How Much Does a Svalbard Cruise Cost? Complete FAQ Guide

Planning an Arctic adventure to Svalbard? This comprehensive FAQ covers everything you need to know about cruise costs, from budget-friendly options to luxury expeditions, to help you plan your trip to the Arctic wilderness.

At Polar Escapes, we are experts in travelling to Svalbard with the largest portfolio of Svalbard cruises. If you need any assistance planning your Svalbard cruise, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.  

Svalbard Cruise Costs: A Quick Overview

Q: What’s the price range for a Svalbard cruise?

Prices for Svalbard cruises vary from budget-friendly options to luxury ships. The cost per cabin will vary depending on the cruise duration, cabin type, operator and the time of year. Here’s what you can expect:

• Budget Range: Prices start from £2,999-£4,000 for shorter expeditions on classic ships. If you don’t mind a basic ship this could be a good option for you.
• Mid-Range: Prices range from £4,000-£7,000 for a 7-10 day cruise on a small premium ship.
• Luxury: If you are looking for luxury expect to pay from £7,000 – £20,000+ for high-end vessels and suites.

Top Tip: When you book through Polar Escapes, you always get the best price. We offer a best price guarantee, ensuring you get the lowest price for your Svalbard cruise. We pass on all operator savings directly to you in addition to any promotional offers we run.

Duration and Itinerary Costs

Q: How do cruise lengths affect pricing?

Cruise duration is one of the biggest cost factors:

• Short Expeditions (6-8 days): From £3,000-£5,000
• Standard Cruises (9-12 days): £5,000-£8,000
• Extended Expeditions (13-15 days): £8,000+ for 15-day itineraries
• Epic Journeys (16+ days): £9,000 +

Top Tip: To make the most of what Svalbard has to offer, we highly recommend at least a 7-day Svalbard cruise. If seeing Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, Svalbard Reindeer and Arctic foxes, is on your bucket list, a longer 10-day expedition is recommended.

Q: What types of itineraries are available in Svalbard?

At Polar Escapes, we offer a range of itineraries in Svalbard, all on small expedition ships.

• Svalbard Explorer: Explore Western Spitsbergen over 7-10 days. This is the classic Svalbard route and offers excellent chances to see wildlife.
• Svalbard Circumnavigation: This longer voyage offers the chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, the largest island.
• Svalbard Express: A shorter 4-5 day itinerary that explores a smaller section of West Spitsbergen. Perfect for those who are short on time.
• Arctic Combination: Combine Svalbard on a longer voyage with the Norwegian fjords, Iceland or Greenland.
• North Pole: Journey on an icebreaker cruise to the Geographic North Pole.

Expedition Cruise Operator Pricing Breakdown

Q: How do different cruise operators compare on price?

At Polar Escapes, we offer the best prices on all major expedition cruise lines that operate in Svalbard. Here is an overview of some of our best sellers. Please note that the prices displayed here fluctuate and can be used as a guide only.

Quark Expeditions

• Our best-selling polar cruise line since 1991
• Premium pricing for intimate experiences
• Adventure activities and wildlife encounters
• Choose from the ships Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer and World Voyager.
• Prices from £6,404

Hurtigruten/HX Expeditions

• Norwegian heritage and expedition expertise
• Offer some of the lowest prices and shortest trips
• Both traditional coastal voyages and modern expedition ships
• Price from £5,100

Swan Hellenic

• 8-day Svalbard luxury cruises
• Premium positioning with cultural enrichment focus
• Higher price point for luxury amenities
• Prices from £5,725

Cabin Categories and Pricing

Q: How much do different cabin types cost?

Your choice of cabin will have a significant impact on the overall cost of your trip. Its worth noting you spend a lot of time outside of your cabin in Svalbard.

Interior/Porthole Cabins

• Entry-level pricing
• Expect to pay 30-50% less than balcony cabins.
• Limited natural light and not ideal if you suffer from seasickness.
• Budget cabins often sell out first so advanced booking is highly recomende.

Balcony/Outside Cabins

• Most popular choice
• Private outdoor space for viewing
• Expect to pay 20-30% premium over interior cabins
• A great to choice to make the most of the epic polar scenery.

Junior Suites

• More space and upgraded amenities
• 50-75% premium over standard cabins
• Often includes perks like priority boarding

Owner’s/Premium Suites

• Luxury accommodations
• 100-200% premium pricing
• Butler service, private dining options

Top Tip: No matter what your preferences, from budget to luxury, the team at Polar Escapes will help you find the best cabin for your budget.  

