Svalbard Cruises

Explore a pristine realm of countless glaciers, jagged mountains, tranquil fjords, and icy shores where polar bears outnumber humans on an expedition cruise to Svalbard.

Svalbard & Spitsbergen Cruises

Svalbard Cruises takes you to this far north Arctic archipelago above the Arctic Circle, famous for wildlife, historical sites, 2,000 glaciers, six national parks and wilderness hikes that are only accessible by ship on an expedition cruise. Svalbard wildlife is seen from the ship and shore. From polar bears on the sea ice in the north to the sheer ice wall of Nordaustlandet in the remote East and the busy bird cliffs of Alkefjellet with 60,000 pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots.

The season in Svalbard starts in late April and ends in early October. In the early season, you’ll find frozen shores and snow and see Svalbard waking up from a long winter. Summer is best for wildlife, longer expeditions and the midnight sun. You can do a Spitsbergen cruise or combine it with other High Arctic destinations like the North Pole, Greenland and Iceland.

Our polar experts select all our Svalbard cruises to help you find the perfect expedition. We offer the best Svalbard cruises on modern expedition ships so you can explore this icy world in comfort and style.

Best Cruises to Svalbard & Spitsbergen

walrus watching in Svalbard
Small Ship
Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen
Jun 24 - Jul 3 2025
9 Nights

Price from per person

£7,145
Svalbard cruises spitsbergen landscape
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen
June 29 2025 - July 06 2025
7 Nights

Price from per person

£7,700
polar bear in Svalbard
Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen
Jun 17 - Jun 26 2025
9 Nights

Price from per person

£6,605

Svalbard Cruise Highlights

Why Visit?

1

Polar Bear Sightings

Svalbard is one of the best places on Earth to see polar bears roam in their natural habitat. Nothing beats seeing polar bears on the ice from the safety of a ship or Zodiac.

2

Svalbard's mighty glaciers

Zodiac cruise to Svalbard’s many glaciers and watch as big chunks of ice break off into the sea.

3

Wildlife Watching

Spend time on deck or in the Zodiac watching wildlife, which could be polar bears, walruses, Svalbard Reindeer, seals, whales and Arctic foxes, to name a few.

4

Hike in the Arctic landscape

Enjoy the fresh air and scenery on a wilderness hike along Svalbard’s coast, tundra and hillsides.

5

Get Adventurous

Svalbard cruises are the perfect opportunity to do an optional activity in the wild nature, like kayaking or more extended hiking.

6

Small Ship Experience

Join like-minded travellers and experience Svalbard in a small group on a new generation of ice-strengthened small expedition ships.

What To See On A Cruise To Svalbard

Walruses in Svalbard Spitsbergen resting on ice

Wildlife

Svalbard is home to an abundance of Arctic wildlife, including over 80 species of birds, rich marine life, including walruses, beluga whales, bearded and ringed seals, and whales. On land, one-of-a-kind Svalbard Reindeer, Arctic Foxes, and polar bears are frequently seen.

glaciers in Svalbard and Spitsbergen

Glaciers

Svalbard’s landscape has 2000 calving glaciers, many of which still reach the sea where their gigantic glaciers fronts are a sight to behold whilst Zodiac cruising.

history in Svalbard Ny Alesund

Historical Sites

From abandoned mines and settlements to remnants of whaling settlements and the race to the North Pole, Svalbard is for any polar history enthusiast.

Visit the Arctic A Zodiac in Arctic in Spitsbergen

Arctic Landscape

With snowy mountains, ice caps, majestic fjords, the Arctic Ocean, and landscapes as old as time, Svalbard is a place of untouched and beautiful scenery.

Getting to Your Svalbard Cruise

Outside Longyearbyen, Svalbard is wilderness with no roads. The best way to visit Svalbard and explore the archipelago is on an expedition cruise with a team of expert guides.

You have two your Svalbard voyage. The first is to fly directly to Svalbard and join a cruise in Longyearbyen. This option removes the need to cross the sea, and you can make the most of your time in the archipelago’s wilderness. Svalbard’s unique position as a gateway to Arctic exploration underlines its connection to mainland Norway and its cultural and geographical ties.

