The Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are home to seals, seabirds, whales, and polar bears.
Arctic & Alaska
Spitsbergen – Northeast Greenland, Fly & Sail
20 Days aboard Rembrandt Van Rijn. From AUD $14,844pp.
Small Ship Expeditions
Details
Overview
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
- Day 2: Foxes, seabirds, and grazing reindeer
- Day 3: Fuglefjorden to Raudfjorden
- Day 4 to 7: Onward to east Greenland
- Day 8: Remains of the trappers
- Day 9: Bright bergs, big mountains
- Day 10: The essential Arctic
- Day 11: Into the Antarctic Sound
- Day 12: Meeting Menander
- Day 13: Colors of Arctic autumn
- Day 14: Sailing to Scoresbysund
- Day 15: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
- Day 16: Enormous icebergs near Sydkap
- Day 17: The tundra of Jameson Land
- Day 18: Settlement at Scoresbysund
- Day 19: The hikes of Hurry Inlet
- Day 20: Final call at Constable Pynt
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Ship Information
For more information on the Rembrandt Van Rijn please view the ship page.
View Rembrandt Van RijnTravelling with Eclipse
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Day 1: Largest town, biggest island
You touch down in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum make for fascinating attractions. Though the countryside appears stark, more than a hundred species of plant have been recorded in it. In the early evening the ship sails out of Isfjorden, where you might spot the first minke whale of your voyage. In the evening you sail for Trygghamna, where you see the remains of a 17th-century English whaling station and 18th-century Pomor hunting station, both of which you can visit the next morning.
Dinner included.
Day 2: Foxes, seabirds, and grazing reindeer
From Trygghamna you walk to Alkhornet, a large seabird cliff where the birds are scouting out breeding places. Below the cliffs is a common place to spot Arctic foxes, and you may also see reindeer grazing on the lush vegetation if there’s not too much snow.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 3: Fuglefjorden to Raudfjorden
You sail into Fuglefjorden amid views of Svitjodbreen and Birgerbukta, both breeding places for great skuas as well as likely spots to spy a polar bear. Raudfjorden, on the north coast of Spitsbergen, is a fine area for gazing over the glaciers. It’s also a favorite hangout for ringed and bearded seals, colonies of seabird, and the occasional polar bear and beluga whale.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 4 to 7: Onward to east Greenland
You may eventually see the jagged edge of the east Greenland sea ice flashing into sight ahead, depending on the conditions. Keep watch for whales and migrating seabirds here.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 8: Remains of the trappers
The goal is to sail into Foster Bay, making your first landing at Myggbukta in the late afternoon or evening. Beyond the old hunters’ hut (where, in the first half of the 20th century, Norwegian trappers hunted for polar bear and Arctic fox) there is a sprawling tundra populated by musk oxen, with geese floating the small lakes.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 9: Bright bergs, big mountains
You sail through Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, enjoying its lofty mountains and bright interior icebergs. In the evening you reach Teufelsschloss, a prominent mountain that comprises part of the Eleonora Bay Supergroup: sedimentary rock created between 950 – 610 million years ago to a depth of 16 km (10 miles). This rust-red multi-layered unique geology defines the scenery over the coming days.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 10: The essential Arctic
Landing at Blomsterbugten, you have a good chance of spotting Arctic hare and musk oxen. Noah Lake is home to great northern divers as well as their young, and the hiking opportunities here are numerous. In the afternoon you venture deeper into Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord, finding shelter in Renbugten. Colossal icebergs and quintessential Arctic scenery accompany you while passing through this narrow fjord system.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 11: Into the Antarctic Sound
Today the aim is to land in Renbugten in search of musk oxen and Arctic hares. Around lunch you head east into the inversely named Antarctic Sound, enjoying views of the ancient sedimentary rock. You should arrive at Maria Island before nightfall.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 12: Meeting Menander
You cut into Kong Oscars Fjord for an attempted landing near Menander Øer, a location with lively walking opportunities.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 13: Colors of Arctic autumn
Continuing east, you land in Antarctic Havn. You spend the afternoon in this expansive valley, where you can see groups of musk oxen. At this time of year, the sparse vegetation is colored with golden fire. Your guide may be able to tell you about the intriguing geopolitics that played out here in the early 1930s between Norway and Denmark.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 14: Sailing to Scoresbysund
Spending the day at sea, you make for the largest fjord system in the world: Scoresbysund.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 15: Inuit neighborhood of yesteryear
Today you reach Scoresbysund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt. The afternoon goal is to visit Danmark Island, where you find the remains of an Inuit settlement abandoned around 200 years ago. The circular stone tent rings indicate the summer houses, while the winter houses can be seen closer to a small cape. The sites are well preserved, with easy identifiable entrances, bear-proof meat caches, and grave sites. During the afternoon, you sail along the east side of Milne Land amid a number of scattered icebergs.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 16: Enormous icebergs near Sydkap
You land near Sydkap, where Arctic hares are often seen, and during lunch you get a glimpse of the entrance to Nordvestfjord in Scoresby Land. Here you encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters high (328 feet) and more than a kilometer in length (.6 mile). Most of these bergs are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet).
