Blue & white superyacht Aqua Lares sits in calm sea near to brown, fat walrus laying on a sandy shoreline in the sunshine.
Mother polar bear & 2 cubs, all in white fur, stand on shoreline & eat off a rock with gray & brown boulders behind in the Arctic,
Aerial view of a Zodiac small tender vessel cruising in icy teal sea beside a glacier & snow-covered peaks in Svalbard.
Superyacht Aqua Lares with dark blue hull & multiple decks sits in calm sea beside snowy peaks on a cloudy day in Svalbard.
Aerial view of small ship sitting in bay beside snowy peaks, teal sea & rust-colored outwash in Svalbard, the Arctic.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Aqua Lares Svalbard & the Arctic Circle

Discovering the best of Svalbard can mean taking a new route every week. Weather, sea and ice conditions define every journey, and sailing on board a small ship like Aqua Lares comes with the flexibility to alter course at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s polar bear sightings on a nearby island or migratory whales breaching the water’s surface, the ship’s expert guides and captain are always on the lookout to show you Svalbard at its finest.

The highlights are many on this Svalbard yacht expedition, regardless of route. Observe iconic Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, reindeer and arctic foxes in their natural habitats. Visit historic whaling stations and trapper cabins that reveal the legacy of early Arctic exploration. And sail through dramatic fjords and past calving glaciers, alive with seabirds such as guillemots and Arctic terns.

Sail aboard the luxurious 30-guest Aqua Lares, an ice-strengthened super yacht with more crew than guests, for superior service. Purpose-built for exploration, she features spacious design cabins and a range of social spaces including lounges, an exercise area, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, a sauna, a massage room, and a sundeck. Travelers can enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding Svalbard’s secluded fjords, alongside twice-daily off-ship excursions into the vast Arctic wilderness.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruisesSpitsbergen & Svalbard cruises and Arctic trips.



Itinerary

Svalbard & the Arctic Circle: Itinerary A

The A itinerary is one possible route, operating round-trip from Longyearbyen with unique visits to the Hinlopen Strait’s bird cliffs of Alkefjellet and massive Brasvellbreen glacier, and historic Sorgfjorden.

Route map of Svalbard & the Arctic Circle expedition cruise, round-trip from Longyearbyen with possible visits along the west & north shores & pack ice.
Read More
Day 1
Embark Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Alkehornet

Board Aqua Lares in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world, and settle into your luxurious cabin. In the afternoon, visit Alkehornet, a dramatic bird cliff where thousands of guillemots and kittiwakes nest. The tundra below often attracts grazing reindeer and, with luck, arctic foxes on the prowl.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

dinner

Read More
Day 2
Gravneset & Smeerenburg

Begin the day at Gravneset, a headland surrounded by glaciers and mountains, where a historic whaling cemetery tells tales of early arctic explorers. In the afternoon, your adventure continues to Smeerenburg Fjord and Sorgattet, once the center of 17th-century Dutch whaling. Step ashore at the historic site, surrounded by arctic terns, geese, and the stark beauty of the high Arctic coast.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 3
Pack Ice

After an overnight voyage from Smeerenburg, venture into the drifting pack ice, a silent expanse stretching toward the horizon. Head out on a tender excursion in search of polar bears, bearded seals and ivory gulls in their natural habitat—some of the rarest wildlife encounters on the planet. In the afternoon, take part in a polar plunge and immerse yourself in the frigid Arctic waters.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 4
Alkefjellet & Brasvellbreen

Start the day exploring one of Svalbard’s most famous bird cliffs. Its basalt walls rise steeply from the sea and are home to over 60,000 pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots during the summer breeding season. The cliffs provide nesting ledges for the birds, while arctic foxes and glaucous gulls are often seen below, preying on eggs or chicks. Later in the day, sail along the Bråsvellbreen glacier front, an outlet of the Austfonna ice cap. Stretching nearly 111 miles (180km), this is one of the longest glacier fronts of the northern hemisphere. During summer, meltwater streams pour down its face in striking seasonal waterfalls, a distinctive feature of this vast ice wall.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 5
Hinlopenstretet & Torellneset

