HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit Tromsø, situated 250 miles above the Arctic Circle - at 69° north - where you can bathe in the midnight sun's glow during summer
- Visit Gjesværstappan Islands, one of Europe's largest and most accessible nesting areas for Atlantic seabirds
- Cruise Along North Cape, called the northernmost point of Europe, just about 1,306.3 miles from the North Pole
- Go on shore excursions at Skarsvag
- Cruise & Explore Bear Island, Svalbard's southernmost island
- Go on shore excursions and explore the Svalbard Southern Region
- Again, go on shore excursions and explore the Svalbard Northern Region
- Reach Longyearbyen, the biggest settlement in Svalbard and the seat of the Norwegian administration
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jun 26, 2024 | Jul 05, 2024 | 10,900 |
11,594 |
| Jul 05, 2024 | Jul 14, 2024 | 10,900 |
11,594 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Jun 26, 2024 | Jul 05, 2024 | 10,900 |
11,594 |
| Jul 05, 2024 | Jul 14, 2024 | 10,900 |
11,594 |
ITINERARY
Please
Note: The
July 12, 2023 & June
26, 2024 sailings are return trips in the opposite direction (from
Longyearbyen to Tromsø)
Day 01: Tromsø, Norway
Feel
your heart flutter, as you catch your first glimpse of that famous
emerald haze dancing across the stars, during your visit to this
wonderful Arctic gateway. Located in the far north of Norway, a visit
to Tromso beckons you to the extremes of this magical country, to
explore a fairytale land of jagged mountains, glistening glaciers and
husky-pulled sledges. Despite its remote location, you'll discover a
perhaps surprisingly cosmopolitan city, with a healthy student
population injecting plenty of energy. Sat 250 miles above the Arctic
Circle - at 69° north - you can bathe in the midnight sun's
glow during summer, before winter brings the thick blackness and starry
skies of endless polar nights. The darkness doesn't stop the fun - with
a polar night half-marathon taking place in January - but the return of
the sun is always a reason for a celebration here. To get the best view
over the city, take the cable car to Storsteinen's amazing viewpoint.
Magnificent views down over the city, fjord and Tromso's arching bridge
will unravel before you. Learn more about northerly traditions, polar
expeditions and arctic hunting at the Polar Museum. The Science Centre,
meanwhile, explains how humans have harnessed and survived these epic
landscapes over the years, and explores Tromso's breathtaking natural
spectacle - the northern lights. The city is famed for its
extraordinary viewing opportunities, which are often said to be the
best in the world. The Alpine Botanic Garden is the most northern such
garden on the planet, showcasing some of Norway's hardiest plantlife,
which survives and thrives at this nose-bleeding altitude.
Day
02: Gjesværstappan Islands, Norway
Almost
a hundred islands and rocks make up the Gjesvaerstappan Nature Reserve,
one of Europe's largest and most accessible nesting areas for Atlantic
seabirds. Less than 10 nautical miles from Nordkapp more than one
million nesting birds have been counted on Storstappen, the largest of
the islands, and the minor islands next to it. One of the most
significant Atlantic Puffin colonies in North Norway is found in this
nature reserve. Zodiacs are the best way to look for the
Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Black and Common Guillemots, Northern
Gannets, White-tailed Eagles, and Arctic Skuas, Common Eider Ducks,
Common Shags and Great Cormorants as well as various other species.
2
Included Shore Excursions
Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Moderate
Kayaking
with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Extensive
Day
02: Cruising Along North Cape, Norway
Situated
at the very north tip of Norway and inside the Arctic Circle, there is
something very special about being (almost) at the top of the world.
Called the northernmost point of Europe, the North Cape (Nordkapp in
Norwegian) lies about 1,306.3 mi from the North Pole, with no dry land
between except for the Svalbald archipelago. Home to where the Atlantic
and Arctic oceans meet, this is the true land of the midnight sun
– constant spectacular scenic views and 24-hour sunlight
lends itself to a sense of giddy informality aboard. Just imagine
sipping a chilled glass of champagne at the very top of the world in
full daylight at midnight – sensational. Be sure to be on the
lookout for hundreds of thousands of puffins, gannets, cormorants,
seals, dolphins and whales that make this stretch of chilly water their
home. Not forgetting the colourful, compact fishing villages, so at
odds with the otherwise this stark, barren landscape.
Day
02: Skarsvag (Nordkapp), Norway
For
those who like to travel far (very far) off the beaten track, then you
have found your Nordic nirvana in Skarsvag. Large, sparsely populated
(there are just 60 human year round residents), and a joy to all those
who revel in stark, unbridled beauty, Skarsvag also enjoys the
auspicious title of being the world's most northerly fishing village.
