Polar Expedition 
Superior Stateroom
20% Ponant Bonus
21 m²
3
- New
Norway, between the Scandinavian peninsula and the High Arctic
Tromso - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Dates:
20/5/2024
to
28/5/2024
days
nights on board
Flight Paris/Tromso + Transfers + Flight Longyearbyen/Paris
Set off to discover an unknown and majestic, wild and preserved world between the northerly part of continental Norway and its northernmost archipelago, Svalbard. You will spend nine days travelling aboard Le Lyrial and will be amazed by the landscapes and fauna of the Northern high latitudes.
From Tromso, Le Lyrial will head for the majestic Porsangerfjorden. As you sail, you will fall under the spell of raw and wild nature. The deep blue water contrasts with the land and the season’s verdant vegetation. On Reinoya Island, you will criss-cross the nature reserve of the same name and attempt to identify the many species of birds that hide in this rich ecosystem. Common eiders, greater white-fronted geese, velvet scoters, red-breasted mergansers, to name but a few, inhabit these lands of prairie, marshes and peat bogs, maritime scents and forests of birch trees. You will enter the fjord and sail to its end, and to Lakselv. This small village, whose name means “salmon river”, is the main town in this territory; for you, it is an opportunity to discover local life and customs.
You will head north again to Skarsvag, near the mouth of the fjord. The craggy and rocky landscapes form, with the sea, a dreamlike and exceptional setting.
It is now time to leave continental Europe to reach the Svalbard archipelago and the High Arctic. Midway between Norway’s North Cape and the southern tip of Spitsbergen, you will sail past Bjornoya (Bear Island). Hundreds of seabirds have found refuge in the island’s huge rocky cliffs. It is a fascinating sight to observe.
When you reach the island of Spitsbergen, which is the archipelago’s main island, the landscape will transform. The vegetation has had to adapt to survive in this land, one of the world’s northernmost. A territory at the end of the world, millennial glaciers, spectacular fjords and the pointed mountains that gave it is name, Spitsbergen is also a land of Svalbard reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses and whales.
Itinerary is subject to change according to port authorizations and government regulations. We are privileged guests in these remote lands where we are at the mercy of weather, ice, tidal and current conditions. Landings on certain sites and the observation of certain wildlife cannot be guaranteed. They vary from day to day, making each PONANT cruise a unique experience. The Captain and the Expedition Leader will make every effort to ensure that your experience is as rich as possible, while complying with the safety rules and instructions imposed by the AECO.
Ref : TL1045 - LY200524
Your itinerary
A brand-new expedition cruise, discovering the jewels of northern Norway, from Tromso and the continent, up to the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago. Outings and shore visits in zodiac...
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Your trip in detail
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Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
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LE SOLÉAL
LE PAUL GAUGUIN
LE BORÉAL
21/8/2024 to the 28/8/2024
- New
LE LYRIAL
- New
LE LYRIAL
8/9/2024 to the 19/9/2024
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Three ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landing"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, position of ice, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to polar/isolated regions is an exhilarating experience in remote areas: please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- A PONANT polar water-resistant parka is offered on board for all departures with an Expedition programme (no children sizes, in case of consecutive cruises, only one complimentary parka).
- Half calf rubber boots with non-slip soles, which will allow you to go ashore in 20 cm of cold water, keeping your feet dry for walks and visits on steep paths. Boot rental will be offered onboard (for adults only) on Expedition cruises.
- Comfortable trousers: classic Winter trousers, warm cotton tracksuit, wool leggings
- Waterproof and windproof over-trousers – MANDATORY
- Winter trousers with waterproof over trousers are the ideal combination: water-resistance and comfort of trousers are essential
- Pullover, sweat-shirt or fleece jacket
- Woollen or thermolactyl Thermal underwear
- A warm hat, woollen ear muffs or fleece ear muffs, fleece or woollen neck warmer (avoid scarves that do not stay in place)- MANDATORY
- Wool or silk glove liners, water-resistant and supple gloves
- Thick warm socks (ideally woollen)
Accessories:
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
INSULATED BASE LAYER:
- Wool or thermolactyl technical underwear
- Polar or technical jacket
- Polar sweater or sweatshirt
- Silk or wool glove liners
- Wool leggings
- Warm hiking socks
WATERPROOF OUTER LAYER:
- Waterproof over-trousers - Mandatory
- Waterproof parka - Offered on board (not available in children’s sizes)
- Windbreaker – Mandatory
- A warm woollen hat covering your ears
- Polar or woollen neck warmer
- Waterproof technical gloves
- Hiking shoes
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen
- Lip protection balm
- Mosquito repellent, anti-itch balm and mosquito head net (Greenland)
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
ACCESSORIES:
- Highly protective sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Walking poles
- Small waterproof backpack
- Swimsuit (for the spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
PONANT activities
Highlights
- A brand-new expedition cruise, discovering the jewels of northern Norway, from Tromso and the continent, up to the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago.
- Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- In Lakselv, a new port of call, only a few kilometres from the mythical North Cape, considered the northernmost point of the European continent.
- A brand-new cruise into the Porsangerfjorden to explore Reinoya Island and its nature reserve as well as the village of Lakselv, at the southern end of the fjord.
- Sailing into the heart of the Spitsbergen fjords to discover majestic glaciers.
- Landscapes: fjords, sheer cliffs,agged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, steep-sided valleys, huge glaciers.
- Wildlife: Minke whales, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeers, Arctic terns, walruses, Atlantic puffins and numerous sea birds.
Ports of Call & Excursions
20 May 2024 - Tromso
Embarkation 20/5/2024 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 20/5/2024 at 6:00 pm
In the north of the Arctic circle you’ll discover Tromsø, a secluded town located in the county of Troms. Norwegians call it the “Paris of the north”. You’ll soon see why when you discover its extensive neoclassical architectural heritage. A stunning example is the Arctic cathedral, a major monument whose stylistic purity echoes the outline of the mountains surrounding the town.
21 May 2024 - Sailing in Porsangerfjorden
Arrival 21/5/2024
Departure 21/5/2024
During an exceptional sailing experience in the Porsangerfjorden, discover the fourth-longest Norwegian fjord (measuring 123 kilometres - 76 miles). This real labyrinth will show you the region’s craggy coastlines, which extend into a background of Finnmark’s snow-covered mountains. The southern part of the fjord has been designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). In particular, it is home to the lesser white-fronted goose, the common eider and the purple sandpiper in its unique and varied ecosystem, which is made up of moors, meadows, peat bogs and forests of birch trees.
21 May 2024 - Reinoya Island
Arrival 21/5/2024
Departure 21/5/2024
The small Reinoya Island, measuring scarcely 3.35 km2 (1.3 square miles), will welcome you for an unforgettable moment in the very heart of the Porsangerfjorden. Although this nature reserve is not very big, it boasts many treasures. Here, wild nature can be discovered in the greatest tranquillity. Contemplate the island’s geology, rendered so particular by the whiteness of the dolomite, and the thousand-year-old traces of the last ice age during a hike or a Zodiac outing. The rare and scattered vegetation of the island is also a major point of interest at this singular site.
22 May 2024 - Lakselv
Arrival 22/5/2024
Departure 22/5/2024
Discover Lakselv, whose name means “Salmon River”, lying at the end of the immense Porsangerfjorden. As its name indicates, this small village is renowned for the salmon fishing in the waters of its river, which are brimming with this fish and others. The village is ideally located, offering privileged access to the surrounding magnificent nature. In particular, it retains traces of the last ice age in Trollholmsund, where dolomites with dreamlike silhouettes can be seen. Do not miss this extraordinary sight!
23 May 2024 - Skarsvag
Arrival 23/5/2024
Departure 23/5/2024
At the far north of continental Norway, in Finnmark county, Skarsvag can claim to be one of the world’s northernmost villages. A land of fishermen on the island of Magerøy, the village is inhabited by a handful of men and women who share their territory with wild reindeer — indeed, it is not uncommon to come across these animals at a street corner. The short vegetation of this hilly landscape bestows a charming monotony, interrupted only by its jagged shores.
24 May 2024 - Sailing along Bjornoya (Bear Island)
Arrival 24/5/2024
Departure 24/5/2024
Halfway between Norway and Spitsbergen, you will sail not far from the coastlines of Bjørnøya, the southernmost island of Svalbard. From your ship, observe this isolated piece of land discovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, then looking for the Northwest Passage. Following a tough fight between a polar bear and the members of the expedition, he dubbed the place Bear Island. Regularly covered by a thick layer of fog, Bjørnøya shelters a meteorological station built in 1923, which is still in operation. Declared a nature reserve in 2002, the island is above all home to an enormous colony of sea birds: skuas, guillemots, puffins, Tridactyl gulls, petrels, gulls and little auks all coexist here.
