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Ocean Explorer, Svalbard Explorer ex Helsinki Return

Cruise Ocean Explorer, Svalbard Explorer ex Helsinki Return
Cruise Line Quark Expeditions
Ship Ocean Explorer
Destination Arctic North Atlantic
Brief Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Longyearbyen roundtrip aboard Ocean Explorer. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Helsinki.
Type of Cruise Expedition
Departure Date 10 Jul 2025
Cruise Description 8 Night Cruise sailing from Longyearbyen roundtrip aboard Ocean Explorer. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Helsinki.

Please note: The itinerary shown includes land/flight components that are part of a Mandatory Transfer Package which may be at an additional cost. Please check at time of enquiry/booking.

Day 1 Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.

Day 2 Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark
This morning, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. As your ship sets sail, enjoy your first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from frigid waters.

Days 3 to 9 Exploring Spitsbergen
You’ll cruise around this magical island on a constant search for wildlife. Your expedition will cover western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords
to the north. From polar flora to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife.

Each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice, so there is no fixed itinerary; however, some of the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier, Smeerenburg, Alkefjellet and the Hinlopen Strait. The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing with an appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen.

The island offers multiple opportunities for wildlife photography. Since most of Svalbard’s Arctic ecosystem is uninhabited and well-protected, this remote archipelago is one of the world’s best places to spot polar bears against stunning natural backdrops of mountains and ice.

The towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide homes to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).

Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. Get a chance to witness the intimate gatherings of giant pinnipeds as they haul out together on small coastal strips.

If you’re itching to experience a more intimate view from the water, you can book the sea kayaking or paddling excursion adventure options.

In Spitsbergen, there is no shortage of natural beauty. The tundra can be surprisingly colorful in summer, with wildflowers bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day, you’ll see something interesting, whether it is an ever-changing gallery of spectacular icebergs, a polar bear resting between hunts, or
an abandoned historical site from centuries ago.'

Day 10 Disembark in Longyearbyen and Fly to Helsinki
The time to say goodbye to your Expedition Team and shipmates has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the historic frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, included in the transfer package.
Sailing Dates
15 May 2025
23 May 2025
31 May 2025
08 Jun 2025
16 Jun 2025
24 Jun 2025
02 Jul 2025
10 Jul 2025
18 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
Pricing
Please enquire for pricing
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
10 Jul 2025 Helsinki, Finland Hotel
11 Jul 2025 Helsinki, Finland Flight to Longyearbyen
11 Jul 2025 Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Embark
12 Jul 2025 Spitsbergen, Norway
13 Jul 2025 Smeerenburg, Spitsbergen
14 Jul 2025 Spitsbergen, Norway
15 Jul 2025 Spitsbergen, Norway
16 Jul 2025 Hinlopen Strait, Spitsbergen
17 Jul 2025 Spitsbergen, Norway
18 Jul 2025 Spitsbergen, Norway
19 Jul 2025 Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Disembark Flight to Helsinki
19 Jul 2025 Helsinki, Finland
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.

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