting the diverse and fascinating settlements like Barentsburg, Longyearbyen or Ny Ålesund - all of which have their own distinct atmosphere.

A common aspect of these places is the Klondike-like, pioneering spirit on which they were founded. They are places with self confidence in their isolation from the mainland.

Hurtigruten’s ancestral homeland, the Norwegian coastline offers spectacular scenery and captivating wildlife. Join us as we take you closer to this landscape, the fjords and waterways than anyone else. We visit many exciting ports, some of which are home to just a few hundred inhabitants. As with the scenery en route, it is the sheer variety of sights, sounds and scents that make the Norwegian coastal voyage such a delight. During our Spitsbergen expeditions, high above the Arctic Circle you will experience the Midnight Sun, with long days and light nights. If you are really lucky we might just see the King of the Arctic, the polar bear.

On the Polar Bears, Islands & Fjords voyages we will navigate through narrow sounds and breathtaking fjords along as we make our way to or from Spitsbergen.

Now you have a chance to explore these landscapes on board MS Nordstjernen, a ship that is rich in character with an aura of nostalgia.

The classic wooden interiors combined with modern comforts create an extraordinary atmosphere. And because MS Nordstjernen is a small vessel, she can take you to the less accessible pearls of these beautiful coastlines, making your voyage one-of-a-kind and truly unforgettable.

Arctic in a nutshell : Polar Encounters

Sail along the northwest coast of Spitsbergen, journey through a landscape of breathtaking fjords and gigantic glaciers, all set before a magical backdrop of jagged mountain peaks. This coastline is surprisingly rich in wildlife and historical remains, offering a fascinating insight into the heroic efforts of the polar explorers of old times.

Itinerary Thursday – Tuesday

Day 1, Longyearbyen

Our adventure starts in Longyearbyen, with an overnight stay at the Spitsbergen Hotel.

Day 2, Longyearbyen and Barentsburg

We start the day with a guided sightseeing trip including a visit to Svalbard Museum.

This tour ends at the pier, where MS Nordstjernen will be ready for embarkation. Once underway, we set a course for the Russian settlement of Barentsburg where there will be opportunities to visit the Pomor Museum (optional) and enjoy a lively folklore show. After this visit we will continue out of Isfjord and head north along the Prins Karls Forland.

Day 3, Magdalenefjord and the North West Corner

The North West Corner is scattered with islands, fjords and beaches and has a long history of exploration. Magdalenefjord is one of the fjords that we aim to visit. Here you’ll experience a high density of cultural heritage; a whaling station from the 16th century and a graveyard of whalers that died during the first “oil goldrush”.

We arrive in Magdalenefjord in the morning, and hope to make our first Polarcirkel boat landing here.

Day 4, Woodfjord and Liefdefjord

North Spitsbergen offers a strikingly varied landscape – from the largest flat plain on Svalbard; Reinsdyrflya (the reindeer plain), to the red stone of Devonian geology, remnants of volcanoes and even the northernmost hot spring on Earth. The day will be spent sailing towards the Monaco Glacier, passing a number of small islets where eider ducks nest during the summer. If we are lucky we may spot a polar bear searching for eggs here. If the ice conditions are favourable we will sail past 80° North and towards Moffen, an island which is often host to walrus.

Day 5, Kongsfjord

This is the largest fjord on the North West coast of Spitsbergen. A large side fjord called Krossfjord may also be visited during this day. The landscape varies from large tundra plains to alpine peaks, with dramatic glaciers tumbling into the ocean. At 78º 55’ N, Ny-Ålesund is the world’s northernmost year-round community. Previously a coal mining  community, Ny-Ålesund is now an advanced high Arctic research station. In the age of early polar exploration Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for numerous expeditions towards the North Pole. A number of countries run their own national research stations here, and there is a lot of activity here in the summer.

Day 6, Longyearbyen

Your Spitsbergen Adventure Voyage is over and it is time to say goodbye. Your dream has become reality, and you will have fantastic memories to take with you.

 Itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions.

Beautiful Fjords and the crown of the arctic : Polar Bears, Islands and Fjords

This is a voyage loaded with highlights from Svalbard and Norway. After exploring the natural wonders of Spitsbergen we head south to Hurtigruten’s homeland of Norway with its incredible scenery, charming towns and friendly people.

Itinerary Bergen – Spitsb ergen

Day 1, Bergen

The voyage begins in Bergen.

Day 2, Flåm, Nærøyfjord and Gudvangen

Flåm is a one-of-a-kind nature experience. In Nærøyfjorden we will enjoy the steep snow-covered mountains, wild waterfalls and charming landscape with tiny farms.

Day 3, Geirangerfjord and Ålesund

Geirangerfjord is known as the most beautiful fjord in the world. Ålesund is renowned for its charming Art Nouveau architecture.

Day 4, Trondheim

Trondheim was the first capital of Norway. Today it is a centre for knowledge with a highly respected university.

Day 5, Reine and Svolvær

Beautiful Reine is the first place we will visit in Lofoten. After Svolvær we head north towards the narrow Trollfjord and the Vesterålen Islands.

Day 6, Bjarkøy and Tromsø

At the northern side of Bjarkøy we find the bird cliffs known as Krykkjeberg. Cosmopolitan Tromsø,meanwhile, is known as the Gateway to the Arctic.

Day 7 and 8, Honningsvåg and at sea

Honningsvåg is situated at 70°58’ N on Magerøya. Here you find the well-known North Cape (optional excursion). Later we will head north towards Spitsbergen.

Day 9, Barentsburg and Longyearbyen

In Barentsburg you can enjoy a lively folklore show. After this we continue towards the Norwegian settlement Longyearbyen.

Day 10, Magdalenefjord and Moffen

Magdalenefjord is one of the beautiful fjords in this area that we will aim to visit.

Day 11, Ny-Ålesund

At 78º 55’ N, Ny-Ålesund is the world’s northernmost year-round community. A number of countries run their own national research stations and there is a lot of activity here in the summer.

Day 12, Longyearbyen

The Spitsbergen Coastal Cruise concludes when we return to Longyearbyen during the morning. It is now time to say goodbye and return home with heads and cameras filled with fantastic memories.

Itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions.

Contact one of our Cruise Specialists on 0800 0280529 for booking details