North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

The best opportunity to get active while spotting exotic Arctic wildlife!
Description
Highlights
Prices
Price start from :
$
4,300
Contact Us
calendar-img09 June 2025 - 16 Jun 2025
clock-img8 Days/7 Nights
route-imgLongyearbyen - Longyearbyen
m/v Hondius
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - gallery 0
North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife - gallery 1
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This expedition focuses on the versatility of north Spitsbergen’s visually stunning landscapes, vast spans of sea ice, and many opportunities to spot whales, polar bears, seabirds, walruses, and other such wildlife. Enjoy the fantastically beautiful landscapes, adventurous landings, and shoreline hikes. For additional activities, check the tour description.
Description

All itineraries are for guidance only and may vary depending on ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings depend on site availability, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations.

You arrive in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen's main town. Explore this former mining town with its church and Svalbard Museum. In the evening, the ship sails out, and you might spot minke whales in Isfjorden.

Exploring North Spitsbergen

This cruise takes you through the pack ice and along the rugged shorelines of north Spitsbergen. Here are some places we might visit:

Raudfjord

On Spitsbergen's north coast, enjoy the expansive fjord with glaciers and maybe spot ringed and bearded seals. The cliffs and shoreline are home to seabird colonies, rich vegetation, and possibly polar bears.

Monaco Glacier

If conditions allow, we sail into Liefdefjorden to see the 5-kilometer-long Monaco Glacier. This area is a feeding spot for kittiwakes and a hunting ground for polar bears. If ice blocks our way, we may sail along the west coast.

Highlights of Hinlopen

We aim to sail into Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar bears. You might spot blue whales at the entrance. After cruising among ice floes, visit bird cliffs with thousands of birds. On the east side, we may land on Nordaustlandet to see reindeer, geese, and walruses. We can take an alternate route if ice blocks Hinlopen.

The Seven Islands

The northernmost point of the cruise might be the Seven Islands, 540 miles from the North Pole. Polar bears live here, and the ship may stop among the pack ice before heading west.

Sailing the Continental Shelf

As we head west, watch for polar bears and Greenland whales. Near Spitsbergen, we sail the edge of the continental shelf, where fin whales feed in upwelling zones. At Kongsfjorden's mouth, you might see minke whales.

Forlandsundet, St. Johns Fjord, or Alkhornet

Walruses might be seen in Forlandsundet. Alternatively, we may sail into St. Johns Fjord or land at Alkhornet, where seabirds nest, Arctic foxes search for food, and reindeer graze.

Return to Longyearbyen

All adventures must end. The ship returns to Longyearbyen in the morning, with bus transport to the airport provided.

Cabins and Pricing
Ship Information

m/v Hondius

Hondius is the world’s first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel and was built from the ground up for expedition cruising.

Specifications

Passengers: 170 in 80 cabins
Staff & crew: Crew 57 | Guides 13 | Doctor 1
Length: 107.6 meters
Breadth: 17.6 meters
Draft: 5.30 meters
Ice class: Polar Class 6 (equivalent 1A-Super)
Displacement: 5,590 tonnes
Propulsion: 2 x ABC main engines; total 4,200 kW
Speed: 15 knots

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Ship Interior Gallery

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Ship Exterior Gallery

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Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, meeting the latest and highest Lloyd’s Register standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. Surpassing the requirements of the Polar Code adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Hondius represents the most flexible, advanced, innovative touring vessel in the polar regions, thoroughly optimized for exploratory voyages that provide you the utmost first-hand contact with the Arctic and Antarctica.


Happier polar passengers, healthier polar environment 

Not only will the numerous amenities and on-board entertainments help make your Hondius voyage truly memorable, this ship also gives you the peace of mind that comes with choosing one of the most environmentally friendly vessel on the polar seas.

Hondius uses LED lighting, steam heating, bio-degradable paints and lubricants, and state-of-the-art power management systems that keep fuel consumption and CO2 levels minimal. This means that when you sail aboard  Hondius, you get to enjoy the exotic landscapes and wildlife as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible.

