Expedition Cruise Specialists

Svalbard Expedition Cruises

Journey into the High Arctic, where glaciers meet the sea, walrus gather along remote shores and polar bears roam one of the world's great wildernesses.

A Svalbard expedition cruise takes you far beyond the ordinary. Explore by small ship and Zodiac, step ashore with expert expedition teams and discover a landscape shaped by wildlife, weather and ice. If you're new to this style of travel, discover more about our expedition cruises.

Sarah & Nicola have travelled to Svalbard, explored Longyearbyen and stepped aboard a range of expedition ships during their time in the High Arctic.

✓ First-hand Svalbard experience

✓ CLIA Expedition Cruise Champion - Class of 2026

✓ Independent advice across expedition cruise operators

✓ ABTA & ATOL protected holidays

Svalbard Arctic landscape seen during our visit

Why Choose Svalbard?

High above the Arctic Circle, Svalbard is a place of huge glaciers, dramatic fjords, mountains, tundra and sea ice.

Wildlife is one of the great reasons to travel here. Depending on your route, season and a little Arctic luck, you may encounter walrus, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, seals, whales and extraordinary birdlife.

And then there are the polar bears. Svalbard is one of the world's great polar bear habitats, and the possibility of seeing one in its natural environment is a major reason many people choose an expedition here.

But Svalbard is about much more than one animal. It's the scale of the landscape, the silence, the Midnight Sun and the feeling of travelling somewhere genuinely remote that makes this part of the Arctic so extraordinary.

The beauty of an expedition cruise is that the journey can adapt. Wildlife moves, weather changes and ice conditions vary, so your expedition team can respond to what is happening around you.

Polar Bears & Arctic Wildlife

Glaciers & Fjords

Sea Ice

Midnight Sun

Zodiac Exploration

Remote Wilderness

Wildlife encountered during our expedition experience in Svalbard

What Is a Svalbard Expedition Cruise Really Like?

Your expedition ship becomes your base for exploring one of the world's most remote Arctic landscapes. The real adventure begins when you head out by Zodiac or step ashore with the expedition team.

A day might begin with the expedition team scanning the landscape for wildlife. Later, you could be cruising beneath a glacier, walking across Arctic tundra or quietly watching walrus from a safe distance.

Back onboard, expedition guides and specialists help bring the landscape to life, with briefings and talks about the wildlife, history, geology and places you're exploring.

✓ Zodiac cruising

✓ Guided shore landings

✓ Wildlife watching

✓ Glaciers & fjords

✓ Hiking & tundra walks

✓ Expedition talks & briefings

✓ Optional kayaking on selected ships

✓ Midnight Sun during summer

Expect the Unexpected

Expedition cruising isn't about following exactly the same schedule every day. Weather changes, ice moves and wildlife moves too. Your expedition team can adapt plans to the conditions, which is all part of exploring somewhere as wild as Svalbard.

When Is the Best Time to Cruise Svalbard?

There isn't one perfect month. Sea ice, wildlife, landscapes and ship choice change throughout the season, so the best time depends on what you'd most like to experience.

May Spring - Specialist Expedition Season

Svalbard can still feel very much like winter, with snow-covered landscapes and considerably more sea ice. Fewer ships operate in May, with a more specialist selection of polar expedition vessels suited to these conditions. It's a wonderful choice if you're looking for the frozen High Arctic experience.

June Main Expedition Season

June is firmly within the main expedition season. The Midnight Sun brings daylight around the clock, while snow and sea ice can still play an important part in the landscape. There's also a good choice of expedition ships and itineraries.

July Main Season - Arctic Summer

July brings a wide choice of ships and itineraries and is a lovely time for Svalbard's tiny Arctic flowers, including saxifrages and mountain avens. Sarah & Nicola travelled in July and experienced the Midnight Sun and 24-hour daylight.

August Main Expedition Season

August remains firmly within the main season, with a wide choice of ships and itineraries. As summer progresses, seasonal ice retreats and more coastline may become accessible, although conditions vary from year to year.

September Late Expedition Season

There are fewer departures as the Arctic summer draws to a close. Days begin to shorten and softer, changing light gives Svalbard a different atmosphere from the height of summer.

Why the Season Matters

May can mean more sea ice and a more specialist choice of expedition ships. During the main June-August season, there's generally a much wider choice, including more premium and luxury expedition vessels. The right ship needs to suit when and how you want to explore Svalbard.

Polar bear sighting during a Svalbard expedition cruise

Can You See Polar Bears in Svalbard?

Yes. Polar bears live throughout the Svalbard archipelago and seeing one in its natural environment can be an unforgettable part of an expedition.

However, polar bear sightings can never be guaranteed. These are wild animals roaming across a vast Arctic environment, and their movements are unpredictable.

Expedition teams spend time scanning the landscape, coastline and sea ice for wildlife. This is one reason we'd look at the length of your voyage, route, season and expedition team when helping you choose a Svalbard cruise.

Responsible Polar Bear Encounters

Svalbard has strict rules designed to protect polar bears and allow them to remain undisturbed. It is prohibited to unnecessarily disturb, attract or pursue a polar bear.

300 metres Minimum distance from a polar bear

500 metres Minimum distance from 1 March to 30 June

If a bear is encountered closer than the legal distance, there is an obligation to retreat. Responsible wildlife viewing is about observing these extraordinary animals without changing their natural behaviour.

A polar bear may be spotted far across the ice or coastline rather than standing beside your Zodiac - and that's exactly how a responsible encounter should sometimes be.

For us, a Svalbard expedition is about the whole High Arctic experience: polar bears, walrus, whales, reindeer, glaciers, sea ice and remote wilderness - with every voyage unfolding differently.