Seasonal Price Variations

Q: When are Svalbard cruises most and least expensive?

Peak Season (July-August)

• Highest prices due to best weather
• Best wildlife viewing
• Midnight sun period
• 20-40% premium over shoulder seasons

Shoulder Season (June, September)

• Moderate pricing
• Good weather with some variability
• Fewer crowds, good value

Early/Late Season (May, October)

• Lowest prices available
• Weather can be challenging
• Limited operator schedules
• 20-30% savings possible

To learn more about the differences between months in Svalbard, please see our guide Best Time to Visit Svalbard.

What’s Included vs. Extra Costs

Q: What’s typically included in the cruise price?

Included:

• All meals and snacks
• Zodiac landings and excursions
• Expert naturalist guides
• Educational lectures
• Basic expedition gear (parkas, boots)
• Port taxes and fees

Additional Costs to Budget:

• International flights to/from the departure port. Some itineraries include a charter flight to Longyearbyen.
• Pre/post cruise accommodation
• Alcoholic beverages (varies by operator)
• Gratuities (£10-15 per person per day)
• Optional activities such as kayaking
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees if required
• Personal gear and souvenirs

Special Offers

Q: Where can I find deals on Svalbard cruises?

At Polar Escapes, we have access to all the best deals on Svalbard cruises. To find the best price, we highly recommend contacting us.

Here is our top advice for saving on Svalbard cruises:

Early Booking Discounts

• Book 12-18 months in advance for the best prices and best availability of cabins.
• Some operators offer up to £2,000 off on early bird deals.

Last-Minute Deals

• 60-90 days before departure
• Limited cabin selection
• Save 15-25% off the brochure price
• Last minute savings are often lost with last minute flight prices.

Repeat Customer Programs

• Many operators offer loyalty discounts
• 5-10% off future cruises

Group Bookings

• 8+ people
• Free cabin upgrades

Budgeting

Q: How much should I budget for a Svalbard cruise?

Total Trip Budget Formula:

• Cruise: 60-70%
• Flights: 15-20%
• Pre/post accommodation: 5-10%
• Meals ashore: 3-5%
• Gear and extras: 5-10%
• Travel insurance: 2-3%

Example Budget (10-day cruise):

• Premium cruise: £7,000
• Flights: £1,000
• Hotels (2 nights): £400
• Travel insurance: £300
• Gear and extras: £250
• Total: £8,950

Booking

Q: When should I book my Svalbard cruise?

Best Booking Timeline:

• 12-18 months ahead: Best cabin selection and early bird pricing.
• 6-12 months ahead: Good availability and moderate pricing.
• 3-6 months ahead: Limited selection but occasional deals.
• Last minute: Risky but potential for significant savings.

Peak Season Booking:

• Book 15+ months ahead for July-August departures
• Popular operators sell out 12-18 months in advance
• Balcony cabins sell out first

Value

Q: What cruise offers the best value?

• Consider shoulder season departures. May is an excellent month to explore Svalbard and often cheaper than the peak summer months.
• Choose a porthole cabin on a premium ship rather than a suite on a budget ship.
• Longer itineraries often offer a better per-day value.
• Consider a repositioning cruise that includes another destination such as Iceland.

What we recommend

• Small ship (under 200 passengers)
• High guide-to-guest ratio
• Included expedition gear
• Flexible itinerary
• Strong safety and environmental record

Summary

Svalbard cruises cost from £3,000 for basic expeditions to £25,000+ for luxury suites on longer itineraries. The average traveller should budget £6,000-£9,000 for an 8-12 day trip, including airfare and extras.

Remember, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where investing in a reputable operator with a good safety record and naturalist guides will make your Arctic Circle adventure even more special. An outstanding onboard expedition team leads all expedition cruises offered by Polar Escapes and include Zodiac rides and shore landings on small expedition boats. All our operators are members of AECO. So no matter if you want to see an elusive polar bear or navigate ice floes, you will be travelling with a knowledgeable expedition team.   

The memories of the Arctic with its polar bears, glaciers and the raw beauty of the High Arctic are priceless.

Plan Your Svalbard Cruise With The Experts

Polar Escapes offers the largest selection of Svalbard Cruises and tours with over 500 different options. Our friendly team have heaps of experience and can help you find the perfect trip to suit your budget. All our expeditions come with a price guarantee and 100% financial protection.  

As a next step, get in touch with our team to help you plan your expedition.