Roundtrip cruise to the edge of the Arctic

11 days
Jun 2026 - Jul 2026
SH Vega
Included: wi-fi, full-board, coffee-tea
Kayaking
Birding

2026

From

$8,525

per person

This luxury cruise embarks on a roundtrip journey to the edge of the Arctic, setting sail from Tromsø and returning to the same Arctic gateway. Over eleven days, the itinerary visits notable destinations, including Bear Island, Svalbard, and the majestic North Cape. The voyage offers the enchanting experience of exploring the Arctic’s striking landscapes and unique wildlife. The cruise provides opportunities to visit fascinating places such as the scenic Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø and the rich birdlife at Bear Island, where millions of Atlantic puffins and other seabirds nest. In Svalbard, explore the realm of polar bears, walruses, and arctic foxes amidst its stunning glaciers and fjords. North Cape presents iconic views and unique Arctic phenomena like the midnight sun. Throughout this luxury cruise, guests can partake in a variety of activities. Join the expedition team on a thrilling Zodiac tour at Bear Island or savor the sights from the ship’s observation deck. Optional activities include kayaking in Svalbard or a King Crab Safari at Sarnes. Onboard, delve into lectures and enhance your photography skills with guidance from professional photographers, ensuring an enriching journey.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Tromsø

The Arctic gateway, Tromso at 69 degrees north, is renowned for the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. The Arctic Cathedral, with stained-glass windows, hosts midnight concerts. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views from Mount Storstei­nen, while the historic centre features old wooden houses. The Polar Museum chronicles early polar explorations, and the thriving Alpine Botanic Garden adds to Tromso's charm.


Day 2 | Bear Island

The greatest bird cliff in the Barents Sea is on Bear Island, or Bjørnøya, Svalbard’s southernmost island. Atlantic puffins, northern gannets, glaucous gulls, great skuas, black-legged kittiwakes, little auks, common guillemots, and Brünnich's guillemots, nest on the steep cliffs near Kapp Kolthoff, south of Sørhamna. The ocean has sculpted sea stack rock columns, sea caves and tunnels, with a notable tunnel at Perleporten.


Day 3-8 | Svalbard

Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals and arctic fox


Day 9 | Day at sea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


Day 10 | Skarsvag (Nordkapp)

Skarsvåg, Europe’s northernmost fishing village on Magerøya Island, is a short journey from Nordkapp (North Cape)—Europe's northernmost point above the Arctic Circle, marked by a striking globe monument. Only Svalbard stands between here and the North Pole. Along the coast, Atlantic puffin colonies and over a million seabirds nest, including arctic skuas, razorbills, northern gannets, white-tailed eagles, common eider ducks and great cormorants.


Day 10 | Cruising North Cape

North Cape (Nordkapp), the northernmost tip of Europe in Norway, where the Arctic Ocean meets the rugged coast, is a majestic headland that has fascinated explorers for centuries. Cruising to North Cape promises an awe-inspiring encounter with nature's grandeur and a glimpse into the Arctic's captivating allure. In summer, North Cape basks in the ethereal glow of the midnight sun, a surreal phenomenon where the sun never fully sets.


Day 11 | Tromsø

The Arctic gateway, Tromso at 69 degrees north, is renowned for the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. The Arctic Cathedral, with stained-glass windows, hosts midnight concerts. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views from Mount Storstei­nen, while the historic centre features old wooden houses. The Polar Museum chronicles early polar explorations, and the thriving Alpine Botanic Garden adds to Tromso's charm.


Ships

SH Vega

SH Vega was named after the first ship to cross the Arctic Northeast Passage. She sails the seven seas, including the polar regions, in style and comfort. This 5-star expedition ship incorporates elegant Scandi-design with the latest in cruising technology. She has a PC5 ice-strengthened hull and extra-large stabilizers to make your journey as smooth as possible.



