Your fare covers everything you need for the expedition itself:

• Accommodation in a fully serviced cabin throughout the voyage
• Three meals, all-day snacks, tea, coffee, and house beer, soda, and wine during dinner hours
• Shore excursions — guided landings and walks, Zodiac cruising and onboard talks, weather, ice and permits allowing
• Expert expedition team of guides, naturalists, historians and lecturers
• Expedition parka for you to keep, plus rubber muck boots on loan
• Port fees and landing permits
• Gratuities for crew
• Basic Wi-Fi — upgrades available for a fee

Not included: flights, pre- and post-voyage accommodation in Longyearbyen, personal onboard bar charges, boutique purchases, Wi-Fi upgrades and any optional activities not listed in the inclusions.

Late June and early July are the heart of the Arctic summer. Expect temperatures from around 0°C to 5°C, with wind and sea spray making it feel colder on deck and in the Zodiacs, and 24-hour daylight for the whole voyage. Snow may still lie on the mountains, and sea ice may be found in northern waters.

Our route follows the west and north-west coasts of Spitsbergen, mostly within sheltered fjords, with the possibility of heading north towards the edge of the sea ice. Stretches along the open coast and in northern waters can be lively, so if you are prone to motion sickness, see our FAQ “What seasickness precautions do you recommend?”. Good waterproof layers, warm gloves and a hat are essential — we will send a detailed packing list after booking.

You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be in good general health and comfortable with light to moderate physical activity. Shore landings involve boarding Zodiacs from a moving platform, stepping onto uneven or slippery shingle and rocks, and walking over tundra, snow or uneven terrain. We offer walks at different paces, and you are always free to take it easier.

All guests complete a pre-departure medical form, which is reviewed by our onboard doctor. In certain cases we may request clearance from your general practitioner, and in rare instances our doctor may decide that participation is not possible for safety reasons. If you have specific health concerns, please speak with your doctor before booking and contact us to discuss your needs.

We carry an average of 98 guests on a ship built for up to 142 — more space, more flexibility and more time ashore. Because Svalbard limits the number of people ashore at once at many sites, we run landings in groups, led by our expedition team.

Our guests are a mix of curious, well-travelled people from Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, many of them on their first Arctic voyage. Our expedition team will be with you every day on deck, in the Zodiacs and ashore.

Full details of our deposit requirements and cancellation policy are set out in our Terms & Conditions.

We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes cancellation cover. We require coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation — given the remote nature of polar expeditions, this is essential rather than optional. If you have questions about a specific voyage or booking, speak with our team — we’re happy to walk you through everything before you commit.

We aim for a landing or Zodiac cruise each day, but our route is a plan, not a promise. The expedition team chooses each day’s activities according to ice, weather, wildlife and permits — and sea ice may affect where we can go.

Svalbard’s landing sites are designated, with site-specific group limits in protected areas, and landings depend on permits and wildlife safety. Sites named in the itinerary are possible options, not confirmed calls. Final decisions rest with the Captain and Expedition Leader, in line with AECO guidelines and the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act. A daily programme will be provided onboard.

Svalbard is home to polar bears, walruses, seals, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer and vast seabird colonies, and sea ice is central to the polar bear’s life, providing a platform from which it hunts seals. Polar bear sightings cannot be guaranteed. Polar bears must not be disturbed, attracted or pursued, and Norwegian regulations require a minimum distance of 500 metres between 1 March and 30 June and 300 metres during the remainder of the year. All wildlife encounters follow applicable regulations and AECO guidelines.

Because of the risk of polar bears, our guides carry protection and scout every landing site ahead of guests, and you must stay with the group ashore. Where a bear is present, we will not land. Bring binoculars and a long lens if you have one — and expect some of your best wildlife moments from the ship or Zodiac.

Embarkation takes place in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town of any size on Earth, on the afternoon of Friday 23 June or Wednesday 28 June 2028. We strongly recommend arriving at least one day earlier to allow for potential travel delays. Further details about your meeting point and luggage drop will be provided in your embarkation letter, approximately 30 days before departure.

We arrive back in Longyearbyen in the morning on Wednesday 28 June or Monday 3 July 2028, and disembark after breakfast — avoid booking very early flights home.

Yes. Longyearbyen’s airport is served by scheduled flights from mainland Norway, and our team can help with flights and with accommodation before or after your voyage. Speak with our team about adding a night or two in Longyearbyen — it is a fascinating place to explore before or after your voyage.