In the morning, navigate Hinlopenstretet, the strait separating Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet. The passage is bordered by steep cliffs and several tidewater glaciers, an important summer habitat for Brünnich’s guillemots, which nest on the cliffs, and the waters may hold bearded seals and drifting pack ice. Polar bears are often sighted in this region, particularly along the ice edge. In the afternoon, possibly land at Torellneset, a gravel spit that’s a well-known walrus haul-out site, where groups of Atlantic walrus rest on the beach between feeding bouts in the surrounding shallow waters.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 6
Sorgfjorden

Arrive at Sorgfjorden, located at the northwestern tip of Spitsbergen. The fjord is famous for its dramatic historical events, most notably the naval battle of 1693, when French warships clashed with Dutch whalers. Along its shores, traces of the whaling era remain visible, including graves and blubber ovens from the 17th century. Svalbard reindeer and arctic foxes are sometimes spotted along the shoreline, while walrus may gather at haul-outs near the fjord entrance. In summer, arctic terns, geese and other migratory birds add to the seasonal life of the high Arctic coast.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 7
Krossfjorden & Kongsfjorden

In the morning,  explore Krossfjorden, where the immense Lilliehöökbreen Glacier stretches for more than 7 miles (12km). Seals often haul out on the drifting ice, and flocks of kittiwakes soar above. Later in the day, head onwards to Kongsfjorden, one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and sweeping glaciers, the fjord has long drawn explorers and scientists, its dramatic landscapes offering some of the most striking scenery in the archipelago.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 8
Disembark Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Bid farewell to Aqua Lares and the crew after a hearty breakfast on board.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

All meals while on board; non-alcoholic beverages, house wines and beer; all excursions; laundry; satellite internet (limited connection); complimentary parka to keep; waterproof boots on loan during the cruise.

Exclusions

All air tickets; visas; transfers; spirits and premium wines; spa services, boutique purchases and items of a personal nature; guide and crew gratuities; insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $1,000 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days – full refund except for $500 service charge
120 to 91 days – 100% of deposit
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Svalbard & the Arctic Circle cruise begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (LYR). Plan flights to arrive to Longyearbyen at 7:15pm for the group transfer to the pier for embarkation (7:00-9:00pm). On Day 8, disembarkation in Longyearbyen is at 4:00pm. Plan flights to depart Longyearbyen no earlier than 6:00pm on Day 8. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most any expedition to suit your skill level.  Adventure activities may include: tender rides, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (drysuits provided on board), hikes/walks, a polar plunge and wildlife viewing from the ship.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at a 25% supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Third person sleeping on sofa bed will receive a 20% discount.

Families & Children

Kids 5 years and older are welcomed aboard all departure dates. Save 20% per child under the age of 12 years old. A child under 12 years old sleeping as the third person on a sofa bed pays $830(2026 & 2027) per night.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Svalbard & the Arctic Circle: Itinerary B

The B itinerary is one possible route, operating round-trip from Longyearbyen with unique visits to the peaks and glacier-filled Liefdefjorden and Raudfjord, the historic mining center of Calypsobyen, the small-ship-only site of Van Keulenfjorden, the famous trapper’s cabin at Gnålodden, and the tidewater glaciers of Burgerbukta.

Route map of Svalbard & the Arctic Circle expedition cruise, round-trip from Longyearbyen with possible visits along the west & north shores & pack ice.
Read More
Day 1
Embark Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Alkehornet

Board Aqua Lares in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world, and settle into your luxurious cabin. In the afternoon, visit Alkehornet, a dramatic bird cliff where thousands of guillemots and kittiwakes nest. The tundra below often attracts grazing reindeer and, with luck, arctic foxes on the prowl.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

dinner

Read More
Day 2
Gravneset & Smeerenburg

Begin the day at Gravneset, a headland surrounded by glaciers and mountains, where a historic whaling cemetery tells tales of early arctic explorers. In the afternoon, your adventure continues to Smeerenburg Fjord and Sorgattet, once the center of 17th-century Dutch whaling. Step ashore at the historic site, surrounded by arctic terns, geese, and the stark beauty of the high Arctic coast.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 3
Pack Ice

After an overnight voyage from Smeerenburg, venture into the drifting pack ice, a silent expanse stretching toward the horizon. Head out on a tender excursion in search of polar bears, bearded seals and ivory gulls in their natural habitat—some of the rarest wildlife encounters on the planet. In the afternoon, take part in a polar plunge and immerse yourself in the frigid Arctic waters.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 4
Liefdefjorden & Raudfjord

