CRUICE NORTH 2015
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The majestic Isfjorden on the island of Spitsbergen offers great opportunities for a diversity of experiences within a small radius –
glaciers, wildlife, cultural relics and small settlements. The recently established Svalbard Cruise Network is working to develop shorex
offers in Isfjorden.
Slow cruising
in the High Arctic
A major effort is underway in High Arctic Svalbard to develop facilities
and products for the cruise market. The key words are a new port and
shorex product development in Longyearbyen and Isfjorden.
CRUISE NORTH MAGAZINE
Located at latitude 78°N, Svalbard offers
an easily accessible and well organized
destination for cruise ships. Ever since
the first cruise ship arrived here 130
years ago, the High Arctic landscape
has had a magical force of attraction on
cruise tourists. Highlights include the
distinctive geology, the abundant wildlife,
the enormous glacier termini and landing
sites near cultural relics.
The Tourism Manager at Visit Svalbard,
Ronny Brunvoll, is optimistic about the
future. “Svalbard will remain an attractive
destination because the archipelago
meets people’s needs to experience
something unique and to get close to
nature. Our continued development as a
cruise destination, with particular focus
on Longyearbyen and Isfjorden, is aimed
at being able to provide even better
experiences for guests in the future.”
Longyearbyen
The small Arctic metropolis of
Longyearbyen is the best adapted cruise
destination in the archipelago. There is
good infrastructure in place, including
shorex providers ready to take both
smaller and larger groups on excursions.
Brunvoll believes that Longyearbyen
has been under-communicated as a
tourist destination and that it has great
potential. “
With our many museums,
attractions, relics of culture and
opportunities for shopping, Longyearbyen
is well suited for organized excursions
as well as for guests who just want to
stroll on their own from the port,
” says
Brunvoll, adding that obviously it is safe
to explore the settlement on one’s own.
“
Yes, you won’t encounter polar bears
within Longyearbyen. But as soon as you
head out of the settlement, it’s highly
recommended to be in an organized group
with a qualified, armed guide. It’s certainly
necessary to be armed.
”
As well as developing new shorex
offers, work is underway to develop
better port facilities for the cruise
ships. A new pier is planned along with a
terminal building to provide comfort for
the passengers. Another project in the
planning stages is a new access route
to ensure an easy, safe and interesting
2 km walk for the passengers between
the port and the centre of Longyearbyen.
Hopefully, both of these projects will be
realized within a timeframe of two to five
years.
Isfjorden
This vast fjord stretches from the west
of Spitsbergen to the east, virtually
dividing Svalbard’s largest island in two.
The settlements of Longyearbyen and
Barentsburg are both located in Isfjorden.
The fjord also has a number of smaller
arms, one of which is Billefjorden. At the
head of this fjord, cruise passengers
can go ashore for a guided tour of the
abandoned Russian mining settlement
of Pyramiden, a former communist
stronghold in the High Arctic.
Ronny Brunvoll believes Isfjorden, where
cruise ships are still permitted to use
heavy fuel oils, has a huge potential as
a cruise destination. “
This fjord system
offers the best of most things with glaciers,
wildlife, cultural relics and settlements
everywhere. Through the Svalbard Cruise
Network, we are now working to prepare
even better for cruise traffic. Among
other things, we will develop guidelines for
landing sites and suggested itineraries.
”
