Mother polar bear with 2 cubs walks on pack ice at the water's edge on a sunny day during the Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear Cruise.
2 arctic fox cubs peer over a grassy knoll near gray rocks during the Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear Cruise.
White expedition ship Greg Mortimer sits in calm icy water by snow-covered peaks as travelers kayak & Zodiac cruise nearby.
Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear Cruise guests in red life jackets & blue coats sit in Zodiac & cruise among snowy peaks.
Tandem kayakers in red & yellow boats sit atop glassy water beside tall, rocky cliffs on a sunny day in Spitsbergen.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear Cruise

On this 8-day Polar Expedition, focus on the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago. Polar Expeditions prioritize the experience over the itinerary, adapting daily to offer the optimal experience per weather, wildlife, tides and ice conditions.

Slice through pack ice to find walrus and bearded seals, and sail along spectacular fjords surrounded by jagged mountains that pierce the sky. Keep your eyes peeled for the regal polar bears hunting on ice while guillemots nest in high cliffs away from the hungry jaws of arctic foxes. Stretch your legs on walks across tundra and discover historical camps of explorers and hunters.

Check off a number of bucket list items on this adventure. Venture close to 80 degrees north, searching for polar bears on pack ice. Discover the thrill of spotting walrus, seals, reindeer, arctic fox, guillemots and puffins. Cruise along blue glacier fronts and through stunning fjords. And enjoy tundra hikes amid stunningly beautiful scenery.

Adventure-ready polar expedition ship Greg Mortimer offers state-of-the-art design and technology, plus excursion-minded preparation rooms and multiple boarding platforms for efficient embarkation and disembarkation. This small ship averages 132 guests, with an educational and engaged team of expedition guides providing programming aimed at immersion into the surrounding polar wilds.

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



Itinerary

Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear Itinerary

This 8-day Polar Expedition cruise operates round-trip from Oslo, Norway, with charter flights to embark and disembark in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

Route map of the Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear Cruise round-trip from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, bookended by flights from/to Oslo, Norway.
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Day 1
Arrive Oslo, Norway

Having made your way to Oslo, be met by a ship representative and transferred to your group hotel. Upon arrival at your included hotel, please visit the hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with the ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine, withdraw cash or purchase last-minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.

Accommodations

Radisson Blu Airport Hotel (or similar)

Meals

n/a

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Day 2
Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard & Embark

This morning, please ensure your cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags clearly labelled with your name and cabin number. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your charter flight to Longyearbyen for embarkation. Any valuables or personal items should be kept on you throughout the day.

In Longyearbyen, explore the town on a guided excursion tour. On the drive to Camp Barentz, located in Advent Valley, your guide will give you an introduction to Longyearbyen’s fascinating history. Once at Camp Barentz, enjoy a presentation in the large ‘lavvo’ – a traditional building common in northern Norway. You will also have the opportunity to meet the friendly huskies and perhaps pick up some souvenirs. A visit to the Svalbard Museum is included back in town before embarking the vessel in the late afternoon. Note: the excursion is contingent on the arrival time of our charter flight to Longyearbyen.

After the tour, you will be transferred directly to the pier to embark in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as the crew throws the lines and sets sail.

Accommodations

Greg Mortimer

Meals

breakfast, dinner

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Days 3 - 7
Spitsbergen

The island of Spitsbergen is the largest in the Svalbard Archipelago and offers Arctic wilderness at its best. The members of your experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to tailor your day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options, based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and the possibility of encounters with wildlife.

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, stretch your legs on walks across tundra coming out in brightly-colored wildflowers. Visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice. Your expedition team is just as keen as you to find them— they will be on constant watch to spot these inspiring creatures.

If you have chosen an optional activity such as diving or kayaking, you’ll have the option to enjoy the activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you’ll hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating plunge, a memory you’ll savor for years to come.

Accommodations

Greg Mortimer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 8
Disembark Longyearbyen, Norway, Fly to Oslo, Norway & Depart

During the early morning, cruise into Longyearbyen, where you will say farewell your expedition team and fellow passengers upon disembarkation and enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport for your charter flight back to Oslo. Note: the arrival time in Oslo is contingent on the approved allocated slot of the charter flight to and from Longyearbyen, which the ship’s operator expects to receive in February each year.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

All transfers mentioned in the itinerary; one night’s hotel accommodation in Oslo on Day 1 (including breakfast on Day 2); charter flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen; sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen (time permitting), prior to embarkation on Day 2; group transfer from ship to airport in Longyearbyen on Day 12; onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service; all meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage; beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner; all shore excursions; educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team; complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult); a 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket; complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage; comprehensive pre-departure information; port surcharges, permits and landing fees; WiFi (where connection is possible); crew gratuities (suite guests only).

