polartours header c
Svalbard - Sea Spirit

Svalbard Circumnavigation & Kvitøya

In-Depth Exploration in the Land of the Polar Bear aboard the Sea Spirit

Length

14 Days

Ship category

Premium

Ship type

Small Ship

Capacity

114 Passengers

Svalbard Circumnavigation & Kvitøya - In-Depth

13 Reviews

Trip highlights

Explore the walrus rookeries on Kvitøya's shores

Hike the breathtaking landscapes of Svalbard

Witness a polar bear hunting on pack ice

Visit Ny Ålesund, once a mining town

The Polartours experience

Best price guaranteed

Pre-hotel night in Longyearbyen included

Learn from expert guides about Arctic wildlife

Daily excursions and zodiac outtings

On this in-depth Arctic wildlife cruise, we’ll also venture to the jumbled, ever-shifting southern edge of the polar ice cap. Here, at the dynamic boundary between implacable ice and bountiful sea, we’ll search for polar bears stalking their prey. Whether it’s of a calving iceberg along the jagged, mountainous coastline or the otherworldly hush of a land where man is an infrequent visitor, your memories of this Svalbard expedition cruise will last a lifetime.

Poseidon Expeditions specializes in polar cruising in icy, remote regions of the world. Our goal is to take you to places few people will ever see and provide you with a unique perspective on the majestic beauty and wildlife of the region — all while you enjoy personalized service in comfortable accommodations. Our experienced expedition team – the curators for your voyage – takes great pleasure in ensuring that your Arctic trip exceeds all expectations.

Your ship: Sea Spirit

Sea Spirit - Poseidon Expeditions
Sea Spirit - Poseidon Expeditions
Sea Spirit - Poseidon Expeditions

Like some of the birds we see in the Arctic and Antarctica, our m/v Sea Spirit is migratory and follows the sun, northbound in the summer and southbound in the winter, always ready for spontaneous discoveries — a pod of whales, a family of polar bears or a glaciated mountain vista. She is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of East Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen. In 2017, she was renovated to offer a unique mixture of adventure and comfort for our sophisticated travelers. Sea Spirit has been retrofitted with Rolls Royce Zero Speed Stabilizers t … Read more about Sea Spirit

Cabins

Triple Cabin - Sea Spirit
Triple Suite

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

Main Deck Cabin - Sea Spirit
Main Deck Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Single Suite - Sea Spirit
Single Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

1

More about this cabin

Classic Suite - Sea Spirit
Classic Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Deluxe Cabin - Sea Spirit
Deluxe Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Premium Suite - Sea Spirit
Premium Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Owners Suite - Sea Spirit
Owners Suite

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Superior Suite - Sea Spirit
Superior Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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.

Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard and starting point of our Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will be greeted by our staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the itinerary. You will then be free to explore the charming, walkable town center.

We recommend starting your discovery of this fascinating Norwegian High Arctic territory at the excellent Svalbard Museum, where you can also purchase hard-to-find polar books and maps. Afterward, you can enjoy an excellent dinner at one of Longyearbyen’s many delightful restaurants. If you are still awake at midnight, you will notice the sun has not set. In fact, the sun will not set for the entire duration of our time in Svalbard.

Day 2 - Longyearbyen
Welcome Aboard!
Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Svalbard - Sea Spirit

After breakfast at your hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Longyearbyen. Take in the views of icy fjords and glaciated mountains surrounding this historic former coal-mining town. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship. For lunch, Longyearbyen offers quick and easy meal options including the most northerly pizzas and kebabs in the world.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where we will warmly welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the gorgeous scenery in 24-hour daylight as we pass through the wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden.

Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit

Raudfjorden

Magdalenefjorden

Smeerenburgfjorden

Woodfjorden

Kongsvegen and Kongsbreen

Krossfjorden

Fjortende Julibukta

Ny London

Ny Alesund

Fuglesongen

The goal of this voyage is a circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago. We will make an attempt to go to the northeastern most part of the archipelago – the island of Kvitøya, famous for its polar bears. Along the way, we hope to experience the many facets of this incredible High Arctic territory.

Much of the pristine nature of Spitsbergen is protected by a system of national parks, and the first one on our way will be the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, which is the crown jewel of Svalbard’s scenic wonders. This area is well-known for its deep fjords flanked by serrated mountain ranges and immense tidewater glaciers calving icebergs into turquoise waters. The skies are filled with millions of murres, guillemots and little auks, whose eggs are just now hatching at countless breeding colonies located on small islands, mountainsides and sea cliffs within the park. This is also a great chance to encounter marine mammals, including beluga whales and various Arctic seals.