25 May 2024 - Isbukta, Spitsbergen
Arrival 25/5/2024
Departure 25/5/2024
Nestling on the south-east point of the island of Spitsbergen, this small bay shelters an immense glacier, the Vasil’evbreen, whose front is more than 20 kilometres long. This is an opportunity for an unforgettable Zodiac® outing. If the conditions allow it, you will be able to land directly at the foot of this majestic glacier, so as to discover the moraine and walk on the first section of the glacier. Depending on the ice conditions, you will also perhaps be lucky enough to approch Stellingfjellet, home to one of the largest guillemot colonies on the archipelago.
26 May 2024 - Hornsund
Arrival 26/5/2024
Departure 26/5/2024
Nestling between millennial glaciers and carved mountains, and considered to be “the crown of Arctic Norway”, Spitsbergen is a place that never sees the night. Your ship will take you closer to this fascinating archipelago and, more particularly, the Hornsund fjord. Considered to be Svalbard’s southernmost fjord, it is especially reputed to be its most stunning: at the end of its vast bay, 8 great glaciers slowly make their way down to the sea before giving way to the many icebergs elegantly drifting along its cold and mysterious waters.
27 May 2024 - Bellsund, Spitsbergen
Arrival 27/5/2024
Departure 27/5/2024
You will head to the Bellsund fjord to follow in the footsteps of the first explorers who came from the Norwegian coast, or those of the many fur traders seeking game and trophies. Boasting an astonishingly rich wildlife, the arms of the fjord separate to form two lush valleys. Give free rein to your imagination in the heart of this majestic natural environment where time seems to stand still.
28 May 2024 - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Arrival 28/5/2024 early morning
Disembarkation 28/5/2024 at 8:00 am
Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet. With winter temperatures dropping to below 40°C, the landscapes of this mining town are simply breathtaking. The glaciers, the mountains stretching as far as the eye can see and the untouched nature, make you feel like you’re in completely unexplored territory.
Le Lyrial
First introduced in 2015 and the fourth ship in the Sisterships series, Le Lyrial is the very embodiment of this new generation of intimately sized cruise ships. Its exterior and interior lines, all sober understatement and refinement, make it a yacht of a rare and innovative kind.
For the interior decoration, we took inspiration from the tones and colours of our destinations and used a palette made up of blues, from the soft, luminous grey-like tones of the polar ice to the vivid notes and turquoises of Mediterranean inlets and coves.
Up to 244 Guests
122 staterooms & suites
145 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Flight Paris/Tromso + Transfers + Flight Longyearbyen/Paris
For your serenity, PONANT selects flights and organises transfers from and to the airport. This package is included in your cruise fare.
Embarkation day - Paris/Tromso
Flight Paris/Tromso selected by PONANT.
Approximate flight duration: 4 h.
We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the day before this flight.
We suggest you to be at the check-in counter 2 hours before departure.
Meet & greet at the airport by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the pier for embarkation.
- Cruise aboard your ship -
Disembarkation Day - Longyearbyen/Paris
Disembarkation
Meet and greet at the port by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to the airport in time for check-in of flight Longyearbyen/Paris selected by PONANT.
Flight Longyearbyen/Paris selected by PONANT.
Approximate flight duration: 4 h 30
We highly recommend you stay one night in Paris after this flight.
This programme includes:
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Flight Paris/Tromso and Longyearbyen/Paris selected by PONANT in economy class.
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Transfers mentioned in the programme.
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English-speaking assistance.
This programme does not include:
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Personal expenses.
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Any other service not mentioned in the programme.
Please note:
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Flights included in the programme are as of today, operated in economy class, on a European airline.
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Due to limited local transportation resources, waiting might be generated.
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For passengers in transit in Paris, we recommend staying one night in Paris before and after these flights.
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Programme and flight schedule are subject to change without prior notice.
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PONANT will adapt the content of the transfer offer from and to airport according to your flight schedule.
Polar Expedition
Realise your dream of adventure in the polar regions ! Discover the icy vastness and the fauna of Antarctica (humpback whales, seals, penguins and more) or the Arctic's fjords, glaciers and icebergs in shifting colours, not to mention the polar bears, the variety of wildlife and the special moments shared with the locals. Our team of naturalist guides share their knowledge with you during varied lectures about the fauna, the flora, the history of great explorations, geology and climatology. Thanks to its conscientiousness and to the responsible approach that is its hallmark, PONANT has been a leader and expert in cruises to these destinations for more than 20 years.