Expedition route map for the 7-night roundtrip Svalbard cruise departing from Longyearbyen aboard SH Vega.

Swan Hellenic · SH Diana and SH Vega · 10 nights

Sailing North to Svalbard

Tromsø or Reykjavík to Longyearbyen. Sailings in 2027 and 2028, with 2029 to follow. From A$22,525 per person, charter flight home from Longyearbyen included, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

Call 1300 187 630

Panoramic view of calm fjord waters and snow-capped peaks in Burgerbukta, Svalbard, on a Swan Hellenic expedition cruise

10 nights, one way to Longyearbyen

Arrive in Svalbard the slow way

Two routes north, both ending in Longyearbyen with the charter flight home to Copenhagen in the fare. From Tromsø, SH Diana sails past Skarsvåg and the North Cape to the bird cliffs of Bjørnøya, then spends a week among the fjords and ice of Spitsbergen. From Reykjavík, SH Vega crosses by the Westfjords, Húsavík and the volcanic island of Jan Mayen before four days in Svalbard. Either way the latitude climbs day by day and the light stretches toward midnight, so the archipelago is earned rather than flown into. Walrus, reindeer and Arctic fox share the shores, and early summer is the season when sea ice still lies close to the fjords. The Swan Hellenic expedition team leads a landing or a Zodiac outing each day.

We suggest this route to guests who like the Arctic to arrive gradually: the Lofoten walls first, then Bear Island, then the ice. Tell us how you like to travel and we shape the rest, the sailing, the stateroom, flights from Australia, a night in Tromsø or Oslo either side, and the offers we hold for Arctic Cruise guests. One Australian specialist, from the first conversation until you are home.

5 to 6 ports
2 countries
10 nights

Signature sites

Six places on the way north

The two routes share their destination and differ in their approach. These are the places that give each its character, every one reached by Zodiac or on foot with the expedition team, weather permitting.

Aerial view of the crevassed glacier front at Burgerbukta, Hornsund, Svalbard, Norway, photographed from SH Vega on a Swan Hellenic Arctic expedition cruise

Skarsvåg and the North Cape

Europe’s northernmost fishing village and the headland beyond it, where the ship passes the top of the mainland in the midnight sun. A guided transfer to the North Cape is included; a hike to Kirkeporten rock and a king crab safari are optional.

Skarsvåg and the North Cape

Day by day

Ten nights, in outline

Two routes, one destination. Choose the one that fits your dates; both are shaped by the ice and the weather, and the expedition leader decides each day’s order in the morning. The full programme, with every site named, comes with the proposal we write for you.

Board SH Diana in Tromsø, the Arctic gateway at 69 degrees north, after a hotel night included in the fare. The next day, Skarsvåg and the North Cape, then the ship turns north into the Barents Sea.

Aboard SH Diana and SH Vega

Sister ships of 192 and 152 guests, both with Polar Class hulls, a fleet of Zodiacs and an observation lounge built for long Arctic light. Staterooms and suites face outward, most with a balcony, and the Swan Hellenic style is quiet: Scandinavian interiors, open-seating dining and a team of guides who lecture between landings.

Discover SH Diana

Expedition guide giving an expert-led presentation to passengers in the lounge aboard a Swan Hellenic cruise

Lectures between landings

A balcony stateroom aboard a Swan Hellenic ship, which cruises to Antarctica.

A balcony facing the ice

Guests having drinks in a lounge aboard a Swan Hellenic ship, which cruises to Antarctica.

Dining that follows the day

A gourmet dish served aboard Swan Hellenic's SH Minerva, which cruises to Antarctica.

Sauna with a view

The pool aboard Swan Hellenic's ships, which cruise to Antarctica.