The second option is to sail to Svalbard on an expedition cruise from other Arctic destinations like Iceland, Greenland, Jan Mayen or mainland Norway.

Longyearbyen, the gateway to Svalbard, is easy to reach for cruises starting in this Arctic heaven. Daily flights to Oslo, Norway, make it a seamless connection, and cruises departing Longyearbyen often include a charter flight to make it a stress-free experience.

Our Travel Experience Team has years of experience planning Svalbard tours and will help you reach the departure port if you are cruising to Svalbard. Cruises often depart from Iceland and Norway, which have good international air connections.

Svalbard Cruises: When To Go

The season for Svalbard cruises is from May to September, which is summer in the Arctic. During these months, you’ll have 24 hours of daylight, milder temperatures and wildlife at its most active. This is also the best time to explore the polar regions where expedition ships, from small yachts to larger ice-strengthened vessels, offer experiences tailored to these remote areas.

You can choose the best month to cruise Svalbard and Spitsbergen and plan your trip according to your preferences.

May and June offer the opportunity to see Svalbard as it wakes up from winter, with snowy landscapes, sea ice, and the midnight sun. Routes are shorter during this time due to the sea ice, and shore landings often involve snowshoeing.

July and August are the best summer months for wildlife lovers. The bird cliffs are busy, and walruses are making their presence known on remote beaches. This is the time for longer voyages to the East, as the sea ice has melted, and you can hike ashore.

As autumn arrives, Spitsbergen reveals its beauty with long sunrises and sunsets and golden light that will make photographers go crazy. The sea ice has moved further north, the farthest reaches of Svalbard are open, and the snow is back, adding a touch of wilderness.

Types of Svalbard Cruises

Luxury Cruises To Svalbard

Explore majestic nature on a luxury cruise to Svalbard—a first-class expedition ship in high comfort.

Svalbard & North Pole Icebreaker Cruises

Luxury Icebreaker cruises offer a unique chance to cruise Svalbard and the Geographic North Pole.

Svalbard Small Ships Cruises

A small A small ship cruise is perfect for wildlife lovers, photographers or outdoor enthusiasts who want to spend more time in nature.

Places To Explore On A Svalbard Cruise

Nodaustlandet on a Svalbard cruise

Nordaustlandet

The second largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, Nordaustlandet, is on the remote east coast. It is home to the Austfonna ice cap and its meltwater waterfalls.
Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen

The northernmost town on Earth, Longyearbyen, has excellent museums about polar exploration and sound hotels, bars and restaurants.
Monaco Glacier on a Svalbard cruise

Monaco Glacier

One of Svalbard’s 2,000 glaciers, the Monaco Glacier is a wall of jagged ice that calves during summer. It is a great sight from a Zodiac at a safe distance.
Alkefjellet Bird Cliffs Hinlopen Strait on A Svalbard Cruise

Hinlopen Strait

A strait of water between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, home to the Alkefjellet bird cliffs and good wildlife-watching opportunities. A great place to see a polar bear.
Hornsund in Svalbard on an expedition cruise with PONANT

Hornsund

A deep fjord on southern Spitsbergen, Hornsund is known for its rugged cliffs, dramatic mountains, national park and countless glaciers.
history in Svalbard Ny Alesund

Ny Alesund

A research settlement on Spitsbergen, one of the northernmost settlements in the world, is where Amundsen’s airship mast from the first flight to the North Pole still stands.

Why Choose North Pole Cruises For Your Svalbard Cruise?

We have visited Svalbard over 20 times and we know Spitsbergen inside out. We have a great understanding of cruising around the Norwegian archipelago and can offer you the best advice to help you plan your Svalbard expedition.

 

We offer a free consultation and expert advice based on our first hand experience at no extra cost.

 

Our travel experience team will find you the best price for your Svalbard expedition. We don't charge you any extra for our services.

 

We include 100% financial protection at no extra cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

The price of a Svalbard cruise varies depending on several factors, including the ship size, the level of luxury, the itinerary, the number of guests, the time of year, and the length of your chosen itinerary. As a rule of thumb, prices per person start from £1,000 ($1274, €1152) per person per night for an expedition cruise to Svalbard.

