Come aboard the M/S Quest—one of the most intimate expedition ships cruising the Arctic. Enjoy social spaces that encourage camaraderie and a dedicated, experienced team on this classic ice breaker.
Photo by: Adrian Nordenborg
Springtime in Svalbard
Embark one of the smallest Arctic expedition ships, 12-guest MS Balto or 50-guest MS Quest, to experience Svalbard coming to life. Watch for fox, reindeer, walruses and polar bears, while sailing among glittering ice, snow-capped mountains and pastel-colored skies.
May
Jun
FROM
$6,790
USD
PER PERSON
/
Embark the 50-guest MS Quest or 12-guest MS Balto for an unforgettable Arctic cruise through the land of the polar bear and the midnight sun—Svalbard! During the month of May, Svalbard is characterized by a wonderful purity and spectacular scenery. The fairytale winter landscape is dominated by glittering ice formations, snow-capped mountains, fjord ice and pastel-colored skies.
Experience Svalbard coming to life; a time when the Arctic fox and the Svalbard reindeer still wear their winter coats, walruses are often seen resting on the ice floes, and sometimes polar bears walk the ice. Birdlife is beginning to return to Svalbard, and it’s a good time to see king eiders and rock ptarmigans.
Passage is aboard one of two ships. The 50-guest Quest and 12-guest Balto are each one of the smallest Arctic expedition ships that AdventureSmith partners with. Quest’s 5 eager guides and a fleet of Zodiacs delivers a strong expedition cruise. Various unfussy social spaces, combined with a small guest count, provide plenty of opportunities for connection and quiet contemplation. Balto’s mix of classic maritime charm and modern Scandinavian design create cozy and inviting social spaces, plus she features a unique onboard sauna.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Svalbard cruises and widespread Arctic cruises and Arctic trips.
Svalbard in Spring Itinerary
Longyearbyen, SvalbardLongyearbyen, Svalbard
On these special springtime departures, sail western Spitsbergen round-trip from Longyearbyen for icy landscapes and wildlife awakening after a long winter. Enjoy a pre-cruise overnight in Longyearbyen, for an unhurried embarkation day.
Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to the group hotel for a restful night of sleep.
Start your Svalbard adventure by exploring Longyearbyen. In the afternoon, embark your expedition ship and head out through Isfjorden—your Arctic adventure has started! 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. You may make a first excursion before heading south or north, depending on the weather and ice conditions. Here are some examples of places you may visit:
Alkhornet
At the entrance of Isfjorden is the characteristic cliff of Alkhornet. Go ashore to enjoy the beautiful tundra and its birdlife, including barnacle geese, Brünnich’s guillemots, glaucous gulls, snow buntings and tens of thousands of kittiwakes. Arctic foxes are sometimes seen in the rock crevices around the mountain and with a bit of luck you might see these lovely little animals scurrying around, frantically looking for food.
Prins Karls Forland
This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbor seals.
Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden
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. In the nearby Krossfjorden you can admire the beautifully sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier and listen to the sounds of the many kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots that nest on the nearby cliffs.
Raudfjorden
Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty—dominated by magnificent glaciers. It is also a favorite haunt of seals, and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity.
Virgohamna, Danskøya
Danskøya was the starting point for two of the most daring attempts to reach the North Pole. The Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. Interesting remnants of these Arctic expeditions can still be seen here.
Bellsund
At the beautiful Vårsolbukta in Bellsund little auks nest by the tens of thousands. Go ashore and walk across the tundra to get a closer look at these charming birds.
Hornsund
The majestic Hornsund consists of several magnificent fjords along the west coast of Spitsbergen, where huge glaciers calve out shimmering blue ice. This is one of the favorite haunts of some of Svalbard’s polar bears, and you may be lucky enough to spot one on the fjord ice.
In the morning, leave the ship in Longyearbyen and begin your journey home.
Included
1 pre-cruise night in a hotel in Longyearbyen, 7 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, rubber boots on loan for the cruise (starting in 2027), 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 – 15% of total trip cost
180 to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 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 Springtime in 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 Springtime in Svalbard cruise. Snowshoeing (included, with gear) may be offered, depending on weather, and requires a good level of fitness. Additionally, 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
Balto: MS Balto features two dedicated single cabins without a supplement. Double cabins are not available to book for single occupancy, however single travelers wishing to book on a “sharing basis” may do so at no additional cost in the Superior cabin (two twin beds) upon availability.
Quest: In addition to listed Single cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy at roughly 1.7x the per–person 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. 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.
