Svalbard in Depth

20 Reviews

Trip highlights

Witness iconic Arctic wildlife

Discover the region aboard a Zodiac

Whale and mammal spotting

Enjoy hikes surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful scenery

The Polartours experience

Venture close to 80° north to spot polar bears!

Experience the chill of a polar plunge

Your booking contributes to our Conservation Project

Polar experts to answer all your questions

Your ship: Greg Mortimer

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The Greg Mortimer is a state-of-the-art expedition vessel designed to navigate the world's most remote and pristine environments. As the first passenger ship to feature the revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW®, it offers smoother and more efficient sailing, even through challenging polar waters.

Accommodating up to 132 passengers, the ship provides an intimate and comfortable setting for exploration. Its advanced design includes hydraulic viewing platforms and expansive observation decks, bringing you closer to the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Choose from a varie … Read more about Greg Mortimer

Cabins

Junior Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Aurora Stateroom Triple

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

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Aurora Stateroom Twin

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Cat. C

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Cat. B

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Captain’s Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Superior

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Balcony Stateroom Cat. A

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Map

Itinerary

Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.

Adventure options during the cruise

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Sea Kayaking

Embark on an exhilarating sea kayaking adventure in some of the world's most magnificent and biodiverse wilderness areas, including Antarctica and the Arctic. Take in the breathtaking scenery as you navigate through ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes. In Antarctica, spend unforgettable moments with penguins, seals and whales, and keep an eye out for the occasional encounter with leopard seals or killer whales. In the Arctic, paddle through bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around huge icebergs. Led by experienced guides, you will join a small group of like-minded adventurers to explore the picturesque coastlines of these wild and remote destinations. Paddling offers an intimate and unique way to experience the beauty of these regions and make the most of your time there. Important: This activity is subject to weather conditions and logistics.

Price on request

Day 1 - Longyearbyen

Arrive in Longyearbyen and start your adventure!

Arrival at Longyearbyen

Start your Polar Adventure! You will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Upon check-in at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, reception staff will provide you with cabin tags. Please fill out the luggage tags clearly, showing your name and cabin number to allow us to deliver your luggage to your cabin ahead. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.

Note: Flights to Longyearbyen are not included.

Day 2 - Svalbard Isfjorden

Explore Longyearbyen and embark you new home

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Skansbukta

Poolepynten

Longyearbyen

Pyramiden

Nordfjorden

Cruising Isfjorden

Arrival at Longyearbyen

Brucebyen

Barentsburg

Festningen and Russekeila

This morning is at leisure prior to meeting your guide at our hotel in the early afternoon.

Our locally guided journey begins with a drive to the outskirts of Longyearbyen. The stark landscape plays host to a vault unlike any other worldwide. Although not open to the public, the unique design of its entrance affords us an insight into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, home to a seed bank of over 4000 plant species. We continue to Camp Barentz, located in the Advent Valley, where we enjoy a presentation in the large ‘lavvo’ - a traditional building common in northern Norway. Here your host shares tales of living in the remote Arctic. You'll learn about Longyearbyen’s fascinating history, its early explorers and Svalbard's most famous inhabitants - the polar bear, before we meet the camp's friendly huskies or perhaps pick up some souvenirs. A visit to the eclectic Svalbard Museum is included back in town before embarking the vessel in the late afternoon.

Note: Sometimes, our ship is unable to dock in Longyearbyen port due to space and capacity. In these instances, we use Zodiacs as a shuttle service between ship and port. Please ensure that you keep your wet-weather gear in your hand luggage in case this situation arises. Please ensure your cabin luggage tag is completed, clearly showing your name and cabin number. Our crew will deliver your luggage directly to your cabin.

After embarkation, settle into your cabin before attending mandatory safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail. Sail out of the beautiful Isfjorden, escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. Find a spot in one of the observation areas to watch seabirds, including graceful ivory gulls, kittiwakes and guillemots. They rise and fall skilfully, using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners and your friendly expedition team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure.

