Highlights
Nine-day expedition cruise in the Svalbard archipelago onboard Ocean Explorer
Search for walrus, reindeer, arctic fox, and the most famous Arctic resident, the polar bear
Experience the awe-inspiring Midnight Sun
Trek the wide and colorful tundra
Explore the distinctive Arctic landscape
View stunning fjords
Optional sea kayaking or paddling excursion adventure options
Daily Arctic Excursions
Zodiac Cruising
Onboard Expert Lectures & Briefings by the Experienced Ocean Explorer Expedition Team
Explore the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen
Day tour of Helsinki and Porvoo
Free time to explore Helsinki with included city card
Inclusions
Personally escorted from Australia ‐ Your Sisterhood Tour hostess is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return economy airfares from Melbourne including taxes (other departure cities and class upgrade pricing on request)
All transfers as per itinerary
1 night pre cruise accommodation - Helsinki
Charter flight from Helsinki to Longyearbyen and return including ship transfers
9 day SVALBARD EXPLORER Expedition Cruise onboard Ocean Explorer
Choice of twin share porthole and verandah cabins or single verandah cabins (deluxe cabin upgrades available on request)
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board Ocean Explorer throughout the cruise.
Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock onboard the Ocean Explorer cruise
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
Use of rubber boots on land and use of waterproof outer shell jacket
Expedition Parka, yours to keep at the end of the voyage
All port taxes
All landing fees
3 night post cruise accommodation and touring in Helsinki
All sightseeing as per itinerary
All meals as per itinerary
Use of onboard gym, sauna, and jacuzzis
Onboard credit on cruise of USD150.00 per person
Sisterhood documentation & travel wallet
Zooom Meet & Greet
Small groups, personal service
Please note: Tipping is not included in our tour cost - gratuities for the Cruise Expedition team USD$15.00 and crew USD$6.50 per person per day will be charged to your ship board account.
Notice
Ocean Explorer
Utilising the best ships and expedition crew is necessary to venture further in the Polar Regions. We have both of them. In terms of elegance, adventure, and cutting-edge technology, Ocean Explorer is the ideal complement to our fleet. For our sophisticated polar explorers, Ocean Explorer enhances the polar experience on all fronts.
The Ulstein X-Bow, the industry-leading X-Bow design, ensures that your clients will glide through even the roughest waves with ease. In any polar sea state, the ship's distinctive forward-sloping X-Bow reduces vibration, noise, and impact for a comfortable ride. The ship is equipped with the newest sustainability technologies, including fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and the revolutionary MAGS gasification system, which turns garbage into energy and reduces the environmental effect of waste transportation. Equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs and four distinct sea-level embarkation locations, Ocean Explorer provides a wide range of off-ship experiences, such as Zodiac cruising and kayaking, enabling your guests to experience a close-up encounter with the Antarctic and Arctic wilderness.
Every interior feature on board, including the striking two-story forward lounge, the floor to ceiling glass retreat in the library, and the elegant fittings and furniture throughout the ship, has been meticulously chosen by designers to ensure that visitors have a wonderful experience. The roomy and opulent cabins guarantee your guests a peaceful stay free from noise pollution from nearby rooms, and nearly every cabin has an outdoor balcony. Two outdoor Jacuzzis and a dry sauna are available for your clients to relax in after a full day of activities off-ship.
Moderate Fitness Rating - A moderate level of fitness will be required for these tours due to the length and/or overall physicality of our tour itinerary. You can expect to walk more than 10,000 steps daily on more challenging terrain and longer periods. You must be capable of boarding and disembarking coaches, trains and boats unaided and at times handle your luggage. For more information on our physical ratings please click here
Optional Activities - Subject to availability
KAYAKING AUD $1250.00
An altogether different Arctic activity is sea kayaking, an ethereal experience that is hard to describe. You can paddle your way through the tranquil waters of the Arctic no matter your level of fitness, always accompanied by experienced guides and a small group of fellow kayakers.
One of the most relaxing yet overwhelming excursions on offer, sea kayaking comes with an added level of quietness which, coupled with the gargantuan landscapes, makes for a soul-stirring experience.
DAY PADDLE AUD $310.00
Our day paddle excursions are a great way to feel at one with the sea while enjoying some spectacular scenery. Our stable, inflatable crafts offer you an intimate experience and are ideal to see the area from a different perspective.
They are easy to navigate and don’t require any previous experience.
If you want to add some variety to your expedition and have little or no paddle experience, then our day paddle excursion is the perfect addition to your voyage.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Monday 30 June 2025
Melbourne - Helsinki (Meals In Flight)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!
Join your Sisterhood Hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne airport for your flight to Helsinki.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the airline's inflight entertainment as we head towards Finland.
