Norway Cruises

Every voyage explores Svalbard, Norway's Arctic archipelago, rather than the mainland coast. Routes are shaped each day by the ice and weather, and can take in the glaciers and old whaling sites of North West Svalbard, the icy wilderness of the north east, the remote islands of Nordaustlandet and Sjuøyane, the edge of the pack ice, and Kongsfjord with the research settlement of Ny-Ålesund.

Polar bears are never guaranteed, but Svalbard is one of the best places on Earth to look for them, and the expedition team spends long hours scanning the ice. Spring voyages meet sea ice near its annual peak, when bears hunt along the ice edge. Walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes and seals are seen regularly, with beluga and baleen whales and huge seabird colonies in the summer months.

Wild Wonders of the Arctic is the shortest option at eight days, sailing from Longyearbyen on the ice-class Ocean Albatros and heading north towards the pack ice. Svalbard Spring Wildlife Expedition runs for 11 or 12 days in late April and May, when snow and sea ice are at their peak. Svalbard Summer Wildlife Expedition spends 11 days in June, as migrating birds and whales arrive.

Wild Wonders of the Arctic starts and ends in Longyearbyen, and 2027 departures include return flights from Oslo plus a group transfer to the ship. The spring and summer Svalbard expeditions start in Helsinki, with a hotel night before and after the voyage and a private charter flight to and from Longyearbyen included.

All meals on board are included, along with beer and house wine at dinner, Zodiac cruises, guided landings and hikes led by an English-speaking expedition team. Wild Wonders of the Arctic adds onboard lectures, a photo workshop and a digital voyage journal afterwards. International flights to the start point and tips for the crew are not included.

Norway cruises to Svalbard sail from late April to August, under 24 hours of daylight. Late April and May bring snow, sea ice and the best chance of bears on the ice, June brings migrating seabirds and whales, and July and August offer the mildest weather and routes further north as the ice retreats.

Wild Wonders of the Arctic welcomes travellers aged 12 and over, while the spring and summer Svalbard expeditions are for those aged 18 and over. You will need to step in and out of Zodiacs and walk on uneven, sometimes snowy ground, and the crew helps with every boarding.

The ships carry up to 199 guests, which is small for the high Arctic and allows everyone ashore at each landing. Zodiac cruises and landings run in small groups, so you are never far from a member of the expedition team.