Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Experiences you'll have
You will explore one of the largest polar archipelagos on the newest premium expedition ship, the SH Vega. On board, you can enjoy suites with fireplaces, an outdoor infinity pool, a sauna overlooking the glaciers, and gourmet restaurants with meals from renowned chefs. Unique Arctic landscapes and rich polar wildlife await you on zodiac boat outings.
Highlights of the voyage:
The cost of the cruise depends on the cabin type selected. See details in the Accommodation section.
Itinerary
The journey begins in Copenhagen, Denmark, where you should get to on your own. The price includes the charter flight from Copenhagen to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and back to Copenhagen.
This is a general plan of the expedition, the route may vary depending on the weather.
Day 1 Arrival in Copenhagen
You will be met at Copenhagen Airport and transferred to the hotel where you will spend the night before the cruise.
Day 2 Flight to Longyearbyen and Boarding the Ship
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Longyearbyen.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the port to board the ship. You will meet the ship's crew and expedition's members during a welcome cocktail.
Days 3-8 Around Svalbard
On the first day, you will reach Bellsund Bay and see a panorama of mountains with snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and flowering tundra. On expedition zodiac boats, you will approach the coastal cliffs occupied by bird flocks. Urias, kittiwakes, little auks, and northern fulmars are nesting here. You will have a chance to see reindeer during the walk along the tundra. Usually, peacefully grazing reindeer lets people get very close to them. In the bay, you can see ringed seals and polar bears hunting them.
The expedition ship will enter Liefdefjorden, framed by the sparkling 5-km Monacobreen Glacier. The boats will take you right up to the edge of the glacier. Sometimes, the absolute silence of this place is broken by the rumbling sound of breaking off icebergs. You will land on the glacier and take a walk. Walruses and polar bears may be seen here.
Nordaustlandet is one of the 3 largest islands in the Svalbard archipelago. You can stroll through the polar desert and walk on a soft carpet of mosses and lichens. Watch walruses and bears on the edge of the ice field, meet reindeer, and get as close as possible to bird colonies on the coastal cliffs.
The 100-km-long Wijdefjord, the longest fjord in Svalbard, is part of the Indre Wijdefjorden National Park. It was created to protect the rich Arctic steppe flora unique to Europe. You will walk among Arctic grasses, willow shrubs, and wildflowers such as Saxifraga cespitosa and Silene latifolia. The area is home to reindeer and Arctic foxes.
Ny-Ålesund is the northernmost settlement in the world. It is located on the shores of a closed fjord at 79 degrees north latitude, and scientific stations from more than 100 countries are located here. The famous expedition on the Norway Airship was started here in 1926. Its members, Roald Amundsen, Lincoln Ellsworth, and Umberto Nobile, were the first people to visit the North Pole and were able to document it. You will learn the details of this event from the history expert.
On Svalbard's east coast, you will sail on expedition boats to the picturesque Alkefjellet cliffs to admire huge bird colonies. You will also visit Barents and Edge Islands, where you can enter abandoned hunting cabins.
Day 9 Return to Longyearbyen
In the morning, the ship will call at the port of Longyearbyen. After breakfast and disembarking, a transfer to the airport will be organized for you.
If you are leaving Longyearbyen the next day, you can spend the night in a hotel (1 night accommodation and breakfast included).
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
A 20% prepayment is needed to make a reservation. The final payment of 80% is paid 60 days before the start of the cruise.
Rates depend on the cabin type selected. The price is per person with double occupancy in a cabin.
Cabin types:
Oceanview (19 sq.m.): 2 single beds (convertible to a double bed), sitting area with a sofa, soothing flame-effect fireplace, luxurious bathroom, panoramic windows
Balcony (28 sq.m.): 2 single beds (convertible to a double bed), sitting area with a sofa, soothing flame-effect fireplace, luxurious bathroom, private balcony 6 sq.m.
Suite (44 sq.m.): king-size bed, separate living room with a soothing flame-effect fireplace, luxurious ensuite bathroom, private balcony 6 sq.m.
Premium Suite (47-49 sq.m.): king-size bed, separate living room with a soothing flame-effect fireplace, luxurious ensuite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe, private balcony 12 sq.m.
Ship’s description
SH Vega is a new 5-star expedition ship built in Finland’s famous Helsinki Shipyard in 2022. It is equipped with ice-strengthened hulls and extra-large stabilizers.
A small number of guests (152) provide a friendly, informal atmosphere aboard as well as dynamic activities of the ships.
All public areas have fireplaces and panoramic windows. You can admire the Antarctic scenery from anywhere on board.
Onboard facilities: club lounge with 24-hour food service, observation lounge equipped for lectures and live music evenings, outdoor infinity pool, sauna with hot tubs with panoramic ocean views, SPA, gym, main restaurant, basecamp, library, and laboratory.
The night before the cruise and the final night you will spend in a hotel in Copenhagen.
Common questions
You will be given a branded waterproof and windproof expedition jacket, and high expedition rubber boots will be provided during sea walks and landings.
Clothing:
Footwear:
Personal items and gear:
The crew of the liner consists of 120 employees, including an expedition team of experienced guides, speakers, and lecturers. On the ship and during zodiac boat trips they will tell about the nature and history of Arctic exploration, give lectures, presentations, and master classes.
The price includes full board meals on the ship and an open bar (tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, except premium brands). You will also enjoy a welcome cocktail with the captain and crew, a farewell gala dinner, and 24-hour cabin service.
Medical insurance covering emergency evacuation from inaccessible and remote places is required for the journey. It is not included in the tour price and is paid additionally. We are ready to help with its registration. If necessary, please leave a comment in the application form.
Purchasing this cruise will give you a 5% discount on all future journeys with RussiaDiscovery.
Booking
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
accommodation in Copenhagen hotel before the cruise (1 night and breakfast)
accommodation on the ship in a cabin of the chosen category
all transfers between the hotel, port and airport
full board service
all excursions and landings as per the program
lectures from the expedition team
rental of rubber boots and branded expedition jacket as a gift
standard Wi-Fi
port charges and tip on board
charter flight from Copenhagen to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and back to Copenhagen
mandatory health insurance with emergency evacuation from remote locations coverage
premium alcoholic drinks at the bar, not included in the price
personal expenses on board (laundry, calls, spa, etc.)
accommodation in Copenhagen hotel before the cruise (1 night and breakfast)
accommodation on the ship in a cabin of the chosen category
all transfers between the hotel, port and airport
full board service
all excursions and landings as per the program
lectures from the expedition team
rental of rubber boots and branded expedition jacket as a gift
standard Wi-Fi
port charges and tip on board
charter flight from Copenhagen to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and back to Copenhagen
mandatory health insurance with emergency evacuation from remote locations coverage
premium alcoholic drinks at the bar, not included in the price
personal expenses on board (laundry, calls, spa, etc.)
The Heart of the Arctic
