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Incredible ice in Svalbard

Svalbard Summer Solstice Micro Cruise

Roundtrip Longyearbyen - Example 10 Day Cruise aboard MV Freya
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Embark on a 10-day Svalbard Summer Solstice Micro cruise roundtrip from Longyearbyen aboard MV Freya. Sail through Isfjorden to Poolepynten, a walrus haul-out, then visit Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund, known for research stations. Cruise by Zodiac near glaciers, then cross Hinlopen Strait to Alkefjellet’s basalt cliffs and Nordaustlandet’s polar desert. Visit Kinnvika, built for the 1957 International Geophysical Year, and view waterfalls along Brasvellbreen, conditions permitting. Search pack ice for polar bears and walruses, with possible visits to Kvitoya or Sjuoyane. Return west via Liefdefjorden, Smeerenburg’s former Dutch whaling station, and Virgohamna, linked to Andrée’s balloon expedition. Then through Magdalenefjorden and past Alkhornet, watching for seabirds in summer before disembarking in Longyearbyen.
Colorful homes in Longyearbyen, SvalbardVisit the colorful town of Longyearbyen in the far northA polar bear climbs glacial ice in the ArcticHiking in SpitsbergenIncredible ice in Svalbard
Highlights
  • Learn about Arctic research and polar exploration in Ny-Alesund
  • Cruise beneath Alkefjellet’s cliffs to see nesting guillemots
  • Visit Smeerenburg’s whaling ruins and nearby walrus haul-out
  • Search for polar bears and walruses near Kvitoya or Sjuoyane
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Longyearbyen | Embark

Depart Longyearbyen at 4 p.m. and sail west through Isfjorden, passing Fuglefjella, a plateau mountain. Weather and sea conditions permitting, visit Poolepynten on Prins Karls Forland that evening. This low gravel spit is a summer haul-out site where male walruses rest between feeding dives.

Day 2-3: Kongsfjorden | Ny-Alesund

Sail north along the west coast to Kongsfjorden and Ny-Ålesund, where international research stations stand near the mast used by Roald Amundsen to launch the airship Norge toward the North Pole in 1926. Continue to the glacier fronts of Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden, exploring by Zodiac among ice calved from Lilliehöökbreen. Watch for belugas, minke whales, and humpback whales feeding along the coast during the summer, when daylight lasts around the clock.

Day 4-7: Alkefjellet | Hinlopen Strait | Nordaustlandet | Austfonna

Across the north coast and east into Hinlopen Strait, where the sea ice holds longest. At Alkefjellet, the Zodiacs drift beneath basalt columns packed with Brünnich’s guillemots, while Arctic foxes patrol the shore below.

On Nordaustlandet, a polar desert that sees few visitors, the aim is to land at Kinnvika, the station built for the 1957 International Geophysical Year.

The plan is also to cruise beneath Bråsvellbreen, where meltwater pours in waterfalls from the face of the Austfonna ice cap.

Then search the pack ice for polar bears and walruses. If the ice allows, push east to Kvitøya, where Andrée’s 1897 balloon expedition ended, or north to Sjuøyane, the northernmost islands in Svalbard.

Day 8-9: Liefdefjorden | Smeerenburg | Magdalenefjorden | Alkhornet

Back west through Liefdefjorden, where Monacobreen calves into the fjord and the 1927 trappers’ hut at Texas Bar still keeps spirits on the shelf for whoever passes. Then on into the islands of Spitsbergen’s north-west corner.

At Smeerenburg, the low mounds of a 1619 Dutch whaling station lie beside a walrus haul-out.

Virgohamna holds the remains of Andrée’s launch site. The aim is to sail south through Magdalenefjorden, where little auks crowd the scree slopes.

From there you follow the coast to Alkhornet, where reindeer and their calves graze below the bird cliffs, before the final run into Longyearbyen.

Day 10: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Disembark in Longyearbyen at 9 am.

Ship/Hotel

MV Freya

MV Freya

MV Freya

MV Freya is a classic expedition ship built with the highest 1A ice-class rating, carrying just 12 guests for an intimate Arctic experience. Once a lighthouse-building vessel, she combines rugged strength with modern comfort, offering spacious cabins, multiple viewing decks, and a welcoming onboard atmosphere. With two Zodiacs, a sauna, and an open-bridge policy, Freya delivers authentic small-ship exploration with character and charm.
MV Freya
All eye on deck
MV Freya Bridge

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$18,995 2-3 travelers
Signature Twin
Signature Twin
Located on Deck 1, these 10m² cabins sleep two guests in lower twin berths and feature a window. Each has a private bathroom with shower and toilet. Amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, a 220V European plug socket, complimentary toiletries, towels, bedding, slippers, a hairdryer, and rubber muck boots provided for the expedition.
Signature Penthouse
Signature Suite
Located on Deck 1, this 15m² suite accommodates two guests in a double bed and features a window. It includes a private bathroom with shower and toilet, plus ample storage. Amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, a 220V European plug socket, complimentary toiletries, towels, bedding, slippers, a hairdryer, and rubber muck boots provided for the expedition.
Classic Single
Classic Single
Located on Deck 2, these 8m² cabins are designed for solo travellers, featuring a lower berth and a window. Each has a private bathroom with shower and toilet. Amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, a 220V European plug socket, complimentary toiletries, towels, bedding, slippers, a hairdryer, and rubber muck boots provided for the expedition.
Signature Single
Signature Single
Located on Deck 1, these 10m² cabins are designed for solo travellers, featuring a lower berth and a window. Each has a private bathroom with shower and toilet. Amenities include Starlink Wi-Fi, a 220V European plug socket, complimentary toiletries, towels, bedding, slippers, a hairdryer, and rubber muck boots provided for the expedition.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Available Starlink Wi-Fi; availability and speed cannot be guaranteed in remote polar regions
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Medical and Evacuation insurance coverage.
  • Any additional expenses such as museum entry

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