Embark Prince Albert II this evening in Longyearbyen and depart on your exciting 10-night Silversea Expedition; Expedition Svalbard. You will be introduced to your Expedition Team and receive a Zodiac briefing. Tonight, there will a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party.

Here is a list of some of the places you may visit to make the best of weather conditions and wildlife sightings:

Ice Cruising - With the strengthened hull of the Prince Albert II, we have the perfect platform to search for walrus and polar bears as we devote at least one day to exploring the pack ice north of Spitsbergen. Conditions permitting, our Expedition Leader may choose to take us out in the Zodiacs for an even closer look.

Bellsund - At the entrance of the 12-mile wide fjord, we are likely to encounter some common eiders, Arctic terns, and Arctic skuas. Snow buntings and purple sandpipers are also common in the area. Our plan is to explore the seldom-visited Van Keulenfjord, where we can witness awe-inspiring landscapes as we trek along the tundra.

Prins Karls Forland - The island home of Forland National Park with cragged mountains, massive glaciers and remarkable wildlife. The entire island and the surrounding seas make up Forland National Park. Members of our Expedition Team take us ashore at Poolypnten, a well-known walrus haul-out, where and our marine biologist explains the habits and habitat of these amazing creatures.

Danskøya Island - (2 August departure - Edgeøya) Rove across a small island off the northwest corner of Spitsbergen that is scattered with remnants of an ill-fated attempt by three Swedes to fly a balloon to the North Pole. Due to icing, the balloon went down just 240 miles north of the island.

Kongfjord or Kings Bay - (2 August departure - Barentsøya) Reaching inland about 15 miles and spanning up to 6 miles wide, Kongfjord is a splendid place to behold. Together with our on-board geologist, we will explore its complicated geological formations and visit the 14th of July glacier. We hope to land at Blomstrand, named in memory of a Swedish chemist.

Magdalenafjord - (omitted on 2 August departure) This majestic fjord is normally accessible year-round because of the influence of the West Spitsbergen Current or Gulf Stream. Landing via Zodiac, we discover the alluring fjord and search for wildlife.

Hornsund - The southernmost fjord on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen Island, jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Listen for the crash of white thunder as huge chunks of ice fall into the fjord. Amidst floating icebergs, watch for bearded seals, the rare Beluga whale and the king of the Arctic - the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as the polar bear's favourite food, the ringed seal, breeds in the fjord. The surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting little auks. We may visit the Polish research station or the remains of whaling stations and trappers' huts.

Approaching Bear Island (Bjørnøya), whale watching is a priority. They are in record numbers in this area. As we move closer to this arctic island, we witness a kaleidoscope of thousands of sea birds diving into and out of the island’s steep cliffs. With our Zodiacs, we explore the rugged coastline of Bear Island, and if weather conditions are favourable, make a landing. Encounter the amazing flurry of life on this barren island, now a nature reserve. Expedition Team will enhance your visit by providing insights to the environment, the terrain, and the wildlife that exist in these extreme conditions.

Tromsø has the proud tradition of being the starting point for many Polar expeditions. The Polar Museum opened on 18 June 1978, 50 years to the day after Roald Amundsen left Tromsø on his last and fatal expedition to search for the missing Umberto Mobile and his airship. The Museum is set on the waterfront, housed in an historic customs warehouse dating back to 1830. Your museum visit allows us to view exhibitions that feature hunting and trapping in the Polar regions, and the famous Norwegina Polar exploreres Raold Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen.

The Arctic Alpine Garden is the world's northern-most botanic garden, at almost the same latitude as Alaska. Tromsø benefits from the moderating effects of the Gulf Stream and the long daylight hours of summer.

As an alternative there will be an ornithological walk to the top of Tronsøya island at Lake Prestvatn, a scenic perservation area with rich wildlife.

After breakfast, disembark Prince Albert II in Tromsø.