Day 3-6 - Svalbard- NW

Explore the North of Spitsbergen

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Raudfjorden

Magdalenefjorden

Smeerenburgfjorden

Woodfjorden

Kongsvegen and Kongsbreen

Krossfjorden

Fjortende Julibukta

Ny London

Ny Alesund

Fuglesongen

A trip along the northwestern coast of Svalbard is always worth with the wildlife, the scenery, and the history. As far back as the 1600s his part of Svalbard was a huge center for whaling, including "Blubber Town" - with the main target being the oil-rich bowhead whale, the Arctic's only full-time resident baleen whale species.

The "town" of New Ålesund is on the shore of King's Bay ("Kongsfjorden") and well worth a visit. With a summer population of 120 and a hardy winter population of about 35, this is the most northerly permanent civilian settlement in the world. Originally the coal mining town of King's Bay, it played a key role in the history of arctic exploitation and exploration, especially flight.

Today it is at the center of Arctic and atmospheric research, and is one of the most northerly communities in the World. Don't miss the chance to send a postcard from the world's most northerly Post Office.

Day 7-8 - Svalbard- East & North

Sail to the North East

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Exploring the pack ice

Lågøya

North coast - Nordaustlandet

Kvitøya

Storøya

Sjuøyane

If you can venture this far north and east, you're very much in the high arctic. Closed to exploration for parts of the season due to the density of the pack ice, that often lingers here, the northern and north east areas of the Svalbard archipelago are some of the least visited.

Here the terrain gives way to the so-called "polar desert" - permanent ice caps cover much of the land, and where it does melt, very little vegetation grows on a landscape that has been hewn by ice over millions of years.

Despite the lack of cover, this part of Svalbard is well-worth exploring if you can, as there is plenty of remarkable wildlife. Arctic ducks and geese nest here, and some of the biggest concentrations of walrus in the arctic gather on the shores. Polar bears and ringed seals are also common sights, as are minke and beluga whales.

The group of islands known as Sjuøyane are the most northerly in Svalbard and always a good location for Polar Bears.

Later in the season ships often head up to the pack ice edge from the north coast of Spitsbergen.

Day 9-11 - Svalbard- SE

Sail south and explore the South East

Rembrandt van Rijn _ North Spitsbergen, Arctic Summer

QuarkExpeditions_ Spitsbergen Photography: In Search of Polar Bears

Kapp Lee

Haleysundet

Negribreen

Diskobukta

Freemansundet

Russebukta

Storfjorden

The southeastern part of the Svalbard archipelago is "warmed" by the gulf stream. Although this doesn't make much difference to the air temperature, it does mean that the area is free of sea ice for much of the season. This region is made up of the south-east coast of Spitsbergen and the islands of Barentsøya ("Barents Island") and Edgeøya ("Edge Island").

A key highlight of this part of the Spitsbergen coast is the astonishing Negribreen Glacier. This has the longest glacial front of any other on Svalbard with over 10 miles (16km) of ice meeting the sea. It's a stunning sight from the water.

Barentsøya and Edgeøya form part of the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve. Popular with polar bears, innumerable bird species, and grazing reindeer, these islands provide some of the wildlife highlights of your visit to Svalbard. Although now uninhabited, the islands have some fascinating sites of human history, including the remains of huts used by Norwegian polar bear hunters, and sites used by some of the ancient peoples who made visits here.

The SW side of Edgeøya has some very good tundra with numerous pools and lakes that attracts various birds.

Day 12-14 - Svalbard- SW

Explore the South West of Spitsbergen before heading back towards Longyearbyen

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Gåshamna

Gnålodden

Vårsolbukta

Bjørnøya (Bear Island)

Akseløya

Whale Watching

Ahlstrandodden and Bamsebu

Hornsund

Spitsbergen is the largest island in the Svalbard Peninsula, and the only one to have a permanent population.