This wildly beautiful area contains many enchanting locations like Signehamna Bay and Kongsbreen Glacier (“Kings Glacier”). Human habitation – rare along our route – can be found at Ny Ålesund, a former mining town and airship base that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers. This is one of the world’s most northerly settlements where you can find a museum, gift shop and post office.

Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit

Exploring the pack ice

Lågøya

North coast - Nordaustlandet

Kvitøya

Storøya

Sjuøyane

The Svalbard Archipelago is located halfway between the top of Norway and the North Pole, which means the Polar Ice Edge can be found to the north of the islands! This corner of Svalbard is full of stunning scenery and wildlife as well as rich history from the age of exploration. Our plan is to navigate along the ice edge towards the island of Nordaustlandet and further to the east towards Kvitøya (White Island). However, remember, our route and research opportunities are heavily dependent on the weather. But rest assured, we’ll take the best possible advantage of the circumstances presented to us by nature in this wild and remote corner of the world.

Svalbard
Before and After Svalbard
Svalbard – Store norske leksikon

Exploring the pack ice

Lågøya

North coast - Nordaustlandet

Kvitøya

Storøya

Sjuøyane

On this part of the journey, we will make an attempt to go to the eastern and northern regions of the Svalbard Archipelago – infrequently visited aboard expedition ships – experiencing the isolation and beautiful remoteness of Svalbard’s Arctic wilderness areas. Kvitøya (White Island) is one of the most rarely visited and closest islands to Franz Josef Land. This place, almost completely covered by ice, became the final resting place of the balloon expedition of the Swedish polar explorer Salomon August Andrée. Kvitøya is not always accessible to expedition ships, but it may provide another opportunity to observe polar bears in their natural habitat.

Svalbard
Before and After Svalbard
Svalbard – Store norske leksikon

Exploring the pack ice

Lågøya

North coast - Nordaustlandet

Kvitøya

Storøya

Sjuøyane

On this part of the journey, we will make an attempt to go to the eastern and northern regions of the Svalbard Archipelago – infrequently visited aboard expedition ships – experiencing the isolation and beautiful remoteness of Svalbard’s Arctic wilderness areas. Kvitøya (White Island) is one of the most rarely visited and closest islands to Franz Josef Land. This place, almost completely covered by ice, became the final resting place of the balloon expedition of the Swedish polar explorer Salomon August Andrée. Kvitøya is not always accessible to expedition ships, but it may provide another opportunity to observe polar bears in their natural habitat.

Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Svalbard - Sea Spirit

Kapp Lee

Haleysundet

Negribreen

Diskobukta

Freemansundet

Russebukta

Storfjorden

During this voyage, we expect to encounter significant sea ice concentrations in the enormous Northwest Svalbard Nature Reserve, which covers the rugged northwestern parts of Spitsbergen and the entirety of Nordaustlandet, the second largest island in Svalbard. In this remote and isolated region, ice can persist very late into the summer. The massive Austfonna ice cap rises above the stunning landscapes of the High Arctic. Part of it meets the sea along the 45-kilometer ice cliff known as Bråsvellbreen—one of the great wonders of the Arctic world. The polar desert environment supports little in the way of vegetation, but hosts a prodigious number of seabirds. The cliffs of Alkefjellet are home to thousands of pink-footed geese, glaucous gulls, little auks, black-guillemots, snow buntings and (probably) barnacle geese. Historically, this icy wilderness has proven a good location for spotting polar bear and walrus.

Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Svalbard - Sea Spirit

Kapp Lee

Haleysundet

Negribreen

Diskobukta

Freemansundet

Russebukta

Storfjorden

The Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve is a truly pristine and rarely visited wilderness containing hundreds of uninhabited islands. On the large islands of Edgeøya and Barentsøya, broad tundra valleys support the territory’s densest population of endemic Svalbard reindeer. The valleys are also important breeding areas for ground-nesting birds such as geese, eiders and sandpipers. Arctic foxes prowl the vast landscape, seeking to provide food for their young cubs, who are just now emerging from their dens. Shallow, murky seas are ideal feeding grounds for walruses resting in large numbers on gently sloping beaches. Historical sites throughout the islands provide glimpses into the region’s bygone era of trapping and hunting.

South Spitsbergen National Park is a vast region of varied landscapes, including polar deserts and impassible mountain ranges. The centerpiece of this park is Hornsund, a picture-perfect fjord where countless mighty glaciers cascade from soaring mountaintops into icy inlets. The park also includes the southern shores of Bellsund, a picturesque bay where the remains of historical whaling operations can be found, including wooden boats, cabins and thousands of whale bones — a scene from the distant past, literally frozen in time. Throughout the park, there is always a high probability of wildlife sightings. Wildflowers will be at their peak during this time.