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With only 50 guests, the Quest is one of the smallest expedition ships operating in the Arctic. She offers guests a safe, community-minded and comfortable home base for exploring ice-laden seas. Her panoramic lounge and 360-degree deck space invite guests to capture wildlife, relax and take in the stunning views.
Quest Review
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Quest review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Please read our Quest review below then contact our experts to compare the Quest with other ice-class expedition ships offering Arctic cruises, including cruises to Greenland and Spitsbergen and Svalbard cruises.
The Quest was built in 1992 in Denmark to ferry passengers along Greenland's west coast. The ship was significantly refurbished in 2004-2005 to become a comfortable expedition ship, with further cabin upgrades in 2018. Satellite WiFi, a recent upgrade, is available at added cost.
Choose the Quest for an intimate polar experience. A maximum of only 50 guests creates a strong sense of onboard camaraderie. And her ice-strengthened hull is ideally suited for expedition travel in the Arctic.
Onboard Facilities
The 5-deck Quest expedition ship encourages her guests to become fast friends via a few key common spaces. The Dining Room offers an inviting atmosphere with open seating, encouraging travelers to mix and mingle for each meal. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is a three-course, plated affair. The daily menu offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and other dietary requests are considered with advanced notice. Meals are international and wide-ranging in variety, with common plates such as pasta and Scandinavian dishes always available.
The top deck Panorama Lounge features a 360-degree wall of windows (and ceiling), a well-stocked bar, filtered water, a coffee/tea/hot chocolate machine, cookies, a small library and comfortable viewing chairs bathed in natural light. Onboard lectures detailing the flora, fauna and history of the region are held in this space. Alcohol and soft drinks are available for purchase from the bar and in the dining room during meals.
Further learning can be had while visiting the open Bridge, to watch the captain and officers navigate the challenging ice floes through which the M/S Quest sails. Rounding out the onboard experience are the forward (bow and off-lounge) and aft outdoor observation decks, which enable guests to take in the views and feel the arctic sun and breeze.
Activities & Expeditions
The Quest small ship is crewed by a friendly international group, including an onboard doctor/clinic and five expedition guides—all excited to facilitate an exciting (and comfortable) polar expedition cruise. The 1:6 guide-to-guest ratio ensures plenty of access to knowledgeable guides. The five Zodiac boats on board Quest are loaded and unloaded via a mid-ship side door with a stable drawbridge, and Zodiac groups are divided among guests for language if/as needed. Expect two to three off-ship explorations each day while sailing aboard Quest, including one landing and one Zodiac cruise. The ship's doctor joins most outings, for added security.
Cabins & Quest Deck Plan
All 24 cabins aboard the Quest come equipped with twin beds or a double bed, a view window, reading lamps, a bedside table(s) with four USB charging outlets, a desk, chair, closet, hooks, and a private bathroom with an integrated shower. All cabins are accessed by a sheltered interior hallway.
Access Greenland as few travelers can—from a classy 12-passenger yacht, richly appointed with mahogany wood panels, polished brass, colorful splashes of tile and clean Scandinavian lines. Join likeminded travelers for an intimate arctic expedition with rare amenities such as a sauna and dedicated solo cabins.
MS Balto Ship Review
AdventureSmith Explorations’ MS Balto review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Please read our MS Balto ship review below then contact our experts to compare the M/S Balto with other ice-class expedition ships offering Arctic cruises, including Svalbard cruises and Greenland small ship cruises.
Named after the leading sled dog of the 1925 Nome serum run, MS Balto takes her place at the head of the pack when it comes to small yachts sailing Arctic waters. Built as a Finnish government service vessel to cruise the Baltic Sea, this ship now serves as one of the smallest Greenland passenger yachts that AdventureSmith offers.
Choose the MS Balto for her onboard sauna and dedicated solo cabins—a rarity among Arctic ships this small—as well as her cozy and inviting spaces. This Arctic yacht blends Finnish design with classic maritime charm for an atmosphere that combines history with modern comforts.
Onboard Facilities
The MS Balto invites her 12 or fewer guests to relax and recharge in warm social spaces, including a sauna, saloon, dining room and open Bridge. Outside, the Main and Top Decks feature various spaces to take in the sea breeze and spy for arctic wildlife. Indoors, the Lower Deck's Finnish-inspired wooden sauna and neighboring cold shower offers a pleasant way to warm up after chilly off-ship excursions.
An elegant saloon bar with crotch-mahogany paneling harkens back to an era of opulence and grace. Enjoy a warm drink or spirit with fellow guests from a plush wraparound couch or small wooden table, surrounded by historic photos from the ship's storied past. Warm your hands beside a cast iron stove while taking in views of the icy polar wilds outside the ship's large view windows.
