Small group of Expedition Svalbard cruise guests hike a grassy green bluff overlooking a peaceful fjord on a sunny day.
A purple wildflower rises from the autumnal tundra, seen on an Expedition Svalbard cruise along the shores of Spitsbergen.
2 polar bears amble over silty brown tundra with large swaths of snow in front & behind during the Expedition Svalbard cruise.
Young arctic fox in mottled brown & white bushy fur sits among multicolored tundra during the Expedition Svalbard cruise.
Large group of brown walrus with big tusks lays together on shore as a small blue & white expedition ship sits in the distance.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Expedition Svalbard

From late June through early August, Svalbard basks in the embrace of summer. The magical midnight sun reigns supreme, illuminating slopes adorned with purple saxifrage. As the surrounding ice gradually recedes, it expands the possibilities for exploration, particularly towards the eastern reaches. Whales are more frequently seen in the waters, and more and more snow-free areas open up for longer walks in the pristine wilderness.

Autumn arrives in late August, a time when the snow free landscape is most visible. The midnight sun is brushing the horizon, preparing for the polar night and providing beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect for photography. With 10 nights on board a small and comfortable expedition, enjoy ample time for experiencing the grandeur of nature. 

Passage is aboard one of three sister ships in a fleet of intimate Arctic vessels. The 50-guest Quest offers 5 eager guides, a fleet of Zodiacs, and various unfussy social spaces, fostering exploration, connection and quiet contemplation. The 12-guest MS Sjoveien features a modern maritime interior, good options for solo travelers and a wood-fired hot tub on deck. And 12-guest MS Stockholm offers a chance to step back into time with classic maritime charm and included drinks. Both 12-guest yachts are an AdventureSmith favorite for private charter cruises due to their intimate size.

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



Itinerary

Expedition Svalbard Itinerary

On these summertime departures, sail western, northern and/or eastern Spitsbergen round-trip from Longyearbyen for blooming landscapes teeming with wildlife. Enjoy a pre-cruise overnight in Longyearbyen, for an unhurried embarkation day.

Route map of Expedition Svalbard cruise, operating round-trip from Longyearbyen with possible visits along the western, northern and eastern coast of Spitsbergen.
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Day 1
Arrive Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to the group hotel for a restful night of sleep.

Accommodations

The Vault (Quest departures), Hotel Polarfareren (Sjoveien & Stockholm departures)

Meals

n/a

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Days 2 - 11
Embark Longyearbyen & Expedition Cruising

Explore Longyearbyen on your own before meeting your fellow expedition members and guides for lunch. In the afternoon, board your expedition ship and sail out through Isfjordenthe Arctic expedition has begun! You are now in a part of the world where you are completely dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Your exact itinerary will depend on these factors and on the wildlife encountered. The aim is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and also go ashore when the opportunity arises. Here are some examples of places you may visit:

Northwest Spitsbergen
The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is located in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole. Two other courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. The Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon, and the American journalist Wellman started with an airship. Interesting remnants of these expeditions can still be seen here.

Magnificent Fjords
Svalbard offers countless spectacular fjords to visit. During your cruise, explore a selection of fjords such as:

Liefdefjorden: Meaning “The fjord of love,” Liefdefjorden is lined with snow-capped mountain peaks; hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier here. Many common eiders and pink-footed geese nest in the area and with luck, you may see the rare king eider.

Krossfjorden: Here, enjoy the beautifully sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier and be greeted by the large numbers of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs.

Raudfjorden: This is an area of immense natural beautydominated by magnificent glaciers. It is also a favorite spot for seals, and the bird cliffs are abuzz with activity.

Hinlopen Strait & Alkefjellet
Ice conditions permitting, enter the Hinlopen Strait and find Alkefjellet, an impressive basalt cliff that is home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. The ship may also continue into the beautiful bay of Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.

Eastern Svalbard
The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by a huge ice cap and has fascinated naturalists and historians alike. Here the giant glacier Bråsvellbreen stretches for 112 miles (180km)! The 50- to 65-foot (15-20m) high ice edge is punctuated by hundreds of waterfalls. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent scenery and vast tundra. There is a good chance of seeing walrus, arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer.

Southwest Spitsbergen
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day you can see the summit of the highest mountain, Hornsundtind, at nearly 4,700 feet (1,431m). Hornsund is a favorite haunt of some of Svalbard’s polar bears, and bearded seals can often be seen resting on the fjord ice.

