Travel Advice
Duration
9 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
4 Ports
1 June
Setting sail from Helsinki
Finland's lovely capital Helsinki is a maritime city, with the sea on three sides and almost 100 kilometres of shoreline, as well as around 300 islands. Its contemporary architecture and focus on modern design sit surprisingly well alongside its four hundred year history.
2 June
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is the largest settlement in Svalbard, remotely located in the high Norwegian Arctic, and originally built as a mining town. The locals continue to make the best of this hostile environment, and brightly painted wooden buildings line the main street. The surrounding area is breathtakingly beautiful.
3-9 June
Svalbard and Jan Mayen: Spitsbergen
Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, a land of snowy peaks, frozen tundra and glassy seas. You’ll likely have no fixed itinerary here, due to the unpredictable nature of an Arctic expedition; be prepared to drop everything and rush up to the top deck for the chance of a polar bear sighting!
10 June
Arriving in Longyearbyen
This is the world's northernmost city and the base for tourism in Svalbard. A bit quirky, as you would expect from somewhere that spends four months of the year in near darkness, Longyearbyen doesn't take long to explore. Its brightly coloured wooden houses are built on stilts, as the ground in Svalbard is permafrost. When you enter a building, you are normally asked to remove your shoes, and leave your gun at the door. Gun carrying is more or less essential for the locals, as with 3,000 local hungry polar bears, it is said that you never know when you might need protection. That said, we visited safely without a gun!
Our tip
Don’t die here – it’s illegal. There have been no new burials for over 70 years, because the permafrost prevents bodies from decomposing.
Your home from home
Ultramarine is Quark's most exciting polar ship yet, equipped with two twin-engine helicopters and offering an amazing array of innovative excursions.
What we love
Ultramarine is Quark's first ever new-build, and promises to deliver the most comprehensive polar expedition experience at sea. You can expect fantastic included excursions, active adventures ashore and a superb onboard expedition team. The ship also features more outdoor wildlife viewing space than any other vessel this size, stylish public spaces and the latest environmentally-sensitive technology.
| Capacity |
199 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 140 Staff |
| Style |
Comfortable and inviting, with a real focus on in-depth polar exploration and active pursuits such as kayaking and hiking. |
| Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Where to stay in Longyearbyen
There’s really not much choice! Go for the Radisson Blu.
Explore Spitsbergen
Travel out of Longyearbyen by snow scooter or dog sled to take a look at the amazing scenery and hunt for wildlife.
