Circumnavigating Spitsbergen

The Circumnavigating Spitsbergen is a 12-night Scandinavia cruise aboard MS Fram, operated by HX Expeditions. Departing Oslo on July 9, 2026, the voyage visits 7 ports.

Length: 12 nights
Departs: Jul 9, 2026
Returns: Jul 21, 2026
Ports of call: 7
Days at sea: 1

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Itinerary

Day 1 Jul 9, 2026 Oslo Norway's capital lies at the head of the majestic Oslofjord, encircled by wooded hills and snowcapped peaks. Dating back to the mid-11th century, it was at one time renamed Christiania while under Danish and Swedish rule. An act of Parliament finally changed the name back to Oslo in 1925. With barely half a million inhabitants, Oslo is the smallest among the Scandinavian capitals. Yet it has much to offer - most notably its spectacular scenic beauty, as well as many of the nation's finest cultural achievements. Arriving by ship, your first sight is the imposing Akershus Fortress towering above the docks. With the city center only a few blocks from the pier, you can easily spot the handsome modern City Hall with its two block towers. Dedicated in 1950 to commemorate Oslo's 900-year anniversary, it is the city's most familiar landmark. Many of Norway's leading artists contributed to the decoration of the interior and as a result Socialist modernism in its purest form can be seen here. More extraordinary art works can be admired at Frogner Park, site of the famous Vigeland sculptures depicting a world of human beings and animals in stone. Fine examples of Scandinavian impressionists, referred to as the "Northern Light" artists, are exhibited in the National Gallery. The Munch Museum houses an enormous collection of art bequeathed to the city by Norway's leading artist Edvard Munch. Most of Oslo's historic sites are concentrated on the Bygdoe Peninsula; the Norwegian Folkmuseum, the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram, and the Kon-Tiki Museums are outstanding. Oslo port guide Search cruises visiting Oslo

Oslo photo — Day 1 Jul 9, 2026 Oslo Norway's capital lies at the head of the majestic Oslofjord, encircled by wooded hills and snowcapped peaks. Dating back to the mid-11th century, it was at one time renamed Christiania while under Danish and Swedish rule. An act of Parliament finally changed the name back to Oslo in 1925. With barely half a million inhabitants, Oslo is the smallest among the Scandinavian capitals. Yet it has much to offer - most notably its spectacular scenic beauty, as well as many of the nation's finest cultural achievements. Arriving by ship, your first sight is the imposing Akershus Fortress towering above the docks. With the city center only a few blocks from the pier, you can easily spot the handsome modern City Hall with its two block towers. Dedicated in 1950 to commemorate Oslo's 900-year anniversary, it is the city's most familiar landmark. Many of Norway's leading artists contributed to the decoration of the interior and as a result Socialist modernism in its purest form can be seen here. More extraordinary art works can be admired at Frogner Park, site of the famous Vigeland sculptures depicting a world of human beings and animals in stone. Fine examples of Scandinavian impressionists, referred to as the "Northern Light" artists, are exhibited in the National Gallery. The Munch Museum houses an enormous collection of art bequeathed to the city by Norway's leading artist Edvard Munch. Most of Oslo's historic sites are concentrated on the Bygdoe Peninsula; the Norwegian Folkmuseum, the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram, and the Kon-Tiki Museums are outstanding. Oslo port guide Search cruises visiting Oslo

Day 2 Jul 10, 2026 Longyearbyen The Svalbard islands form the most remote province of northern Europe. Arriving in Longyearbyen on an MSC cruise therefore means reaching the northernmost municipality in the world. Small but vital, the town offers interesting collections of old maps and books on the Svalbard in the town gallery, as well as slides by photographer - composer Thomas Widerberg and a display of paintings by Kåre Tveter. Longyearbyen was founded for extraction purposes due to the abundance of coal, so one often comes across abandonedcoal mines. The pylons that support the funicular are also vestiges and part of the local culture that still highlight the local coal extraction methods. The Svalbard museum offers insight into this activity, as well as hosting examples of local flora and fauna and illustrating the hunting methods used in the islands, where man had to compete with polar bears, the king of these lands and still present in the wild (all excursions in the wild are tackled following the local safety indications). A curious feature of this remote locality is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, an underground, anti-nuclear vault where all known and classified seeds are preserved. In Longyearbyen there are plenty of places where you can enjoy a relaxing beverage, but if you’re looking for something unique we advise you eat in one of the hunting lodges. You will only have the embarrassment of the choice of possible excursions. You can go looking for marine birds, wander about the fjords on a kayak looking for seals, or even take a ride on a dog sleigh, either on the snow or on wheels. Some routes instead lead you to the peak of Mount Sarkofagen, from where you can enjoy a staggering view of Longyearbyen and its fjord. Longyearbyen port guide Search cruises visiting Longyearbyen

Day 5 Jul 13, 2026 Ny Alesund Ny-Ålesund is a small town in Oscar II Land on the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway. It is situated on the Brøgger peninsula and on the shore of the bay of Kongsfjorden. The company town is owned and operated by Kings Bay, which provides facilities for permanent research institutes from ten countries. Ny Alesund port guide Search cruises visiting Ny Alesund

Ny Alesund photo — Day 5 Jul 13, 2026 Ny Alesund Ny-Ålesund is a small town in Oscar II Land on the island of Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway. It is situated on the Brøgger peninsula and on the shore of the bay of Kongsfjorden. The company town is owned and operated by Kings Bay, which provides facilities for permanent research institutes from ten countries. Ny Alesund port guide Search cruises visiting Ny Alesund

Day 8 Jul 16, 2026 Spitsbergen Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, it's known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra sheltering polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes. The Northern Lights are visible during winter, and summer brings the “midnight sun”—sunlight 24 hours a day. Spitsbergen port guide Search cruises visiting Spitsbergen

Spitsbergen photo — Day 8 Jul 16, 2026 Spitsbergen Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. One of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas, it's known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra sheltering polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes. The Northern Lights are visible during winter, and summer brings the “midnight sun”—sunlight 24 hours a day. Spitsbergen port guide Search cruises visiting Spitsbergen

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Show all 12 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Polar Inside cabin	I2	Inside
Polar Inside	I4	Inside
Arctic Superior Outside cabin	F2	Oceanview
Polar Outside	F4	Oceanview
Polar Outside cabin	FJ	Oceanview
Polar Outside cabin	N2	Oceanview
Polar Outside	N4	Oceanview
Polar Wheelchair-accessible outside cabin	SD	Oceanview
Arctic Superior Outside cabin	U2	Oceanview
Expedition Grand Suite with balcony	MG	Suite
Expedition Mini suite	Q2	Suite
Expedition Mini suite	Q4	Suite