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 17: The tundra of Jameson Land
At the western shores of Jameson Land lies a vast tundra with grazing musk oxen. We will try to make a landing on one of the areas, such as Tyskit Nunat, remembering Alfred Wegener’s efforts to cross Vandreblokken. We may also visit Kap Hooker or a lovely lagoon west of Kap Stewart.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 18: Settlement at Scoresbysund
Today’s stop is Ittoqqortoormiit, the largest settlement in Scoresbysund at about five hundred inhabitants. At the post office you can buy stamps for your postcards or just stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals and musk oxen.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 19: The hikes of Hurry Inlet
In the morning you stop on the south coast of Jameson Land, at a lagoon near Kap Stewart. Here the waders and geese are collecting for their autumn migration, and musk oxen and collared lemmings survive on the meager vegetation. Further inside Hurry Inlet, you may take a walk near the head of the fjord as well as one of the rivers that terminate here. Here is a chance of a climb up the mountain of J.P. Koch Fjeld, near Hareelv. In this remarkable area, scientists found fossils that linked fish and amphibians in the lower Cretaceous period. You spend the night at anchor off Constable Pynt.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 20: Final call at Constable Pynt
We take the chartered plane from Constable Pynt to Keflavik taking home memories for a lifetime.
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Breakfast included.
Next Departure Date: 12 Aug 2026
| Dates | Cabin | From | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2026 | AUD$14844pp | ||
| Triple Private Porthole | AUD$14844pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Private Inside Cabin | AUD$16016pp | Contact us | |
| Twin Private Porthole Cabin | AUD$18516pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Private Porthole
One porthole window, one upper/lower berth, one lower berth, private shower and toilet, and ample storage space.
Twin Private Inside Cabin
One upper/lower berth, private shower and toilet, and ample storage space.
Twin Private Porthole Cabin
One porthole window, one upper/lower berth, private shower and toilet, and ample storage space.
Rembrandt Van Rijn Deckplan
Specifications
- Registered: Vanuatu
- Length: 49.5 metres
- Breadth: 6.65 metres
- Draft: 2.8 metres
- Ice Class: Enforced bow
- Displacement: 435 tons
- Propulsion: 2 Cummins / 550KW
- Average cruising speed: 6.5 knots
- Passengers: 33 in 16 cabins
- Crew: 10 + 2 guides
- Refurbished: 2011
What's included?
- Voyage aboard the indicated vessel as indicated in the itinerary
- All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
- All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
- Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
- Free use of snowshoes.
- Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on a selection of flights (this will be advised) to Longyearbyen.
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
- AECO fees and governmental taxes.
- Comprehensive pre-departure material.
What's not?
- Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
- Pre- and post- land arrangements.
- Passport and visa expenses.
- Government arrival and departure taxes.
- Meals ashore.
- Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
- Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
- The customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Important notes and additional information
PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Landings are subject to site availabilities, permissions, and environmental concerns per AECO regulations. Official sailing plans and landing slots are scheduled with AECO prior to the start of the season, but the expedition leader determines the final plan. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises, and willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board a historic sailing vessel. Important information about the use of sails: The vessel is equipped with sails to be used in good conditions (based on open sea, water depth, wind, and time allowance), but the use of sails is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. If sails are used, the crew will operate them. Guests must follow the safety instructions of the team. The average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6.5 knots.
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Destination: Arctic
Viking history, Inuit villages and an abundance of wildlife are just some of the wonders you’ll discover in the Arctic. You’ll be amazed by the natural beauty that surrounds you. Search for Polar Bears while cruising through breathtaking fjords or around the nature lovers dream, Spitsbergen.
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