Crossing the Arctic Circle
Edinburgh - Longyearbyen
- May 27 - Jun 08 2026
- 13 Days
- m/v Sea Spirit
Price from£3,717/person
Svalbard Cruises & Tours
Search and book 500+ expedition cruises and tours to Svalbard with Polar Escapes.
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Free advice from people that have been there
Questions?
Talk to a polar pro
Free advice from people that have been there
Discover Svalbard
Svalbard cruises take you on a journey deep into the Arctic realm, where polar bears roam past ancient glaciers and the midnight sun never sets.
Svalbard is an untamed Arctic archipelago located just 600 miles from the North Pole, and one of Earth’s last true wildernesses. Here, in a land where there are more polar bears than people, expedition cruises explore towering bird cliffs, colossal tidewater glaciers calving into pristine fjords, and remote shores where 16th-century whaling stations stand frozen in time.
With 35 years of collective Arctic expertise, Polar Escapes specialises in small-ship expeditions that maximise your chances of witnessing polar bears hunting on sea ice and walruses hauling out on remote beaches. We offer the largest selection of Svalbard cruises to help you experience the High Arctic’s raw, untouched beauty during the brief yet magical summer season, when this icy realm comes alive with a wealth of wildlife.
We partner with the world’s top expedition operators
Explore Our Svalbard Cruises
Explore the frozen Norwegian Archipelago of Svalbard with our collection of Svalbard trips. For the best wildlife-watching experience, we recommend a small ship.
Why Travel To Svalbard With Polar Escapes?
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We make travel to Svalbard easy.
Compare all tours in one place.
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Best price guaranteed.
We don't charge you more.
35 years of Svalbard Experience
Free advice from people who have been there.
35 years of Svalbard Experience
Free advice from people who have been there.
Travel with confidence.
100% financial protection & travel support.
Travel with confidence.
100% financial protection & travel support.
Svalbard Cruise Destinations
Visit Svalbard, an archipelago of frozen islands between mainland Norway and the North Pole in the High Arctic. It's often referred to as 'The Arctic In A Nutshell' because, in Svalbard, you can see the best of the Arctic all in one place, from towering glaciers to abundant wildlife, including frequent polar bear sightings and historical sites.
Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen, the most northerly town on Earth, is situated on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island. Most Svalbard cruises depart from Longyearbyen harbour and sail around the Archipelago. Longyearbyen has a storied history, from miners to explorers, and excellent museums documenting this remote settlement's story. You will also find great restaurants and hotels to enjoy during your stay.
Hinlopen Strait
Separating Spitsbergen from Nordaustlandet, the Hinlopen Strait is a vast waterway between the two islands. During the summer, the sea ice recedes, and the strait becomes navigable to expedition ships, allowing a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen. The strait is known as a wildlife hotspot. Species include walruses, which rest on the remaining ice floes, birdlife Arctic foxes and polar bears, which are sighted throughout the summer.
Alkefjellet bird cliffs
Located in the Hinlopen Strait, the towering bird cliffs of Alkefjellet are home to 60,000 pairs of Brünnich's guillemots that come to the cliffs each summer to breed. The 100-meter-high cliffs are a sight to behold as you approach from a Zodiac and stare up at the flurry of activity. Last time the Polar Escapes team was there, we even saw a polar bear resting on the rocks, waiting for the occasional bird egg to fall.
Smeerenburg
Translating from the Dutch words' blubber town', Smeerenburg was first settled in 1619 as a whaling settlement. At the peak of its activity, some 200 men were stationed at this lonely outpost. As the Bowhead whale population declined with increased hunting, Smeerenburg was abandoned in 1657. Today, the remnants of windswept blubber ovens are the only reminder of this former outpost.
Ny Alesund
The most northerly inhabited settlement, Ny Alesund, is a scientific research centre with 19 research stations from 11 different countries. A former mining town, Ny Alesund was the departure point from which Roald Amundsen set off in 1926 to be the first man to reach the North Pole on his airship Norge. The airship masts still stand in the remote Arctic landscape a hundred years later.
Austfonna Ice Cap
You encounter a wall of sheer ice where the Austonna ice cap meets the sea. During summer, meltwater plunges over the sheer ice edge and into the ocean below. Located on Nordaustlandet, the Austfonna ice cap is the third largest in the world and a true sight to behold on a zodiac cruise.
When To Go
May-August
3°c - 7°c
The average temperature during the height of the Svalbard summer
24 hours of daylight
Late April-mid August
Need advice?
