From Paris to the Polar Bears
with Ponant
- Luxury Expedition cruise with Ponant
- Flights from Paris to Longyearbyen return included
- Free Solo Supplement available
- Save up to 30%^
Somewhere in the High Arctic, between 76 and 80 degrees latitude North, Spitsbergen, meaning "pointed mountains”, awaits you for an unforgettable journey looking out for wild life. The sea rolls on, and the white-striped mountains rise up from deeply tinted waters. The ship is escorted by Arctic fulmars. The first ice appears, still discreet. Black-legged kittiwakes share an iceberg, while Arctic terns fly over the area. Aboard the ship or a Zodiac dinghy, you will admire the power of nature while becoming aware of its fragility. On these inhospitable lands, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic foxes coexist with the walruses lying on the beach and with the Lord of the Arctic, the polar bear, that you will perhaps have the chance to admire.
Luxury Expeditions
PONANT Expedition cruises are the ultimate blend of refined luxury and adventurous exploration, even in the heart of the most remote regions. Ponant's small-ship Expedition cruises not only provide a high-end travel experience, but also allow you to go on a voyage of discovery to far-flung corners of the Earth, accompanied by top-quality services and experts on the regions visited.
The Expeditions Team
PONANT expedition leaders and naturalist guides are passionate, knowledgeable experts on their destinations, unlocking doors to the pristine areas we visit. During outings on Zodiac® inflatable boats and during onboard lectures and talks, the team will teach you about the unique flora and fauna of the region and explain the traditions and way of life of the locals, so you can get up close and personal with these remote and fascinating regions.
- Explore Spitsbergen, a wild and isolated territory on the edge of the High Arctic.
- Discover the landscapes (rugged mountains, ice cap, vertiginous walls, glaciers, etc.) and the wildlife (opportunities to glimpse or observe polar bears, Svalbard reindeer, cetaceans, seabirds, etc.).
- Activities: opportunities for dinghy outings and shore visits with your naturalist guides, hikes, learn about the history of Spitsbergen, etc.
- Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides
- Scenic sailing past glaciers or cliffs, inside huge fjords, between dazzling blue sky or mysterious polar mist.
- Landscapes: rugged mountains, icebergs, ice caps, deep valleys, striated cliffs, vertiginous walls, gigantic glaciers, glacier fronts, tundra and the possibility of observing the ice floe.
- Wildlife: polar bears, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, walruses, bearded seals, harbour seals, Arctic fulmars, Arctic terns, black-legged kittiwakes, eiders, guillemots, blue whales, minke whales, orcas.
Ponant All-inclusive:
- Full meal plan
- The Open Bay: beginning with boarding, and during the duration of the cruise, a wide selection of drinks (mineral water, soft drinks, wine, beer, champagne, spirits, coffee, tea) is served on request and at any time of the day
- Free WiFi internet access
- Activities offered during expedition cruises
- Transfer to the ship on embarkation day
- Flights from Paris to Longyearbyen return in Economy Class
Departures: Multiple departure dates available in 2026 & 2027
| Stateroom | Price per person |
| Superior Stateroom | From $13,680 |
*Advertised price is based cruise departing 27 June 2026 and correct as at 11 July 2025. Other travel dates, or reverse itinerary is available.
Prices are subject to availability and change. Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for availability and current pricing.
*Flight from Paris to Longyearbyen and return is included in this trip. It is highly recommended you arrive in Paris the day before and the day after your flights. Please speak to your RAC Travel Consultant about accommodation.
Day 1: Longyearbyen
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.
Day 2: Southwest Spitsbergen
Set sail for southwest Spitsbergen, immerse yourself in this environment unlike any other and explore its unexpected riches. In this natural sanctuary, the polar light combines with the changing weather of the Arctic, a big blue sky, the horizon scattered with clouds, the enveloping mist erasing the border between the land and the sea. Follow in the footsteps of the first explorers and admire the majestic fjords and glaciers sculpting the breathtaking landscapes, their icy waters shimmering beneath the midnight sun. The fjords, veritable cathedrals of ice, reveal their millennial secrets, while the glaciers, like sleeping giants, move slowly towards the sea, setting free sparkling icebergs. On the water, you might spot belugas and rorquals, while on the shores, seals and Arctic foxes add a touch of mystery to this living tableau, where the steep cliffs become breeding grounds for thousands of seabirds, like guillemots. Southwest Spitsbergen is an ode to nature in its rawest and purest form.
Day 3: Sailing towards the Ice Floes
Your captain will sail right up to the limit of the ice, to the edge of the ice floe. Weather conditions and state of the ice allowing, you will be able to go out in a zodiac dinghy for a unique experience in the middle of these floating slabs of ice. In addition to this grandiose journey through the middle of these floes with their cut and blue-tinged edges, sometimes over 2 metres thick, it is also often an opportunity to see a particular kind of fauna, totally dependent on the ice floe: birds, seals and polar bears.
Day 4: North-West region of Spitsbergen
A kingdom of contrasts and natural marvels dotted with islands and peninsulas, northwest Spitsbergen fascinates with its preserved beauty. On these pristine lands, infinity unveils itself, treating the eyes to beauty sculpted by nature and enhanced by the changing light. The fjords bathed by icy waters, the jagged mountains and the imposing glaciers stand majestically before you, like monumental sculptures. In these lands, where souls are filled with deep serenity, only the murmur of broken ice, bearing mysteries and legends, disturbs the calmness. Aboard our Zodiacs and in the company of naturalist-guides, get as close as possible to this unique fauna and discover this centre for scientific expedition departures. In the distance, majestic whales glide silently through the glacial waters, whereas seals, walrus and Arctic foxes add a playful touch of life. As Svalbard reindeer wander the vast expanses, Arctic terns liven up the polar sky with their gracious flight and polar bears, which you may be lucky enough to see, patrol magnificently along the icy shores.
Day 5: Ny-Ålesund
During your cruise, discover Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town that has been transformed into a scientific base. Founded in 1916, this small town was the departure point for many Arctic expeditions, including those of the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. Don't miss a visit to the museum and its famous post office, considered to be the most northerly in the world!
Day 6: Longyearbyen
Your journey comes to an end today
*All prices and availability are correct as of 11 July 2025 and are strictly subject to change without notice. Advertised price is based on per person, twin share departing on 27 June 2026 in a category Superior Stateroom and includes all advertised discounts. Other departures may be available and may attract a seasonal surcharge. Further terms and conditions apply.
The Ponant Bonus price is the lowest price offered on day of booking. The maximum savings amount a passenger can save is up to 30% on the referenced cruise price. The Ponant Bonus is structured to provide the highest saving the earlier a passenger books a Ponant. Depending on availability of the cruise, the percentage amount may decrease and the "Ponant Bonus" price may increase. The Ponant pricing structure is managed by Ponant and not RAC Travel and is subject to their terms and conditions.
Free solo supplement is available for a limited time only. The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and stateroom categories.
Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for full terms & conditions, current pricing and availability.
General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.
