Greg Mortimer, 14 Nights Across the Arctic Circle Cruise ex Aberdeen to Longyearbyen

13 Night Cruise sailing from Aberdeen to Longyearbyen aboard Greg Mortimer. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Aberdeen.

Day 1 Arrive in Aberdeen
Having made your way to Aberdeen, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to our group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with our ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine, withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket.

The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.

Accommodation: Sandman Signature Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Embarkation Day
This morning, your luggage will be collected from the hotel and transferred directly to the port for sanitisation, clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Please ensure that your luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Any valuables or personal items should be kept on you throughout the day.

After you have checked-out of your room, enjoy a city tour of Aberdeen followed by a transfer to the pier for embarkation in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail.

This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners and our friendly Expedition Team and crew at the Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure.

Days 3–4 Orkney Islands
Among Orkney’s archipelago of 70 windswept islands, nine kilometres (six miles) north of the Scottish mainland, a rich tapestry of archaeology, history and wildlife awaits. We follow the passage of time – from 5,000-year-old World Heritage Neolithic sites, past relics from wandering Vikings and reminders of World War II occupation – to present-day crofting communities. Imposing sea cliffs teem with seabirds, and clifftop paths and bleak moors beckon the keen hikers among us, while our kayakers use paddle-power to explore sections of Orkney’s fascinating coastline.

Midway between Orkney and Shetland is Fair Isle, home to quaint croft houses and famous for its knitwear and historical shipwrecks. The 70 or so islanders mostly live in traditional crofts on the more fertile low-lying southern part of the island.

A bird watcher’s paradise and boasting a major European bird observatory, Fair Isle lies on the intersection of major bird flight paths from Scandinavia, Iceland and Faroe. It attracts common species and also eastern rarities such as the lanceolated warbler. In summer, the cliffs teem with breeding fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, shags and puffins. Fair Isle is an excellent place to view seabirds at close range – especially puffins. The island also has more than 250 species of flowering plants, including rare orchids, alpine and wetland species and common wildflowers. We will be welcomed by the hospitable villagers, and we might take a hike or visit the museum.

Day 5 Shetland Islands
Britain’s most northerly islands lie almost 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of the Scottish mainland, at a similar latitude to the southern tip of Greenland, or Bergen in Norway. Kept relatively warm by the Gulf Stream, Shetland’s 100 islands experience almost 24 hours of daylight in summer. They abound with nature reserves and archaeological sites and offer a taste of traditional island life. We plan to visit some of Shetland’s best preserved and most complex archaeological sites, brochs – fortified Iron Age towers.

Day 6 At Sea
As we sail towards the Norwegian coastline, the bridge or the outer decks offer an excellent and warm vantage point for birdwatching. Our historian and naturalists will delight us with their informative talks

Days 7–10 Norwegian Coast
We spend three days exploring the superb Norwegian coastline, cruising the intricate maze of seldom-visited inlets and outer islands. The cod-fishing island of Sør Gjæslingan welcomes us with its delightful wooden houses and cheerful inhabitants. Here, we search for nesting kittiwakes and reclusive sea otters. Delight in the hunt for fabled trolls, passing through Torghatten – meaning ‘mountain with a hole’ – said to have been caused by a troll’s arrow.

Crossing the Arctic Circle, we make our way to the stunning Lofoten – meaning puma’s foot – Islands. This is a land scoured by ice and legend, the towering crags with their sharp edges, standing in silent protection of the villages below.

As we travel north, the days are noticeably longer and we search for blue whales, humpbacks, orca, minke whales, pilot whales and dolphins in the deep, squid-rich ocean trenches off Andenes.

Days 11–14 Bear Island & Svalbard
We approach Spitsbergen at its most southerly point, South Cape or Sørkapp, and explore the coastline, entering a different world – that of the polar desert. Enormous peaks and deeply gouged fjords make our visit to Hornsund a powerful experience. As Hornsund is the southernmost fjord in Svalbard, we keep a lookout for polar bears, and Zodiac-cruise along glacial fronts that are home to bearded and ring seals, kittiwakes and guillemots. Here in Svalbard, we continue our exploration into human history dating back 400 years, encompassing trapping and hunting, whaling and mining. If the skies are clear we may catch a glimpse of the dramatic Hornsundtind, peaking at 1,430 metres (4,695 feet).

Dramatic folds characterise the geological landscape of Bellsund and here we will enjoy magnificent vistas, steep bird cliffs and lush vegetation, always an open invitation to arctic fox and polar bears. Little auks, guillemots, northern fulmar and pink-footed geese make this their breeding home. Reindeer graze the slopes peacefully and as the fjord branches, there are numerous places to explore.

Polar bears pass through the area on their way to the west coast, and if we are lucky, we may encounter the elusive and alluring white beluga whale

Days 11–14 Bear Island & Svalbard
We approach Spitsbergen at its most southerly point, South Cape or Sørkapp, and explore the coastline, entering a different world – that of the polar desert. Enormous peaks and deeply gouged fjords make our visit to Hornsund a powerful experience. As Hornsund is the southernmost fjord in Svalbard, we keep a lookout for polar bears, and Zodiac-cruise along glacial fronts that are home to bearded and ring seals, kittiwakes and guillemots. Here in Svalbard, we continue our exploration into human history dating back 400 years, encompassing trapping and hunting, whaling and mining. If the skies are clear we may catch a glimpse of the dramatic Hornsundtind, peaking at 1,430 metres (4,695 feet).

