Freya expedition ship fully visible in Svalbard sea ice

Freya Arctic Expedition Cruises

Only 12 guests. Personal guiding. True expedition character.

A polar cruise on board the Freya

4 Reviews

Premium

What we love about the Freya

Only 12 guests: Personal guiding without large excursion queues

Ice Class 1A: A robust platform for demanding Arctic waters

Open bridge, sauna and hot tub: Genuine expedition character

Freya
Floor plan
+7
seal people svalbard

Freya is one of the ships we recommend when travellers tell us they want to feel part of a real polar expedition, not one guest among hundreds. With only 12 people on board, two Zodiacs and a guide-to-guest ratio of 1:6, the daily rhythm feels wonderfully direct: you get to know the expedition team, can follow the navigation from the open bridge and spend less time waiting to head out.

She has real character. Freya began life as a lighthouse-building vessel, and her sturdy Ice Class 1A hull was built for demanding northern waters. Inside, dark-blue finishes, warm wood and compact communal spaces feel more like a much-loved expedition base than a glossy floating hotel. That distinction matters: choose Freya for intimacy, capability and soul, not for resort-style polish.

Guests who have travelled on Freya often talk about how quickly the ship felt like home, how flexible and knowledgeable the crew and guides were, and how much they enjoyed the food. We understand the appeal. On a vessel this small, conversations happen naturally, plans can respond to weather, wildlife and ice, and the sauna or outdoor hot tub is a welcome place to warm up after hours outside.

Freya is an especially strong fit for curious, active travellers and solo guests who value personal space within a close-knit group. Book her for Svalbard or Greenland if personal guiding, long views from deck and a characterful ship matter more to you than extensive hotel facilities.

Dates & Prices of Freya

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Amenities on board the Freya

library

Library

hot tub

Hot Tub

sauna

Sauna

binoculars

Observation Deck

boat

Open Bridge Policy

zodiac fleet

Zodiac Fleet

restaurant

Restaurant

Food & Drinks on board the Freya

Freya’s dining saloon and bar are the social heart of the ship: warm, informal and small enough for the whole group to share the day’s stories around one table. Fresh meals are prepared on board by the chef, with daily baking and the distinctly Swedish pleasure of fika. The operator says ingredients from the owner’s Swedish farm are used when practical, alongside careful planning to reduce food waste. Freya guests also often mention the food as one of the happy surprises of their voyage—generous, varied and far better than many expect on such a small expedition vessel.

Freya's take on sustainable traveling

Freya’s operator reports several practical, ship-specific measures. Waste heat from the engines is recovered for use on board; water consumption is managed carefully; waste is sorted and compacted; and Swedish organic soap is provided in the cabins. In the galley, local farm ingredients are used when logistics allow, while planning and creative use of leftovers help reduce food waste.

We also value what the 12-guest format means for the expedition rhythm: two Zodiacs can move the whole group efficiently and there are no large excursion queues. No polar voyage is impact-free, but Freya combines small-group operations with concrete onboard practices and a team that treats the Arctic as a place to understand, not simply pass through.

Cabin Categories on board the Freya

Double Freya
Signature Twin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

2

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Single Freya
Signature Single

Type:

Single

Max. occupancy:

1

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Double Freya
Signature Penthouse (Double)

Type:

Double/Matrimonial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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More info about the Freya

Category
Premium
Type
Micro-Cruises (1-35 Guests)
Length
45 meters
Cruising speed
10 knots
Capacity
12

Reviews of Freya

Freya review

Trail46014594727

Freya

Premium

Must go!!! What an experience on Svalbard Circumnavigation Cruise! We went on board Freya in August 2023 and it was absolutly amazing! We were very lucky to see a lot of wild life every single day... Walruses, bears (we could even see a family with mother and 2 kids), seals, lots of species of birds and whales... An absolute 10 star experience! We were very welcomed by a professional crew from the beginning. The food was tasty and there are plenty of treats along the day. The group was easy and got along pretty easilly. The guides were unstopable trying to please everyone and always on whacht for more wildlife. They knew all the trails and views in Svalbard and were very flexible adapting the schedual to the weather, moods and animal visits. They were unbelievably knowledgeable and enthusiastic complementing each other with facts from history, geology and wildlife. They always updated us after meals with the plan for the next couple of hours plan and tips for equipment. The small group experience (10-12 guests) makes it unique as we could observe the wild life for as much time as we wanted with no noise or interference from the big crowded ships and could explore places that other ships simply couldn't. The place it self is magical! No words to describe the misterious beauty of Svalbard. The glaciars are breath taking. Also the polar plunge was a fun adventure! Everything about the experience was spectacular, so if you are looking for a once in a lifetime adventure, is a must do!!

Freya Review 3

Doina

Freya

Premium

The adventure of a lifetime: Each day was a new discovery. I never felt so connected with nature and wildlife. Entering the realm of ice, cruising through sea ice and among glaciers was an experience I'll never forget. We dropped zodiacs to explore endless remote places and wildlife, we even had a close up encounter with a polar bear. I had so much fun doing the polar plunge in the arctic sea. Every member of the crew was fantastic and excellent in doing their job. The cuisine exceeded my expectations, every meal was a piece of art. Rethinking about all these unforgettable memories makes me want to book for another trip. I recommend to anyone who wants to create unforgettable memories in the polar regions on a very cozy boat with only 12 guests that will make you feel like home for the entire journey.

Freya Review 4

Brett D.

Freya

Premium

I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat: I woke every morning and looked out of my cabin window and thought to myself, I can't believe I'm here! Everything about the experience was spectacular, from breathing in the air, to listening to the glaciers. When I stepped on board we were welcomed so warmly by the crew - in fact, we were completely spoilt and nothing was ever too much hassle. We were well looked after and the food was fantastic! Our guides were unbelievably knowledgeable and enthusiastic! They took us to so many exciting places and if necessary would divide the group to suit everyone's needs. They truly enhanced the overall experience for me. It's been a week since I came home and I am still buzzing from the experience. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Secret Atlas Reviews

Csilla

Freya

Premium

It was the best trip of my life! The size of the group was great - there were 10 of us on the MS Villa and each day brought us a new adventure. We were lucky enough to see 5 polar bears - with running commentary from our guides Chris and Celina and our photo guide Florian. They knew the story of some bears, their names, and age and anticipated their behavior giving us the best viewing experience. At the same time, they were always very respectful of the wildlife, making sure we did not stress them. We also had a chance to see walruses, seals, arctic foxes, reindeers, and amazing birds. We visited the pack ice and saw gorgeous glaciers, glacier cavings, and icebergs. We had a chance to discover settlements around Svalbard, Ny Alesund, and Ny London. They taught us about the animals, North Pole expeditions, and what's needed to survive the arctic. We were entertained over the course of the whole trip and when it was time to stay on the vessel, the MS Villa personnel catered to our every need. Chris - our guide also adjusted the trip based on weather conditions - enabling us to have an optimal experience while remaining as comfortable as possible. Overall I am really glad I have picked this trip. It was a trip of a lifetime.

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