The southwestern part of Spitsbergen benefits from facing the warmer waters that the Gulf Stream carries into this part of the Greenland Sea. This means that the shores and waters here remain ice-free for much of the year except the coldest winter months. The one area that tends to retain 'fast ice' the longest (sea ice attached to the land) happens to be the most southerly fjord, Hornsund.

As well as a warmer arctic climate than many other places on the same latitude, Spitsbergen benefits from long months of the arctic "midnight sun", when the sun doesn't set at all between the 20th of April and the 22nd of August.

The combination of long daylight hours and a warmer climate means that Spitsbergen is a haven for birdlife with the chance to sail into the heart of this part of the island surrounded by glaciers, offering stunning and rugged vistas, with some amazing geology. There is tendency to try for landings in Bellsund, and combine landings and ship cruising and Zodiac cruises in Hornsund, with some impressive glacial fronts.

Day 15 - Longyearbyen

Your incredible Arctic adventure comes to an end in Longyearbyen

During the early morning we cruise back into Longyearbyen. Farewell your expedition team upon disembarkation and enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport to continue your journey.

At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation in case there are delays.

Important note: In the spirit of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea, pack-ice and other conditions beyond our control.

Info

Single Cabin Supplement

When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.

What's included

Transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1.

One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Longyearbyen on Day 1.

Visit Camp Barentz and sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen on Day 2, prior to embarkation.

Transfer from pier to airport in Longyearbyen on Day 15.

Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.

All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.

Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.

Captain’s Welcome and Farewell receptions including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.

All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.

Educational lectures and guiding services provide by Expedition Team.

Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).

One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.

Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.

Comprehensive pre-departure information.

Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.

Gratuities for ship’s crew.

What's not included

International or domestic flights – unless specified in the itinerary.

Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.

Airport arrival or departure taxes.

Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.

Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.

Hotel accommodation and meals – unless specified in the itinerary.

Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.

All items of a personal nature, including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, email or phone charges.

Reviews

FAQ

How and when can I pay for the trip?

After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.

Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.

What activities can I expect on a Polar Cruise?

All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:

Land excursions (including hiking trails, visitor centers, time relaxing on beaches, observing animals, etc.)
Bird Watching
Snorkeling (from ship or beaches)
Dinghy rides
Kayaking
Diving (on ships with diving itineraries)
Naturalist presentations. These usually take place every evening - on board the bigger ships also with help of projectors, microscopes etc.

All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.

How to choose the right ship?

Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:

Determine your budget and desired level of comfort: Are you looking for luxury or more budget-friendly options? On our website you can set the price range.
Consider ship size: Large ships offer more amenities and facilities, but they can also feel crowded and impersonal. Smaller ships offer a more personal experience, but may not have as many amenities.
Look at the cabins: Although you probably won’t spend much time in your cabin, look at the photos and read the descriptions to make sure you're happy with the one you choose.
Consider the activities on board: Are you interested in kayaking, camping, diving or a photography workshop? Or maybe you want to take part in a Citizen Science Program? These activities can enhance your overall experience. See what our ships have to offer.
Read customer reviews: Learn about other travelers' experiences by reading reviews.
Ask your Polar Specialist: Feel free to contact your Polar Specialist. They are happy to share their knowledge and are always ready to help.

In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.

What is the booking process for a Polartours Cruise?

We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!

Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.

Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.

Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.

Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.

Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.

*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.

When is the best time to book?

An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.

Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.

Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.

What can i do to avoid seasickness?

If you are prone to motion sickness then here are a few hints to help you.

Firstly, book a cabin in the middle of the ship. The middle of the ship will move less, both in roll and in pitch. Secondly, chose a larger ship. Bigger vessels typically are more stable, and some of them are even equipped with "stabilizers", fins under water that remove the rolling in the swells. Thirdly, take medical advice on anti-seasickness medication. Some traditional remedies are said to be very effective, such as taking ginger or using commercially-available acupressure wristbands.

Watch this informative video about life onboard an expedition ship and seasickness from our expert guide and Polartours Brand Ambassador, Kevin.

Svalbard in Depth

Enjoy the best of Svalbard during this expedition cruise aboard the Greg Mortimer