Dramatic folds characterise the geological landscape of Bellsund and here we will enjoy magnificent vistas, steep bird cliffs and lush vegetation, always an open invitation to arctic fox and polar bears. Little auks, guillemots, northern fulmar and pink-footed geese make this their breeding home. Reindeer graze the slopes peacefully and as the fjord branches, there are numerous places to explore.

Polar bears pass through the area on their way to the west coast, and if we are lucky, we may encounter the elusive and alluring white beluga whale.

Day 15 Disembark in Longyearbyen
During the early morning, we cruise into the port of the remote village, Longyearbyen, the ‘capital’ of Spitsbergen. After bidding farewell to newfound friends, we are transferred into town, where there is time to explore and shop before transferring to the airport in the afternoon.

Note: We do not recommend booking flights departing prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation, as we may experience delays at the conclusion of the voyage.

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Aurora Expeditions launched their ship, the Greg Mortimer, in time for the Antarctic season in, 2019.

Proudly named after Aurora’s adventurous co-founder, this 104-metre ship is Aurora’s very first, purpose-built expedition vessel. Capable of negotiating the strongest winds and waves, the Greg Mortimer is built to world-class polar standards – designed in close consultation with their expedition specialists, taking advantage of more than 30 years of experience.

Whether it’s adventure, wildlife or simply relaxing that draws you to the planet’s wildest places, the Greg Mortimer will deliver the best expedition cruising experience. The Greg Mortimer will continue to retain Aurora’s ethos and focus on multiple landings, flexible itineraries, environmental sensitivity and family-built atmosphere.

At Aurora Expeditions wilderness is a passion they share with others by taking small groups of like-minded people to some of the most isolated places on our planet. From the polar regions of Antarctica and High Arctic to the wilds of Costa Rica, Scotland, Patagonia and more, Aurora Expeditions aims to create special expedition-style cruises that foster an understanding and appreciation of our natural world.

The Australian-owned adventure company was initially established in the early 1990¹s by adventures Greg Mortimer and Margaret Werner when they began sharing their love of remote places by organising ship-based trips for keen friends and fellow travellers. Their style to push the boundaries¹ has remained unchanged and they are proud of the fact that their spirit of adventure and exploration is as strong as ever. Their adventure activities are proof of this; with many of their voyages offering polar scuba diving, sea kayaking, camping and mountain climbing.

Deeply committed to education and preservation of the environment, Aurora Expeditions were the founding member of both the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). All their voyages have expert expedition staff who will help to unlock the wonders of these special places.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Greg Mortimer - Deck 03

Greg Mortimer - Deck 04

Greg Mortimer - Deck 05

Greg Mortimer - Deck 06

Greg Mortimer - Deck 07

Greg Mortimer - Deck 08

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Balcony Stateroom Superior

Deck: 4 & 6 | Quantity: 2 | Cabin size: 28.2m2 – 40.2m2.

Cabin Features

Private en-suite (wheelchair accessible)
Private balcony
Full size window
Desk area
Closet space
Room-controlled thermostat
Room safe
42″ flat-screen TV
Mini bar*

Aurora Stateroom Twin Share

Deck: 3 | Quantity: 15 | Size: 23.2 m2
Cabin Features

Twin or double bed
Private En-suite
Porthole window
Desk area
Closet space

Sofa bed (can sleep 3rd passenger in select cabins)
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
42″ flat-screen TV

Balcony Stateroom Cat B

Decks: 4 & 6 | Quantity: 58 | Cabin and balcony combined size: 16.1m2 – 21m2. Cabin Features Twin or double bed Private En-suite Floor to ceiling window Desk area Closet space Private balcony Room-controlled thermostat Safe for storing valuables 42″ flat-screen TV

Balcony Stateroom Cat C

Decks: 4 & 6 | Quantity: 58 | Cabin and balcony combined size: 16.1m2 – 21m2. Cabin Features Twin or double bed Private En-suite Floor to ceiling window Desk area Closet space Private balcony Room-controlled thermostat Safe for storing valuables 42″ flat-screen TV

Aurora Stateroom Triple Share

Deck: 3 | Quantity: 15 | Size: 23.2 m2
Cabin Features

Twin or double bed
Private En-suite
Porthole window
Desk area
Closet space

Sofa bed (can sleep 3rd passenger in select cabins)
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
42″ flat-screen TV

Captain's Suite

Deck: 4 | Quantity: 1 | Cabin and balcony combined size: 44.5 m2. Cabin Features

Twin or double bed
Private en-suite
Full size window
Desk area
Closet space

Private balcony
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
Seperate lounge area
42″ flat-screen TV

Junior Suite

Deck: 7 | Quantity: 4 | Cabin and balcony combined size: 38.9 m2. Cabin Features

Twin or double bed
Private en-suite
Full size window
Desk area
Closet space

Private balcony
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
42″ flat-screen TV
Seperate lounge area

Balcony Stateroom Cat A

Decks: 4 & 6 | Quantity: 58 | Cabin and balcony combined size: 16.1m2 – 21m2. Cabin Features

Twin or double bed
Private En-suite
Floor to ceiling window
Desk area
Closet space

Private balcony
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
42″ flat-screen TV