The rustic dining room blends seamlessly with the saloon via a half-wall. All 12 guests are treated to international dishes in a casual atmosphere with unassigned seating. The onboard chef is prepared to dazzle, as well as accommodate many specialty diets such as vegan and vegetarian. A coffee and tea station accompanies a small library for unwinding between off-ship activities.
Activities & Expeditions
An international crew of 7 attends to daily meals, housekeeping and navigation. One guide for each 6 guests plans and executes twice-daily off-ship excursions by Zodiac boat and on land. The privileged group size of up to 12 guests means that activities from MS Balto are more flexible and can go longer—think exploring narrow fjords, remote anchorages and Inuit settlements.
Cabins & MS Balto Deck Plan
All of MS Balto's 7 cabins open to the exterior, for easy deck access. Each cabin offers a private bathroom with shower, 1-2 non-convertible lower beds, a wooden desk, leather chair and storage closet. Modern pops of color mix with muted maritime tones in the textiles, walls and tile of the ship's cabins, for a feel that's both classic and modern, charming and eclectic. Cabins offer either windows or portholes, some of which open.
Access Greenland as few travelers can—from a classy 12-passenger yacht, richly appointed with mahogany wood panels, polished brass, colorful splashes of tile and clean Scandinavian lines. Join likeminded travelers for an intimate arctic expedition with rare amenities such as a sauna and dedicated solo cabins.
MS Balto Ship Review
AdventureSmith Explorations’ MS Balto review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Please read our MS Balto ship review below then contact our experts to compare the M/S Balto with other ice-class expedition ships offering Arctic cruises, including Svalbard cruises and Greenland small ship cruises.
Named after the leading sled dog of the 1925 Nome serum run, MS Balto takes her place at the head of the pack when it comes to small yachts sailing Arctic waters. Built as a Finnish government service vessel to cruise the Baltic Sea, this ship now serves as one of the smallest Greenland passenger yachts that AdventureSmith offers.
Choose the MS Balto for her onboard sauna and dedicated solo cabins—a rarity among Arctic ships this small—as well as her cozy and inviting spaces. This Arctic yacht blends Finnish design with classic maritime charm for an atmosphere that combines history with modern comforts.
Onboard Facilities
The MS Balto invites her 12 or fewer guests to relax and recharge in warm social spaces, including a sauna, saloon, dining room and open Bridge. Outside, the Main and Top Decks feature various spaces to take in the sea breeze and spy for arctic wildlife. Indoors, the Lower Deck's Finnish-inspired wooden sauna and neighboring cold shower offers a pleasant way to warm up after chilly off-ship excursions.
An elegant saloon bar with crotch-mahogany paneling harkens back to an era of opulence and grace. Enjoy a warm drink or spirit with fellow guests from a plush wraparound couch or small wooden table, surrounded by historic photos from the ship's storied past. Warm your hands beside a cast iron stove while taking in views of the icy polar wilds outside the ship's large view windows.
The rustic dining room blends seamlessly with the saloon via a half-wall. All 12 guests are treated to international dishes in a casual atmosphere with unassigned seating. The onboard chef is prepared to dazzle, as well as accommodate many specialty diets such as vegan and vegetarian. A coffee and tea station accompanies a small library for unwinding between off-ship activities.
Activities & Expeditions
An international crew of 7 attends to daily meals, housekeeping and navigation. One guide for each 6 guests plans and executes twice-daily off-ship excursions by Zodiac boat and on land. The privileged group size of up to 12 guests means that activities from MS Balto are more flexible and can go longer—think exploring narrow fjords, remote anchorages and Inuit settlements.
Cabins & MS Balto Deck Plan
All of MS Balto's 7 cabins open to the exterior, for easy deck access. Each cabin offers a private bathroom with shower, 1-2 non-convertible lower beds, a wooden desk, leather chair and storage closet. Modern pops of color mix with muted maritime tones in the textiles, walls and tile of the ship's cabins, for a feel that's both classic and modern, charming and eclectic. Cabins offer either windows or portholes, some of which open.
Learn About the Small Ships on Your Itinerary
Access Greenland as few travelers can—from a classy yacht with mahogany wood, polished brass, colorful tile and clean Scandinavian lines. Join likeminded travelers for an intimate Arctic expedition with rare amenities such as a sauna and dedicated single cabins.
Reviews From Our Experts So You Know What To Expect
Expert Review: Polar Quest Svalbard
Tiny ships, big moments. Get our expert's insights into how Polar Quest’s cozy, no-frills vessels (12-50 guests) deliver big on raw nature, abundant wildlife, standout guides & authentic adventure in Svalbard.
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.
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