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.

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.

Day 3 – 4: Earth’s northernmost community

You head north for Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden. The landscape is likely to show signs of winter, the crags and slopes still blanketed with snow. Here there are rich opportunities for snowshoeing – we provide the snowshoes – and visiting places of historic interest: Ny London, where you can see the remains of early 20th-century marble mining, and Ny Ålesund, the northernmost community in the world. There are also research stations and the famous anchor mast of the dirigible Norge, which took the first flight across the North Pole to Nome, Alaska in 1926. Krossfjorden offers views of colossal glaciers and lofty mountain peaks, but ultimately the extent of fjord ice dictates the itinerary here.

Day 5: Walrus watching, seal seeing

Cutting south between the main island of Spitsbergen and Prins Karls Forland, you may encounter walruses at Poolepynten, a common haul-out site. You also have views of St. Johnsfjorden, near Gaffelbreen. The winter ice may not have loosened its grip on the water here, and seals (ringed and bearded) could be numerous in the area.

Day 6 – 7: Wide tundra, tall mountains

You now double back into Isfjorden and venture to Ymerbukta, possibly embarking on a walk in this mountainous area. Here you find an expansive tundra with its own avifauna, depending on when spring arrives, as well as spectacular geological formations along the coast. Further northeast, near Ekmanfjorden, you have the chance for another hike. Common to this area are numerous glaciers that terminate near or in the sea. In Gipsvika you can go on shore near the cliff of Templet, a mountainous location of eroded sedimentary rock from the Upper Carboniferous period – around 290 million years ago.

Day 8: There and back again

Every adventure, no matter how grand, must eventually come to an end. You disembark in Longyearbyen, taking home memories that will accompany you wherever your next adventure lies.

CABINS & PRICES

Triple Private Porthole

• One porthole
  
• 1 upper / lower berth
  
• Private shower and toilet
  
• Ample storage space
  

€2650 Sharing berth

Share your cabin with others for the best price

€7950 Complete cabin

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Twin Private Inside

• 1 upper / lower berth
  
• Private shower and toilet
  
• Ample storage space
  

€2800 Sharing berth

Share your cabin with others for the best price

€4760 Single cabin

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).

€5600 Complete cabin

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

Twin Private Porthole

• 1 porthole
  
• 1 upper / lower berth
  
• Private shower and toilet
  
• Ample storage space
  

€3250 Sharing berth

Share your cabin with others for the best price

€5525 Single cabin

Price for the complete cabin occupied by 1 person (1.7x the shared rate).

€6500 Complete cabin

Price for the complete cabin, fully occupied.

• Included in this voyage
  
• 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.
  
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme.
  
• AECO fees and governmental taxes.
  
• Comprehensive pre-departure material.
  

Excluded from this voyage

• Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
  
• Pre- and post- land arrangements.
  
• Transfers to / from the vessel.
  
• Passport and visa expenses.
  
• Government arrival and departure taxes.
  
• Meals ashore.
  
• Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is mandatory).
  
• 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).
  

PLEASE NOTE: All itineraries are for guidance only. Programs may vary depending on local ice, weather, and wildlife conditions. Flexibility is paramount for expedition cruises. Willingness to compromise on comfort is a basic requirement on board a historic sailing vessel. Important information about the sailing program: The boat is equipped with sails to be used in good conditions (based on open sea, water depth, wind, and time). This is not guaranteed. The captain decides whether to use the sails or the engine. There is no claim to one or the other propulsion method. If sails are used, the crew operates them. Guests must follow the safety instructions of the team. The average cruising speed for s/v Rembrandt van Rijn is 6 knots.

Perfect for expedition cruises to remote islands

The ship is ideal for expedition cruises to Arctic islands and for whale safaris. It offers a lot of deck space with good viewing possibilities, also under sail. 

Comfort and features

The Rembrandt van Rijn is 49.50 meters long, 7m wide and has a draft of 2.8 meters. The average speed on both engines is 6.5 knots. She is manned by an experienced crew of 12 people including 2 guides. The ship can accommodate up to 33 passengers, in 16 cabins: 1 triple cabin (with shower and toilet and porthole), six double cabins (with shower and toilet, no porthole) and 9 double cabins (with shower and toilet and porthole) .

Get out & Go ashore

Excursions are planned every day on land when the weather and ice conditions permit. The walks will take an average of 3 to 6 hours and are about unspoiled terrain, there are few hiking trails in the polar region. A flexible attitude is important on board; regularly the program and the walks are adapted to, for example, the weather conditions, the ice situation or the wishes of the passengers. Plenty of time is spent on fauna, vegetation, geography and history. On board, lectures are given or documentaries are shown.

Ages and nationalities on board

The passengers on the Rembrandt van Rijn are usually between 30 and 80 years old. The Rembrandt expeditions attract travelers from all over the world, on many trips there are travelers with different nationalities on board. They are characterized by a strong interest in nature and the desire to explore remote areas. The friendships and team spirit that develop on board are an important part of the expedition experience.