Accommodations

Quest, Sjoveien, Stockholm

Meals

lunch (day 2); breakfast, lunch & dinner (days 3-11/13)

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Day 12
Disembark Longyearbyen, Svalbard

In the morning, leave the ship in Longyearbyen and begin your journey home.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

1 pre-cruise night in a hotel in Longyearbyen, 10 nights on board the vessel indicated in the itinerary, lunch on Day 2, all meals on board, coffee and tea, an experienced expedition leader and knowledgeable guides, guiding ashore and talks on board, all excursions and activities, airport transfers (if passengers arriving and departing via operator-recommended flights), taxes, port fees and AECO fees.

Exclusions

Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; travel and cancellation insurance, and insurance of any kind; gratuity to the ship’s crew; and personal expenses such as bar and shop charges.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost 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 181 days – full refund, minus a 15% administration fee
180 to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 t0 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 Expedition Svalbard cruise begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Norway (LYR). Longyearbyen is only accessed via flights from Oslo, Norway (OSL). Some flights arrive very early in the morning, before standard hotel check-in; in these cases, we recommend booking an extra hotel night or arranging a day room option. We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues.

Plan flights to arrive to Longyearbyen anytime on Day 1 of the itinerary. Disembarkation is from 8:00-9:00am on Day 9 of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Longyearbyen no earlier than 12:00pm Noon on Day 9. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page. Additionally, the cruise operator offers group flights between Oslo, Norway and Longyearbyen—inquire with your Adventure Specialist for details.

Activities

There are no added-cost activities available on your Expedition Svalbard cruise. Guided shore excursions, walks, wildlife spotting and Zodiac cruises are included in the fare and will be offered to all passengers during each voyage. Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Single cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy at roughly 1.7x the perperson listed rate (your Adventure Specialist can confirm). Single travelers wishing to book on a “sharing basis” may do so at no additional cost in Twin categories upon availability.

Families & Children

Children 12 years and older at time of travel are welcomed on this cruise. There are no child discounts. On board MS Quest, by special request, families of 4 may be able to share a triple cabin for quad occupancy—inquire with your Adventure Specialist for details.

Travel Insurance

Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip (the ship operator does not have a required minimum, so it’s recommended to discuss the appropriate coverage with your insurance company). Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. 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

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditionswildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

The 12-guest MS Sjoveien & MS Stockholm ships are AdventureSmith favorites for private charter. Contact us for charter pricing and details.

Jul 01 - Jul 12, 2025
MS Sjoveien • 12 days
From $11390USD
Per Person
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Jul 11 - Jul 22, 2025
MS Stockholm • 12 days
From $12090USD
Per Person
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Jul 12 - Jul 23, 2025
Quest • 12 days
From $8790USD
Per Person
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Jul 21 - Aug 01, 2025
MS Stockholm • 12 days
From $12090USD
Per Person
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Jul 31 - Aug 11, 2025
MS Stockholm • 12 days
From $12090USD
Per Person
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Aug 10 - Aug 21, 2025
MS Stockholm • 12 days
From $12090USD
Per Person
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Aug 11 - Aug 22, 2025
Quest • 12 days
From $8790USD
Per Person
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Aug 20 - Aug 31, 2025
MS Stockholm • 12 days
From $12090USD
Per Person
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Aug 20 - Aug 31, 2025
MS Sjoveien • 12 days
From $11390USD
Per Person
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Aug 21 - Sep 01, 2025
Quest • 12 days
themed trip icon of a blue bird flying
From $8790USD
Per Person
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Aug 30 - Sep 10, 2025
MS Sjoveien • 12 days
From $11390USD
Per Person
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Sep 09 - Sep 20, 2025
MS Sjoveien • 12 days
From $11390USD
Per Person
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Accommodations

Learn About the Small Ships on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Quest

Come aboard the 50-guest M/S Quest—one of the most intimate expedition ships cruising the Arctic. Enjoy generous social spaces and a strong sense of onboard camaraderie on this classic ice breaker.

Yacht
MS Sjoveien

Carrying a maximum of 12 guests, MS Sjoveien (“hwer-vye-en") is the smallest Arctic ship in AdventureSmith's selection. Come aboard in Svalbard for a truly intimate experience rivaling that of a riverboat, but instead sailing among icebergs.

Yacht
MS Stockholm

Step back in time aboard the 12-guest MS Stockholm, for a Svalbard voyage complemented by classic maritime charm. From one of the first passenger ships cruising Svalbard, explore the most narrow Arctic channels in an intimate group, with upscale food and included beverages to enhance the experience.

Expert Review

Reviews From Our Experts So You Know What To Expect

Arielle Lightcap • January 7th, 2020
Expert Review: What to Expect on a Polar Bear Cruise

A travel expert lends her Arctic cruise insight on what you can expect aboard a small ship polar bear cruise in the Arctic Svalbard region.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

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