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7 Night Fjords and Glaciers of Spitsbergen Cruise from Longyearbyen

Ship: Le Lyrial

Cruise Line: Ponant Cruises

Sailed: Tuesday, Jun 11, 2024 from Longyearbyen, Norway

Ended: Tuesday, Jun 18, 2024

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Tuesday, Jun 11, 2024 departure of the Le Lyrial. If Ponant Cruises modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Tuesday - Jun 11, 2024

Longyearbyen, Norway

Depart: 6:00 pm

Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard's main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see, and the untouched nature make you feel like you're in completely unexplored territory.

Day 2 - Wednesday - Jun 12, 2024

Hornsund, Norway

Nestling between millennial glaciers and carved mountains, and considered to be "the crown of Arctic Norway", Spitsbergen is a place that never sees the night during a Northern Hemisphere summer. Your ship will take you closer to this fascinating archipelago and, more particularly, the Hornsund fjord. Considered to be Svalbard's southernmost fjord, it is especially reputed to be its most stunning: at the end of its vast bay, eight great glaciers slowly make their way down to the sea before giving way to the many icebergs elegantly drifting along its cold and mysterious waters.

Day 3 - Thursday - Jun 13, 2024

Bellsund, Norway

You will head to the Bellsund fjord to follow in the footsteps of the first explorers who came from the Norwegian coast, or those of the many fur traders seeking game and trophies. Boasting astonishingly rich wildlife, the arms of the fjord separate to form two lush valleys. Give free rein to your imagination in the heart of this majestic natural environment where time seems to stand still.

Day 4 - Friday - Jun 14, 2024

At Sea

Your captain will sail right up to the limit of the ice, to the edge of the ice floe. Weather conditions and state of the ice allowing, you will be able to go out in a zodiac dinghy for a unique experience in the middle of these floating slabs of ice. In addition to this grandiose journey through the middle of these floes with their cut and blue-tinged edges, sometimes over 2 meters thick, it is also often an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe: birds, seals, and polar bears.

Day 5 - Saturday - Jun 15, 2024

Monacobreen, Norway

Located to the north-west of the Svalbard archipelago, the Monaco Glacier is probably one of Spitsbergen's most beautiful and majestic. Named in honour of Prince Albert I of Monaco, a sailor and explorer, it stands as an impenetrable blue-tinged jagged wall, the last glacier before reaching a latitude of 80 North. Imagine the sound of the ice cracking as it breaks free and crashes into the transparent water. And to make the magical landscape even more perfect, you might be lucky enough to spot bears and whales, as these two animals have a special fondness for this area.

Texas Bar, Norway

Despite the name given to the place, we are neither in Texas nor in a bar; it is actually an unusual place in the High Arctic. Texas Bar is a former trapper's hut that was used by Arctic fox and polar bear hunters in the past. The hut, still in place, has a rudimentary interior with bunkbeds and kitchen utensils. Located at the entrance to Liefdefjorden (the "fjord of love"), it stands peacefully in a landscape of hills covered with moss, lichen, and flowers. The cliffs with their changing colours, very frequented by birds, complete the beauty of the panorama. Take a little hike up the slopes and admire the superb view over the Monaco Glacier, which is further south.

Day 6 - Sunday - Jun 16, 2024

Captain's Choice, United States

Like the other protected areas of Svalbard, the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park was established in the early 1970s to protect this exceptional environment against the growing interest of the mining industry. Nunataks, glaciers, islands, and large bays, arctic tundra scattered with moss and lichen in shades of silver and gold... This region will fascinate you with its landscapes and with the numerous vestiges that bear witness to the history of the men - whale hunters and those involved in the first expeditions to the North Pole - who found themselves on these shores from the start of the 17th century. In this pristine environment, you will be able to observe Arctic sterns or seals on the rocks that emerge at low tide.

Day 7 - Monday - Jun 17, 2024

Ny Alesund, Norway

During your cruise, discover Ny-Alesund, a former mining town that has been transformed into a scientific base. Founded in 1916, this small town was the departure point for many Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. Don't miss a visit to the museum and its famous post office, considered to be the most northerly in the world!

Signehamna, Svalbard, Norway

Located on the western coast of the Lilliehook fjord, Signehamna bears many traces of its past. Indeed, you will see the remnants of a former German weather station that was used during the Second World War. In the heart of this sheltered bay frequented by many sea birds, abandoned cans, cables, and utensils just lie on the floor like historic evidence that visitors are asked not to touch. Around you, admire the mosses and lichens that are characteristic of the tundra as well as the very old plutonic rocks. A short walk will enable you to enjoy a superb panorama with a view over the lake and a chain of snow-topped mountains.

Day 8 - Tuesday - Jun 18, 2024

Longyearbyen, Norway