Yes, we offer no single supplement on selected Svalbard cruises. Our Travel Experience Team has access to the best offers for solo travellers. 

We recommend you contact us with your requirements, and we can help you find the best no-single supplement Svalbard cruise for you.

Polar bears are frequently spotted throughout Svalbard during the summer, on the shore and the sea ice to the north. Svalbard is one of the best places on Earth to see polar bears in the wild. The Barents Sea region is home to over 2000 polar bears, and Svalbard is the destination we recommend the most for wildlife in the Arctic.

As Svalbard is a wilderness, polar bear sightings can never be guaranteed, although all the ships we work with have highly trained guides and wildlife spotters onboard to maximise your chances of seeing polar bears.

If seeing polar bears is one of your goals, we recommend a more extended, in-depth trip to explore Svalbard, as this will increase the opportunities to see polar bears.

If you need assistance, our Travel Experience Team is here to help you find the right cruise.

The weather on a Svalbard cruise can vary depending on the time of year you plan to visit. Svalbard is in the high Arctic region, and its climate is known for cold temperatures, although it is milder than most people imagine during the summer cruising months. 

Summer (June to August):

This is the most popular time for cruises as the temperatures are relatively mild, ranging from 0 to 7 degrees Celsius (32 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit). During this period, daylight lasts almost 24 hours, providing an opportunity to see wildlife and stunning landscapes. However, be prepared for chilly conditions, such as fog and rain.

Spring (April to May) and Fall (September to October):

During these transitional seasons, temperatures can range from -10 to 5 degrees Celsius (14 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). The ice and snow begin to melt in spring, and there’s a chance to witness wildlife awakening. Fall brings cooler temperatures, the potential for northern lights, and the possibility of more ice.

Regardless of the season, it is essential to dress in layers, bring waterproof gear, and prepare for cold and potentially wet conditions. 

During the reservation process, we will provide you with a complete packing list to prepare you for the weather conditions on your Svalbard cruise.

Our Svalbard cruises include accommodation in your choice of well-appointed cabin, dining, expert guides, guest lecturers outlined in the itinerary, Zodiac cruises and excursions, and specified charter flights.

Please check the tour page of your chosen itinerary to see a complete list of inclusions.

Financial security is paramount for our clients, so all bookings made through North Pole Cruises include 100% financial protection. We also include supplier failure insurance free of charge for extra peace of mind. This ensures you have the very best protection on your booking. 

When reserving your chosen itinerary, the payment options will be quoted.

Typical payment terms are a 25% deposit when booking to reserve your cabin and the final balance payable 90 days before departure. 

We accept payment via credit card or bank transfer.

Each ship and itinerary offers different activities in Svalbard. Zodiac excursions and shore landings with a team of expert guides are included in the experience for all Svalbard expedition cruises.

Kayaking and extended trekking are available on selected departures. 

During the reservation process, please specify which activities you are interested in, and we will assist you in finding a Svalbard cruise that fits your preferences. 

Depending on your choice, some activities are included in the cost, and others are extra.

Svalbard is home to a diverse array of wildlife, and out of any destination in the Arctic, it is the one we recommend for viewing wildlife. 

To maximise wildlife-viewing opportunities, we recommend a small ship cruise with an extended duration during June, July, and August. These months produce the most sightings when the bird cliffs are most active. 

A longer cruise length offers more opportunities for wildlife sightings.  

If you need help deciding which Svalbard cruise is best for wildlife watching, please get in touch with our Travel Experience Team. They will be happy to advise you.

Svalbard cruises vary between 6 days for a shorter cruise to explore Spitsbergen and ten days for an in-depth circumnavigation of Svalbard. Longer cruises that visit other Arctic destinations such as Greenland, Iceland and Norway are up to 21 days long. 

We have many Svalbard cruises available and can help you find one that matches your ideal length.

We recommend planning your Svalbard cruise a year in advance to ensure you get your preferred choice of ship and cabin. We usually have last-minute availability on select departures for late bookers.

Please get in touch with our Travel Experience Team to find out about last-minute availability.

The first step to reserving your Svalbard cruise is to contact our Travel Experience Team, who will be happy to help you with your itinerary and provide details about availability and pricing for your selected voyage.

Do you need help planning your expedition cruise?

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