Vikingfjord
Courtesy of a recent investment and makeover, Vikingfjord’s contemporary Scandinavian-styling, spacious and welcoming public spaces, capability in the ice, and superb …
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Tips on choosing your Svalbard ship
Choosing the right ship on which to travel is a key decision when planning your Svalbard adventure. To help you get started, here are a few key tips:
- Generous outer decks are crucial as they ensure everyone has ample space, particularly when wildlife is sighted, as well as acting as a general viewing platform
- If experiencing the pack ice is high on your list, choose a ship with a high ice class rating, capable of safely muscling into the pack ice, where polar bear sightings can be excellent
- A key early question to answer is what size of ship? Does the greater intimacy of a smaller ship (12-50 guests) appeal, or the amenities and anonymity of a larger ship?
- For those keen on the educational side - history, glaciology, ornithology and traditional culture to name a few - paying close attention to the expedition staff to guest ratio is important, as it differs widely
- Kayaking is a fantastic optional add-on which consecutively receives rave reviews, however it isn’t offered by all Svalbard ships, so choose carefully if you’re keen
Swoop says
Whether you're heading north to catch of glimpse of the ice bear, experience the pack ice or to sail Svalbard's sheltered waters, there's a wide enough choice of ship to suit every kind of traveller.
Karl ONeill Arctic Sales Specialist
Our favourite Svalbard ships
Ocean Albatros
The modern Ocean Albatros offers spacious cabins and inviting communal areas, creating a comfortable home base for your Arctic adventure.
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Ultramarine
Elegant lines, contemporary styling, onboard helicopters, spacious balconied cabins and a wide range of adventure activities; this ship is Ultra by name and ultra by nature. …
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National Geographic Resolution
Purpose-built for polar exploration, this slick European-designed ship combines an ice-strengthened hull with cutting-edge X-Bow technology.
Discover MoreCustomer reviews of Svalbard voyages
Our most popular Svalbard voyages
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
Experience the Arctic’s legendary wildlife aboard an intimate micro expedition ship, amidst a pristine backdrop of calving glaciers, and snow-capped mountains. With an unmatched sense of ‘expedition’ and a deeper connection to nature, you build your own adventure, searching for…
- 10 Days
- $17,500
Travelling at the height of summer, this trip is the longest of any Svalbard cruise and offers the best possible conditions for thrilling wildlife encounters. Your circumnavigation of Spitsbergen includes huge glaciers, epic bird cliffs and ice-choked channels. Plus, there's…
- 15 Days
- $14,081
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and, with numerous early season departures, guarantees plenty of ice. Sail onboard one of the newest ships in polar waters and spot bears from the plentiful deck space. Optional kayaking and hiking…
- 11 Days
- $9,761
An intimate summer expedition circumnavigating Spitsbergen on a 12-guest micro ship. Feel connection to nature, with a sense of solitude and scale, which is harder to find on larger ships. Explore rarely-visited islands, glaciers and the polar desert in search…
- 12 Days
- $21,500
Maximise wildlife sightings with the chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen island. Search for walrus, arctic fox, whales and of course the ‘King of The Arctic'. Sail through the Hinlopen Strait and visit abandoned trapping stations and experience glaciers up close all…
- 11 Days
- $18,695
Let the midnight sun guide the way as you sail north to Phippsøya, 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
- $4,800
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board a choice of two 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
- $12,290
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard on board a schooner. Sail north through the melting spring ice, spot wildlife and learn about the archipelago’s rich history. Highlights include the Monaco Glacier, 17th century whaling settlements, close encounters with…
- 11 Days
- $6,000
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board on a comfortable expedition ship and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling on a smaller ship allows you more time to explore, and some late-season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special guest…
- 12 Days
- $11,890
Travelling in luxury aboard an outstanding expedition ship, we love this trip for its unusual combination of Svalbard and Norway’s northern tip, plus its focus on top-notch service and cuisine. After a hassle-free flight from Oslo to Svalbard, spend seven…
- 11 Days
- $17,600
Scouting Svalbard’s ice floes for wildlife by zodiac and on foot, cruising the magnificent 14th of July glacier and reaching the world’s most northerly settlement at Ny Ålesund are just some of this 10-day voyage’s many highlights. There's also the…
- 10 Days
- $6,000
Spring travel in Svalbard is a real treat, particularly on board a 12-guest micro ship. Revel in being one of the earliest visitors with the whole archipelago largely to yourselves. Explore iced fjords, a landscape still shrouded in snow, and…
- 8-10 Days
- $12,500
Svalbard Micro ships
These hardy 12-guest vessels, often former research ships, are built for reaching the most remote corners of the map. Life on board often prioritises function, with a no-nonsense style that gives the vessel plenty of character. Yet the real highlight are the landings – that’s where expeditions on these ships truly come to life.
