Ultimate Svalbard Cruise

Embark on the Ultimate Svalbard luxury cruise, a captivating round trip voyage departing from the world's northernmost town, Longyearbyen, on the island of Spitsbergen. This comprehensive 11-day adventure leads you through the breathtaking landscapes of the Svalbard archipelago, including remote islands such as Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya, before returning to Longyearbyen. Throughout this extended journey, you'll have the chance to visit intriguing locales such as The North Pole Expeditions Museum in Longyearbyen, which chronicles early polar explorations. As you navigate the pristine Arctic waters, keep an eye out for mesmerizing wildlife like polar bears, ringed seals and walruses. Your luxury cruise experience includes a variety of activities to engage and enrich. Optional kayaking with the Swan Hellenic Expedition Team offers a unique perspective on the stunning Arctic landscapes. As you're enveloped in the natural wonders of Svalbard, take delight in the diverse flora flourishing under the midnight sun, creating unforgettable memories on this extraordinary voyage.

Highlights

Take a stroll through the high street of Longyearbyen, the world’s most northerly town, and follow in the footsteps of polar explorers

Spy on hundreds of polar bears, walruses, whales and arctic foxes in their natural habitat

Learn more about this isolated polar region from our on board team of experts

Itinerary

Day 1 | Longyearbyen

The world's most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It's home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out.

Day 2-9 | 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 10-11 | Longyearbyen

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

Charter flights to the port of embarkation/ disembarkation (Longyearbyen, Ushuaia, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, Honiara, Jayapura and Sorong)
Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (exemptions apply)
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
Memory Package
Onboard gratuities & port taxes

Excursions

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 Cruise with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

Zodiac cruise the magnificent coral limestone formations nearby sandy beaches
Explore the coastal world of this magic atoll
Keep a watchful eye out for wading pink flamingos, adding to the magical experience of this unique destination