Join the classic 12-passenger ship M/S Sjøveien on a true Arctic adventure through Svalbard’s magnificent wilderness! In May, Svalbard is characterised by a wonderful purity and offers breathtaking sceneries. The fairytale winter landscape is dominated by sparkling ice formations, snow covered mountains, fjord ice and pastel coloured skies. The polar bear yearlings venture out for the first time, the Arctic foxes and the Svalbard reindeer still wear their winter fur and seals and walruses can often be seen resting on the fjord ice. The little
auks and the Brünnich’s guillemots have returned to their summer nests and the bird cliffs are teeming with life.
We stay one night in Longyearbyen and then spend seven nights on board the expedition ship exploring this Arctic pearl that has fascinated explorers for centuries. We cruise along glistening glaciers, go ashore to enjoy the unique nature and keep a lookout for Svalbard's iconic wildlife.
Overview
Book by 31st May 2025
Itinerary Highlights
- Cruise pass the spectacular Monaco Glacier
- Spot polar bears, bearded seals, harbour seals and a variety of birds nesting on nearby cliffs
- Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers like Willem Barentzs who discovered Spitsbergen in 1596
- Small-ship cruising experience with 12 passengers on-board the M/S Sjoveien
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to hotel
- Day 2-8: Expedition Svalbard
- Day 9: Disembark in Longyearbyen and departure
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to hotel
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2-8: Expedition Svalbard
We start our Svalbard tour by exploring Longyearbyen. In the afternoon we embark the expedition ship and sail out through Isfjorden - our Arctic adventure has started! We are now in a part of the world where we are totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is to make landings or cruises every day with our Zodiacs. Here are some examples of places we may visit:
Prins Karls Forland
This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbour seals.
Virgohamna, Danskøya
Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
Fantastic fjords
Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of them such as: Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area and if lucky we could see the rare king eider. In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity. The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole.
North Spitsbergen
North of Spitsbergen we might meet the edge of the pack ice. Not many ships venture here and we can marvel at the silence and grandeur of this icy landscape. Chances of meeting polar bears increase as we sail along the ice floes.
Southwest Spitsbergen
The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 9: Disembark in Longyearbyen and departure
Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
Breakfast included.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
11 May 2025 - 19 May 2025 | USD$9090pp | ||
Twin Cabin Porthole | USD$9090pp | Contact us | |
Twin Cabin Window | USD$9590pp | Contact us | |
Double Cabin Superior | USD$9990pp | Contact us | |
Single Cabin | USD$11990pp | Contact us | |
18 May 2025 - 26 May 2025 | USD$9090pp | ||
25 May 2025 - 02 Jun 2025 | USD$9090pp | ||
08 Jun 2025 - 16 Jun 2025 | USD$9090pp | ||
08 Jun 2026 - 16 Jun 2026 | USD$8990pp |
Alternative itinerary options:
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Twin Cabin Porthole
Lower deck, twin beds, porthole window, desk, closet, en-suite bathroom.
Double Cabin Superior
Main or upper deck, double bed, desk, closet, en-suite bathroom.
Whats included?
- 7 nights on board M/S Sjøveien
- 1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
- Lunch day 2
- All meals on board
- Coffee and tea
- 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
- Guiding ashore and talks on board
- All excursions and activities
- Comprehensive information material before the expedition
- The trip is climate compensated
What’s not included?
- Flight to and from Longyearbyen
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- The customary gratuity to the ship’s crew
- Personal expenses such as bar and shop charges
Notes
Please note: Our exact route will depend on ice, weather conditions and wildlife. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Arctic
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