M/S Sjøveien
Wooden decks, spacious cabins, a wood fired hot tub and amazing food, this 12 passenger ship has everything you could need during an expedition through the ice.
Discover MoreVikingfjord
Courtesy of a recent investment and makeover, Vikingfjord’s contemporary Scandinavian-styling, spacious and welcoming public spaces, capability in the ice, and superb …
Discover MoreBalto
Refurbished in 2025, Balto blends relaxed luxury with rugged polar capabilities. It carries just 12 guests in exceptional comfort.
Discover MoreM/S Stockholm
With cabins for just 12 passengers this incredibly tough little ship was built for navigating Svalbard's icy waters and has spent over 20 years doing just that.
Discover MoreFreya
Originally a lighthouse-building vessel, we love the Freya’s mixture of working ship roots and enduring capability and cosiness as an expedition ship.
Discover MoreExplorer
Originally built as an oceanographic research vessel, Explorer is an A1 ice-class polar yacht designed for easy navigation through high seas and pack ice.
Discover MorePolarfront
Recently refurbished to a very high standard the 12 passengers will find a hot tub and sauna to enhance their Arctic experience.
Discover MoreRembrandt van Rijn
A beautiful three-masted schooner evoking a bygone era when sail power ruled the waves, with comfortable cabins for 33.
Discover MoreSvalbard Expedition ships
These spacious expedition vessels offer a wider range of cabin options – with generously appointed cabins typically featuring step-out private balconies, and a wider array of onboard amenities – and place more emphasis on hotel-style service. You’ll still enjoy daily landings and plenty of adventure along the way.
Ultramarine
Elegant lines, contemporary styling, onboard helicopters, spacious balconied cabins and a wide range of adventure activities; this ship is Ultra by name and ultra by nature. …
Discover MoreSylvia Earle
This state-of-the-art ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist and oceanographer, Sylvia Earle. Sister ship to the Greg Mortimer, she similarly boasts stylish lines …
Discover MoreOcean Albatros
The modern Ocean Albatros offers spacious cabins and inviting communal areas, creating a comfortable home base for your Arctic adventure.
Discover MoreSH Diana
SH Diana lends a modern edge to relaxed elegance – perfect for travellers who value style and comfort without fuss.
Discover MoreSH Vega
Effortlessly stylish with a laidback Scandinavian feel, this 152-passenger expedition ship offers contemporary boutique charm.
Discover MoreOcean Explorer
Specially engineered for polar expeditions, this refined 138-passenger ship combines innovative design with state-of-the-art technology.
Discover MoreExpedition
Renovated in 2017, this compact and traditionally styled ship offers a cosy home-from-home feel for your Antarctic expedition.
Discover MoreOrtelius
An outstanding expedition ship with a hard won reputation for navigating some of the Polar region's most challenging waters carrying just 108 guests.
Discover MoreM/S Quest
Purpose built to navigate ice-choked waters of Greenland this brilliant little ship makes and incredible platform for her 50 passengers to explore the Arctic from.
Discover MorePlancius
A former Dutch Navy research ship, the Plancius is a practical and highly capable expedition ship with a recent full re-fit to take 116 guests.
Discover MoreSea Spirit
A purpose built expedition ship with elegant style and spacious cabins for her 114 guests to travel in style.
Discover MoreMS Fram
Fully refurbished for the 2020 season, the MS Fram combines advanced technology with a wide choice of cabins, green credentials, and a new Science Centre.
Discover MoreHondius
Hondius is custom-made for polar exploration and carries up to 170 guests in a range of cabins. Large deck space for viewing and comfortable observation loungers plus the …
Discover MoreSvalbard Luxury ships
Right at the pinnacle of luxury, these super-yacht-style ships offer impeccable service and all the high-end amenities you’d expect. Yet despite the elegance, you’ll still be bundling up for daily off-ship adventures as you explore the icy reaches of the north.
National Geographic Resolution
Purpose-built for polar exploration, this slick European-designed ship combines an ice-strengthened hull with cutting-edge X-Bow technology.
Discover MoreNational Geographic Endurance
Constructed in Europe and purpose-designed for polar travel, this modern ship features an advanced X-Bow stabilising design and an ice-strengthened hull.
Discover MoreSilver Endeavour
Built in Germany in 2021, Silver Endeavour ushers in a new era of mega-yacht-style expedition cruising.
Discover MoreLe Commandant Charcot
Travel in luxurious surroundings on board this purpose built ice breaker. Designed to minimise the environmental impact of travel while maximising the expedition approach.
Discover MoreLe Boreal, Le Soleal, L'Austral & Le Lyrial
Purpose built expedition ships with state of the art luxury and five-star service for their 264 guests traveling in serious comfort.
Discover MoreSilver Wind
A refined choice for travellers seeking comfort and adventure, this 274-passenger ship was carefully refitted for polar exploration in 2021.