What's included

Inclusions:

  • Your selected stateroom

  • All meals onboard

  • Complimentary hot & cold beverages, beer, wine & spirits any time throughout your cruise

  • 24-hour room service

  • Lecture programs by expedition team and guest speakers

  • One selected shore excursion per port of call

  • All expedition landings

  • Entry level WI-FI (upgraded packages available)

  • Gym, sauna, pool

  • 24/7 self service laundry

  • Waterproof backpack and refillable water bottle, yours to keep

  • In polar regions: branded parka, yours to keep and use of rubber boot

  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes

Enhance your experience

  • Bespoke pre & post land programmes

  • Additional hotel nights pre or post cruise

  • Premium and private shore excursions

  • Kayak and private Zodiac tours

  • Premium spirits & reserve wine list

  • Spa & beauty treatments

  • Laundry services

  • Retail shop

Amenities in your cabin

  • Smart HDTV

  • Minibar with soft drinks & beer

  • Illy Espresso coffee machine with pods

  • Kettle and Kusmi tea bags

  • Towels for cabin, pool and gym

  • Individually-controlled airconditioning

  • Bathrobes and bedroom slippers

  • Toiletries

  • Personal Safe

  • Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 binoculars


Excursions

King Crab Safari at Sarnes

Skarsvag (Nordkapp)
3.5 hours

Included

  • Experience the taste of Northern Norwegian wildlife enjoying giant King Crabs straight from Sarnes Lavvo Camp beach

  • Savour this authentic culinary experience enjoying your very own crab over an open fire

  • Enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of the North Norwegian coast

Guided Transfer to North Cape

Skarsvag (Nordkapp)
2.5 hours

Included

  • Get panoramic views overlooking the Arctic Ocean from the Globe near the edge of the cliff, weather permitting

  • Explore the "stone-wheels" adorned with children's drawings from across the globe, promoting peace and friendship

  • Catch a film at the Visitor Centre showcasing the area’s different seasons and changing scenery throughout the year

Hike to Kirkeporten Rock

Skarsvag (Nordkapp)
3 hours

Included

  • Witness the breathtaking view of the North Cape Horn through Kirkeporten rock's opening

  • Learn the history of the island of Magerøya and the cultural practices of its inhabitants

  • Engage with your guide about the diverse plants and wildlife thriving in the mountains and fjord

Kayaking With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

2 hours
Level


from

$250

per person

Kayaking in the polar regions will be mainly focused on experiencing the polar regions from water level with all your senses and without any interference from artificial sounds.

Having the unique opportunity to kayak in the world’s last great wildernesses , is often described as a spiritual experience slowing down to the rhythm of the paddles, you are able to observe and soak in the natural wonders of the polar regions like very few have experienced before you. Observe scenery, coastlines, ice formations and polar wildlife from the comfort and silence of your kayak.

Conditions permitting, your Expedition Leader and Kayak guide will make sure you will be kayaking in a safe environment .

Whilst some kayak excursions are designed to allow guests to disembark on shore and discover the area, most of the kayak excursions will be mainly focusing on experiencing the polar regions, from water level, with all your senses as there is no interference with artificial sounds.

The kayaking experience ideally starts after guests have been shuttled by Zodiac to a starting point, then transfer from the zodiac to the kayak by their own means and at the end of the Kayak excursion transfer back to the shuttle Zodiac to be brought back on board.

Besides your kayak guide who briefs the kayaking group before the excursion and afterwards leads the group there is also a Zodiac driver on a safety boat following the kayak group to offer assistance if required.

IMPORTANT

  • In the interest of allowing all guests the opportunity to experience a kayak tour, guests may pre-book one kayak excursions per cruise.

  • For those wishing to join more than one kayak excursion, we will collect names for our waiting list whilst on board and do our best to accomodate these requests.

  • Please note that our kayaks accomodate two guests - if you would lile to share with a friend or family member; please make sure that you specify this with the on board team.

  • If you are travelling alone, we will find another guest for you to share with.

Zodiac Tour With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Bear Island

Included

  • Join your expedition team on this exhilarating boat ride to Bear Island, the largest bird cliff in the Barents Sea

  • See millions of birds nesting on the steep cliffs such as Atlantic puffins, gannets, gulls, skuas, kittiwakes, little auks and guillemots

  • Admire sea stack rock formations, caves and tunnels sculpted by the battering seas


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DISCLAIMER: Rates are per person, subject to availability and can change at any time

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