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8 Night Pristine Spitsbergen Cruise

L'Austral

Category SSF - Seven Seas Suite Forward
Seven Seas Suite (Forward)

Photos are examples only. Actual cabin colors and features may vary.

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8 Night Pristine Spitsbergen Cruise from Tromso

Ship: L'Austral

Cruise Line: Ponant Cruises

Sailed: Thursday, May 26, 2022 from Tromso, Norway

Ended: Friday, Jun 3, 2022

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Thursday, May 26, 2022 departure of the L'Austral. 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 - Thursday - May 26, 2022

Tromso, Norway

Depart: 10:00 pm

In the north of the Arctic Circle you'll discover Tromso, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the "Paris of the north". You'll soon see why when you discover its extensive Neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic Cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.

Day 2 - Friday - May 27, 2022

At Sea

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Day 3 - Saturday - May 28, 2022

Cruising Bear Island, Norway

Halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen, you will sail not far from the coastlines of Bjornoya, the southernmost island of Svalbard. From your ship, observe this isolated piece of land discovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, then looking for the Northwest Passage. Following a tough fight between a polar bear and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island. Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog, Bjornoya shelters a meteorological station built in 1923, which is still in operation. Declared a nature reserve in 2002, the island is above all home to an enormous colony of sea birds: skuas, guillemots, puffins, tridactyl gulls, petrels, gulls, and little auks all coexist here.

Day 4 - Sunday - May 29, 2022

Sor-Spitsbergen National Park, Svalbard, Norway

The Sor-Spitsbergen National Park, established in 1973, is the largest national park in Norway and Europe with an area of up to 13,300 square kilometers. Two-thirds of its area is made up of ice and its sublime landscapes are divided between vast plains along the coast, alpine relief, and impressive glaciers. You will discover Hornsund, the southernmost fjord and one of the most beautiful fjords in Spitsbergen with a length of 28 kilometers. Its eight large glaciers extend down to the sea and form an immense 25-kilometer-long ice front and important iceberg calvings, making up one of the most spectacular panoramas in Spitsbergen. You will have the opportunity to observe numerous colonies of birds and polar bears living in this nature sanctuary.

Day 5 - Monday - May 30, 2022

Sor-Spitsbergen National Park, Svalbard, Norway

Day 6 - Tuesday - May 31, 2022

Cruising the Polar Ice Cap

Enjoy the absolutely unique experience of sailing to the heart of the ice floe, this vast expanse of virgin, immaculate ice. The landscapes are constantly changing, shifting from a smooth, flat wilderness to a chaos of ice, then to channels of open water. Your ship will sail along these naturally open channels and through the areas where the frozen layer is thinnest, offering you the chance to experience magic maritime moments in the midst of drifting sea ice. It will also often be an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe.

Day 7 - Wednesday - Jun 1, 2022

Spitsbergen National Park, Norway

Day 8 - Thursday - Jun 2, 2022

Spitsbergen National Park, Norway

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.

Kongsfjord, Norway

Very close to the former mining town of Ny-Alesund, 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. Bearded 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).

Day 9 - Friday - Jun 3, 2022

Longyearbyen, Norway

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.

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Other Sail Dates and Itineraries on L'Austral

Sail Date	Itinerary Name	Interior From	Oceanview From	Balcony From	Suite From	Details
May 27, 2026(Wednesday)	10 Night Wild Lands of Scotland the Faroe Islands and Iceland Departing from Glasgow, United Kingdom Special Promotions Up to 30% Bonus Savings Loyalty Status Match Program	Call For Price	Call For Price	Call For Price	Call For Price	View
May 27, 2026(Wednesday)	10 Night Wild Lands of Scotland the Faroe Islands and Iceland Departing from Glasgow, United Kingdom Special Promotions Up to 30% Bonus Savings Loyalty Status Match Program	Call For Price	Call For Price	Call For Price	Call For Price	View
Jun 6, 2026(Saturday)	7 Night Beethovens Icelandic Symphony A Musical Voyage Departing from Reykjavik, Iceland Special Promotions Up to 30% Bonus Savings Loyalty Status Match Program	Call For Price	$10,150per person	$10,990per person	$18,840per person	View
Jun 6, 2026(Saturday)	7 Night Beethovens Icelandic Symphony A Musical Voyage Departing from Reykjavik, Iceland Special Promotions Up to 30% Bonus Savings Loyalty Status Match Program	Call For Price	$10,150per person	$10,990per person	$18,840per person	View
Jun 13, 2026(Saturday)	7 Night Icelandic Mosaic Departing from Reykjavik, Iceland Special Promotions Up to 30% Bonus Savings Loyalty Status Match Program 10% Off + Up to $1,000 Onboard Credit	Call For Price	Call For Price	Call For Price	Call For Price	View

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