Expedition cruising through the Svalbard archipelago

Svalbard Circumnavigation or a Northern Expedition?

Svalbard itineraries can look quite similar at first, but where the ship intends to explore can be very different. A shorter voyage doesn't necessarily mean a lesser expedition - it may simply concentrate its time in a particular part of the archipelago.

Northern Svalbard Expedition

Some voyages concentrate on northwestern and northern Svalbard, exploring glaciers, fjords and remote landing sites before travelling towards the edge of the Arctic pack ice.

Rather than trying to cover the whole of Spitsbergen, the available expedition days are focused on this northern region, with opportunities for Zodiac cruising, shore landings and wildlife watching along the way.

This can be an excellent choice if northern landscapes, pack ice and wildlife are high on your wish list.

Svalbard Circumnavigation

A longer expedition may set out to travel much further around Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago.

As well as northern Svalbard and the pack ice, the intended route may include the less-visited east coast, southern Spitsbergen and the western fjords.

This gives you the opportunity to experience a greater variety of Svalbard's landscapes and habitats, but it also means covering considerably more distance.

Will You Definitely Circumnavigate Spitsbergen?

No - even when the voyage is described as a circumnavigation, completing the full route cannot be guaranteed.

Sea ice is constantly moving and conditions can change from one departure to the next. Ice around the northern and eastern parts of Spitsbergen can affect whether the planned passage is possible. Weather and other local conditions can influence the route too.

The captain and expedition team continually assess the conditions. If part of the intended route isn't safe or practical, the itinerary will change and the ship may spend more time exploring accessible fjords, glaciers, wildlife areas and alternative landing sites.

That doesn't mean the expedition has failed. Flexibility is part of expedition cruising - nature ultimately determines where you can explore.

Which Would We Choose?

It depends on what you want from Svalbard. We'd compare the actual route, number of expedition days, ship, season and your priorities, rather than assuming that the longest itinerary or a circumnavigation is automatically the best choice.

We've also stepped aboard expedition ships while in Svalbard. Read about our Svalbard expedition ship visits →

Svalbard Expedition Cruise FAQs

A few of the questions we're often asked when helping people plan their first Svalbard expedition.

How fit do I need to be for a Svalbard expedition cruise?

You don't need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of mobility can help you get more from the expedition. Zodiac embarkation, uneven shore landings and walks across tundra can all be part of the experience.

Activity levels vary considerably between ships and itineraries. If mobility is a concern, tell us before booking so we can look carefully at the ship and expedition style.

How cold is Svalbard in summer?

Even during summer, Svalbard is an Arctic destination. Conditions can change quickly and it can feel considerably colder when you're out on a Zodiac or exposed to wind.

Layers are key. Expedition operators normally provide detailed packing information before departure, and some ships also provide items such as expedition parkas or boots.

What should I pack for a Svalbard expedition?

Think in layers rather than one very heavy coat. Warm base and mid-layers, waterproof outer layers, gloves, a warm hat and suitable footwear are all important.

Binoculars and a camera are also worth considering for wildlife watching. Your exact packing list will depend on the ship, season and activities included in your voyage.

Is Svalbard suitable for a first expedition cruise?

Absolutely. Svalbard can be a fantastic introduction to expedition cruising, particularly if you're drawn to wildlife, glaciers and remote landscapes.

There is also an unusually broad choice of expedition ships, from adventure-focused vessels to premium and luxury options, which means we can match the style of expedition more closely to you.

Where do Svalbard expedition cruises start?

Many Svalbard expedition cruises begin and end in Longyearbyen, the main settlement on Spitsbergen.

We'd usually recommend allowing enough time around your cruise rather than treating Longyearbyen simply as somewhere to board the ship. There is much more to discover on land too.

Can I see the Northern Lights on a summer Svalbard cruise?

Not during the main Midnight Sun period. In summer, Svalbard has daylight throughout the night, so the sky doesn't become dark enough for normal Northern Lights viewing.

If the aurora is an important part of your Arctic wish list, we'd look at a different time of year or a different Arctic itinerary.

Are polar bear sightings guaranteed?

No. Polar bears are wild animals moving through a vast Arctic environment, so no responsible expedition operator can guarantee a sighting.

Your expedition team will look for wildlife throughout the voyage, but Svalbard should be chosen for the whole experience - its wildlife, sea ice, glaciers, landscapes and sense of wilderness.

Don't Rush Through Longyearbyen

We've spent time exploring Longyearbyen ourselves, including staying at Funken Lodge, fossil hiking and discovering more about Svalbard's mining history and Arctic life.

If you're considering adding a few days before or after your expedition cruise, take a look at our Longyearbyen Travel Guide , where we share our first-hand experiences, things to do, where to stay and practical tips for visiting.

Sarah and Nicola from Mapping Your Travel in Svalbard

Plan Your Svalbard Expedition

With so many ships, routes and different times of year to choose from, planning a Svalbard expedition can feel a little overwhelming. That's where we come in.

We'll take the time to understand what you'd most like to experience, then compare expedition ships, itineraries and operators to find the voyage that suits you. We can also arrange your flights, hotels and time in Longyearbyen, creating your journey from start to finish.

Not sure whether Svalbard is the right Arctic journey for you? Explore our Arctic expedition cruises to discover more of the High Arctic.

✓ First-hand Svalbard experience ✓ Independent expedition cruise advice ✓ CLIA Expedition Cruise Champion - Class of 2026 ✓ ABTA & ATOL protection on eligible bookings

Start Planning Your Svalbard Expedition

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