Sail into Liefdefjorden, a fjord framed by jagged peaks and glaciers that tumble directly into the sea. At the rustic Texas Bar hunter’s hut, join a guided walk across the surrounding tundra, following reindeer trails and taking in glacier-streaked vistas. In the afternoon, continue to Raudfjord, where towering cliffs and blue-tinged glaciers dominate the landscape. Explore the shoreline alive with seabirds, and then venture inland to admire the silent grandeur of this remote Arctic wilderness.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 5
Krossfjorden & Kongsfjorden

In the morning,  explore Krossfjorden, where the immense Lilliehöökbreen Glacier stretches for more than 7 miles (12km). Seals often haul out on the drifting ice, and flocks of kittiwakes soar above. Later in the day, head onwards to Kongsfjorden, one of the most beautiful fjords in Svalbard. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and sweeping glaciers, the fjord has long drawn explorers and scientists, its dramatic landscapes offering some of the most striking scenery in the archipelago.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 6
Calypsobyen & Van Keulenfjorden

Arrive in Bellsund to explore Calypsobyen, once a center of mining and beluga hunting. After lunch on board, head to Van Keulenfjorden, which features steep mountains rising from the sea and landing sites accessible only by small ships such as Aqua Lares. The fjord’s rich history and raw natural beauty combine to create one of Svalbard’s most memorable anchorages.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 7
Gnalodden & Burgerbukta

In the morning, land at Gnålodden, home to one of the best-known trapper’s cabins in Svalbard, set beneath towering cliffs alive with seabirds. The site offers a vivid glimpse into the lives of those who endured the harsh Arctic seasons in this remote wilderness. In the afternoon, sail into Burgerbukta, where massive tidewater glaciers calve into the sea.

Accommodations

Aqua Lares

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Read More
Day 8
Disembark Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Bid farewell to Aqua Lares and the crew after a hearty breakfast on board.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Read More
Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

All meals while on board; non-alcoholic beverages, house wines and beer; all excursions; laundry; satellite internet (limited connection).

Exclusions

All air tickets; visas; transfers; spirits and premium wines; spa services, boutique purchases and items of a personal nature; guide and crew gratuities; insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $1,000 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 121 days – full refund except for $500 service charge
120 to 91 days – 100% of deposit
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Svalbard & the Arctic Circle cruise begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (LYR). Plan flights to arrive to Longyearbyen at 7:15pm for the group transfer to the pier for embarkation (7:00-9:00pm). On Day 8, disembarkation in Longyearbyen is at 4:00pm. Plan flights to depart Longyearbyen no earlier than 6:00pm on Day 8. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most any expedition to suit your skill level.  Adventure activities may include: tender rides, kayaking, hikes/walks, a polar plunge and wildlife viewing from the ship.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at a 25% supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Third person sleeping on sofa bed will receive a 20% discount.

Families & Children

Kids 5 years and older are welcomed aboard all departure dates. Save 20% per child under the age of 12 years old. A child under 12 years old sleeping as the third person on a sofa bed pays $830(2026 & 2027) per night.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

This ship is an AdventureSmith favorite for private charter. Contact us for charter pricing and details.

Jun 13 - Jun 20, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Jun 20 - Jun 27, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Jun 27 - Jul 04, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Jul 04 - Jul 11, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Jul 11 - Jul 18, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Jul 18 - Jul 25, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Jul 25 - Aug 01, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Aug 01 - Aug 08, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Aug 08 - Aug 15, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Aug 15 - Aug 21, 2026
Aqua Lares • 7 days
small ship alternate itinerary icon with a grey background
From $12180USD
Per Person
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Sep 03 - Sep 10, 2026
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14210USD
Per Person
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Jun 05 - Jun 12, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Jun 12 - Jun 19, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Jun 19 - Jun 26, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Jun 26 - Jul 03, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
Read More
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Jul 03 - Jul 10, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
Read More
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Jul 10 - Jul 17, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Jul 17 - Jul 24, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Jul 24 - Jul 31, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Jul 31 - Aug 07, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Aug 07 - Aug 14, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
Read More
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Aug 14 - Aug 21, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
Read More
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Aug 21 - Aug 28, 2027
Aqua Lares • 8 days
From $14910USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Luxury
Aqua Lares

Travel the Arctic and East Africa in sophistication and relaxed luxury aboard the 30-guest Aqua Lares. Enjoy an abundance of social spaces, including an onboard cinema, plus daily off-ship activities and personalized service from her crew of 33.

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