Cruise from Norway to Svalbard

Tromsø→Longyearbyen

10 nights1 departure · Jun 2027

from$ 11,625

What Awaits You

This luxury cruise embarks on a journey to the edge of the Arctic, setting sail from Tromsø, the Arctic gateway to Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Over ten days, the itinerary visits notable destinations, including the majestic North Cape, the northernmost tip of Europe, and Svalbard. The voyage offers the enchanting experience of exploring the Arctic’s striking landscapes and unique wildlife. The cruise provides opportunities to visit fascinating places such as the scenic Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø and the realm of polar bears, walruses, and arctic foxes amidst its stunning glaciers and fjords. North Cape presents iconic views and unique Arctic phenomena like the midnight sun. Throughout this luxury cruise, guests can partake in a variety of activities. Join the expedition team on a thrilling Zodiac tour or savor the sights from the ship’s observation deck. Optional activities include kayaking in Svalbard. Onboard, delve into lectures and enhance your photography skills with guidance from professional photographers, ensuring an enriching journey.

Dates & Prices

1 departure · Jun 2027

All Arctic cruises

16.06.27 – 26.06.2710 nights
Discover Svalbard and the Norwegian Arctic: cruise from Tromsø to LongyearbyenSH Diana · D1627061610
Price from
$11,625
per person
Explore — Discover Svalbard and the Norwegian Arctic: cruise from Tromsø to Longyearbyen

Expedition highlights

High-latitude coasts where glaciers, fjords, and shifting light set the pace, and wildlife watching is part of the day from deck and shore.

Eternety Fjord, Greenland

Ice Fjords

Listen to the symphony of nature as towering icebergs and colossal glaciers crack and calve.

Citizen Science Workshops

During your trip, join Swan Hellenics Citizen Science programs and contribute to real-world environmental research.

Longyearbyen

Two Days in the Polar Capital

Time to explore Longyearbyen — the Svalbard Museum, the North Pole Expeditions Museum, dog sledding history, and the world's northernmost town on its own terms.

Expert-led Talks

Learn more about the region you're exploring from our team of expedition experts.

Polar Wildlife Watching

Spy on polar bears, walruses, whales and arctic foxes in their natural habitat.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

The voyage heads north into the High Arctic toward the Svalbard archipelago. Over several days, guests experience vast polar landscapes shaped by glaciers, fjords, sea ice, and open tundra. Svalbard is one of the Arctic’s richest wildlife regions, home to polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, seals, seabirds, and reindeer. Throughout the cruise, guests can take in the scenery from the ship and deepen their understanding of the region through expert-led talks and onboard presentations, combining comfort, discovery, and immersion in one of the world’s most extraordinary polar environments

NOTE: This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Also, please be aware that some of the venues and highlights mentioned may not be open or accessible on the day we visit. For the most accurate tour program, we recommend contacting your Swan Hellenic agent or travel agent closer to your departure date.

Overview

Day 1

Tromsø

The Arctic gateway, Tromsø at 69 degrees north, is renowned for the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. The Arctic Cathedral, with stained-glass windows, hosts midnight concerts. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views from Mount Storsteinen, while the historic centre features old wooden houses. The Polar Museum chronicles early polar explorations, and the thriving Alpine Botanic Garden adds to Tromsø's charm

Day 2

Skarsvåg (Nordkapp)

Skarsvåg, Europe’s northernmost fishing village on Magerøya Island, is a short journey from Nordkapp (North Cape)—Europe's northernmost point above the Arctic Circle, marked by a striking globe monument. Only Svalbard stands between here and the North Pole. Along the coast, Atlantic puffin colonies and over a million seabirds nest, including arctic skuas, razorbills, northern gannets, white-tailed eagles, common eider ducks and great cormorants

Activities:

Included

Guided Transfer to North Cape

2.5 hours

North Cape lies on the island of Magerøya—meaning “meagre island”—a fitting name for its stark and windswept Arctic landscape. This excursion is operated as a guided transfer, taking you comfortably through wild, open terrain with a distinctly Arctic character. Along the way, you may spot some of the approximately 4,000 reindeer that graze on the island during the summer months before being guided back to the mainland by the Sámi people in autumn. At 71°10′21″ north, you arrive at the iconic North Cape, where sheer cliffs rise 307 meters above the Arctic Ocean. You will have free time to explore the North Cape Hall, home to a cafeteria, souvenir shops, a post office, a small ecumenical chapel, and a seasonal panoramic film. Weather permitting, step outside to admire the sweeping views from the famous Globe monument at the cliff’s edge, as well as the nearby “stone wheels” displaying children’s drawings from around the world under the theme of peace and friendship. The return journey follows the same scenic route back to Skarsvåg.

Optional

Hike to Kirkeporten Rock

3 hours

Set off on a guided hike through Skarsvåg, the world’s northernmost fishing village on the island of Magerøya. This moderately easy walk leads you into a stark and beautiful Arctic landscape, where open sea, rolling tundra, and dramatic rock formations define the scenery. Along the way, your guide will share insights into local life and the natural forces that shape this remote region. The trail brings you to Kirkeporten, a striking natural rock arch overlooking Mefjord. Once believed to have been a sacrificial site for early Sámi settlements, the arch forms a dramatic “window” toward the North Cape Plateau beyond. Here, you’ll have time to pause, take photos, and absorb the scale and silence of the Arctic environment. This hike offers a memorable opportunity to experience the raw power of nature and the unique atmosphere of northern Norway at the very edge of Europe. Minimum participation required; tour may be cancelled or subject to price changes if not met

