We Recommend
Bergen - Longyearbyen - Bergen (Full-trip)
The Svalbard Line – Roundtrip
All-inclusive Arctic cruise to Svalbard & back, with fjords, wildlife & Midnight Sun
- May - September 2027
- 15 days
- 14 Stops
- All meals & unlimited selected drinks
Svalbard cruises
Journey to Norway’s remote archipelago on a Svalbard cruise for Arctic landscapes, expedition history, polar wildlife and endless light from the Midnight Sun.
At the very top of the world, between mainland Norway and the North Pole, lies Svalbard, an Arctic wilderness of immense glaciers, dramatic fjords and extraordinary wildlife. This remote archipelago is a bucket-list destination for many: a place where you can bask beneath the endless daylight of the Midnight Sun, see an elusive polar bear or go whale watching in icy waters.
Despite its high Arctic location, the influence of the Gulf Stream helps keep Svalbard's western coastline navigable during summer rather than locked in sea ice. This is what makes our iconic Svalbard Line route possible.
Sail from Bergen to Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund, then back again via 16 carefully chosen Norwegian ports. Or fly to Longyearbyen and join a specialist expedition voyage with Hurtigruten Svalbard. Whichever you choose, expect a Svalbard holiday with knowledgeable guides and spectacular views on an Arctic adventure with the pioneers of Norwegian coastal cruising.
Why choose a Svalbard cruise with Hurtigruten?
A legacy Arctic route
In 1968, we founded the first regular summer sailing to Svalbard. The voyage was a vital link between mainland Norway and its remote archipelago, until 1982 when the route was retired. Then, in 2023, Hurtigruten launched The Svalbard Line – reimagining our legacy route for the 21st century.
Small-ship sailing
Experience Norway’s coastline just like the locals do, on a smaller ship designed to sail in and out of fjords and among hundreds of islands. Our ships carry fewer than 500 passengers, ensuring your Svalbard cruise has a calm and personal atmosphere, and the incredible scenery is always within sight.
The Midnight Sun
In summer above the Arctic Circle, the Midnight Sun reigns in the sky. This season of endless light is especially long in Svalbard: the sun stays in the sky all day and night from late April to late August – giving you 24 hours of daylight to experience this otherworldly place.
Wildlife of the High Arctic
The wildlife in Svalbard is unlike any other on Earth. Polar bears are perhaps the most famous resident, but seeing one isn’t guaranteed, so look out for Arctic foxes (the archipelago has a healthy population) as well as walruses, whales, sea eagles and reindeer while on your Svalbard cruise.
Signature all-inclusive comfort
On board our comfortable small ships there are no nightclubs, casinos or cabarets. Just expert-led talks, on-deck tastings and all-inclusive food and drink served with a story. Indulge in breakfast, lunch and dinner across two restaurants and enjoy unlimited selected drinks.
An expert Expedition Team
Our Signature voyages feature a six-strong Expedition Team, offering even deeper knowledge and more personal guidance. Learn about the history, nature and geography of Svalbard via free lectures and talks, ask for excursion recommendations or join a guided hike in Svalbard.
Our Svalbard cruises
Bergen – Longyearbyen (Northbound)
The Svalbard Line – North
All-inclusive Arctic cruise north to Svalbard, sailing fjords under the Midnight Sun
- May - September 2027
- 8 days
- 7 Stops
- All meals & unlimited selected drinks
Longyearbyen - Bergen (Southbound)
The Svalbard Line - South
All-inclusive cruise from the High Arctic exploring fjords, islands & wildlife
- May - September 2027
- 8 days
- 9 Stops
- All meals & unlimited selected drinks
Self-guided cruise and tour
Oslo - Longyearbyen (Northbound)
Arctic Norway Frontier – Oslo, Fjords & Svalbard with cruise extension
80° North via one iconic train journey and two extraordinary sea voyages
- May - August 2027
- 18 days
- 5 Stops
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Enjoy a 5-Night Expedition Cruise with Hurtigruten Svalbard
For a standalone Svalbard cruise, the Mini-Cruise aboard classic expedition ship MS Serenissima offers an unforgettable way to experience the High Arctic direct from Longyearbyen. Operated by Hurtigruten Svalbard, our sister company and local Svalbard expert, this immersive voyage combines spectacular scenery, wildlife encounters and guided exploration on a shorter 5-night itinerary.
Ideal for guests with limited time or those flying directly to Longyearbyen.
Sail aboard the intimate, characterful MS Serenissima.
Explore spectacular fjords, glaciers and Arctic wilderness up to 80° North.
Opportunities to spot polar bears, whales, walruses, reindeer and seabirds.
Zodiac landings and expert-led shore excursions.
Guided by local expedition experts.
Languages spoken on board include English, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Italian and French. Check sailing dates for exact language availability.
Arctic Norway Frontier
Experience Norway, its cities, coast and wilderness, on the ultimate package trip: a scenic rail journey, all-inclusive cruise and expedition-style voyage, from Oslo to the High Arctic. This tour combines cross-country train travel with a 7-night all-inclusive cruise on our Svalbard Line voyage, before joining Hurtigruten Svalbard’s expedition ship, MS Serenissima, to begin a 4-night journey along the west coast of Spitsbergen.
Ideal for guests with more time.
Land and sea adventure packaged into one incredible holiday.
Enjoy all-inclusive food and drink on our premium Signature voyage, The Svalbard Line.
See the best of Norway’s coastline, including fjords, islands and cities.
Explore Svalbard’s far north by expedition ship and search for polar wildlife.
Expert guiding onboard both voyages.
When is the best time for a Svalbard cruise?
Early summer (May - early June)
Walruses, seals, reindeer and polar bears become more active after winter.
The Midnight Sun is already established, with 24 hours of daylight providing excellent photography opportunities.
