To confirm your reservation, a $300-per-person deposit is required when booking a seven-day or shorter vacation. When booking an eight-day or longer vacation, a deposit of $600 per person is required. Deposit is required within 24 hours of booking. Booking information must include passenger's full name, nationality, date of birth and gender. Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure. Checks, money orders, American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card are accepted as forms of payment.

Travel is in Economy Class via IATA carriers according to the route of the published itinerary. All airfares are subject to change without notice. SAS, Finnair, Icelandair, or other IATA carriers are responsible only for the air travel portion of the program in accordance with the terms and conditions of the airline ticket.

Group bookings are welcome. Special booking conditions apply. Please inquire with our reservations department for further details.

The MS Polar Star was built in 1969. She underwent major rebuilding and modernization in 1988. In the autumn of 2000, she was extended and upgraded to meet new SOLAS and IMF regulations on safety and environment for passenger ships. She is the first icebreaker to be fully converted for expedition cruising, and therefore rank highly among the small fleet of Arctic expedition cruise ships. She is specially equipped for expedition cruising in Arctic waters. The ship has a comfortable restaurant, a large lounge, a lecture room, a library and a bar. The MS Nordstjernen, Ice Class C, was built in 1956. She was modernized extensively in 2000, but still has the special atmosphere of the old Atlantic cruisers. The MS Lofoten was built in 1964 and modernized in 2003, while keeping the classic feel onboard. Both ships are equipped with a bar, dining room, a library, café and a panoramic lounge. There are no elevators on the ships. All ships have a fleet of Zodiacs and PolarCirkel boats for excursions.

Cabins aboard the ships are comfortable and cozy. onboard the MS Polar Star, all cabins are outside and have a window or porthole. The majority of double cabins have two lower berths with private facilities. Two suites and four junior suites with queen-size berths are also available. A limited selection of double and triple cabins have upper/lower berths with shared facilities. onboard the MS Nordstjernen and the MS Lofoten the majority of cabins have upper/lower berths. Cabins are not wheelchair accessible.

A limited selection of double cabins is available for single occupancy.

A limited selection of triple cabins are available.

The ships are not equipped for physically-challenged guests.

There are designated smoking areas out on deck.

There is no doctor onboard. There is access to rescue helicopter or ship in case of an emergency or serious illness.

We consider it a priority to have well-qualified tour leaders and guides onboard who coordinate every aspect of the tour and share their knowledge of Svalbard and Arctic conditions during shore excursions and onboard lectures.

The average temperature is approximately 41 degrees Fahrenheit with daylight around the clock. There is normally very little rain, but fog and low clouds can occur, especially early in the season. Even if there is very little rain the ground is often wet because of melting snow. Chilly winds are common, and early in the season there are still snow-covered areas at North-Spitsbergen.

Yes, as long as the weather is clear, the Midnight Sun can be seen in Spitsbergen from late April-August.

There is no dress code onboard. To be adequately dressed on shore excursions, you should pack a pair of hiking boots, waterproof and windproof jacket and pants, a warm hat, a pair of windproof gloves, inner-gloves (we recommend wool), two sets of long underwear, a warm woolen sweater, warm socks. In addition, we suggest two or three changes of indoor clothing, a pair of regular shoes to wear onboard ship, a warm jacket (down), and a pair of solid rubber boots.

A small backpack for shore excursions is recommended. And since it seldom rains around Spitsbergen during the summer, make sure you pack your sun glasses. There are limited goods in the gift store onboard so you should bring whatever toiletries you might need during the voyage, as well as a supply of any medications you take. If you plan to use any electrical equipment, an adapter and converter are required. Should you suffer from seasickness, don't forget your remedies. And last but not least, binoculars and a camera are a must! (A limited supply of film is sold onboard.)

The MS Polar Star is equipped with laundry facilities, while the MS Nordstjernen and MS Lofoten are not.

Most of the landings (approximately twice a day) are by Zodiac of PolarCirkel boats, and the terrain on shore may be fairly rugged, so you should be reasonably sure-footed. Other than the landings, the tour does not make any special physical demands on the participants.

To protect and preserve the environment and animals on Svalbard, around 60 percent of the archipelago has been designated as national parks, nature reserves or as bird or plant sanctuaries. There are only three land mammals on Svalbard-polar bears, Svalbard reindeer and the Arctic fox, but there are a number of sea mammals, including walruses, ring seals, bearded seals, Greenland seals, hooded seals, white-nosed dolphins and various whales such as narwhal and killer whales. More than 100 species of birds have been identified in the area, and the number of plants is far higher than might be expected so far north.

Polar bears are perhaps the principal symbol of Svalbard as a wilderness area, and it is quite something to see a polar bear in its natural habitat. Polar bears normally do not attack humans, but they can be extremely dangerous. Our tour guides have rifles and also carry safety equipment, such as signal pistols, for scaring away bears. (It is very rare for tour leaders to have to chase away bears.)

On our Spitsbergen programs NOK 50 (approx. $9) per day will automatically be debited your Cruise Card. Should you wish to change the amount or not tip, contact the reception staff at the start of your cruise.

Luggage handling is available at embarkation and disembarkation.

Bus transfers are included in Spitsbergen between the ship/hotel and the airport. In Oslo, you'll get vouchers for the airport Express Train taking you between the airport and downtown.

The ships have an electrical supply of 220 volts. An adapter and converter are required. Electrical outlets in Norway and onboard ships are recessed and with round prongs.

We do our best to meet special dietary requirements. All requests for special meals should be passed on to us well in advance of departure.

A current passport is required for U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter Norway. A visa is not necessary.

Inoculations are not necessary for travelers to Spitsbergen.

American Express, Visa and MasterCard. The gift shop onboard also accepts U.S. dollars and Norwegian kroner.

We strongly encourage passengers to purchase travel insurance. We offer an attractively priced policy through Trip Mate. See Rate Insert.

Members of AARP enjoy a discount of $100 per cabin. Also, be sure to regularly check our website for special offers.

Most travel guide books on Norway have a section regarding Spitsbergen. You'll also find a list of suggested reading material on our website.