Latest posts
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What to Pack for Svalbard in June and July: A Complete Arctic Gear Guide
This blog post may contain affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase of an item I will receive an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Alot of what you need will depend on the season you go in and the plans you have there. We went in…
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Svalbard Cruise Final Days: Burgerbukta, Sveabreen Glacier, and Longyearbyen Excursions
Svalbard Cruise Day 7: Deep Water Whale Sightings and Citizen Science in Burgerbukta We were up early on the top decks as we were passing through deep water which could increase the likelihood of whale sightings. There was a pretty stiff breeze on top deck and hot drinks were the order of the day. We…
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Svalbard Cruise Days 5 & 6: Alkefjellet Bird Cliffs and Landing on Remote Hopen Island
Svalbard Cruise Day 5: Kinnvika, Alkefjellet Bird Cliffs, and a Midnight Polar Bear We were in Kinnvika and had a guided hike up a local hill planned. However a hemiplegic migraine on my behalf put pay to that plan and I sadly missed the hike. My husband really enjoyed it and it gave views over…
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Svalbard Cruise Days 3 & 4: Walking Glaciers, Walrus Sightings, and Kayaking Monaco Glacier
Svalbard Cruise Day 3: Glacier Walking and Wildlife at Smeerenburg This was our first nature landing in the area- we landed at Bjørnfjorden to experience an Arctic glacier walk along a moraine and right on top of the ice. The sun was so bright with zero wind and we watched some carvings from the next door…
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Svalbard Cruise Itinerary: Glaciers, Ny-Ålesund, and My First Polar Bear Sighting
Svalbard Cruise Day 1: Boarding, Biosecurity, and Survival Gear On our first day aboard, the crew fitted us with complimentary wet-weather jackets to keep, along with heavy rubber boots to borrow for the cruise’s duration and wear on all landings. We prioritized biosecurity to avoid transferring seeds or debris between regions or between the boat…
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How to Get to Svalbard: Flights, Route, and My MS Spitsbergen Review
How Do You Get to Svalbard? The Flight from London via Oslo Our journey started from London flying into Oslo, before an overnight stay and a further flight into the main town on Svalbard – Longyearbyen. Longyearbyen is only a small town with under 3000 residents living there. Oslo provided an added bonus after the…
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Is Svalbard worth visiting? What to expect on an Arctic cruise
When I decided to visit the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic in June 2024 it was very much my husband’s bucket list destination. I went along for the ride, not really knowing what to expect. My discovery truly changed my life, a phrase people use far too frivolously at times. I still find tears in…