7-night Fjords and Glaciers of Spitsbergen Cruise

Known for its stark mountain peaks and spectacular glaciers, Longyearbyen was named for the American John Monroe Longyear, who established a mining operation here in 1906. In the summer season, many species of birds can be found nesting in the steep cliffs while the seaside harbors a number of marine animals from white whales, seals and walruses. In the small town, are museums, local shops and restaurants to explore at a leisurely pace.

The Hornsund area is situated within South Spitsbergen National Park, and is the southernmost fjord in Svalbard . Coastal plains are covered with very rich tundra vegetation. Mountain slopes and cliffs are breeding places for numerous sea birds in the summer such as little auk. Visitors will also see polar foxes and reindeer across the tundra, and Hornsund is the region where the most important movements of polar bears between western parts of Spitsbergen and Storfjorden take place throughout the year. Due to the unique and pristine richness of the marine fauna and flora in Hornsund, it was nominated as one of the 12 European Biodiversity Flagship Sites by the European Community.

A very small settlement in Spitsbergen, Norway, Ny-Alesund's population averages around a dozen. The town prides itself on being the northermost settlement in the world.

Known for its stark mountain peaks and spectacular glaciers, Longyearbyen was named for the American John Monroe Longyear, who established a mining operation here in 1906. In the summer season, many species of birds can be found nesting in the steep cliffs while the seaside harbors a number of marine animals from white whales, seals and walruses. In the small town, are museums, local shops and restaurants to explore at a leisurely pace.