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And Penguins.
What Will I See?
Svalbard is perfect for travellers looking to see pristine Arctic landscapes and wildlife. Here are the highlights:
Svalbard Wildlife
One of the main attractions for visitors to Spitsbergen is seeing the diverse species of Arctic wildlife on the islands. Polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, beluga whales, ringed seals and Svalbard reindeer are some of the Svalbard animals you can see on an expedition cruise around the Spitsbergen archipelago.
Svalbard's Sea Ice & Glaciers
With over 2000 glaciers throughout the Archipelago, Svalbard is one of the best places on Earth to encounter mighty glaciers. Nothing beats the exhilarating feeling of curling along a glacier front at a safe distance by zodiac and watching as the glacier calves enormous chunks of ice into the Arctic Ocean below.
Pioneering History
Spitsbergen has a storied history. It's possible to see the sights of early pioneers who founded whaling settlements and mines in the barren landscape. Expect tales of heroic explorers who were the first to reach the North Pole and those who did not return from the stories Svalbard's landscapes have to tell.
Animals Of Svalbard
Svalbard is a wildlife lover's dream. Due to its reasonably small landmass compared to other places in the Arctic, wildlife sightings are more frequent.
Polar Bears
The Svalbard region is home to over 2000 polar bears, which breed on the islands during the winter. In the summer, polar bears can be seen in their natural habitat in the pack ice north of Spitsbergen or on land throughout the Archipelago.
Walruses
There are an estimated 5,500 walruses in the Svalbard archipelago. On a cruise around Spitsbergen, you can see these distinctive tusked animals resting on an ice floe, swimming in groups in the frigid waters, or hauled out in colonies on beaches.
Svalbard Reindeer
Svalbard reindeer are endemic to the Archipelago and are only found in Svalbard. Smaller in size than normal reindeer, they have adapted to survive in the harsh climate of the high Arctic. They can be seen from the ship and shore, often in groups throughout the islands.
Svalbard Birdlife
After a harsh winter, birds return to Spitsbergen to breed during the long summer days. Bird cliffs at Alkefjellet and Fuglefjella (the 'Bird Mountain') are a sight to see, with 10,000s of thousands of guillemots jostling for space on the narrow ledges. Fulmars often fly along the side of the ships. Puffins, with their colourful beaks, are seen throughout.
Expert Svalbard Advice From Polar Escapes
Svalbard is one of my favourite destinations in the polar regions. On my last expedition we saw 3 polar bears on the edge of the pack ice, countless walruses on ice floes and Arctic foxes. Nowhere else on Earth can you see all the Arctic has to offer in one place. Spitsbergen is an ideal place to start if you have never been to the polar regions. It has everything from pristine Arctic wilderness, dramatic fjords and glaciers to frequent wildlife sightings.
Types Of Svalbard Cruises & Tours
Choose a Svalbard tour that suits your preferences.
Small Ship Expedition Cruises
Small ships offer the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in Spitsbergen. Ship sizes start at just 12 guests per voyage on wildlife-watching cruises on small ships.
Solo Travellers
Are you looking to explore Svalbard solo? We have you covered with a range of no-single supplement cabins and sharing options with other solo travellers.
Expedition Cruises with Flights Included
We have many Svalbard cruise options, including flights to Longyearbyen. For a hassle-free experience, fly to Spitsbergen and join your expedition cruise there.
Svalbard Luxury Cruises
Explore Spitsbergen at the height of comfort on our range of small-ship luxury expedition cruises. Choose to explore just Svalbard or combine it with a longer cruise to Greenland.
Get the best price for your Svalbard expedition cruise with Polar Escapes. Search the best deals and offers.
Discover the wildlife and polar bears of Svalbard on a specialist wildlife expedition cruise.
Top Svalbard Cruises & Itineraries
Sail from Longyearbyen and explore the highlights of Svalbard, including the Northwest National Park, where you can see the majestic Monaco glacier and the Alkerfjellet bird cliffs. Then, sail south to explore Hornsund and the Southwest National Park.
Experience the High Arctic highlights of Svalbard on a small ship expedition. Sailing from Longyearbyen aboard Ocean Explorer or Ultramarine this is a chance to discover Svalbard with an expert team of guides on a premium expedition ship.
Explore Svalbard and sail south to be one of the few people each year to explore the remote Norweigan Island of Jan Mayen, 280 miles north of the Arctic Circle. After landing on Jan Mayen, sail south to Reykjavik in Iceland.
