Svalbard- Last stop before the North Pole - Antarctic Cruise

Arrival in Longyearbyen - the capital of Svalbard, possibly the most northern'real town' on earth.

Ocean Albatross docks close to town. The Expedition Leader provides information on the cruise and ship routines, as well as safety and security procedures, after the welcome drink. There will be an obligatory safety drill before sailing. Your Arctic Adventure begins when the Captain leaves Advent Fjord.

The wildlife, scenery and history of the Svalbard coast in the northwest are always worth a visit. Since the 1600s, this part of Svalbard has been a major center for whale hunting, with "Blubber Town", the primary target being oil-rich Bowhead Whales, which are the Arctic's sole resident baleen species.

New Alesund, the "town", is located on King's Bay (Kongsfjorden) and it's well worth visiting. This is the northernmost permanent civil settlement on earth. It has a population in summer of around 120 people and an even more hardy population during the winter of 35. It was originally the coal-mining town of King's Bay and played an important role in the exploration of the arctic, particularly flight.

It is now the centre of Arctic research and one of the world's most northern communities. Send a postcard to the most northern Post Office in the World.

The wildlife, scenery and history of the Svalbard coast in the northwest are always worth a visit. Since the 1600s, this part of Svalbard has been a major center for whale hunting, with "Blubber Town", the primary target being oil-rich Bowhead Whales, which are the Arctic's sole resident baleen species.

New Alesund, the "town", is located on King's Bay (Kongsfjorden) and it's well worth visiting. This is the northernmost permanent civil settlement on earth. It has a population in summer of around 120 people and an even more hardy population during the winter of 35. It was originally the coal-mining town of King's Bay and played an important role in arctic exploration and exploitation, particularly flight.

It is now the centre of Arctic research and one of the world's most northern communities. Send a postcard to the most northern Post Office in the World.

You're in high arctic if you venture north or east. The north and east of Svalbard are the areas that receive the least amount of visitors. This is because they're closed to exploring for part of the year due to dense pack ice.

The terrain here is a "polar desert", where permanent ice covers much of the area. Where it melts, there's very little greenery on the landscape, which has been carved by the ice for millions of years.

This part of Svalbard, despite its lack of protection, is worth exploring, because it is home to a variety of wildlife. Here, Arctic geese and ducks nest and the largest concentration of walruses in the Arctic gathers on the coast. Also, polar bears, ringed sea seals, minke whales and belugas can all be seen.

Sjuoyane is the group of islands that are located at Svalbard's most northern point. They have always been a great place to see Polar Bears.

Later in the year, ships will often travel up the North coast of Spitsbergen to reach the edge of the pack ice.

You're in high arctic if you venture north or east. The north and east of Svalbard are the areas that receive the least amount of visitors. This is because they're closed to exploring for part of the year due to dense pack ice.

The terrain here is a "polar desert", where permanent ice covers much of the area. Where it melts, there's very little greenery on the landscape, which has been carved by the ice for millions of years.

This part of Svalbard, despite its lack of protection, is worth exploring, because it is home to a variety of wildlife. Here, Arctic geese and ducks nest and the largest concentration of walruses in the Arctic gathers on the coast. Also, ringed and minke whales as well as polar bears can be seen.

Sjuoyane is the group of islands that are located at Svalbard's most northern point. They have always been a great place to see Polar Bears.

At the end of the winter, ships will often travel up the North coast to reach the edge of the pack ice.

The wildlife, scenery and history of the Svalbard coast in the northwest are always worth a visit. Since the 1600s, this part of Svalbard has been a major center for whale hunting, with "Blubber Town", the primary target being oil-rich Bowhead Whales, which are the Arctic's sole resident baleen species.

New Alesund, the "town", is located on King's Bay (Kongsfjorden) and it's well worth visiting. This is the northernmost permanent civil settlement on earth. It has a population in summer of around 120 people and an even more hardy population during the winter of 35. It was originally the coal-mining town of King's Bay and played an important role in arctic exploration, particularly flight.

It is now the centre of Arctic research and one of the world's most northern communities. Send a postcard to the most northern Post Office in the World.

The wildlife, scenery and history of the Svalbard coast in the northwest are always worth a visit. Since the 1600s, this part of Svalbard has been a major center for whale hunting, with "Blubber Town", the primary target being oil-rich Bowhead Whales, which are the Arctic's sole resident baleen species.

New Alesund, the "town", is located on King's Bay (Kongsfjorden) and it's well worth visiting. This is the northernmost permanent civil settlement on earth. It has a population in summer of around 120 people and an even more hardy population during the winter of 35. It was originally the coal-mining town of King's Bay and played an important role in the exploration of the arctic, particularly flight.

It is now the centre of Arctic research and one of the world's most northern communities. Send a postcard to the most northern Post Office in the World.