Travel now for fewer visitors and snowcapped landscapes.
Peak summer (June - August)
This is the optimum season for seeing all polar wildlife due to milder weather and easier access through sea ice.
Midnight Sun still shines for 24 hours a day in peak summer, and temperatures sit around 5-7°C.
Travel now for outdoor activities and longer daylight hours.
Late summer (August - September)
This is the best time to see whales before they migrate south for the winter.
The Midnight Sun period ends on 22 August, bringing back sunrises and sunsets for the first time since April.
Travel now to see the start of Svalbard’s brief yet striking autumn season.
What will you see on a Svalbard cruise?
Svalbard is an incredibly unique destination for wildlife. The landscape is harsh but so many animals flourish here, mostly thanks to the warming waters pushed north by the Gulf Stream. On land, you can see reindeer, Arctic foxes and maybe even polar bears.
While seeing a polar bear is a highlight, sightings aren’t guaranteed. Polar bears are an endangered species and it is illegal to track them. Instead, the best and least intrusive way to see polar bears is on a small ship Svalbard cruise in the summer months, where you’ll have a chance of spotting them in the wild.
At sea, you’ll also have the chance to see several species of whales, including blue, fin, beluga and humpback whales, as well as the iconic narwhal with its long spiral ‘tusk’.
Where to step ashore in Svalbard
Longyearbyen
Svalbard’s capital is in one of the world’s harshest environments. Yet, among the raw Arctic beauty, you’ll find a warm and welcoming community.
Discover fine dining at the historic Huset Restaurant, delicious cakes in cosy cafés and natural history at the Svalbard museum.
Ny-Ålesund
Just 1,200km from the North Pole, Ny-Ålesund is the most northerly settlement on Earth. This small town is home to a museum, post office and several research stations for analysing glaciers, the ocean and Arctic wildlife.
Magdalenefjorden
Magdalenefjorden is a striking inlet in northwestern Spitsbergen, with awe-inspiring views of steep jagged peaks and Waggonwaybreen, the primary glacier that feeds into the fjord.
Excursions in Longyearbyen
We offer the following exciting excursions while in port in Longyearbyen.
excursions
Longyearbyen by E-bike
excursions
Svalbard Hike and Fossil Hunt
excursions
Dog Sledding on Wheels
FAQs: Svalbard cruises
Is Svalbard the same as Spitsbergen?
No. Svalbard is an archipelago made up of several islands, and Spitsbergen is the largest of those islands. Spitsbergen is where most settlements – including Longyearbyen – are based, and where most expedition cruises depart from.
It should be noted, however, that some countries refer to Svalbard as ‘Spitsbergen’ or ‘Spitzbergen’, including The Netherlands and Germany.
When can you go on a Svalbard cruise?
Hurtigruten sails to Svalbard on The Svalbard Line on several dates during the summer season, when the weather is fair and the Midnight Sun provides 24 hours of daylight for weeks on end.
Hurtigruten Svalbard runs its Mini-Cruise in the same period, May to September, with multiple sailings per month.
How long is a Svalbard cruise with Hurtigruten?
The Svalbard Line is 15 days for the full round-trip voyage, or 8 days for the northbound or southbound voyages.
The Hurtigruten Svalbard Mini-Cruise is 5 days long.
The combined Arctic Norway Frontier tour, featuring both time on The Svalbard Line and MS Serenissima with Hurtigruten Svalbard, is 18 days long.
Can you see polar bears on a Svalbard cruise?
As Svalbard’s most iconic resident, the polar bear is high on many travellers’ bucket lists. However, sightings are never guaranteed. Because polar bears are an endangered species, tours that track them or bring visitors directly to their location are strictly forbidden. Our small-ship cruises around Svalbard offer the best opportunities to spot them responsibly and with minimal disturbance in the wild.
Do you need a visa to visit Svalbard?
No, Svalbard is a visa-free zone, meaning no visa is required to enter or stay there. However, because flights to Svalbard travel via mainland Norway, visitors from countries that require a visa for Norway must obtain a double-entry Schengen visa for their trip.
What’s included on The Svalbard Line?
The Svalbard Line is a Signature voyage, meaning you get an all-inclusive experience. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in at least two onboard restaurants, as well as a wide range of selected drinks, including delicious soft drinks, beers, spirits and wines. You can also enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the ship.
Guests staying in a suite receive extra inclusions, including unlimited cocktails and fine dining at our award-winning restaurant, Røst.
What’s included on MS Serenissima?
Full-board dining (breakfast, lunch and dinner) alongside complimentary water, tea and coffee. Any other drinks can be purchased onboard.
A three-hour sightseeing tour in Longyearbyen with entrance to Svalbard Museum and a visit to Camp Barentz is also included, as well as guided landings with small expedition boats during the voyage and several onboard lectures.
Note, there is no WiFi available onboard MS Serenissima. And with no phone signal or internet access either, the short voyage is a perfect opportunity to switch off and connect with nature.
Are there any suites on board MS Serenissima?
Yes, but suite guests joining from a Svalbard Line voyage will be assigned a standard cabin by default.
Please contact Hurtigruten Svalbard directly at +47 79 02 61 00 or [email protected], or use the latest contact information on their website, if you want to upgrade to a suite for your time on board MS Serenissima.
Learn more about Svalbard
Nature and wildlife in Svalbard
Thanks to that balmy current, rather than being ice-bound year-round, Svalbard is home to wildlife and habitats you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.
Svalbard Travel Guide
From endless day to endless night, everything about the Svalbard archipelago is extreme. This is the Arctic at its wildest.
Svalbard’s history
Today, the population of Svalbard may be small, but the stories that have unfolded on its icy shores are many, weaving together the threads of numerous countries, cultures, and languages.