Join me on this expedition in June 2026
SPITSBERGEN (Svalbard)
19 Days Extensive Arctic Ocean - North Spitsbergen Explorer
10 June – 28 June 2026 (19 days)
20% discount (!)
Sailing between our home port of Vlissingen (The Netherlands) and the astonishing Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, this expedition visits the Scottish port of Aberdeen, the islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, and the amazing Spitsbergen ice edge, giving you the chance to search for whales, and other animals of the land, sea, and air. A big adventure!
VOYAGE OVERVIEW
Embark on an epic 19-day voyage from Vlissingen to Longyearbyen aboard the m/v Plancius, traversing the Arctic Ocean to northern Spitsbergen. This immersive expedition combines several cruises into one and offers the chance to explore ice-choked waters, remote fjords, and rugged coastlines under the midnight sun. Discover rich wildlife—including whales, seabirds, and polar bears—while experiencing shifting landscapes that mirror the changing Arctic world.
Highlights
Epic Arctic journey from Vlissingen to Longyearbyen—crossing the North Sea and exploring the far Arctic via Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, and the Spitsbergen ice edge.
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• Seasonal wildlife spectacles, including sightings of whales, seals, seabirds, dolphins, and even orcas—offered during sea crossings like Dogger Bank.
• Dramatic Arctic landscapes and glaciers—fjaords like Raudfjord, Monaco Glacier, and the pack ice north of Nordaustlandet with rich bird cliffs and shore wildlife.
• Potential polar bear encounters in prime Arctic habitats such as Hinlopen Strait, Seven Islands (Seven Islands north of Nordaustlandet), and ice floes, plus possibilities to spot reindeer and walruses.
• Immersive Arctic life: continuous midnight sun, landings on remote coastlines, active exploration via zodiac cruises, and on-deck observations.
Solstice
The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs during the Arctic summer, when the sun is visible for a full 24 hours in fair weather. The summer solstice in Longyearbyen falls on 21 June, when the sun reaches its highest altitude of the year above the northern horizon at midnight. It will not be until late August that the sun fully goes down again, and then only for a few minutes. Join us in experiencing this fascinating phenomenon during our voyage through the Arctic wilderness of Svalbard.
Is This Journey for You?
Intimate expedition ship focused on nature immersion
Zodiac landings and cruises: we truly explore, not just sail by
Operated in line with AECO sustainability guidelines — this is not a mass-market cruise
Possibility to arrange post-expedition travel in Svalbard and your return journey
Itinerary
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We depart from Vlissingen in Zeeland, traveling via the Westerschelde to the North Sea. Along the way, we will look out for seabirds and marine mammals together with the highly experienced guides from Inezia Tours.
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Two days on the North Sea. During previous trips, we have seen orcas, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, common dolphins, porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, fulmars, razorbills, black guillemots, puffins, northern gannets, great skuas, and lesser skuas during the crossing of the North Sea.
On the way, we make our first stop at the remote Fair Isle where (weather permitting) we land and enjoy a lovely walk, take in the views and admire the very photogenic puffins.
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Passengers who boarded in Vlissingen will be offered an excursion by bus to Fowlsheugh, a seabird cliff south of Aberdeen. Over 100,000 pairs of seabird of different species can be seen here. Alternatively, you can join an excursion to the Ythan Estuary, where the beaches are teeming with harbor seals, grey seals, and birds that keep to the shorelines. Both outings are included in the price of booking.
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Jan Mayen is a small volcanic island with Mount Beerenberg at its center. Imposing glaciers slide down the flanks of this 2300-meter-high volcano into the sea. Until recently, it was not permitted to visit this island with its military base, but with permission from the Norwegian authorities, it is now usually possible to go ashore here to visit the weather station.
At Kvalrossbukta, we visit the remains of a 17th-century settlement of Dutch whalers, which is now home to a large colony of northern fulmars. We sail past Koksletta, where thousands of little auks and thick-billed murres breed close to the glacier, watched by hungry great skuas.
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The ship sails northeast towards the edge of the sea ice, searching for other whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. If we cannot continue further north, we will set course for Spitsbergen! This is also the area where we look out for the very rare Greenland whale, which occurs here in small numbers and is seen with some regularity.
During our trip in 2015, we made a discovery that made world news: nearly 100 bowhead whales, more animals than this population was thought to have. In 2016 and 2017, we also discovered several groups of this very rare whale, and in 2018, with Natuurpunt, we again saw record numbers: we saw more than 100 bowhead whales that year!
The chances of seeing this previously untraceable animal seem to have increased, and this year we will once again do our utmost to find a number of bowhead whales. But there is another highlight to be experienced here: a powerful encounter with the Emperor of the North: the polar bear, even in the middle of the night!
Because we are well above the Arctic Circle, it is light here even at night, and we have a 24-hour chance of seeing this super predator. If we encounter a polar bear at night, we will announce it over the PA system so that no one has to miss this encounter!