Optional

King Crab Safari at Sarnes

3.5 hours

The giant King Crab was introduced to the Barents Sea in the 1960s and quickly thrived, spreading along the North Norwegian coast. With populations now in the millions, controlled fishing is permitted to manage its impact on the local ecosystem. Prized for its rich, lobster-like meat, the King Crab can live up to 30 years and reach impressive sizes, though the crabs used for this experience typically weigh between 3 and 7 kilos. Your tour begins with a short bus transfer from the pier to Sarnes Lavvo Camp. On arrival, the crabs will already be waiting in tanks or crab pots, ready for preparation. They are freshly cooked and served inside a traditional lavvo-style building, accompanied by bread, butter, and coffee brewed over an open fire. After enjoying this authentic Arctic delicacy, you return by bus to your ship. Minimum participation required; tour may be cancelled or subject to price changes if not met

Day 2

Cruising North Cape

North Cape (Nordkapp), the northernmost tip of Europe in Norway, where the Arctic Ocean meets the rugged coast, is a majestic headland that has fascinated explorers for centuries. Cruising to North Cape promises an awe-inspiring encounter with nature's grandeur and a glimpse into the Arctic's captivating allure. In summer, North Cape basks in the ethereal glow of the midnight sun, a surreal phenomenon where the sun never fully sets

Day 3

Bear Island

The greatest bird cliff in the Barents Sea is on Bear Island, or Bjørnøya, Svalbard’s southernmost island. Atlantic puffins, northern gannets, glaucous gulls, great skuas, black-legged kittiwakes, little auks, common guillemots, and Brünnich's guillemots, nest on the steep cliffs near Kapp Kolthoff, south of Sørhamna. The ocean has sculpted sea stack rock columns, sea caves and tunnels, with a notable tunnel at Perleporten

Activities:

Optional

Kayak With Swan Hellenic Expedition Team (single outing)

2 hours

Kayaking in polar regions offers a profound connection with nature. Immersed at water level, free from artificial sounds, the experience is spiritual. Experience the unspoilt magical beauty. Drink in the breathtaking scenery, magnificent ice formations and incredible wildlife with all of your senses, as you tune in to the relaxing rhythm of your paddles gently splashing in the icy water.

Days 3-10

Svalbard

Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals and arctic fox

Days 10-11

Longyearbyen

The world's most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It's home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out

Guest Reviews

Each Swan Hellenic Arctic voyage is designed to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and create encounters with the natural world that stay with you long after you return. Our guests' experiences bring the spirit of polar expedition to life.

What elevates Swan Hellenic above competitors is the expedition team and the dedication to immersive travel. The expert lecturers, naturalists, and guides are world-class, offering fascinating lectures and ensuring safe, intimate excursions.

Rachel TaylorAustralia

Everything was absolutely perfect! There was not a single thing to complain about. It was incredibly fun, and that fantastic atmosphere was maintained by the entire crew from the very first to the very last minute of our stay!

Alexander KorneevFinland

A terrific expedition trip! Small number of guests, very attentive staff, very interesting ports of call. Excursions were varied & fun!

Katie BrownCanada

I highly recommend Swan Hellenic! Every single aspect of my cruise was outstanding. The food was fantastic and the ship is awesome. The crew supported my every need in an excellent manner.

Robbie AsherUnited States

From the captain to the expedition guides, from the service staff to housekeeping. 100 out of 100 points!

Annette ClavinDenmark

Frequently Asked Questions

‘Cruise from Norway to Svalbard’ lasts 9 nights aboard SH Diana, sailing from Tromsø in Arctic Norway to Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen. The voyage begins with Skarsvåg and the cliffs of North Cape, the northernmost point of mainland Europe, then crosses the Barents Sea to remote Bear Island before spending six days exploring Svalbard itself. This Norway to Svalbard cruise reaches far beyond the archipelago's usual routes, calling at Kvitøya, the Seven Islands at almost 80° North, and the vast face of the Monaco Glacier, with dedicated time spent cruising in search of the pack ice edge.

Svalbard holds one of the densest concentrations of Arctic wildlife anywhere. On a cruise from Norway to Svalbard you may encounter polar bears hunting along the ice edge, walrus hauled out in their hundreds, Arctic foxes in their summer coats, and the stocky, short-legged Svalbard reindeer found nowhere else on Earth. The surrounding waters are rich in whales, from minke and fin to the occasional blue whale, along with beluga pods in the fjords and bearded, ringed and harp seals on the floes. Bird life is extraordinary: Bear Island alone hosts colonies of hundreds of thousands of Brünnich's guillemots and kittiwakes, while little auks, puffins and the rare ivory gull are all possible further north. Time spent cruising the pack ice on this Norway Svalbard cruise offers the single best chance of a polar bear encounter.

The best time to cruise Svalbard and Norway is from June through August, when the midnight sun brings 24-hour daylight and the retreating sea ice opens the northern coasts of Spitsbergen to navigation. June departures combine peak seabird nesting with ice still close to the archipelago, offering strong prospects for polar bears at the floe edge, while July and August bring warmer conditions, tundra in bloom and easier access to the far north and east. Outside this window the Arctic pack closes in and Svalbard becomes inaccessible to expedition vessels, which is why cruises to Svalbard from Norway operate only across these summer months.

Svalbard lies roughly 800 kilometers north of mainland Norway and can be reached either by air or, far more rewardingly, by sea. On this Svalbard Norway cruise you sail the full distance yourself, departing from Tromsø and crossing the Barents Sea via North Cape and Bear Island, watching the landscape shift from Norwegian fjords to true High Arctic as you go. Guests arrange their own flights to Tromsø to join the ship, while the return charter flight from Longyearbyen is included in the Cruise Plus fare, along with group transfers and a pre-cruise hotel night. Traveling this way means you experience the transition into the Arctic gradually, rather than arriving in Longyearbyen by plane in a matter of hours.

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Cruise from Norway to Svalbard

What Awaits You

Dates & Prices