Sail to Svalbard from Scotland at the start of the season and visit remote islands on the way. Make landings at Fair Isle, the most inhabited island in Scotland, before sailing north to the Faroe Islands and Jan Mayen.
Join an adventurous polar expedition on an icebreaker ship. Sail into the thick pack ice off the coast of East Greenland and visit remote Inuit settlements before sailing through the ice to Longyearbyen in Svalbard.
Svalbard Expedition Cruise Guide
Everything you need to know to plan your Svalbard adventure to explore the Norwegian Archipelago written by our expert team with 35 years collective experience in Svalbard.
Stats About Svalbard Cruises
23,000 people
Visit Svalbard each year on An Expedition Ship
76 AECO Members
All Operators are all members of AECO.
14 Days
Is the longest, in-depth cruise to explore Svalbard
6 Days
It is the shortest-length expedition cruise, departing from Longyearbyen.
2 Days
Is the time it takes an expedition ship to sail from Mainland Norway to Svalbard.
26 Times
The amount of times the Polar Escapes team has visited Svalbard.
Svalbard Cruises FAQ
When is the best time to go on a Svalbard cruise?
The best time to go on a Svalbard cruise is during the summer months between May and August. During this time, you will witness the midnight sun, and the wildlife around the Archipelago is at its most active.
The summer climate in Svalbard is mild for an area so far north, with daytime temperatures often above freezing. The midnight sun is visible in Svalbard from mid-April to mid-August.
Each month in Svalbard offers a different experience, and visiting one month from the next, the landscapes can look very different. Often, travellers return to see Svalbard at other times of the year.
Here are the highlights by month:
May
I have visited Svalbard In May and it is a great time to see Svalbard as it emerges from the harsh winter. The Landscapes were covered by thick snow, and the shores were iced. Cruise routes are shorter due to the sea ice. Shore landings are limited, but it is possible to do snowshoeing. It’s an excellent month for photographers looking to capture the raw beauty and nature. Polar bears return to the sea ice edge from the land and hunt for prey.
June
Svalbard transforms under the midnight sun as the ice and snow from the winter melt. Birds flock to the towering cliffs across the Norwegian Archipelago. The sea ice shifts north, opening routes to the Hinlopen Strait and the far east of Svalbard. Walruses return to their colonies on the shore. On a June expedition we had 3 amazing polar bear encounters.
July
July is the peak of summer in Svalbard, with the warmest temperatures above freezing. Wildlife is at its most active, and it is the busiest time to visit the islands. As the pack ice recedes, longer expeditions to Naudaustlandet are possible.
August
August is the best month for hiking the now snow- and ice-free landscapes. Wildlife is sighted throughout the Archipelago, but as the month ends, the birds migrate south, and the first snow returns to the mountain tops.
For a detailed guide please see the article Best Time To Visit Svalbard.
When is The Best Time To See Polar Bears On A Svalbard Cruise?
It’s possible to meet Polar bears from May until September. Earlier in the season, they are often seen on the fjord ice left over from the winter. Later in the summer, they can be seen scouting the remote shores for prey and in the pack ice to the north of Svalbard. Polar bear sightings are frequent but never guaranteed. Our top advice for seeing polar bears is to take a longer cruise, which allows more time to search for wildlife. Remember, the northern Archipelago is also home to many other remarkable species, including the Arctic fox, arctic birds, ringed seals and whales.
To find out more please see our guide How To See Polar Bears In Svalbard.
How To Get To Svalbard
There are two options for reaching Svalbard. Most tourists choose the easiest and most convenient way: to fly to Svalbard and join an expedition cruise in Longyearbyen. The only airport with international flights in Svalbard is Longyear Airport, located 3 miles outside of Longyearbyen.
Longyearbyen cruises depart from the harbour, which is close to the town.
Some cruise lines include flights from Oslo, Norway, Paris, or Helsinki, Finland, in the cruise package.
If a flight is not included, Svalbard is easy to reach with daily flights from Oslo. SAS and Norwegian Airlines are the primary carriers flying between Oslo and Longyearbyen.
At the start of the season, reaching Svalbard on an expedition cruise from mainland Norway or Scotland is possible, as cruise ships sail north.
Please see our guide How To Visit Svalbard for detailed information.
What Is The Best Way To See Svalbard?