Zodiacs ready at dawn

We want to make your journey as easy as possible

Ten nights aboard SH Diana or SH Vega, all meals on board and 24-hour room service, wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks throughout the voyage, one guided shore excursion in each port and all expedition landings by Zodiac, weather permitting, lectures and briefings from the expedition team, an expedition parka to keep and rubber boots on loan, standard Wi-Fi, gratuities for the crew, self-service laundry, the charter flight from Longyearbyen to Copenhagen

Flights from Australia to Tromsø or Reykjavík and home from Copenhagen, kayaking, optional excursions such as the king crab safari or the Mývatn day tour, travel insurance, visa fees and personal expenses, spa treatments

Both routes include the charter flight from Longyearbyen to Copenhagen at the end of the voyage. The Tromsø sailing includes a hotel night in Tromsø the evening before; the Reykjavík sailing in May 2028 includes a night in Reykjavík. We arrange your flights from Australia and any extra nights, so the journey north is one booking.

Further Exploration

Other Arctic itineraries

Svalbard can also be sailed roundtrip from Longyearbyen, in seven or ten nights. Each voyage shows its from price in Australian dollars; our specialists help you choose the one that suits the way you like to travel.

Ultimate Svalbard

Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen, Copenhagen charter flights included. Sailings in 2027 and 2028, with 2029 to follow. From A$23,725 per person, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

10 Nights

Quark Expeditions

From US$10,371

Svalbard in Spring: Sea Ice, Pristine Snow and Wildlife

Helsinki to Helsinki, with the charter flight to Longyearbyen and hotel nights included. Eleven sailings between April 2027 and June 2028, with 2029 to follow. From US$10,371 per person in US dollars, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

16 Nights

Quark Expeditions

From US$11,751

Scotland to Spitsbergen: Puffins, Sea Ice and Wildlife

Aberdeen to Longyearbyen, with hotel nights and the charter flight home to Helsinki included. One sailing in May 2027, one in May 2028, with 2029 to follow. From US$11,751 per person in US dollars, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

10 Nights

Aurora Expeditions

From A$29,205

Svalbard Odyssey

Oslo to Oslo, with the charter flight to Longyearbyen and a hotel night in Oslo included. Three sailings in 2027, three in 2028, with 2029 to follow. From A$29,205 per person, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

14 Nights

Quark Expeditions

From US$17,131

Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage

Helsinki to Helsinki, with the charter flight to Longyearbyen and hotel nights included. Sailings in June 2027 and 2028, with 2029 to follow. From US$17,131 per person in US dollars, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

12 Nights

Ponant

From A$53,610

The Geographic North Pole

Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen, through the pack ice to 90° North. Four sailings in 2027, six in 2028, with 2029 to follow. Return charter flights Paris to Longyearbyen included. From A$53,610 per person, planned with you by Arctic Cruise.

Dates & prices

Departures, 2027 to 2029

One way to Longyearbyen, ten to twelve nights. Fares are Swan Hellenic’s published Australian Cruise Plus fares per person, twin share, with the charter flight to Copenhagen included. Ask us before you compare: our offers for Arctic Cruise guests come on top, and we tell you which sailing is the best value for the way you want to travel.

SH Vega, ten nights. Iceland’s Westfjords and Húsavík, Jan Mayen, then four days in Svalbard in the first weeks of the season, when sea ice is closest to the fjords. Charter flight Longyearbyen to Copenhagen included.

SH Diana, ten nights. North Cape, Bjørnøya and a full week in Svalbard under the midnight sun. Hotel night in Tromsø on 15 June and the charter flight to Copenhagen included.

SH Vega, eleven nights, sold as The Arctic Explorer. The same crossing by Jan Mayen with an extra day in Svalbard. Hotel night in Reykjavík on 17 May and the charter flight to Copenhagen included.

SH Diana, twelve nights, listed by Swan Hellenic for June 2028. We come back to you with the ports of call and the Australian fare.

Swan Hellenic has yet to publish its 2029 Arctic season. Tell us the route and the stateroom you have in mind and we hold your place on our list, then come back to you with dates and Australian fares the day they open.

Made to measure

Tell us your Arctic, we build the rest

Every guest sails differently. Tell us what you are hoping for, the ice, the wildlife, the light, who you are travelling with, and we match it to the right sailing, the right stateroom and the right year, with flights from Australia and our own offers included. One Arctic Cruise specialist stays with you from the first call until you are home.