Hurtigruten Svalbard Expedition
Svalbard expedition voyages from Longyearbyen
Location
Svalbard, by ship
Voyages sail from Longyearbyen along the west coast of Spitsbergen and, on the longer expeditions, attempt a full circumnavigation above the eightieth parallel around Nordaustlandet, just six hundred nautical miles from the North Pole.
Transfer
Embarks Longyearbyen
Voyages embark Longyearbyen in the summer season, May to September; flights are via Oslo or Tromso, the vessel set by the chosen product.
Villas
Cabins by product and ship
Cabins from the entry Polar Outside to balcony Expedition Suites on the premium product. The voyage resolves into two products: an intimate classic west-coast mini-cruise, currently aboard MS Serenissima, or HX's premium circumnavigation aboard MS Spitsbergen or MS Fram. Confirm operator, ship and length per booking.
Best For
Who it suits
Travellers who want a Svalbard expedition above the eightieth parallel, choosing between an intimate classic mini-cruise and a premium multi-week circumnavigation with balcony suites and fine dining.
Board Basis
Inclusive by product
Meals, transfers and a Longyearbyen stay are included on the mini-cruise; the premium product includes main-restaurant dining, with fine dining and perks in suites. Inclusions vary by product and cabin.
Overview
A Svalbard expedition above the 80th parallel
Hurtigruten Svalbard Expedition is a Svalbard expedition cruise from Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town, sailing the west coast of Spitsbergen and, on the longer voyages, attempting a full circumnavigation above the eightieth parallel around Nordaustlandet, just six hundred nautical miles from the North Pole. Days bring Zodiac landings, expert guides and the chance of polar bears, walruses, whales and reindeer amid glaciers and fjords. The name covers two products: choose the intimate classic west-coast mini-cruise run by Svalbard's oldest tour operator, currently aboard MS Serenissima, or HX's premium twelve-to-fifteen-day circumnavigation aboard MS Spitsbergen or MS Fram, with balcony suites and fine dining. Sailing in the summer season from May to September, the voyages thread the seabird cliffs, tidewater glaciers and walrus haul-outs of the high Arctic. Confirm the operator, ship, length and inclusions per booking.
Accommodation
Cabins by product and ship
Cabins run from the entry Polar Outside to balcony Expedition Suites on the premium product, varying by ship. The voyage resolves into two products — an intimate classic west-coast mini-cruise, currently aboard MS Serenissima, or HX's premium circumnavigation aboard MS Spitsbergen or MS Fram — so the vessel is confirmed per booking, the cabins a comfortable base between Zodiac landings on the Spitsbergen coast. The choice between the intimate mini-cruise and the premium circumnavigation lets travellers match the voyage to how far north and how long they want to go, the vessel and the cabin confirmed at booking.
Entry
Polar Outside Cabin
Sleeps two. A sea-view cabin with a window, a private bath, a TV and a safe.
Sea-view windowPrivate bath
Standard
Arctic Superior Cabin
Sleeps two. A more spacious sea-view cabin, with a balcony on the hybrid ships, a minibar and a robe and slippers.
More spaciousBalcony on hybrid ships
Top
Expedition Suite
Sleeps two to three. A suite with a private balcony, a walk-in closet, included fine dining and complimentary laundry.
Private balconyIncluded fine dining
Food & Drink
Dining
Dining is included throughout and varies by product and ship, from all-meals-included main-restaurant dining to fine dining for suite guests on the premium product, with meals included on the intimate west-coast mini-cruise. It is comfortable, inclusive expedition dining, the table part of the rhythm between landings amid the glaciers and fjords.
Main
Main-restaurant dining
Main-restaurant dining, all-meals-included dining on the voyage.
Specialty
Fine dining
Fine dining, included for suite guests on the premium product.
Classic
Mini-cruise dining
Mini-cruise dining, meals included on the intimate west-coast voyage.
Wellbeing
Wellness at sea
A sauna and wellness area on the larger ships sit alongside panoramic lounges for watching the glaciers and fjords pass. Wellness aboard is expedition-scaled, the sauna and the lounges a place to warm up and take in the high-Arctic coast between Zodiac landings.
A sauna
A sauna, on the larger ships.
Panoramic lounges
Panoramic lounges, watching the ice pass.
After the landings
After the landings, warming up onboard.
Activities & Experiences
Signature Experiences
Spitsbergen, the high Arctic and its wildlife define a voyage — sail the glaciers and fjords of west-coast Spitsbergen, attempt a circumnavigation above the eightieth parallel on the longer voyages, and land by Zodiac with the expedition team. Polar bears, walruses, whales and reindeer, and the midnight sun of the Arctic summer, round out a voyage just six hundred nautical miles from the North Pole. Few voyages anywhere reach this far north, the longer circumnavigations crossing above the eightieth parallel into a world of pack ice, walrus haul-outs and tidewater glaciers little changed in centuries.
West-coast Spitsbergen
West-coast Spitsbergen, glaciers and fjords.
Circumnavigation
Circumnavigation, above the eightieth parallel on longer voyages.
Zodiac landings
Zodiac landings, ashore with the expedition team.
Polar wildlife
Polar wildlife, bears, walruses, whales and reindeer.
Midnight sun
Midnight sun, the Arctic summer light.
Getting There
Location & transfers
By air
To Longyearbyen
To Longyearbyen, embarking in the summer season with flights via Oslo or Tromso.
By sea
Around Spitsbergen
Around Spitsbergen, with a circumnavigation above the eightieth parallel on longer voyages.
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Good to Know
Good to know
Two products
- An intimate mini-cruise or a premium circumnavigation; confirm which.
Confirm the ship
- MS Serenissima, MS Spitsbergen or MS Fram by product.
Inclusive by product
- Meals included; perks and length vary.
Season
- Summer voyages, May to September.
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Dates & party
Date flexibility
Adults
2
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Budget & accommodation
Budget per person (flights + hotel)
£4,500
£500£50,000+
Villas Preference
Flights
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