Ice Cruising the Polar Ice Cap with Silversea

Northern Latitudes – ice cruising at 80 degrees north

The Quest for the Ice:

The entire success of a Silver Explorer expedition centers around wildlife encounters. Finding Svalbard’s rich wildlife that includes Polar Bears, walruses, whales, Svalbard reindeer, seals, and birds depends on many factors. Perhaps the most sought after encounter is with a Polar Bear.

Polar Bears, who roam the ice around the Arctic Circle and Silver Explorer’s Expedition team and the captain are always getting updates and information about current ice conditions to increase our chances of finding these carnivores.

Charts like the one below are posted on Silver Explorer’s bridge to help the team chart the best course.

Ice chart will help determine where Silver Explorer goes.

Expedition team member John explains the tricks of the trade.

Silver Explorer cruising through the ice

We continue to cruise along the vast expanse of the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. We spent the day in Nordaust Nature Reserve and along pack ice north of Spitsbergen.

Our flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions.

Ice field near north of Svalbard Day 3 Polar Ice sheet

Where there's ice there are polar bears — Where there’s ice there are polar bears

After four hours of cruising the edges of the Polar ice cap, our captain saw an ominous fog bank and decided to turn the boat back. I appreciated Captain Nicolay Tililyuk’s cautious move because fog and ice sheets are not a good combination when you are on a cruise ship (despite the strengthened hull of the ship).

Wildlife Spotting: three polar bears – highlight of the day!

Polar bear festing on narwhal — Polar bear

Before lunch one of the expedition team members named Diego gave a lecture about the birds of Svalbard. His knowledge about species and habitats was impressive.

Besides wildlife sightings and information about birds, passengers have access to experts that are quite knowledgeable about flora and fauna found in the Svalbard archipelago. I am learning a lot about the ice, glaciers, and the geography (especially the rocks) of the area.

I am also discovering a lot about animals that have survived the harsh environment, which includes hundreds of species of migratory birds, arctic foxes, polar bears and reindeer on land. In the water, I am discovering a lot of facts regarding walrus habitats and behavior as well as seals and whales that can be found offshore.

Voyage: At-A-Glance

7 days of expedition cruising around Svalbard and Bear Island enroute to Tromso, Norway.

Day 1- Arrival from Oslo via chartered flight to Svalbard
Day 2 – 8 Expedition cruising and exploration of Svalbard
Day 9 Cruise & Explore Bear Island, Norway
Day 10 Tromso, Norway

Cruise Buzz