Svalbard - Last stop before the North Pole

An 8-day Arctic cruise aboard the ice-class Ocean Albatros. Sail close to the pack ice, search for polar bears, and discover the immense beauty and history of Svalbard.


Svalbard
© ALB

Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this Arctic adventure cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears and millions of sea birds. Experience high summer in the Arctic with Ocean Albatros - one of the few ice-class expedition ships built to withstand the polar pack ice.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Starts: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Ends: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Language: English speaking voyage

The itinerary is heavily dependent on the sea, wind, and ice conditions. The cruise includes a Citizen Science Program.


Included
Optional


Enjoy the immense beauty of Svalbard on this Arctic adventure cruise among whales, walruses, polar bears, and millions of sea birds. The expedition is hosted aboard the Ocean Albatros, one of the few ice-class expedition ships built to withstand the polar pack ice. The voyage offers jaw-dropping natural beauty, opportunities to watch for charismatic Arctic wildlife, and a chance to discover the fascinating history of this incredible archipelago.

A primary goal of this expedition is to sail as close as possible to the pack ice north of Svalbard—the polar bear’s favorite summer residence. During the short summer, the cliffs shimmer with life, populated by countless birds like Arctic guillemots and razorbills, while huge walruses enjoy the sandy shores. Exploring on land, you will aim to experience the Arctic up close and personal, with frequent shore landings and Zodiac cruises into the fjords and glacial landscapes, ensuring a true Arctic expedition.

Highlights:
Sail as close as possible to the pack ice north of Svalbard, the polar bear's summer residence.
Explore the largest protected wilderness area of North West Svalbard National Park.
Witness the wildlife spectacle of polar bears, walruses, whales, seals, and millions of seabirds.
Visit Smeerenburg, a historic 16th Century Dutch whaling settlement.
Enjoy frequent shore landings and Zodiac cruises into glacial landscapes.

Itinerary

© Agustin Ullmann
© Agustin Ullmann
© Agustin Ullmann

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Embarkation and departure
Arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and be transferred to the ship. After a mandatory safety briefing and lifeboat drill, enjoy a glass of champagne while the vessel leaves civilization behind and sets a course for adventure.

Days 2-3: Northwest Spitzbergen
Exploring the oldest history and wildlife of Svalbard
Explore the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, famed for its history dating back to the arrival of William Barents in 1596. Visit sites such as the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg, where blubber ovens and building foundations can still be seen. Keep a careful lookout for wandering polar bears, walruses hauled out on beaches, and thriving seabird colonies.

Day 4: Northeast Svalbard
Vast icy wilderness and polar desert
Cruise into the vast icy wilderness of northeastern Svalbard, a region that is radically different, with rocky polar desert landscapes. Vast glaciers flow from the mountains into the sea, which is often choked with ice. Hardy animals such as Arctic foxes and walruses are common, and the coastal waters are productive feeding grounds.

Day 5: North Svalbard
Northernmost landmasses on Earth
Reach some of the northernmost pieces of land on Earth, including the northerly coasts of Svalbard and potentially the seven smaller islands of Sjuøyane. Weather permitting, you will land and walk upon these almost vegetation-free, rocky islands. You will start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack at the end of the day.
Day 6: Into the ice
The kingdom of the polar bear
Enter the vast, ever-changing ice pack, the floating realm of ice which crowns our planet. Your expedition leader will work hard to maximize the chances of finding and exploring this impossibly remote environment, the kingdom of the polar bear. Look for seals basking on the ice, belugas, and vast bowhead whales.

Day 7: Kongsfjorden Area
Three Crowns and scientific outpost
Arrive in the magnificent Kongsfjord, a beautiful and tranquil corner anywhere in the world. Visit the small settlement of Ny Ålesund, Earth's northernmost settlement and a staging post for historic North Pole expeditions by legends like Roald Amundsen.

Day 8: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. Disembarkation
Farewell and return home
Arrive back in Longyearbyen on the final morning of the expedition. After exploring Longyearbyen, you will be transferred to Svalbard Airport for your flight back to the Norwegian mainland.

Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Embarkation and departure
Arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and be transferred to the ship. After a mandatory safety briefing and lifeboat drill, enjoy a glass of champagne while the vessel leaves civilization behind and sets a course for adventure.

Days 2-3: Northwest Spitzbergen
Exploring the oldest history and wildlife of Svalbard
Explore the Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, famed for its history dating back to the arrival of William Barents in 1596. Visit sites such as the Dutch settlement of Smeerenburg, where blubber ovens and building foundations can still be seen. Keep a careful lookout for wandering polar bears, walruses hauled out on beaches, and thriving seabird colonies.