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Depending on the position of the sea ice, we will sail into one of the fjords in the west of Spitsbergen. Here we have a chance of seeing walruses and polar bears hunting sunbathing seals. West of Spitsbergen, still on the open sea, is an area where we see several species of whales almost every year, including the largest animal on earth, the blue whale!
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On the east side of Prins Karls Forland lies Poolepynten, a low embankment with an inland sea and beaches on both sides. Here we will once again search for walruses. The walruses come ashore to rest and digest their food and usually allow themselves to be observed and photographed at close range.
We will try to make our last stop at Alkhornet, a huge mountain at the entrance to Isfjorden. Tens of thousands of birds breed on the mountain, flying back and forth amid loud cries, squeaks, and cackles. At the foot of the mountain, several Arctic foxes have their dens. Belugas are often found in the fjord itself, and reindeer are also present in large numbers here. They have shorter legs than their mainland counterparts and can often be seen and photographed very well and up close.
If we are unable to go ashore here, it is good to know that both Arctic foxes and reindeer can also be found in Longyearbyen. They almost always show themselves to people who stay on Spitsbergen for a few days after the boat trip.
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We will disembark in the morning in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen. Here, everyone has the choice of taking the plane home immediately, staying for one or more days, or boarding immediately for a connecting cruise near Spitsbergen for a longer stay in this northern archipelago. Inezia Tours organizes an interesting excursion program, about which travelers will be informed at the end of the year.
PLEASE NOTE: It is possible to remain on board for the North Spitsbergen expedition cruise. If you book both the North Atlantic Odyssey and the North Spitsbergen expedition, you will also receive a substantial discount on the total price of the trip. Please feel free to ask us for more information.
The Ship
Ship information
The ice-strengthened vessel Plancius is ideal for polar expedition cruises in the Arctic. Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy. In 2004 it was purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. Plancius is a Dutch flagged completely rebuilt and converted 116 -passenger vessel. She complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations classed by Lloyd’s Register in London.
- Comfortable and nicely decorated, but not luxurious. It is made for explorers;
- Spacious yet small ship character, comfort & modern technology;
- Small ship operation: 116 passengers in 53 cabins, with private bathroom and facilities;
- Including a pleasant lecture room and a spacious observation lounge (full panoramic view).
Plancius offers an exploratory educational travel program in the polar regions spending as much time ashore as possible. Click here for more information about the ship.
NEED HELP WITH PHOTOGRAPHY ?
Join me on this adventure, and let’s capture the beauty of one of the wildest and purest places on Earth together.
For those who are interested, I can reveal my secrets for taking beautiful photos. As we explore this incredible environment, I’ll help you see every detail of the beauty around you. I’ll guide you through various (technical) aspects of photography, tailored to your skill level, so you can better understand your camera and settings. I am also happy to give you feedback on the photos you take on this expedition. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, this journey will inspire and elevate your photography skills. Let’s make unforgettable memories—one shot at a time!
If photography isn’t your passion, that’s perfectly fine! Let’s share in the wonder of this incredible place together!
THE PERFECT DESTINATION
© Christian Clauwers, Antarctica.
Yes, this picture could be yours. Join me on this epic quest in the Arctic!
CABINS & PRICES
Cabin prices: brief price overview per person, with 20% (!) discount
Quadruple cabin with porthole: € 7.180 – 20% discount = € 5.744,- !!!
Twin cabin with porthole: € 9.950 – 20% discount = € 7.960,-
Twin cabin with window: € 10.750 – 20% discount = € 8.600,-
Twin deluxe cabin: € 11.350 – 20% discount = € 9.080,-
Superior cabin with window: € 25.800 – 20% discount = € 20.640,- (only bookable as a double)
Quadruple with Porthole
Quadruple Porthole
€ 5.744,- per person
Quadruple Porthole
Cabin size 12 m²
1 porthole
2 upper & lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Ample storage space
Safe deposit box
This cabin is suitable for families traveling with children, or passengers who do not require a twin or more luxurious cabin
Twin Porthole
Twin porthole
€ 7.960,- per person
Twin Porthole:
Cabin size 12 m²
1 porthole
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Twin Window
Twin window
€ 8.600,- per person
Twin Window:
Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
1 window
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Twin Deluxe
Twin window
€ 9.080,- per person
Twin Deluxe:
Cabin size between 12,5 m² and 13,5 m²
1 window
2 lower berths
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Superior room
Superior cabin
€ 20.640,- (only bookable as a double)
Superior:
Cabin size between 21 m² and 23 m²
2 windows
1 double bed
1 sofa bed
Private shower & toilet
Desk & chair
Flatscreen TV
Telephone & WiFi (supplemented)
Refrigerator
Coffee & tea maker
Hair dryer
Safe deposit box
Ample storage space
Included in this voyage
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on a selection of flights (advised by Oceanwide) from Longyearbyen.
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
AECO fees and governmental taxes.
Comprehensive pre-departure material.
Excluded from this voyage
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre- and post- land arrangements.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Meals ashore.
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BOOKING,
PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW :
See you in Svalbard!
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