FUN-travel: Oslo, Norway to Longyearbyen, Svalbard – A&K Arctic Cruise Day 1
August 24, 2014 by Susan Clarke
Day 39 – Friday, August 8 – Oslo to Longyearbyen, Svalbard – A&K Arctic Cruise Day 1 – full sun w/high clouds – high 40’s – 24 hours daylight
What I LIKE
- 6:30 – get up
- 7:40 – bus departs
- 8:30 – arrive airport
- SAS charter flight – get United points & lounge access
- 9:15 – lounge has separate Star Alliance Gold
- Lovely lady changes boarding pass to sit together
- 9:45 – head to gate
- 11:00 – takes off – has meal & beverage service @ no charge
- – smoked salmon w/potato salad – brie & bleu cheeses
- 2:00 – arrive Longyearbyen – take bus to cultural center
- 2:45 – lunch – roast chicken & mashed potatoes
- – w/movie about the small town life in all 4 seasons
- 3:50 – bus to museum w/flora, fauna – see stuffed birds, polar bear, and seal from region
- 4:30 – board ship Le Boreal
- No satellite coverage or internet on ship
- – just enjoy being present w/o any distraction
- 5:00 – go to spa to book massage & manicure
- Deck 3 lounge for champagne
- 6:00 – safety drill
- 7:15 – welcome & meet expedition team
- – Janni is same cruise director from Antarctica trip 2009
- 8:15 – dinner deck 6 – opt for the self service buffet
- – same food as deck 2 – more casual & you can control your portions
- 11:00 – night night
- It’s only cold the first day
- – trip includes parkas & backpacks
What I DON’T LIKE
- 5:15 – wake up
- Standing in another long line snaking thru airport
- – shouldn’t have to on A&K – seats not together either
- – told we have to change at gate
- 10:00 – supposed to board – more hurry up & wait
- 5:00 – don’t do gel nails!
- – now I’m screwed big time as I have no other options
- No satellite coverage – no internet
- – never let anyone know ahead of time & don’t want them to worry
- – inbox will be jammed full – like to clean it up every day or two
- Rubber boots not included – $80 rental fee or bring your own (requires extra luggage charge)
FUN-fact – Svalbard is an archipelago run by Norway but considered international because 100 countries signed a treaty to do business under their jurisdiction. Longyearbyen is the city with an airport on Spitsbergen which is the biggest island.