Franz Josef Land (Arctic Russia)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Arctic - Antarctica
Local Time
2024-10-05 22:26
-8°C
1.6 m/s
6 °F / -14 °C
Franz Josef Land (aka Franz Joseph Land) is a Russian Arctic archipelago located in northern Asia (Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Kara Sea). The archipelago consists of a total of 191 islands, which are inhabited by Russian military personnel only.
The islands cover a total land area of 16134 km2 (6229 mi2) stretching east to west 375 km (233 mi) and north to south 234 km (145 mi). The archipelago is divided into three groups (western, central, eastern) separated by two sea channels - British Channel and Austrian Strait. The central group is divided into northern and southern (divided by Markham Strait). The largest islands are George Land (total area 2741 km2 / 1058 mi2), Wilczek Land (2203 km2 / 851 mi2), Graham Bell (1557 km2 (601 mi2) and Alexandra (1095 km2 / 423 mi2).
Cape Fligely (Rudolf Island) is the Eastern Hemisphere's northernmost point. Franz Josef Land islands have a total of 4425 km (2750 mi) coastline. The archipelago's highest elevation point is on Wilczek Land (670 m / 2200 ft above sea level). The archipelago was first discovered in 1865 by Norwegian sailors but was first reported in 1873 during a North Pole expedition. The area was named after Franz Joseph I of Austria (1830-1916).
Franz Josef Land was annexed by the USSR (Soviet Union) in 1926 when were settled several Russian research outposts (military bases). After WW2 (1939-1945) were built military airfields (on Alexandra Land and Graham Bell Island) and the archipelago was closed off for foreigners until 1990. Since April 1994, the archipelago is a nature reserve park, part of the Russian Arctic National Park. Franz Josef Land has rare marine mammals, including 3 seal species, walruses, whales (Minke, humpback, beluga, fin, orca and narwhales).
In 2012, the Graham Bell Airfield was reopened for military purposes.
Cruise travel to Franz Josef Land is very limited as the archipelago has no infrastructure to support it and these islands can only be reached by an icebreaker ship. Typically, these Arctic cruises are operated with departures from Murmansk. The first tourist landings (8) were made in 2012. The most common is the 3-week (21-day) North Pole cruise itinerary offered by the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy stopping here en-route.
The most popular polar cruising destinations here are bird cliffs and the walrus colonies on Northbrook Island (Cape Flora) and Hooker Island (Cape Rubini). Another destination are the Nansen's hut remains (Jackson Island). Cruise passengers are commonly landed by the icebreaker's helicopter.
In September 2016, Franz Josef Land was visited by the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ship Hanseatic (now Heritage Adventurer) as part of its "Northeast Passage" itinerary (CruiseMapper news link).
Franz Josef Land tours, shore excursions, hotels
City Tours and Shore Excursions
Alexandra Land
- Cruise Industry
PONANT’s icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot becomes first to set foot on North Pole of Inaccessibility
Le Commandant Charcot has achieved a historic maritime milestone, becoming the first vessel to reach the North Pole of Inaccessibility under the...
September 23, 2024 - Accidents
Poseidon Expeditions cancels Summer 2022 polar programs in Russian territorial waters
Poseidon Expeditions (fleet) announced that it had cancelled its Summer 2022 polar programs in Russian territorial waters. This affects a total of 7...
March 20, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Scenic Cruises to visit all 7 continents in 2023-2024 season
The ultra-luxury, full all-inclusive travel brand Scenic Yacht Cruises introduced its 2023-2024 itinerary collection. With the introduction of...
January 13, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Poseidon Expeditions restarts North Pole icebreaker cruises aboard 50 Years of Victory on July 10
Poseidon Expeditions announced the resumption of its North Pole icebreaker cruises aboard the nuclear-powered 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory...
July 3, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Lindblad Expeditions announces new extraordinary adventures
Lindblad Expeditions announced new extraordinary adventures into wildness and the seldom-seen. Each adventure promises epic opportunities, whether...
March 20, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Scenic Cruises introduces new Scenic Eclipse 2022-2023 Worldwide Voyages
The ultra-luxury travel brand Scenic Cruises released Scenic Eclipse yacht’s 2022-2023 program (Worldwide Discovery Voyages) featuring new...
December 8, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Poseidon Expeditions introduces 2022 Arctic and 2022-2023 Antarctic cruise schedule
Announcing the new 2022 Arctic and 2022-2023 Antarctic polar cruise seasons 3 months earlier than usual and unveiling a return to West Greenland for...
October 23, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Quark Expeditions introduces 17 cruises for the Arctic 2022 season
The leader in Polar Adventures, Quark Expeditions, released details of its Arctic 2022 season line-up of cruises that are designed to immerse...
September 6, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Poseidon Expeditions extends Sea Spirit ship's charter through 2024
Poseidon Expeditions announced that it had signed an agreement with shipowner SunStone Ships, Inc. to extend the charter of the 114-passenger cruise...
April 11, 2020 - Cruise Industry
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours Introduces New Russian High Arctic Cruise
Scenic Cruises released a new itinerary to the Russian High Arctic and Novaya Zemlya. "Franz Josef Adventure" is an 18-day cruisetour roundtrip...
February 18, 2020 - show more news