But rolling hills, prolific birdlife and arctic fjords aside, Skarsvag
is above all famous for its proximity to the North Cape. Found on the
island of Magerøya, the most northernmost point of Europe
above the arctic circle is a bucket list basic. Stand beneath the
massive metal globe and gaze out onto the Barents Sea, where the only
land between you and the North Pole is the Svalbard archipelago. This
is truly the land of the midnight sun – in fact, you are so
far north that the sun doesn't even dip beneath the horizon between May
and mid-July. The island's famous bird cliffs are quite spectacular,
and home to thousands of puffins, gannets and cormorants. Those willing
to hike to cape Knivskjellodden, the northernmost point on
Magerøya, will be rewarded with stunning cliff face views of
the North Cape Plateau. Before leaving, head into the impressive North
Cape Hall for exhibitions on the North Cape's history. Travellers have
been visiting since 1664, when Italian priest Francesco Negri arrived,
so there are some tales to tell! More intriguingly, a tunnel has been
hewn into the rock, leading down to the cliff face, complete with a
chapel.
3
Included Shore Excursions
The
North Cape (with Guide)
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Moderate
Kayaking
with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Extensive
Expedition
Activities with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Moderate
Day
03: Cruise & Explore Bear Island, Svalbard
Bear
Island is considered Svalbard's southernmost island, roughly half way
between Spitsbergen and Norway's North Cape. Although the last polar
bears were seen in 2004, the name goes back to Dutch explorer Willem
Barentsz and his visit in 1596. The island has been used to hunt
walrus, for whaling, and even coal mining has taken place. The
strategic location on the border of the Norwegian Sea and the Barents
Sea has led to a meteorological station being set up by Norway near
Gravodden on Bear Island's north coast. Some two thirds of the island
is a relatively flat plain with shallow freshwater lakes and Ramsar
Wetland, while the entire island and the surrounding waters are a
Nature Reserve. Bear Island has also been designated an Import Bird
Area as it is a staging area for Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese and the
steep cliffs south of Sørhamna are home to thousands of
breeding seabirds. This is a specially protected area where Zodiacs are
allowed to cruise along the cliffs around Kapp Kolthoff. In smaller
amounts Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, Glaucous Gulls and Great
Skuas are found in between the large Black-legged Kittiwake, Little
Auk, Common Guillemot and Brünnich's Guillemot colonies. The
constant battering of the sea has not only created impressive sea caves
and tunnels, but unfortunately the Russian vessel Petrozavodsk
shipwrecked near Revdalen at the base of the limestone cliffs and the
waves are causing a continuous disintegration of the remains of the
ship.
Days
04-06: Svalbard Southern Region
Svalbard's
Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen's west coast is less
ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influenced
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. Hornsund will reveal fascinating views of
geological formations, craggy mountains, spectacular glaciers and a
variety of seabirds and seals.
4
Included Shore Excursions
Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Moderate
Hiking
with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Extensive
Kayaking
with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Extensive
Expedition
Activities with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Moderate
Days
07-09: Svalbard Northern Region
Svalbard's
northern region is less influenced by the Norwegian Current coming
through the Greenland Sea than the southern region and shows more ice.
The northern part of the island of Spitsbergen shows quite a number of
impressive fjords, bays and glaciers. The Nordaust Svalbard Nature
Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, the Hinlopen Strait,
Nordaustlandet and some islands further east like Kvitoya and Storoya.
Several walrus haul-outs, spectacular glaciers, bird cliffs and bird
islands, as well as surprising flora in Arctic deserts and the
possibility to see polar bears and to visit historically important
sites make this an area prone for exploration. Ice conditions will
dictate which sites can be seen.
4
Included Shore Excursions
Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Moderate
Hiking
with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Extensive
Kayaking
with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Extensive
Expedition
Activities with Silversea Expedition team
ACTIVITY
LEVEL: Moderate
Day
10: Longyearbyen, Norway
Silver Wind (Luxury Expedition, 298-guests)
Break new waters with Silver Wind. Still timelessly elegant, still luxuriously relaxed, her improved cruising versatility means she is able to whizz from the Polar Regions at the ends of the earth to the iconic ports of the Mediterranean with fluid ease.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Butler
service in every suite
- Unlimited
Free Wifi
- Personalised
service – nearly one crew member for every guest
- Choice
of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
- Beverages
in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and
spirits
- In-suite
dining and room service
- Onboard
entertainment
- Onboard
gratuities
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Zodiac
Cruise with Silversea Expedition team
- Kayaking
with Silversea Expedition team
- Exploring
The North Cape (with Guide)
- Expedition
Activities with Silversea Expedition team
- Hiking
with Silversea Expedition team
