Ny Ålesund

Ny Ålesund is often mentioned as being the northernmost settlement in the world. Originally a mining settlement it is now a scientist village, an Arctic laboratory.

Ny Ålesund

Region: Arctic

Destinations: Svalbard

Ny Ålesund

Welcome to one of the world’s most northern permanent settlements (aside from some military bases). Ny Ålesund’s original draw was its rich coal deposits; however the mining efforts petered out in the early 1960s, leaving behind all sorts of historic cultural remains that Arctic cruise passengers can explore.

Today Ny Ålesund has two vital industries – science and tourism. In terms of science, the area has become an important source of both Arctic and worldwide environmental research (the Arctic’s environment has a major impact on worldwide temperatures).

In terms of tourism, Ny Ålesund boasts the world’s most northern active post office. Its museum holds exhibits from both its coal mining past as well as the more recent scientific endeavours.

Roald Amundsen in Ny Ålesund

Perhaps Ny Ålesund’s greatest historical draw is its association with the famous explorer Roald Amundsen. Amundsen used Ny Ålesund as his jumping-off point for his Arctic expeditions, and today his airship mooring (he used the airship Norge to reach the North Pole in 1926) as well as some of his other facilities still exist, waiting to be explored.

And of course, aside from all of the above, Ny Ålesund claims its fair share of the Arctic region’s natural pristine beauty and wildlife.

Cruise to Ny Ålesund

If you’re in the mood to explore one of the world’s most northern settlements then we humbly encourage you to take a peek at our Spitsbergen cruises below.

Related cruises

Around Spitsbergen, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

Full Spitsbergen Circumnavigation

OTL08-24 Take a cruise around Spitsbergen and explore the icy waters of the North Atlantic. This special expedition offers you the chance to catch sight of whales, reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses, seals, and the star attraction, the polar bear.

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

28 Jul - 6 Aug, 2024

Berths start from:

7700 USD

Around Spitsbergen - Kvitoya, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

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HDS10-24 This cruise around Spitsbergen gives you a great chance to see whales, foxes, reindeer, seals, and polar bears. The expedition will make a landing on the island of Kvitøya, a site of historical significance, and home of a large walrus population.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

8 Aug - 17 Aug, 2024

Berths start from:

on request

Around Spitsbergen - Kvitoya, In the realm of Polar Bear & Ice

Full Spitsbergen Circumnavigation with a visit to Kvitøya

PLA10-24 This cruise around Spitsbergen gives you a great chance to see whales, foxes, reindeer, seals, and polar bears. The expedition will make a landing on the island of Kvitøya, a site of historical significance, and home of a large walrus population.

m/v Plancius

m/v Plancius

Cruise date:

9 Aug - 18 Aug, 2024

Berths start from:

on request

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer

Watch for wildlife in iconic Arctic terrain

RVR06-25 The North Spitsbergen cruise sails to some of the remotest locations of northern Europe. The expedition gives you the opportunity to spot historic whaling remains, glaciers, a variety of Arctic birds including the Little Auk, and polar bears.

s/v Rembrandt Van Rijn

s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

Cruise date:

8 Jun - 18 Jun, 2025

Berths start from:

5350 USD

North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer - Summer Solstice

Watch for wildlife in iconic Arctic terrain

RVR07-25 The North Spitsbergen cruise sails to some of the remotest locations of northern Europe. The expedition gives you the opportunity to spot historic whaling remains, glaciers, a variety of Arctic birds including the Little Auk, and polar bears.

s/v Rembrandt Van Rijn

s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

Cruise date:

18 Jun - 28 Jun, 2025

Berths start from:

5700 USD

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