Exclusions

International or domestic flights, unless specified in the itinerary; transfers not mentioned in the itinerary; airport arrival or departure taxes; passport, visa and vaccination charges; travel insurance, emergency evacuation charges or personal insurance (required); hotels and meals not included in itinerary; optional excursions not included in the itinerary; optional activity surcharges; all items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses or phone charges; automatic crew gratuities of $15 per person, per day (non-suite guests) which may be removed or amended at the end of the cruise.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a nonrefundable deposit of $2,500 is required per person at time of booking (additional nonrefundable $250 deposit is required for optional activities). 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:
91 days or more – 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 Spitsbergen: Realm of the Ice Bear Cruise begins and ends in Oslo, Norway (OSL). 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 Oslo anytime Day 1. An arrival transfer to the group hotel is included. Plan flights to depart Oslo no earlier than 12:00pm noon on disembarkation day. A group transfer from the pier to the airport is included following disembarkation. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Internal Flights

Group charter flights between Oslo, Norway and Longyearbyen, Svalbard are required on this trip’s itinerary and are included in the listed per-person cabin rates. Transfers between the airport and the ship for these charter flights are included. Luggage weight limits for each charter flight is 50lbs for a checked bag, carry-on bags must be under 10 inches by 18 inches by 22 inches (26 cm x 46 cm x 56 cm) with a max weight of 22lbs/10kg.

Activities

Birdwatching, walking, Zodiac cruising, photography tips, lectures, a polar plunge & all trips ashore are included in the rate. Various optional activities may be available, with per-person prices starting at: kayaking $690(2025) or $595(2026). For the kayaking program, join 20 like-minded paddlers (in small groups of 10 per guide) to fully experience nature at its wildest. Please contact AdventureSmith for details on which activities are available on your specific departure date and to reserve space with your booking.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at a 50% supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Starting April of 2026, select double-occupancy cabins are available with no single supplement; inquire with your Adventure Specialist for details and availability. Solo travelers willing to share may be matched with a person of the same gender, and if the other cabin berth goes unsold, will only pay the standard double-occupancy rate.

Families & Children

Kids 8 years and older are welcomed aboard all departure dates. Children between 8-17 years of age must pay the adult price of the expedition.

Travel Insurance

A medical form for all travelers, signed by their doctor, is required for every departure. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum required coverage of $250,000 USD per person, covering medical, accident and repatriation/emergency evacuation, as well as baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of holiday. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. 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

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

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Jun 16 - Jun 23, 2025
Greg Mortimer • 8 days
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From $12295USD
Per Person
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Jun 11 - Jun 18, 2026
Greg Mortimer • 8 days
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From $13895USD
Per Person
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brown kayaking icon depicting offered kayaking activity Kayaking
Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Greg Mortimer

The Greg Mortimer is a new, icebreaker polar expedition ship. Carrying an average of 132 guests, this small ship features a unique bow designed for efficiency. It features active programming with adventure gear for backcountry skiing, polar diving, snowshoeing, climbing and kayaking.

Deals

Current Deals on This Trip

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Offer expires June 30th, 2025
Save Up To 25% On Select 2026 Arctic Expedition Cruises

Early birds! Save up to 25% off when you book your select 2026 Arctic expedition cruise aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle.

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Offer expires June 30th, 2025
Save Up to 25% + $2,000 Air Credit On Select 2025 Arctic Expedition Cruises

Save up to 25% + $2,000 in air credit per person when you book your select 2025 Arctic expedition cruise aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle.

Expert Reviews

Reviews from Our Experts So You Know What to Expect

Todd Smith • January 19th, 2021
Expert Aboard: Sylvia Earle & Greg Mortimer Ship Review

Read a detailed ship review about the identical polar sister ships Greg Mortimer & Sylvia Earle and what they offer travelers. Our expert has been aboard and writes this from his firsthand experience.

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.

Our experts will save you hours.

A single conversation with us is worth hours of internet scrolling. Find your next best trip with ease, then book with the confidence of our 20+ year experience.

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