Day 4: Northeast Svalbard
Vast icy wilderness and polar desert
Cruise into the vast icy wilderness of northeastern Svalbard, a region that is radically different, with rocky polar desert landscapes. Vast glaciers flow from the mountains into the sea, which is often choked with ice. Hardy animals such as Arctic foxes and walruses are common, and the coastal waters are productive feeding grounds.

Day 5: North Svalbard
Northernmost landmasses on Earth
Reach some of the northernmost pieces of land on Earth, including the northerly coasts of Svalbard and potentially the seven smaller islands of Sjuøyane. Weather permitting, you will land and walk upon these almost vegetation-free, rocky islands. You will start cruising towards the Arctic ice pack at the end of the day.
Day 6: Into the ice
The kingdom of the polar bear
Enter the vast, ever-changing ice pack, the floating realm of ice which crowns our planet. Your expedition leader will work hard to maximize the chances of finding and exploring this impossibly remote environment, the kingdom of the polar bear. Look for seals basking on the ice, belugas, and vast bowhead whales.

Day 7: Kongsfjorden Area
Three Crowns and scientific outpost
Arrive in the magnificent Kongsfjord, a beautiful and tranquil corner anywhere in the world. Visit the small settlement of Ny Ålesund, Earth's northernmost settlement and a staging post for historic North Pole expeditions by legends like Roald Amundsen.

Day 8: Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. Disembarkation
Farewell and return home
Arrive back in Longyearbyen on the final morning of the expedition. After exploring Longyearbyen, you will be transferred to Svalbard Airport for your flight back to the Norwegian mainland.


© Agustin Ullmann
© Agustin Ullmann
© Agustin Ullmann


INCLUSIONS

Arrival transfer from Svalbard airport (LYR) to ship (Day 1), provided for guests arriving on our selected arrival flight, please enquire for details.
8-day/7-night shipboard ensuite accommodation in your selected and paid category and occupancy
Complimentary use of Expedition Parka and rubber style muck boots, on loan for the duration of your expedition
English-speaking Expedition Team
Guided walks, nature hikes, Zodiac landings and excursions, as per itinerary, guided by our Expedition Team (excluding optional or activities with cost)
Briefings and educational lectures by the Expedition Team
Citizen Science Program
All meals on on the ship (full board): breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
Complimentary house wine, beer and soft drinks at dinner (selected labels and brands)
24 hours access to tea, coffee, and ‘Grab and Go’ comfort food
Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Parties
Taxes and landing fees
500MB Complimentary WiFi for use on your personal device
Digital Expedition Memento, including a curated selection of photos, videos, expedition log and map, and wildlife list
Exclusive Suite Inclusions: Available on Ocean Albatros: Junior Suite (Cat A), Balcony Suite (Cat B), Brynhilde Suite & Freydis Suite only, and Ocean Victory: Junior Suite (Cat A), Balcony Suite (Cat B) & Freydis Suite only: Wine and fruit platter on arrival, restocked in-suite mini bar (non-alcoholic) and complimentary laundry service throughout your expedition

EXCLUSIONS

International or internal airfares unless listed in the itinerary
Excursions and activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Meals and beverages not listed as included
Voluntary gratuity for the crew and Expedition Team (we recommend USD 20 per person per day)
Personal expenses such as spa services, boutique purchases, bar, laundry, communications unless specified
Mandatory travel insurance (must meet mandatory minimum coverage requirements for medical treatment and evacuation)
Visa, reciprocity and passport fees
Medical care or emergency evacuation
Expedition Jacket and rubber muck-style boots outside of available sizes. Please enquire for more details.
Life jackets for selected minors. Please enquire for more details.
Anything not mentioned under ’Inclusions”
Optional return transfer package: includes round-trip flights between Oslo and Longyearbean plus return group transfers Longyearbean airport - ship. Additional cost. Must be pre-booked. Detailed information available approx. 11 months prior to departure, please enquire for details.


Dates & Rates


Ship: Ocean Albatros 2025 | Date: 24 May 2026 - 31 May 2026 (3554)
G- Single
$8,095
F- Triple
$5,495
E
$6,795
D
$6,395
C
$6,995
Csp
$7,295
Cxl
$7,695
B
$9,195
A
$11,695
Premium Suite
$13,195
Family Suite
$13,195
Ship: Ocean Albatros 2025 | Date: 05 Jun 2026 - 12 Jun 2026 (3555)
G- Single
$9,195
F- Triple
$6,295
E
$7,695
D
$7,295
C
$7,895
Csp
$8,295
Cxl
$8,695
B
$10,395
A
$13,295
Premium Suite
$14,895
Family Suite
$14,895

* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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