Following the west Spitsbergen Current to the western Norway Current, out of Svalbard, past Bjoroya, and back to mainland Norway, National Geographic Endurance sighted land shortly after breakfast. Our first objective of the day was to cruise the scenic bird cliffs of Fugloya. We spotted razorbills, puffins, and even white-tailed eagles amongst the chaotic hubbub of thousands of nesting seabirds. We docked at Tromso, one of the largest cities in northern Norway. Tromso is home to many times the number of people we’ve seen since Oslo. Touring the town with local guides was enlightening and enriching. Back onboard, we watched the ship cast off from the dock as we set off through the fjords and islands of Norway’s dynamic coastline.
6/10/2025
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National Geographic Resolution
Liefdefjorden, Northern Spitsbergen, Svalbard
National Geographic Resolution awakened in the calm embrace of Liefdefjorden, the fjord's surface as still and soft as a cottony mirror. Guests had the choice of exploring the serene waters by kayak or enjoying the breathtaking sight of tidewater glaciers during a Zodiac cruise. The reflections on the water were truly stunning, offering yet another rich and unique perspective on the magic of Svalbard. The air was alive with birdlife such as king eiders, long-tailed ducks, great skuas, and arctic terns circled above and settled on ancient moraines, adding life and sound to the Arctic stillness. For the adventurous, the legendary polar plunge was on offer, an exhilarating dive into the icy waters. Seven-year-old Tulia, full of spirit, even jumped several times alongside her father, Kimmo! After another epic lunch onboard, guests gathered for a disembarkation briefing followed by an inspiring lecture from National Geographic photographer Sergio Pitamitz, who shared stories from his ongoing work in visual storytelling. Later, once the relaxing wine and cheese teatime came to its end, a pod of white-beaked dolphins unexpectedly appeared, breaching near the ship and playfully, inviting the guests to the bridge, once again. Once the marine mammals left, delaying the start of the captain’s farewell cocktail, all guests and staff members enjoyed the emotional slideshow put together by Giulia Ciampini with all the pictures collected from our 14-day adventure.