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Swoop says
Kayaking is a popular optional add-on only offered by certain ships. If adventure options are your priority, double check your preferred ship offers them.
Plan your trip
Svalbard Cruises
Halfway between Norway and the North Pole, Svalbard distils the best of the Arctic into one remarkable archipelago. In high summer, largely ice-free coastlines reveal calving …
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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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When to visit Svalbard
While Svalbard may be an almost year round destination, the changing weather, number of daylight hours, amount of ice and snow conditions through the year all have a marked effect …
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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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Ultramarine in the Arctic
Vikingfjord in Svalbard
MV Freya parked in Arctic ice
National Geographic Resolution
Ocean Albatros
Plancius in ice
Your Arctic vessel
Svalbard Ships: FAQs
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Which ship or itinerary offers the best chances of seeing polar bears?
There are three main variables - alongside luck, which none of us can control - to bear in mind when it comes to giving yourself the best chance of seeing polar bears:
1. Length of trip: Put simply, the longer your trip the greater your chances of wildlife encounters
2. The Itinerary: While polar bears are very nomad, there are well-known polar bear ‘hotspots’.
3. Calibre and size of the expedition team: You want a big and very experienced team, as that means there will always be lots of sets of eyes on watch for wildlife. And, secondly, from experience, they’ll also know where to look, which will further improve your chance of successful sightings
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Should I choose a smaller or larger expedition ship?
This is a key question, and in Svalbard there are two ways to think about it:
Firstly, you should consider what's most important to you, as there are trade-offs. A smaller ship typically lends itself to a more intimate experience, where you’ll get to know a greater proportion of your fellow passengers, and getting on and off the ship will be speedier.
However, the anonymity of a larger ship, alongside normally more on-ship amenities and a wider choice of dining locations (particularly on a longer voyage) can be attractive. There’s no right or wrong answer, it's simply down to personal choice.
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Do any of the ships have a spa, gym, or sauna?
Yes, many of them have all of these, plus in a number of cases some also offer hot tubs.
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Is it worth paying for a balcony?
As a team, we at Swoop Arctic are big fans of having a balcony, and here’s why:
- It gives you your very own personal and peaceful outside space where you can relax
- The Arctic in summer is warmer than you probably think, and you will use it if you have one (even if you think you won’t!)
- Balconies are the perfect platform for taking in the ever rolling vistas you’re passing through and wildlife spotting (it's universally recognised that smokers typically spot the most wildlife, as they spend the most time outside)
- They're a great place to ‘be outside’ while the warmth of your cabin is only a few steps away if you start to get chilly
- If wildlife is sighted and announced over the ship’s intercom, you’ve got direct and immediate access to see what's going on, without having to scramble onto a public outer deck
- A relaxing sundowner on your balcony – or even breakfast out there, if you’re on a ship which can deliver room service – is a hard one to argue against for most of us
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Do the ships have stabilisers and are they effective?
All of the expedition ships which operate in Svalbard have active stabilisers which through reducing side-to-side ‘roll’ by over 85% can be said to be highly effective.
The only ships that don't have active stabilising systems are the former working ships, which includes the micro ships
A number of ships are also X-Bow designed, which allows them to cut through the water in a very efficient and smooth way.
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Is paying more for a luxury expedition ship worth it?
It's a good question, but ultimately a very personal one, if comfort, service, access to amenities, gourmet food and an all-inclusive price are important to you, and worth paying more for.
Interestingly, when it comes to certain Arctic ships which are considered Luxury, for a relatively modest additional investment you can get a lot for your money.
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Will a smaller ship provide better wildlife viewing and landings?
This is a tricky question to answer as there’s always a slice of luck involved when it comes to wildlife sightings. However, in our experience, smaller ships have a higher chance of better wildlife sightings because:
- The scale of larger ships can make wildlife sightings harder: you're higher up and therefore further from the wildlife (although elevation can also be an advantage, depending on how far away the wildlife is), and it takes longer to access the outer viewing decks.
- Choosing a larger ship doesn’t necessarily come with correspondingly larger outer decks which are capable of accommodating everyone when wildlife is spotted; smaller ships typically give everyone ample space so there’s no jockeying for a good view when that polar bear finals shows.
When it comes to landings, this is where having fewer guests on board carries a distinct advantage as it means:
- Getting everyone off the ship at the beginning of a shore excursion takes much less time, and avoids precious time wasted (and frustrations) waiting to get ashore.
- And less time spent ferrying everyone to and then back from a landing translates into having more time to spend on land, which in our book can mean a more satisfying overall experience by not feeling rushed and having the time you need.
- Fewer people, combined with a high guide-to-guest ratio, also means that the group sizes once you get on land will be smaller, and you’ll have more opportunity for 1-2-1 time with the experts.
Ready to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
1. Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3. Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