Hotel comfort, expedition class

The best view is always on the outer deck or the bridge. Hondius offers high-quality accommodation for 170 passengers in six grand suites with balconies (27 square meters, 291 square feet), eight junior suites (19 to 20 square meters, 205 to 215 square feet), eight superior cabins (20 to 21 square meters, 215 to 226 square feet), 11 twin deluxe cabins, (19 to 21 square meters, 205 to 226 square feet), 14 twin window cabins (12 to 14 square meters, 129 to 151 square feet) as well as 27 twin porthole cabins, two triple porthole cabins, and four quadruple porthole cabins that vary in size from 12 to 18 square meters, or 129 to 194 square feet.

One deck consists of a large observation lounge and a separate lecture room, which are reserved for a wide variety of interactive workshops, exhibitions, and performances particular to Hondius.

Swift & safe ship-to-shore operations

It is our philosophy to keep sea time short so that we can focus instead on fast, effective access to shore and near-shore activities. To give you the maximum contact with the nature and wildlife you traveled so far to see, we employ a tough fleet of rigid-hull inflatable Zodiac boats that guarantee swift and safe landing operations for the passengers. Hondius has two separate gangways and a sheltered indoor Zodiac boarding area that can also be used for special outdoor activities, such as kayaking.

What to wear

In keeping with the spirit of the expedition, dress on board is informal. Bring casual and comfortable clothing for all activities, and keep in mind that much of the scenery can be appreciated from the deck ― which can be slippery. Bring sturdy shoes with no-slip soles, and make sure your parka is never far away in case one of our crew shouts “Whales!” over the loudspeaker and you have to dash outside at a moment’s notice. Opt for layers, as it is comfortably warm aboard the ship though often cold on deck.

How to pay

Refreshments and souvenirs will be charged to your cabin. The day before departure you can settle your bill with the hotel manager, paying by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (euro, or in some cases dollar). We cannot, however, accept checks. Though the prices and standard currency on board is in the euro, other currencies may be accepted at the discretion of the hotel manager, at prevailing rates.

Electric current

The electrical supply aboard ship is 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins, so some passengers may need a 220v/110v converter.

Gratuities

The customary gratuity to the ship’s service personnel is made as a blanket contribution at the end of the voyage and is divided among the crew. Tipping is a personal matter, and the amount you wish to give is at your sole discretion. As a generally accepted guideline, we suggest 15 euros per passenger per day. It is better for the crew if you give cash.

Non-smoking policy

We have a non-smoking policy inside all our vessels, though you can smoke in certain designated areas. We ask that you please respect the wishes of non-smokers.

Your physical condition

You must be in good overall health and be able to walk several hours per day. The expedition is ship-based and physically not very demanding, but we spend as much time as possible on shore. You are, however, welcome to remain aboard the ship if you prefer. To join most excursions you must be able to get up and down the steep gangway ― from the ship to the water level ― to board the Zodiacs. Staff will assist you in and out of the boats, and boarding will become progressively easier with practice, but conditions on shore can be slippery and rocky. Remember, you will be traveling in remote areas without access to sophisticated medical facilities, so you must not join this expedition if you have a life-threatening condition or need daily medical treatment. 

Map
Route of North Spitsbergen Explorer - Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife
Important
Included
Excluded

The average price for flights (round trip) to Longyearbyen

From Jakarta: $860
From Singapore: $976
From Kuala Lumpur: $886

Insurance Requirements:

  • Mandatory Insurance: All travelers must have insurance covering medical expenses, accidents, and repatriation/evacuation.
  • Recommended Insurance: It is strongly recommended to include cancellation insurance for added protection.

Drone Usage Policy:

  • Prohibited: The use of drones is strictly prohibited during the expedition.

Clothing and Gear Recommendations:

  • Water-resistant Coat and Pants: Essential for protection against wet and windy conditions.
  • Layered Underwear: To ensure warmth and comfort in extreme weather.
  • Sunglasses: Necessary to protect against the strong UV rays and glare from the snow.
  • Gloves: Insulated and water-resistant gloves to keep your hands warm and dry.
  • Additional Items: Consider packing a warm hat, thermal socks, and sturdy waterproof boots.
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