Around Spitsbergen - In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice, Cleaning the shores - Antarctic Cruise

Longyearbyen is the administrative centre of Spitsbergen - the largest of the Svalbard islands. This former mining city is a fascinating place to stroll around. The parish church and Svalbard Museum are both interesting attractions. The landscape may appear barren, but it is home to more than 100 species of plants. Early evening, the ship leaves Isfjorden. You might see the first Minke Whale of the voyage.

You arrive in Krossfjorden by the morning after heading north up the west coast. You can board Zodiacs and cruise close to the Fourteenth July Glacier's blue-white face. Colorful flowers grow on the slopes around the glacier. Kittiwakes, Brunnich guillemots and other birds nest in the cliffs. A bearded sea seal or an Arctic Fox may be seen paddling in the fjord. Afternoon, you will sail to Ny Alesund - the world's northernmost settlement. Ny Alesund, once a mining community served by the most northern railway in the world - its tracks can be seen - is now a center for research. A breeding area for Arctic Terns, Pink-footed Geese and Barnacle Geese is located near the village. If you are interested in Arctic exploration history, stop by the mast that was used to anchor the airships Norge (1926), and Italia (1928) of polar explorers Amundsen, and Nobile.

Depending on weather conditions, you can sail in Liefdefjorden to cruise near the 5 km long (3.1 mile) Monaco Glacier. Kittiwakes feed in the waters around this glacier, while polar bears hunt at the base. If the ice prevents sailing early in the year, an alternative route can be taken along the West Coast of Spitsbergen.

You may reach the northernmost part of your journey north of Nordaustlandet in Seven Islands. You will reach 80deg North, only 870km (540 miles), from the geographical North Pole. This region is home to polar bears, and the ship will park in the pack ice for a few hours before turning around again.

You can stay in the area for a second night when the sea ice edge is at least ten miles from the Seven Islands. This usually happens in August. You can also visit Sorgfjord (mostly during July), where walruses are found near the graves 17th century whalers. You can get close to ptarmigan families by taking a nature walk. The opposite side of the Fjord also makes for a lovely excursion.

You will sail today into Hinlopen strait where you can see polar bears, ringed and bearded seals. Blue whales can be spotted at the entrance. You can also take a west Spitsbergen alternative route if ice is blocking the Hinlopen entrance. You can cruise in Zodiacs amongst the ice floes at Lomfjordshalvoya, and then see the Brunnich’s guillemots on the Alkefjellet bird cliffs. You can land on the eastern side of Hinlopen Strait to see reindeer and pink-footed goose. You can visit Nordaustlandet in the vicinity of Torrelneset. It is located next to the third largest icecap on earth. You may see walruses on a hike along the raised beaches of this area.

Polar bears can sometimes prevent landings at Freemansundet. Sundneset, Kapp Waldburg and Rindedalen are all possible stops in Barentsoya. Diskobukta is another option, but Kapp Lee will likely be your final destination. Kapp Lee has a walrus camp, Pomor Ruins, and hiking along Edgeoya.

The day begins with a cruise through the Hornsund area in southern Spitsbergen. You can see the towering peaks of Hornsundtind, which rises to 1,431 metres (4,695 ft). Bautaen is an excellent example of why the Dutch named the island Spitsbergen - meaning "pointed mountain". There are also 14 large glaciers and opportunities for seeing seals, belugas and polar bears.

You are now in Bell Sund, the largest of Svalbard's fjords. This area is slightly warmer due to ocean currents, as can be seen in the lush vegetation. There are many opportunities for both wildlife and history to be enjoyed. Ahlstrandhalvoya is a possibility, located at the mouth Van Keulenfjorden. Here, you can find piles of beluga bones. The remains of whales that were killed in the 19th century are an eerie reminder of what happened when exploitation was rampant. You have a high chance of seeing a beluga group. You can also explore the tundra, where you will find reindeer feeding, or rock slopes, where auks breed, when cruising through Bellsund's side fjords.

All adventures must come to an ending. As you disembark from the ship in Longyearbyen and head home, your memories will follow you to wherever your next journey takes.