
Expedition Svalbard
A truly unique voyage in untamed wilderness aboard the classic MS Sjøveien
Length
12 Days
Ship category
Classic
Ship type
Micro-Cruise
Capacity
12 Passengers
Expedition Svalbard
5 Reviews
Trip highlights
Magical midnight sun
5-star wildlife and nature experiences
Totally refurbished expedition ship
Hot tub on deck
The Polartours experience
Best price guaranteed
2 experienced guides to answer your questions
Only 12 guests
Intimate nature experiences
Our classic expedition ship, M/S Sjøveien, offers a truly unique experience in the untamed wilderness of Svalbard. With space for only 12 passengers, it's akin to travelling on a private yacht. The ship features spacious cabins, observation decks, beautiful wooden decks, classic details, and a wood-fired hot tub.
Summer arrives at the end of June. The midnight sun reigns supreme, and purple saxifrage decorates the slopes. The surrounding ice gradually recedes, providing good opportunities to explore the seldom-visited eastern parts of the archipelago. Whales are more common in the waters and more snow-free areas open up for longer hikes.
Autumn arrives in late August, when the landscape's snow-free features are at their most prominent. The midnight sun is brushing the horizon, preparing for the polar night, giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect for photography.
Your ship: Sjøveien



The M/S Sjøveien, meaning "Seaway," is a historic expedition ship with a rich legacy and modern comforts. Polartours is proud to introduce this vessel that combines classic maritime elegance with modern expedition capabilities. Built in Bergen in 1964 for the Norwegian government, M/S Sjøveien served as a training ship for mariners and later fulfilling roles for the Norwegian Coast Guard. After extensive refurbishments, she embarked on a new journey in 2017 as an exclusive passenger ship in Svalbard. With her beautiful wooden decks, classic details, and plenty of deck space, M/S Sjøveien offer … Read more about Sjøveien
Cabins



Amenities
Observation Lounge
Sundeck with jacuzzi
Open Bridge Policy
Restaurant
Library
Observation Deck
Zodiac Fleet
Food & Drinks
Dining on the M/S Sjøveien is a delightful experience, with a focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. The dining area on the main deck serves up a range of delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, crafted to highlight the fresh flavors of the region. Passengers can savor meals prepared with care and attention to detail, accompanied by stunning views of the surrounding Svalbard scenery. The lounge area provides a cozy space to enjoy tea or coffee, complemented by interesting talks from the ship's guides, enhancing the overall dining experience.
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.
Day 1 - Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen, Svalbard



We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
Day 12 - Longyearbyen
Disembark in Longyearbyen



Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
Please note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Dates & Prices
From
Until
Info
Availability
Price
30
Aug
2025
10
Sep
2025
From
EUR 9,784
30
Aug
2025
10
Sep
2025
Book now!
EUR 9,784
9
Sep
2025
20
Sep
2025
From
EUR 9,784
9
Sep
2025
20
Sep
2025
Book now!
EUR 9,784
22
Jun
2026
3
Jul
2026
From
EUR 10,214
22
Jun
2026
3
Jul
2026
Book now
EUR 10,214
1
Aug
2026
12
Aug
2026
From
EUR 10,214
1
Aug
2026
12
Aug
2026
Book now
EUR 10,214
11
Aug
2026
22
Aug
2026
From
EUR 10,214
11
Aug
2026
22
Aug
2026
EUR 10,214
21
Aug
2026
1
Sep
2026
From
EUR 10,214
21
Aug
2026
1
Sep
2026
Book now
EUR 10,214
Preferred date unavailable? Contact us
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
1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
10 nights on board M/S Sjøveien
Lunch day 2
All meals on board
Coffee and tea
1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
Guiding ashore and talks on board
All excursions and activities
What's not included
Flight to and from Longyearbyen
Travel and cancellation insurance
Gratuity to the ship’s crew
Personal expenses such as bar and shop 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.

Expedition Svalbard
5.0
(5)
From
EUR 9,784
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