The best way to see the cold coast of Svalbard during the summer months is on an expedition cruise. Svalbard has very few roads and no other transport, so an expedition cruise allows you to explore all the places that would otherwise be inaccessible. Zodiac boats allow guests a great deal of flexibility to explore.
Cruises to Svalbard range from 7 to 15 days, and we recommend a longer cruise to maximise wildlife sightings.
What will I do On A Svalbard cruise?
The day-to-day activities involve exploring by ship, Zodiac cruising, and shore visits to the national parks with the expedition team. Cruises are geared around maximising wildlife-watching opportunities, and ships have onboard naturalists watching for wildlife.
Svalbard cruises are quite active, and many natural wonders exist. As part of your cruise, you can join optional exciting adventure activities such as kayaking and hiking trips which provide breathtaking views of Svalbard.
The polar plunge in Svalbard’s icy waters is a must-do option on most ships, but it depends on weather conditions.
Onboard activities include learning about Svalbard through lectures and with onboard guest speakers and guides.
After a day of exploring, enjoy onboard amenities, including hot tubs and saunas on the deck, while taking in the breathtaking views of the Arctic.
What Will the Weather Be Like In Svalbard?
Svalbard has an Arctic climate characterised by cooler temperatures. During the summer, high pressure sits over the Arctic, and the weather is generally calm and stable. Days are often either sunny or overcast. Fog is common in Svalbard at the height of the summer and can occasionally restrict shore landings.
Temperatures can vary from -5c during May to +7 degrees in July at the height of the summer.
To find out more please see Svalbard Weather: A Guide For Cruise Visitors.
Can I see the Northern lights?
You can see the northern lights in Svalbard from September until April. It is not possible to see the aurora borealis during the summer when there is the midnight sun. Consider one of our winter polar expeditions instead.
What Are The New Regulations in Svalbard?
New regulations will be in place starting in 2025 to help protect Svalbard’s pristine nature and wildlife. We welcome news that ships carrying over 200 guests will no longer be able to visit Svalbard, encouraging people to travel on smaller ships, which offer a richer experience.
There will be a new restriction on landing sites, with 43 landing sites that can accommodate 100 guests at a time.
To reduce disturbance to polar bears, ships and Zodiacs must keep a minimum distance of 300 meters away between July and February and 500 meters away between March and June.
What Should I Pack for a Svalbard cruise?
- It is important to pack warm clothing, including hats, gloves and neck warmers.
- Dress in layers. When hiking, it can often be warmer than expected, and it is essential to be able to take layers on and off as needed to regulate temperature.
- Waterproof outer layers and trousers are essential for Zodiac rides and shore landings.
- Most expedition operators supply rubber boots for shore landings and Zodiac rides.
A complete packing list will be provided at the time of reservation.
Find out more in our guide 10 Ways To Stay Warm On A Polar Cruise.
Which Cruise Lines & Ships Go To Svalbard?
Polar Escapes has the most extensive range of small expedition ships. If you need help choosing a cruise ship and the right cruise for you, please get in touch. See our ships here.
Visa's Passports and Travel Documents
To travel to Svalbard, you will need a valid passport 6 months before expiry.
Travellers from North America, Europe, or Australia do not need a visa to enter Svalbard, as it is a visa-free zone. However, you need to have a passport that is valid in the countries you are transiting through to reach Svalbard. You may require a visa to enter a transit country.
It is mandatory to purchase comprehensive travel insurance when travelling to Svalbard.
How Much Does A Svalbard Cruise Cost?
In Svalbard, there is a good range of cruises from budget to super luxury, with lots of premium options in between to suit any budget.
Prices start from as low as £2,999 ($4,000) -£4,000 ($5,380) for shorter 6-day voyages to explore the archipelago on a classic ship.
A mid-range expedition on a premium ship starts from £4,000 ($5,380) – £7,000 ($9,400) for a 7-10 day cruise.
If you are looking for a luxury Svalbard cruise, you can pay from £7,000 ($9,400) upwards for a luxury ship.
To find out more about different budget options, itineraries and how to choose, please see our guide to Svalbard cruise costs.
Plan Your Svalbard Cruise With Confidence
At Polar Escapes, we compare itineraries, ships, and prices from multiple expedition cruise operators — so you get the best price, guaranteed. All bookings are covered by 100% financial protection for peace of mind.
Every cruise we recommend is based on first-hand knowledge—because we’ve been there ourselves.
If you need more information please see our Svalbard Cruise FAQ.
Page Written by Andy Marsh, Svalbard Cruise Expert
