12 Night Cruise sailing from Longyearbyen to Reykjavik aboard Silver Explorer.

Silversea's purpose-built Silver Explorer expedition ship (formerly the Prince Albert II) has been designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world's most remote destinations, including both of earth's polar regions. A strengthened hull with a Lloyd's Register ice-class notation (1A) for passenger vessels enables Silver Explorer to safely push through ice floes with ease. A fleet of Zodiac boats allows Silversea Expedition guests to visit even the most off-the-beaten path locations and an expert Expedition Team provides insight and understanding to each unforgettable Silver Explorer cruise adventure.

Onboard, savour a convivial cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities usually found only on larger ships, including a spacious Library with an Internet Cafe, boutique shopping, a full-service spa, beauty salon, fitness centre, sauna and two top-deck whirlpools. Prince Albert II even features live evening entertainment and The Humidor, where connoisseurs can enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs - diversions offered by no other expedition ship.

Highlights of this cruise:

Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is the largest settlement in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway and its capital. The archipelago, formed several million years ago, has a unique environment with high, snowcovered mountains - 60% covered by glaciers - spectacular rock formations and low growing colourful flora. There are great many different species of animal life. Seals, walrus, polarbear and whales have their habitat all along the coast.

Longyearbyen is the seat of local government and Norway's main administrative centre on Svalbard. The small colourful community of approx. 1800 inhabitants has developed from being a typical mining community into a community with a number of businesses and industries and a wide range of cultural activities and opportunities. In general, the population of Longyearbyen is rather young, with many small children.

Leisure and cultural activities abound. Since there are no roads between the settlement areas on Svalbard, snowmobiles and boats are a common means of ttransportation. Locals are very fond of outdoor activities, as well as taking weekend trips to cabins and huts.

There are plenty of sports and cultural events in Longyearbyen. A new sports hall with a swimming pool is a popular focal point for many of the sports activities. Lectures and talks on various topics are regularly organised, often at the university. Many famous musicians and artists visit Svalbard during the year and there are many exhibitions, concerts and other special events, particularly during the weekends.

Reykjavik
Iceland is an epic land. It tempts with epithets like "The Land of Fire and Ice," but these just hint at the delights this island has in store. It is a land of dazzling white glaciers and black sands, blue hot springs, rugged lava fields, and green, green valleys. This North Atlantic island offers insight into the ferocious powers of nature, ranging from the still-warm lava volcanic eruptions to the chilling splendor of the Vatnajökull Glacier. Ice caps cover 11% of the country, more than 50% is barren, 6% consists of lakes and rivers, and less than 2% of the land is cultivated. There's hardly a tree to be seen, making the wildflowers and delicate vegetation all the more lovely. Iceland has long hours of darkness in winter. Such long nights may also explain why Icelanders are a nation of artists and Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, is one of the world's most happening cities.