Express Svalbard Cruise

Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki

Your Arctic voyage begins in Helsinki, Finland’s vibrant capital city. If you arrive early, there are many museums, restaurants and green spaces to keep you busy before you retire at your hotel. A night’s stay here is included in your transfer package.

Day 2: Embarkation Day in Longyearbyen

Along with your fellow travellers, you will fly north to Longyearbyen. Your Spitsbergen adventure truly starts when you board your ship in Longyearbyen, the island's largest settlement. As you embark, you'll enjoy scenic views of this seaside village’s mountainous backdrop.

Days 3 to 6: Exploring Spitsbergen

You'll sail around this magical island, constantly searching for polar bears and other natural wonders. Focusing on western Spitsbergen, as well as outlying islands to the north, your expedition will give you plenty of opportunities to take in jaw-dropping glaciers, icy fjords, towering mountains and distinctive flora and fauna.

As the ship sails north into Krossfjord, be prepared to photograph Spitsbergen’s most epic calvings. The Lilliehook Glacier, located deep within the fjord, is highly active. Listen to the thunderous sound of ice breaking off and crashing into the water. A guided walk at Ny London, an abandoned mining settlement accessible by zodiac, is also included. Opportunities to observe local wildlife, including Svalbard reindeer, may arise here.

Following an overnight cruise, witness the striking Monaco Glacier, known for its prolific iceberg calving. The expedition team will also search for belugas and other marine life. Potential landing sites include Texas Bar, Worsleyneset and the Andoyane Islands, where polar bears have been known to roam.

At 80 degrees north, you’ll reach Moffen Island, a minuscule, crescent-shaped sanctuary for walruses. Watching these lumbering giants jostle for space in huge, snorting heaps is an experience you won’t forget – so keep your binoculars handy. You’ll also visit the abandoned settlement of Smeerenburg – meaning “blubber town” – founded by Dutch whalers nearly four centuries ago. This remote outpost, one of Europe’s most northerly, gives you time to explore ashore and learn about Spitsbergen’s fascinating whaling history.

Afterward, cruise on to Magdalenafjord, where snow-draped peaks and towering glaciers are perfectly mirrored in the clear, icy waters. On your final full day in the Arctic, your itinerary opens up. You might explore the Russian mining town of Barentsburg, home to the world’s northernmost brewery, or head to Trygghamma, where there’s a potential chance to set foot on a glacier.

Finish at Alkehornet, where sheer cliffs echo with the calls of fulmars, guillemots and thick-billed murres nesting in the rock face. You might even catch sight of reindeer grazing below. That evening, gather with your shipmates one last time at the captain’s dinner – sharing stories, photos, and memories from your high Arctic adventure.

Day 7: Depart Longyearbyen

All too soon, it’s time to say goodbye. Your Arctic adventure wraps up where it began, in the frontier-style town of Longyearbyen. From here, you’ll transfer to the airport for your group charter flight back to Helsinki, and continue with your onward journey.

NOTE: This itinerary is for guidance only as each voyage will vary depending on ice and weather conditions, and opportunities to see wildlife. Flexibility is key and all part of the adventure of an expeditionary cruise.