A Svalbard cruise is the most complete way to experience the High Arctic: days of sailing along glacier fronts, landings on remote beaches, walrus colonies, bird cliffs and the best chance anywhere in Europe of seeing polar bears on the sea ice. But « Svalbard cruise » covers everything from a 90-minute trip on Isfjorden to a 12-day expedition around the archipelago.
Here is how the options compare in 2026–2027, what changed with the new rules, and how to pick the right ship for you.
Cruises and boat trips bookable from Longyearbyen
The 3 types of Svalbard cruise
| Type | Duration | Passengers | Season | Approx. price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day cruise / boat trip from Longyearbyen | 1.5–9 h | 10–100 | June–September | €150–450 |
| Small yacht or sailboat expedition | 5–10 days | 8–12 | June–August | from ≈ €1,800 |
| Expedition cruise ship | 7–14 days | 50–200 | June–August | €4,000–15,000+ |
| Large cruise ship calling at Longyearbyen | 1 day in port | 1,000+ | June–August | Part of a Norway cruise |
1. Small yachts and sailboats
With a handful of guests on board, a yacht can slip into narrow fjords, wait for hours at an ice edge or change plans the moment someone spots a bear. Life on board is simple but friendly, and you get far more time outdoors than on a big ship. Two departures are bookable online from Longyearbyen:
5-Day Arctic Wildlife & Glacier Yacht Tour
Best value expedition
- Duration: 5 days
- Price: from ≈ €1,800 per person
- Departure: Longyearbyen
- Season: summer
Five days of glaciers, wildlife and landings, with the flexibility of a small crew. A good compromise between budget and time at sea.
8-Day Arctic Wildlife Yacht Expedition
Best for polar bears
- Duration: 8 days
- Price: from ≈ €2,000 per person
- Departure: Longyearbyen
- Rating: 5/5
Eight days give you time to head north towards the pack ice, where your chances of seeing polar bears, walruses and whales are highest.
2. Expedition cruise ships
Expedition ships carry roughly 50–200 passengers, with Zodiacs for landings, naturalist guides and lectures on board. They offer more comfort (private cabins, restaurants, sometimes spas) and itineraries that try to circumnavigate Spitsbergen when the ice allows. Prices are much higher, typically several thousand euros per person for 7–12 days. Book 6–12 months ahead for July and August.
3. Large cruise ships
Some big Norway cruises call at Longyearbyen for a day. Since 2025 ships with more than 200 passengers may no longer operate in Svalbard’s national parks and nature reserves, so these cruises see Longyearbyen and Isfjorden only. If you arrive this way, use your day in port for a boat tour or a coal mine or Seed Vault tour.
Day cruises: Svalbard from the water in one day
No time or budget for an expedition? A day on the water still shows you glaciers, bird cliffs and Arctic ghost towns:
Pyramiden & Glacier Arctic Boat Tour
Best day cruise
- Duration: 9 h
- Price: from ≈ €445
- Includes: lunch, drysuit, transfers
Soviet ghost town, bird cliffs and the Nordenskiöld Glacier. See our Pyramiden guide.
Arctic Cruise with Floating Experience & Lunch
Most relaxed
- Duration: 6.5 h
- Price: from ≈ €400
- Includes: lunch
A comfortable cruise boat day in Isfjorden with a meal on board and a chance to float in the Arctic water in a survival suit.
Private Glacier & Wildlife Boat Adventure
Private cruise
- Duration: 8 h
- Price: from ≈ €2,000 per group (max. 3)
- Includes: lunch, pickup
Your own « mini cruise » to Oscar II Land. Read the details and verified reviews in our boat tour comparison.
Read also:Svalbard Polar Bear Tours: How to (Really) See Polar Bears in 2026
When to cruise Svalbard
June: more sea ice around the archipelago, snowy mountains, good chances of bears on fjord ice, but some northern routes still blocked. July: peak season, midnight sun, bird colonies at their busiest. August: the least ice, the best chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen, walruses and whales; the first sunsets return at the end of the month. Our best time to visit Svalbard guide has more detail.
How to choose your Svalbard cruise
- Passenger number: 200 or fewer if you want landings in the national parks; 12 or fewer for maximum flexibility.
- Duration: at least 5 days for wildlife; 8–12 days to reach the north and east.
- Departure: almost all expeditions start and end in Longyearbyen — fly in a day early in case of delays (see our Svalbard trip planner).
- Guides: look for naturalist guides and a high guide-to-guest ratio.
- Clothing: check whether boots and a parka are provided.
- ✔ Pros
- Best chances of polar bears and walruses
- Reach places no day trip can
- Midnight sun at sea
- Small ships are flexible and intimate
- ✘ Cons
- Expensive, especially on expedition ships
- Short season (June–August)
- Itineraries depend on ice and weather
- Big ships no longer enter protected areas
Quiz: cruising Svalbard
Tap an answer — you will see the explanation instantly.
Since 2025, what is the maximum number of passengers for ships landing in Svalbard’s national parks?
Ships carrying more than 200 passengers may no longer operate in the protected areas.
Where do almost all Svalbard expedition cruises start?
Most expeditions start and end in Longyearbyen, reached by plane from Oslo or Tromsø.
Which month usually has the least sea ice?
August usually offers the best chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Svalbard cruise for seeing polar bears?
A small ship or yacht of 5–10 days in June, July or August that heads north and east towards the pack ice. The more days at sea, the better the chances.
How much does a Svalbard cruise cost?
Day cruises from Longyearbyen cost about €150–450. Small yacht expeditions start around €1,800 per person for 5 days, and expedition ships usually cost €4,000–15,000 or more per person for 7–12 days.
Can you cruise to Svalbard from mainland Norway?
Yes, some Norway cruises and expedition voyages sail from Tromsø or the mainland to Longyearbyen. Most expeditions, however, start in Longyearbyen after a flight.
When is the Svalbard cruise season?
Mainly June to August, with some departures in late May and September.
Are big cruise ships still allowed in Svalbard?
They can still call at Longyearbyen, but ships with more than 200 passengers may no longer operate in the national parks and nature reserves since 2025.
Affiliate disclosure: this guide contains affiliate links to GetYourGuide. If you book through them we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative and were checked at the time of writing — the live price on the booking page always prevails.