Because of its extended length, this ambitious and in-depth Svalbard circumnavigation expedition cruise is a great chance to get a comprehensive view of the Arctic’s many faces. Every day offers something new and exciting. We will not miss a single opportunity to encounter amazing Arctic wildlife, witness incredible polar scenery and walk in the footsteps of historic expeditions

Svalbard
Before and After Svalbard
Southern Spitsbergen

Gåshamna

Gnålodden

Vårsolbukta

Bjørnøya (Bear Island)

Akseløya

Whale Watching

Isbjørnhamna

Hornsund

Ahlstrandodden and Bamsebu

Our circumnavigation of the Svalbard archipelago is coming to an end. We are back to the West Coast of the Spitsbergen archipelago, with its beautiful locations like Alkhornet Mountain (which is also known as bird heaven because its cliffs support over 10,000 breeding pairs of seabirds).

Spitsbergen - Svalbard - Sea Spirit
Svalbard
Before and After Svalbard

Raudfjorden

Magdalenefjorden

Smeerenburgfjorden

Woodfjorden

Kongsvegen and Kongsbreen

Krossfjorden

Fjortende Julibukta

Ny London

Ny Alesund

Fuglesongen

After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard. By this time, you may already be making plans for your next amazing trip with us into the polar worlds!

Dates & Prices

From

Until

Info

Availability

Price

17

Jul

2025

30

Jul

2025

- German language assistance

From

USD 10,495

17

Jul

2025

30

Jul

2025

German language assistance

Available

USD 10,495

29

Jul

2025

11

Aug

2025

- German language assistance

From

USD 10,595

29

Jul

2025

11

Aug

2025

German language assistance

Full

USD 10,595

14

Jul

2026

27

Jul

2026

- German language assistance

From

USD 10,296

USD 11,995

14

Jul

2026

27

Jul

2026

German language assistance

Available

USD 10,296

USD 11,995

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 pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Longyearbyen

Group transfer from the airport to the hotel on Day 1

Group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2

Shipboard accommodation

All meals on board throughout the voyage

Tea and coffee station 24 hours daily

All scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions)

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader & Expedition Team

Branded Poseidon Expeditions parka

Rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise

Welcome and Farewell cocktails

All port fees

Pre-departure materials

Digital Voyage Log

Group transfer to airport or central location right after disembarkation

Wi-Fi on board

AECO fees and governmental taxes

What's not included

Airfare

Visa and passport fees (if applicable)

Luggage and trip cancellation insurance

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations

Personal expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges

Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings

Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person

Kayaking

Staff gratuities

Reviews

Koh Kah Tiong

Sea Spirit Antarctica and Arctic Cruises

Premium

Wonderful service from staff at all level right from top to ground work staff!!! Room service in terms of upkeeping and daily maintenance is 5 stars! The downside is n terms of wildlife adventure or glaciers is not as exciting as I expected as I signed up doing alot of homework watching videos of artic but the reality is abit below my expectation as we dont see alot of seals or whales sighting, maybe that is artic as is too huge. My previous trips to Alaska, Iceland and Greenland were much better in terms of wildlife and glaciers (esp Greenland)

Amy

Sea Spirit Antarctica and Arctic Cruises

Premium

Sea Spirit is a classically styled ship with so much character! The staff were so friendly and welcoming, I instantly felt at home. The cabins are lovely - incredibly spacious and spotlessly clean. I loved the size of the ship, small enough to feel like an expedition but large enough to have lots of spaces to enjoy. The expedition team were brilliant - so enthusiastic and passionate about the wildlife and sharing the Arctic with us. Everything was well organised and I was so impressed with the effort of the expedition team and the crew to provide the best experience possible. Amazing food every day with so much choice! It was an incredible trip!

Lawrence R.

Sea Spirit Antarctica and Arctic Cruises

Premium

Staff and crew were wonderful! The food on board was excellent as was the service! The destinations Orkney, Shetland, the Faroes, etc. were all that was promised and the views and the wildlife were breathtaking! I will say that the key word for this entire experience is "expedition." Itineraries can and do change based on many factors, especially the weather. You will be getting into and out of Zodiacs for many of the stops and being in "reasonably good condition" is a good idea as hiking is an integral part of getting to prime locations. So, be flexible and have an explorer's heart and you won't be disappointed! Bottom line....... I would do it again!

FAQ

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Life Onboard & Seasickness
Svalbard Circumnavigation & Kvitøya - In-Depth

4.9

(13)

Premium

From

USD 10,296



2025 Polartours, a Ventura TRAVEL GmbH brand

All rights reserved

Polar Specialist

Your contact

Bruna

Book a video consultation

15min face to face consultation

Polar Specialist