Longyearbyen was founded as a coal mining city by the American businessman John M. Longyear in 1906, today the capital of Svalbard is a modern community, featuring most amenities of modern life. Just outside the town civilisation ends and you enter “Polar Bear Territory”.....but only approximately one comes into town in any year!
At 16:00 it was time for us to make our way to the harbour to join our expedition vessel. Arriving at the pier, the only thing we could see was a gigantic cruise ship, the Celebrity Constellation, towering over the pier. Soon, however, we spotted the M/S Expedition staff signaling us from the side pier, where the zodiac fleet was ready to transfer us to our ship at anchor behind the ocean ‘monster’.......full of people not really dressed for the cold and whom we had seen enduring the weather earlier while they were shopping and bringing tourist dollars to the town!
We quickly found our way in the mode of expedition cruising as we had our first ride in the zodiac across the bay to the
ship. We entered the ship ‘expedition style’ through the gangway and mudroom on deck two and were welcomed aboard by expedition staff and a smiling hotel team, who helped us check-in and settle into our cabins. Our bags were waiting for us outside the door of our cabin 322 ( it was mid ships with two single beds and a window); we quickly unpacked- amazingly there was plenty of room for everything.
We had a few minutes to explore the ship before gathering in the Discovery Lounge for a briefing from the Safety Officer followed by the mandatory lifeboat drill out on deck. At 17:54 precisely, the Captain gave the order: anchor aweigh. We were now truly on our arctic adventure.
Once again, we were invited back to the Lounge for an overview of the ship and facilities by the hotel manager, Josi da Silva, and an introduction to our voyage by the Expedition Leader, John Kernan. We also met the rest of our friendly and experienced Expedition Staff.
At 19:30 a delicious welcome dinner was served in the dining room and, as we were eating our first meal onboard, we enjoyed the spectacular scenery of Isfjorden and the fulmars, flying close to the ship, accompanying us on our way.
With the cabin curtains pulled sleep came easily when we finally went to bed at 10ish......but I did take a seasick tablet as things were a little, but not badly, queasy - it made a difference.
( today's photo shows Longyearbyen harbour, the large Carnival Cruise ship, our ice strengthened expedition ship and in the foreground all the skidoos waiting for winter - the Suzuki and Yamaha stores sold skidoos not motorbikes!)