Crossing the Arctic Circle
Edinburgh - Longyearbyen
- May 27 - Jun 08 2026
- 13 Days
- m/v Sea Spirit
Price from£3,717/person
Svalbard Cruise Deals and Offers
At Polar Escapes, we search all the expedition cruise lines to find you the best price for your Svalbard cruise. When you book through Polar Escapes, you automatically get the latest Svalbard cruise deals and offers applied to your expedition. Please see our best value Svalbard cruises below and get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
Expert Advice
How To Get the Best Svalbard Cruise Deal
Svalbard, the remote Norwegian archipelago nestled between mainland Norway and the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean, is one of the most captivating expedition cruise experiences in the world. With its glaciers, polar bears and midnight sun, this natural habitat is on every adventure traveller’s bucket list. But Arctic Circle expeditions don’t come cheap, so you need to know how to find the best Svalbard cruise deals.
When to Book for Maximum Savings
Early Bird Discounts: Your Best Friend
Our golden rule at Polar Escapes for the best Svalbard cruise savings is to book early. Many expedition cruise lines offer early bird discounts, some up to 40% off regular prices for bookings made 12-18 months in advance. These early booking incentives not only save you money but also get you the best cabin selection and preferred departure dates.
Book During The Wave Season (January-March)
The cruise industry’s Wave Season from January to March is the best booking period of the year. During these months, cruise lines promote their best deals, combining lower fares with free cabin upgrades, beverage credits, shore excursion discounts and sometimes even complimentary flights. At Polar Escapes, we work hard to get you the best savings and pass them all on to you.
Last-Minute Deals
While early booking generally offers better deals, last-minute bookings (within 90 days of departure) can sometimes yield significant savings if cruise lines need to fill remaining cabins. We often advise against this strategy, as usually all the best cabins are sold out and there is a limited selection of dates. In Svalbard, last-minute cruises can get expensive with last-minute airfares and a lack of airline availability during the peak months.
How to Find the Best Deals For Your Svalbard Cruise
1
Use A Specialised Expedition Cruise Agency Such As Polar Escapes
At Polar Escapes, we are travel agents who specialise in polar expedition cruises. Not only do we have lots of first-hand experience to help you plan your trip, but we also have access to the best deals. We can provide unbiased advice across a range of different operators and match you to the best ship and itinerary based on your interests and budget.
2
Compare Multiple Cruise Lines
Don't limit yourself to one cruise line. Several excellent expedition cruise lines are operating in Svalbard, including:
- Quark Expeditions: Premium Polar expeditions on Ultramarine and Ocean Explorer
- Ponant Explorations: Luxury expeditions with a French flair
- Poseidon Expeditions: Small ship expeditions on MV Sea Spirit
- Swan Hellenic: Modern, luxury ships with some excellent prices
- Aurora Expeditions: Small ship experiences
- HX Expeditions: Offers some of the most cost-effective pricing.
Each cruise line has different pricing, inclusions and seasonal promotions. At Polar Escapes, we do the hard work for you and find you the best deals across all the expedition cruise lines.
3
Ship Size and Amenities
Smaller expedition ships (12-100 passengers) offer more intimate experiences and better wildlife viewing but tend to cost more per person. Larger ships (100-200 passengers) can provide better economies of scale and more onboard amenities and potentially better value for money, but be prepared to go ashore less in a larger group.
4
Be Flexible with Dates
Svalbard's cruise season is from May to September. July and August are the peak months with the most popularity and higher costs. Consider shoulder season departures in May, June or September for lower prices. Early season offers Arctic wildlife emerging from winter, while late season provides autumn colours and Northern Lights.
5
Repositioning and Special Voyages
Some cruise lines offer special pricing on repositioning cruises or themed voyages (photography workshops, citizen science expeditions). These special trips can provide great value and add unique elements to your Arctic experience.
Money Saving Tips
Book Interior or Lower-Category Cabins
Since you’ll spend most of your time exploring outdoors and in common areas, choosing a lower category cabin can save you a lot of money without impacting your overall experience. Many expedition ships offer similar amenities across cabin categories.
Look At What Is Included
Compare what’s included in the cruise fare. Most operators include:
- All meals and drinks (including alcohol)
- Shore excursions and Zodiac landings with the expedition team, plus the polar plunge for the adventurous
- Expedition gear (parkas, boots)
- Gratuities
- Wi-Fi access
A higher-priced cruise with more inclusions might offer better value than a cheaper fare with many add-ons.
Group Discounts
Travel with friends or family to take advantage of group rates. Many cruise lines offer discounts for eight or more passengers, and we can organise group departures with reduced rates.
Choose Included Flights
Some cruises include charter flights to and from Svalbard. This inclusive airfare can often save you money and reduce the need for additional hotel nights compared to booking separately. Look for cruise packages that include flights to and from Svalbard.
Seasonal Considerations
May-June
Shoulder Season Savings
- Lower prices than peak season
- Good wildlife viewing as animals and the polar bear emerge from winter
- Longer daylight hours
- Possible sea ice conditions affecting itineraries
July-August
Peak Season Premium
- Highest prices but best weather
- Warmest temperatures and most reliable ice conditions
- Peak wildlife activity with Arctic birds nesting
- Midnight sun phenomenon
- Highest demand requires early booking
September
Late Season Value
- Reduced pricing as the season winds down
- Northern Lights possibilities
- Autumn tundra colours
- Cooler temperatures but still accessible
- Less wildlife, but still possible to view polar bears and walruses
Booking Timeline Recommendations
18+ Months Ahead: Best selection of ships, cabins and dates; maximum early bird discounts
12-18 Months Ahead: Good deals still available; Wave Season promotions
6-12 Months Ahead: Limited availability; fewer discounts but still some deals
3-6 Months Ahead: Minimal options; predominantly premium pricing
Under 3 Months: Last-minute deals are possible but very risky
Final Tips for Maximum Savings
1. Subscribe to our newsletter to get advance notice of sales and promotions
2. Work with Polar Escapes, which specialises in expedition cruising, for insider access to deals
3. Buy travel insurance to protect your investment, especially for high-cost Svalbard cruises
4. Be prepared to book quickly when you find a good deal. Svalbard cruises have limited capacity, so it’s good to commit soon.
5. Factor in total trip costs, including flights, pre/post cruise accommodation and gear, when comparing deals
Book Your Cruise To Svalbard With Polar Escapes
To get the best deal on a Svalbard cruise, you need to plan, be flexible and be patient. We will work with you to save you time by comparing multiple operators and considering all inclusions. This way, you can save significantly on your Arctic adventure.
Remember, while price is important, the quality of your expedition experience should be your top priority when choosing your once-in-a-lifetime trip to the top of the world.
So, no matter if you want to visit Svalbard to experience an elusive polar bear, be humbled by the Arctic wilderness, witness dramatic fjords, or see unique wildlife such as Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, Polar Escapes has you covered.
To find out more about how to explore Svalbard, please get in touch with our team. As a next step, why not browse our selection of Svalbard cruises and tours?
