June 19-28, 2025 | $10,390 Double occupancy - Join our friends, Thalassa Journeys for an unforgettable trip exploring glaciers, mountains and fjords on a group of islands between Norway and the North Pole.

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June 19-28, 2025 | $10,390 Double occupancy - Join our friends, Thalassa Journeys for an unforgettable trip exploring glaciers, mountains and fjords on a group of islands between Norway and the North Pole.

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Jeremy Kehrein

Norway's Archipelago of Polar Bears


Phone icon1-800-547-4322 Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm (ET) Email iconorvistravel@orvis.com
Item #3M1N0000

The Story

Svalbard, located between Norway and the North Pole, is a land of vast glaciers, calving icebergs, snow-capped mountains, and majestic fjords. Two-thirds of the archipelago is protected by nature reserves, preserving its environment and remarkable wildlife. During the short Arctic summer, 24-hour daylight reveals Svalbard's natural grandeur. The surrounding fish-rich sea attracts numerous birds like kittiwakes, Arctic terns, fulmars, puffins, and guillemots. Whales, seals, and walruses frequent the area, while the tundra supports many flowering plants. The polar bear, Svalbard's king, can be observed in its natural habitat, with about 3,000 polar bears outnumbering the human population.

Thalassa Journeys, leaders in educational travel for over five decades, builds itineraries around the expertise of teachers from partner institutions, introducing tens of thousands to adventure travel with world-class scholars. Thalassa Journeys travel with purpose, exploring destinations through cultural or environmental themes. These themes delve into a place's past and its present manifestations or focus on the natural forces shaping the world. With unparalleled global knowledge, Thalassa Journeys has nurtured relationships worldwide, ensuring guests are warmly welcomed and every itinerary detail meets the highest standards.

  • June 19-28, 2025 | $10,390 Double occupancy
  • Observe polar bears and other Arctic wildlife in their natural habitat.
  • Cruise among icebergs by Zodiac motorized boats.
  • Cruise on the Vega, a new-generation small expedition ship, designed with the latest eco-friendly technologies to explore the world's most remote regions.
  • Attend lectures and discussions organized by the onboard team of expedition leaders and naturalists.
  • Explore the awe-inspiring meandering fjords, icy waterways and snow-capped mountains of Svalbard.

Orvis is pleased to offer our travel customers access to two valuable services: Global Rescue travel membership and IMG Signature Travel Insurance℠.

Learn More

Click here to learn more about our reservations, deposits and our cancellation and refund policy.

Expedition Cruise Ship Vega

Launched in July 2022 and built in Finland, Swan Hellenic’s Vega is a new-generation expedition cruise ship. With a capacity of over 250 passengers, it accommodates a maximum of 152 guests in 76 spacious staterooms and balcony suites, resulting in one of the highest indoor/outdoor space-to-guest ratios among cruise ships.

Vega’s elegant interiors boast panoramic sea views from most rooms. All staterooms and suites have outside views and include private facilities, climate control, TV, Wi-Fi, and USB connections, with 60 of the 76 staterooms featuring balconies. Public areas include a spacious observation lounge for lectures, a club lounge, a restaurant serving all guests in one seating, an outdoor café/bar around a heated swimming pool, a wellness area with a gym, spa, and sauna with an adjoining outdoor jacuzzi, a library, a beauty salon, and a full-time doctor and nurse. Two elevators connect all decks, and attentive service is available 24/7. Enjoy outstanding cuisine complemented by fine wines at lunch and dinner.

Arrival: June 22, 2025
Oslo, Norway
Arrive to Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup (CPH), Denmark. Transfer to the Hotel Petri (or similar).

June 23, 2025
Transfer to the airport/Longyearbyen
Fly from Copenhagen to Longyearbyen, Svalbard's main settlement. Upon arrival, transfer to the pier to board Vega and sail.

June 24 - June 29, 2025
Expedition ship Vega
Spend six days exploring the incredible High Arctic archipelago, located about 600 miles south of the North Pole. In the spirit of an expedition, the ship's schedule will remain flexible to seize the best opportunities for landings and wildlife sightings. The Vega's ice-strengthened hull allows safe navigation through the icy waterways, bays, and fjords of the islands, while a fleet of Zodiac boats will take you in viewing range of the stunning wildlife, including polar bears.

June 30, 2025
Transfer to Oslo, Norway
Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Copenhagen. Transfer to the Hotel Petri (or similar) for the night.

July 1, 2025
Transfer to airport
Transfer to Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup for the flight home or onward to your next adventure.

June 22–July 1, 2025

What Is Included?

  • Accommodations at a fine hotel in Oslo before and after the cruise, as indicated in the itinerary
  • Cruise aboard the expedition ship Vega
  • Welcome dinner at the hotel
  • All meals on board, including a selection of wines, beers, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Coffee, espresso, cappuccino, tea, and soft drinks available throughout the day and night
  • Open bar with select alcoholic beverages on board
  • 24-hour room service on board
  • Airport, hotel, and pier transfers, plus luggage handling on arrival and departure dates
  • Complete program of shore activities led by onboard experts
  • Educational lectures and discussions by onboard experts and guest lecturers
  • Services of an experienced Thalassa Journeys trip director
  • Gratuities for ship personnel, local guides, drivers, and porters
  • All local taxes and service charges, including port and embarkation taxes
  • Basic Wi-Fi on board
  • Complete pre-departure materials

What Is Not Included?

  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Any items not mentioned in the itinerary and program inclusions

How Strenuous Are The Activities?

Participants should be in good health and and physically active to fully enjoy the trip. If you require assistance or have a physical disability, please ensure you are accompanied by a companion who can take full responsibility for your needs during the journey.

Is This A Child-Friendly Trip?

Children are welcome.

What Is The Typical Weather?

June and July in Longyearbyen feature mild temperatures and continuous daylight due to the Midnight Sun, making it a unique time to visit this Arctic destination.

What Gear Do You Recommend?

A detailed packing list will be sent to guests upon booking.

Reservations, Deposits & Payments

The deposit is 50% of the trip price unless stated differently in the trip proposal and materials (trip planner and confirmation email). In some cases, deposits are non-refundable, this depends on the destination and will be clearly noted in the trip proposal and materials as well. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. Beginning November 1st, 2024 a convenience fee of 3% will be applied to all credit card transactions. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. The balance will be charged automatically to the credit card used for the deposit, unless otherwise specified. Any changes made to the method of payment after the final balance has been collected are subject to processing fees.

A reservation form and release are required prior to departure.

All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another.

Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Adventures reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure.

Planning information

When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, pre- and post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Although cancellation fees may be higher for some trips (stated in the trip proposal and materials), the following minimum cancellation fees will apply:

Days Prior to Trip Fee
+ 90 days $300 per person
89 days or less 100% of cost

For trips that include an Orvis gift card or Orvis merchandise, the retail value of the gift card or merchandise is non-refundable upon delivery. Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather.

We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement.

Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees.

Cancellation Insurance

Your planning information includes information for travel insurance covering cancel for any reason, cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage.

Share policies

Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip.

Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived.

Passports and documents

International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions.

Arrival and Departure

Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day.

Equipment & Clothing

You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information.

Airline reservations

The land cost of your trip does not include airfare.

Limitation of liability

This section defines Orvis Travel’s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully.

Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them.

All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation.

Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers.

Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.

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