STYLE: Small Ship Expedition Cruise
Trip Code: ACPOLGS
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2 (light adventure)
Start: Paris, France
Finish: Paris, France
SHIP: LE LYRIAL
Svalbard, Spitsbergen
28/05/2024, 04/06/2024, 11/06/2024, 25/06/2024, 09/07/2024, 16/07/2024, 23/07/2024
All Meals Onboard The Ship, Including In Room Dining, Beverages (Excluding Premium Labels) And In-Room Mini Bar (Excluding Champagne)
Includes return charter flights from Paris to Longyearbyen.
Cabin on board ship
Starting in Longyearbyen, join us on an eight-day expedition voyage to the interior of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago. In the presence of our expert crews, you will embark on this voyage onboard Le Lyrial where you will learn about the extraordinary flora and fauna that thrives in these harsh environments where wintertime temperatures can reach -30°C. On this adventure, you will follow the tracks of walruses and the polar bear, the king of the Arctic, which you may be able to see in its native habitat.
Your cruise package includes a flight a morning flight from Paris to Longyearbyen. Please note we highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight. You will have a meet and greet at the airport before a transfer to the pier for embarkation.
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 40°C, 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.
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. 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, 8 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.
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 an 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.
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 metres 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.
Makeoyane is a small archipelago in the heart of the Woodfjorden, whose names is a reference to the large quantities of driftwood washing up on the beaches. It is located at the intersection between the Bockfjorden and the Liefdefjorden which leads to the Monaco Glacier, one of the most beautiful in Spitsbergen. As you sail around these little islands, you will be able to observe Arctic terns whose eggs sometimes attract polar bears.
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, 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.
Raudfjorden means “red fjord”, from the colour of the sandstone of the surrounding mountains. Along the west coast of this 20 km fjord, dissected by many shallow bays, you will be able to admire some of Spitsbergen’s most spectacular ice formations. At the extremity of the fjord, two offshoots lead to the magnificent glaciers of Chauveaubreen and Raudfjordbreen which is 3 km wide. To the east, Alicehamna Beach in Bruceneset Bay has seen trappers, fishermen and explorers arrive for centuries, as evidenced by the “Raudfjordhytta” - the cabin of a Swedish trapper built in 1927.
Located at the far north-west of the Svalbard archipelago, at the intersection of oceanic and Arctic influences, Smeerenburg is a former Dutch whaling colony on the southern part of Amsterdam Island. In a landscape of hills with steep slopes, plateaux, lakes and lagoons, you will anchor at a sandy beach. Dotted with driftwood and the remains of ovens that were used to melt the whale blubber, this is one of Spitsbergen’s most important archaeological sites. At the height of the whaling activity, 200 men worked here and several are buried here.
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!
Very close to the former mining town of Ny-Ålesund, set off to discover Kings Bay. Your ship will sail in one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard: Kongsfjorden (the fjord of the King), a gateway to grandiose landscapes. Here, the snow-capped mountains are reflected in the water where superb icebergs try to outdo each other in their beauty, a delight for photographers. Seals, reindeer, barnacle geese and black guillemots frequent these places that have a unique atmosphere. Once you arrive at the end of the fjord, admire the Kongsbreen (glacier of the King) and its three characteristic rocky points, which take their names from three Scandinavian countries: Svea (Sweden), Dana (Denmark) and Nora (Norway).
Your journey will come to an end once you arrive in Longyearbyen. Please note disembarkation is scheduled for approximately 8 am.
From here you will board your return charter flight to Paris.
Please note: We highly recommend you spend the night in Paris after this flight.
A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, has joined our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in Mediterranean coves. A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.
Ice Class:
Length: 142m (466ft)
Breadth: 18m (59 ft)Max
Draft: Cruising
Speed:
Electricity: Passenger
Capacity:260
View Ship Details
We believe that appropriate accommodation should add to the authentic travel experience, as well as providing utmost enjoyment. For that reason our accommodation is scrutinised by our staff on the ground frequently, ensuring the properties adhere to our high standards. This key will help you understand the levels of accommodation available on this tour.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Comfortable properties with dependable facilities and service.
Luxurious properties with impeccable facilities and service.
Fjords & Glaciers Spitsbergen | Le Lyrial from AUD 13,570 | ||
Departing | Ending | Duration |
---|---|---|
28 May 2024 | 04 Jun 2024 | 8 |
04 Jun 2024 | 11 Jun 2024 | 8 |
11 Jun 2024 | 18 Jun 2024 | 8 |
25 Jun 2024 | 02 Jul 2024 | 8 |
09 Jul 2024 | 16 Jul 2024 | 8 |
16 Jul 2024 | 23 Jul 2024 | 8 |
23 Jul 2024 | 30 Jul 2024 | 8 |
Inclusions
Cabin accommodation whilst on board Le Lyrial
All meals whilst on board
Open bar (no premium brands)
Mini bar in your stateroom (Champagne additional fee)
All scheduled landings and excursions
Guiding and lectures by expedition team
Complimentary Polar expedition jacket
Free use of rubber boots for shore excursions
All port taxes
Comprehensive pre and post voyage informational material
Free WIFI
Return charter flight from Paris to Longyearbyen
Exclusions
International airfares
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel and medical insurance
Beverages (other than mentioned above)
Personal expenses such as laundry, on board communication (telephone calls, faxes, email)
Gratuities for the crew
Pre or post cruise travel expenses
Optional activities
Available upon request. Please contact us for more information.
Please note this itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and sea conditions.
Departure date, seasonality and availability.