5 reasons to choose an introductory cruise to Svalbard

  • These shorter voyages offer a perfectly well-rounded introduction to this archipelago's rich wildlife, landscapes and history
  • Our introductory trips give plenty of bang for your buck while delivering the high notes. Particularly as distances are short, which optimises your time to explore
  • Our customers regularly cite how an introductory trip gave them broad exposure to the different sides of Svalbard, especially during the twice-daily guided off-ship excursions
  • A big drawcard of these introductory Svalbard  cruises is their shorter length, perfect if you're restricted on time 
  • These trips also offer the widest choice of both ship and departure dates, so it's easier to find exactly the right one

Swoop says

Swoop Says background image

For a first-time visit to Svalbard without breaking the bank, these 7-10 day introductory cruises are ideal.

Nardus Erasmus Polar Consultant

Our best introductory cruises to Svalbard

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

Svalbard Basecamp Adventure

Using the ship as your comfortable ‘basecamp’ and travelling slower to enable more time for exploring each location – on foot, by kayak and through the lens of your camera – this is an ideal trip for the active traveller seeking quality…

  • 8 Days
  • $4,450
Kingdom of the Ice Bear

Let the midnight sun guide the way as you sail north to Phippsoya, just 540 miles from the geographical North Pole. En route you'll experience calving glaciers and teeming colonies of seabirds, walrus and whales, all while keeping a sharp…

  • 8 Days
  • $4,450
Express Svalbard Cruise

In search of a whistle-stop Arctic experience? This is the shortest Svalbard voyage available. Walk the tundra, experience calving glaciers and reach 80 degrees north while keeping a close eye out for Svalbard’s megafauna: polar bears, walruses and reindeer. All…

  • 7 Days
  • $7,790
Svalbard Explorer

For a stellar introduction to all Svalbard has to offer, travel on board a modern X-Bow ship with a maximum of just 130 guests while accompanied by one of the best expedition teams in the business. Complimentary charter flights and…

  • 8 Days
  • $13,895
Quest for the Ice Bear

Explore the fjords and ice of Svalbard keeping a close watch for polar bears onboard a choice of three truly exceptional small expedition ships. Spend time on deck, on land and in zodiacs with the hugely experienced guides learning about…

  • 9 Days
  • $6,990
Swoop Says background image

Swoop says

A 7–10 day Svalbard cruise is the perfect way to experience it all: long enough to get under the skin of the Arctic, but short enough to fit into a busy schedule. Having travelled this route ourselves, we’ll help you choose the itinerary that gets you closest to the action.

Planning your introductory trip to Svalbard

How much does a 7-10 day Svalbard cruise cost?

Our shorter trips are priced between USD $7,500 to $15,000+ per person, based on sharing a twin cabin. They're some of the most affordable ways to explore the Arctic by ship.

Introductory Svalbard Cruises

Explore frozen shores

When and how can I cruise to Svalbard?

Trips operate in the main Arctic season between May and August. As the most popular length of Svalbard cruises, our introductory voyages have the widest selection of ships and departure dates. 

You can select between a variety of vessels. From small, expedition-style yachts to more luxurious options, there’s a ship for every traveller.

A walrus haul-out, Svalbard

A walrus haul-out

Who should choose a 7-10 day cruise to Svalbard?

This type of Arctic cruise is ideal for: 

  • First-time visitors to Svalbard looking for a complete but shorter experience
  • Budget-conscious travellers who want to explore Svalbard without committing to a longer itinerary
  • Time-limited adventurers with just a week or so to spare
Introductory Svalbard Cruises

Bear sightings can happen anywhere in Svalbard

All our introductory Svalbard cruises

Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.

Quest for the Ice Bear

Explore the fjords and ice of Svalbard keeping a close watch for polar bears onboard a choice of three truly exceptional small expedition ships. Spend time on deck, on land and in zodiacs with the hugely experienced guides learning about…

  • 9 Days
  • $6,990
Svalbard Explorer

Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board a choice of three small ships and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling in such small groups allows you more time to explore, and some late-season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special…

  • 12 Days
  • $8,790
Express Svalbard Cruise

In search of a whistle-stop Arctic experience? This is the shortest Svalbard voyage available. Walk the tundra, experience calving glaciers and reach 80 degrees north while keeping a close eye out for Svalbard’s megafauna: polar bears, walruses and reindeer. All…

  • 7 Days
  • $7,790
Svalbard Basecamp Adventure

Using the ship as your comfortable ‘basecamp’ and travelling slower to enable more time for exploring each location – on foot, by kayak and through the lens of your camera – this is an ideal trip for the active traveller seeking quality…

  • 8 Days
  • $4,450
Kingdom of the Ice Bear

Let the midnight sun guide the way as you sail north to Phippsoya, just 540 miles from the geographical North Pole. En route you'll experience calving glaciers and teeming colonies of seabirds, walrus and whales, all while keeping a sharp…

  • 8 Days
  • $4,450

Discover more about Svalbard cruises

Svalbard Wildlife

Svalbard Wildlife

At the height of summer when wildlife populations and activity are peaking on Svalbard, there are few other parts of the Arctic which offer the same combination of easy access and …

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Getting to Svalbard

Getting to Svalbard

Svalbard is geographically closer to the North Pole than to Norway. Surprising then, that getting there is quite so straightforward, with regular flights from Norway to …

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Svalbard Ships

The X-Bow ship Ocean Victory in polar waters

In the absence of hotels and infrastructure once you depart Longyearbyen, an expedition ship offers the best means to explore Svalbard's ragged coastline, while acting as both your…

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Ready to Book Your Arctic Adventure?

1
Listen

Listen

We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.

2
Match

Match

Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.

3
Reserve

Reserve

We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.

Our team of experts are ready to help you with any questions about a trip to the Arctic.