Last week history was made as Poseidon Expedition successfully carried out a direct crossing between Svalbard and Franz Josef Land – and back again. This route shortens the sailing distance between Svalbard and Russia considerably than when sailing via mainland Russia, and is a cruise many Arctic operators plan to organize as soon as Russian authorities gives general authorization.
http://www.expeditioncruising.com/2015/07/poseidon-expeditions-sea-spirit-in.html