Day 2 - Tuesday 1 July 2025
Helsinki
Our Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of Eastern and Western influences. Upon arrival into Helsinki Airport we will make our way to our airport hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight Hilton Hotel Helsinki Airport (or Similar)
Day 3 - Wednesday 2 July 2025
Helsinki - Longyearbyen (B, D)
This morning, we will transfer to the airport and board our charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. Here we’ll have some time to explore before we embark our Ship. Later we will be welcomed on board the Ocean Explorer by the Expedition Team and the Ship’s Officers. Relax as our ship sets sail and we enjoy our first view of the island’s rugged, glacier-topped mountains rising majestically from icy waters.
Our 9 dayexpedition cruise will have a major emphasis on searching for the region's plentiful animals, such as walrus, reindeer, and the most famous Arctic resident, the polar bear, in their natural habitat while taking in the bizarre experience of constant daylight. Join us on an engrossing journey to a far-off, unforgettable region as we explore the distinctive Arctic landscape, trek the wide and colourful tundra, and discover the history and geology of this lonely environment.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 4 - Thursday 3 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
For the next eight days we’ll cruise around this magical island on a constant search for wildlife. Our expedition will cover western
Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From polar flora to immense glaciers, the
natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife. Each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather
and ice, so there is no fixed itinerary; however, some of the places we may visit include the 14th of July Glacier,
Smeerenburg, Alkefjellet and the Hinlopen Strait. The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing
with an appreciation of the history and geology of Spitsbergen.
The island offers multiple opportunities for wildlife photography. Spotting polar bears is more likely here than almost
anywhere else, as the Svalbard archipelago is one of their preferred hunting areas.
The towering cliffs of Alkefjellet provide homes to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemo ts (thick-billed murres).
Coming across a walrus haul-out is a moment you won’t soon forget. These giant pinnipeds of the Arctic create quite a
noisy scene as each walrus vies for a choice spot of coastline.
In Spitsbergen, there is no shortage of natural beauty. The tundra can be surprisingly colorful in summer, with wildowers
bursting for a taste of sunshine. Each day, we’ll see something interesting, whether it is unique arctic wildlife a polar bear
resting between hunts, or abandoned sites from centuries ago.
If you’re itching to experience a more intimate view from the water, you can book the sea kayaking or paddling excursion
adventure options.
Day 5 - Friday 4 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
Exploring The Arctic as per Day 4.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 6 - Saturday 5 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
Exploring The Arctic as per Day 4.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 7 - Sunday 6 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
Exploring The Arctic as per Day 4.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 8 - Monday 7 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
Exploring The Arctic as per Day 4.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 9 - Tuesday 8 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
Exploring The Arctic as per Day 4.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 10 - Wednesday 9 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
Exploring The Arctic as per Day 4.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 11 - Thursday 10 July 2025
Spitsbergen Fjords & Glaciers (B,L,D)
Exploring The Arctic as per Day 4.
Onboard - Ocean Explorer
Day 12 - Friday 11 July 2025
Longyearbeyn - Helsinki (B)
The time to say goodbye has come. Our Arctic adventure ends as it began, in the frontier-style settlement of
Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer to the airport for our return charter flight to Helsinki.
A free afternoon to explore Helsinki
Dinner at leisure tonight
Overnight - Hotel Lilla Roberts Helsinki (or similar)
Day 13 - Saturday 12 July 2025
Helsinki (B)
Today after breakfast, we'll enjoy a free day in Helsinki. We'll have a city card that allows us to continue to explore this amazing city.
Dinner at leisure tonight
Overnight - Hotel Lilla Roberts Helsinki (or similar)
Day 14 - Sunday 13 July 2025
Helsinki (B,D)
This mornrning after breakfast we set off on a tour of Helsinki and Porvoo. We take a journey along a route that helps us understand more about the history of Finland. See a shortlist of key Helsinki landmarks—such as Helsinki Cathedral, Esplanade Park, Uspenski Cathedral, and Sibelius Park, we then, visit the picturesque medieval Old Town of Porvoo. The old town of Porvoo is a charming and popular destination. The winding streets and mosaic-like courtyards reflect the town’s medieval history. Today the narrow cobblestone streets are lined with charming cafés, restaurants, boutiques and museums housed in historical wooden buildings of different colours. The red wooden warehouses along the river date back hundreds of years and are the town’s landmark. The heart of the town is the impressive cathedral on top of the hill.
We'll regroup for our farewell dinner tonight at a local restaurant.
Overnight - Hotel Lilla Roberts Helsinki (or similar)
Day 15 - Monday 14 July 2025
Helsinki - Melbourne (B, Meals in flight)
Today we have the morning at leisure before we transfer to the airport for our flight home to Melbourne. Sit back, relax and enjoy the inflight entertainment of our airlines.
Day 16 - Tuesday 15 July 2025
Welcome Home
Arriving back into Melbourne. Say goodbye to your fellow travellers and promise to keep in touch. What a fantastic experience shared. We thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.