North Pole Expedition Cruise: The Ultimate Frontier

HIGHLIGHTS

• Embark on a quest for the grail of Arctic exploration, the geographic North Pole, as your Captain and Expedition Team chart a course through the sea ice
• Cruise in luxury aboard ‘Le Commandant Charcot,’ one of the world’s most advanced and eco-friendly polar expedition vessels
• Delve into a wealth of enriching onboard programs, scientific workshops and wellness opportunities
• Explore the marginal ice zone, home to seal, whale, seabirds and the elusive polar bear
• Dive right into the Arctic adventure with opportunities to hike, kayak or take an invigorating polar plunge
• Celebrate the culmination of your expedition with a Champagne toast at 90° North

ITINERARY

JUL 10
ARRIVE OSLO, NORWAY
Arrive in the Norwegian capital of Oslo, the staging point for your epic adventure to the geographic North Pole. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted a few steps to the conveniently located Radisson Blu Airport Hotel. This evening, gather for a welcome briefing and dinner.

Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardermoen
Meals: Dinner

JUL 11
LONGYEARBYEN | GATEWAY TO ADVENTURE
Board a charter flight to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, also known as Spitsbergen, the sovereign Arctic Archipelago of Norway. It is one of the most remote groups of islands on the planet, with nearly two-thirds of its surface covered in luminous glaciers. Time permitting, visit the tiny town and its Arctic Museum. Then, board ‘Le Commandant Charcot,’ your cutting-edge, eco-friendly luxury expedition vessel and embark on your voyage into the Arctic frontier.

JUL 12
SVALBARD | ARCTIC ARCHIPELAGO
Awake to your first morning aboard as your vessel cruises past the Sjuøyane Islands, the northernmost islands of the remote Svalbard Archipelago. Today, your A&K Expedition Team presents a series of enriching onboard lectures discussing the vast Arctic frontier of sea and pack ice you will venture into over the coming days. As you settle into the rhythm of life on board, take in the scenery from the ship’s deck as the last piece of land south of the Arctic pack ice slowly slips beyond the horizon. Continue north toward the marginal ice zone (MIZ), a far-flung Arctic realm of elusive blue, rorqual and beluga whale. Later tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by the Captain.

JUL 13-17
SEA ICE OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN | CRUISING THE MIZ
Over the next five days, ‘Le Commandant Charcot’ navigates through the MIZ into the heart of the Arctic. Slowly cruising amid this vast expanse of virgin sea ice, the Captain uses the ship’s advanced navigation systems to thread through naturally open channels and transit areas where the frozen layer is thinnest. As this stunning Arctic scene drifts past, keep your eyes peeled for polar bear and high arctic gulls. Throughout your voyage, your ship’s luxurious amenities afford ample opportunities to unwind with daily wellness classes, dips in the indoor and outdoor pools, relaxing sauna sessions or visits to the full-service salon and spa. There is also a wide variety of onboard enrichment opportunities on offer, such as hands-on scientific research projects, visits to the ship’s lab and bridge, stargazing sessions, seamanship and polar survival workshops, cooking demonstrations, photo contests and more. The anticipation builds with each passing day as your Captain charts the clearest path to your expedition’s objective: the seldom-visited geographic North Pole.

JUL 18-19
GEOGRAPHIC NORTH POLE | STANDING AT 90° NORTH
Conditions permitting, continue the quests of Matthew Henson, Robert Peary, Frederick Cook, Roald Amundsen and other elite Arctic explorers as you seek out the geographic North Pole over the coming days. Upon finding the most favorable path through the pack ice, the Captain endeavors to position the GPS antennae of ‘Le Commandant Charcot’ directly on 90° North latitude, the coordinate marking the geographic North Pole. The culmination of your intrepid expedition is marked by a Champagne toast and celebration on the ship’s helideck. The following day, the Captain seeks out a nearby floe suitable for a gangway landing onto the ice’s surface. Then, your Expedition Team leads the way across the ice for a once-in-a-lifetime photo op and perhaps, if you are willing, a polar plunge.

JUL 20-25
SEA ICE OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN | RETURN VOYAGE
The next days at sea are filled with enrichment programs and, conditions permitting, opportunities to venture to the ice. Along the way, you may even have the chance to hike on the ice or kayak through open leads. There is also time to reflect on your spectacular voyage and share your experiences with the newfound friends you’ve made along the way. During the transition through the MIZ back into more open waters, keep watch for harbor and bearded seal, walrus and a multitude of seabirds. As the ship draws closer to Longyearbyen, your Captain hosts a festive farewell cocktail reception, gala dinner and celebration — a fittingly spectacular conclusion to your once-in-a-lifetime voyage.

JUL 26
LONGYEARBYEN | FAREWELL TO SHIP & CREW
This morning, disembark your vessel in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport for your charter flight to Oslo. Upon arrival, you are escorted through an indoor corridor leading from the terminal to the Radisson Blu Airport hotel. Enjoy the last dinner of your North Pole adventure with your fellow explorers.

Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardermoen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

JUL 27
DEPART OSLO
After breakfast at the hotel, you are escorted on the short walk back to the terminal for your homebound flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Note: Itinerary may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the Captain due to weather, wildlife, sea and ice conditions, medical emergencies and unforeseen circumstances beyond A&K’s control.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Important!

JOURNEY DETAILS

    * Mandatory Internal Air: Economy class not included. From, $2,500 p.p. Oslo/Longyearbyen/Oslo
    * This journey contains some active elements, including Zodiac boat excursions, walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.
    * Minimum age is 8 years.
    * Categories 5–8 include room upgrade at the hotel and butler service aboard the ship.
    * First group event: welcome briefing at 6:30 p.m. on Jul 10.
    * Last group event: airport transfer on Jul 27.

Included:

• An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K’s Expedition Team
• Pre- and/or Post-Cruise Stay at Ideally Located Hotel
• Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
• Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
• Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3
• Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
• 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed on board
• Complimentary Expedition Parka, Backpack and Water Bottle, and Use of Waterproof Pants, Boots and Trekking Poles
• Excursions Led by Expert Naturalist Guides
• Enrichment program, lectures and presentations
• Traveller’s Valet® Laundry Service on board
• All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
• Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support