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

Swan Hellenic · SH Diana · 10 nights

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.

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

10 nights, roundtrip from Longyearbyen

The whole archipelago, in one voyage

Board SH Diana in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town of its size, and give Svalbard the time it asks for. Ten nights carry the ship further than a week allows: north to the Sjuøyane and the edge of the pack ice, east to Storøya and Kvitøya, where few vessels call, then south by Barentsøya and Hornsund before returning along the western fjords of Spitsbergen. Each day brings a landing or a Zodiac outing with the expedition team, in light that lasts all night. Walrus, Svalbard reindeer and Arctic fox share these shores, and midsummer is the season when the chances of meeting a polar bear on the ice are highest.

This is the voyage we recommend most often to guests who want all of Svalbard in one go, and we know it sailing by sailing. Tell us how you like to travel and we shape the rest: the departure that suits you, the stateroom that fits, flights from Australia, a night or two in Copenhagen either side, and the offers we hold for Arctic Cruise guests. One Australian specialist, from the first conversation until you are home.

  • 2 ports
  • 9 expedition days
  • 10 nights

Signature sites

Seven places that make this the Ultimate route

Seven reasons to give Svalbard ten nights rather than seven. Each is reached by Zodiac or on foot with the expedition team, and each depends on the ice and the weather on the day.

Aerial drone view of the Monacobreen glacier ice front in Liefdefjorden, Svalbard, on a Swan Hellenic expedition cruise

Texas Bar and Monacobreen · Liefdefjorden

A 1920s trapper’s hut on the northern shore, then the five-kilometre face of Monacobreen, where ice calves into the fjord. The Zodiacs hold a careful distance and let the glacier set the pace.

Day by day

Ten nights, in outline

Svalbard is sailed by ice and weather, so the outline below is the shape of the voyage rather than a timetable. Each day holds a landing or a Zodiac outing, and the expedition leader sets the order each morning. The full programme, with every site named, comes with the proposal we write for you.

Charter flight north, roughly three hours. Board SH Diana in the late afternoon and sail out of Isfjorden in daylight that will last the whole voyage.

Aboard SH Diana

SH Diana carries 192 guests, with a Polar Class 6 hull, 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, a single open-seating restaurant and a team of guides who lecture between landings.

Discover SH Diana
Guests watching an onboard lecture aboard a ship that cruises to Antarctica.

Dining that follows the day

An oceanview stateroom aboard Swan Hellenic's SH Diana, which cruises to Antarctica.

A balcony on the ice

Food served aboard Swan Hellenic's SH Diana, which cruises to Antarctica.

Lectures between landings

Guests relaxing in a sauna aboard Swan Hellenic's SH Diana, which cruises to Antarctica.

Sauna with a view

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

Zodiacs ready at dawn

We want to make your journey as easy as possible

Ten nights aboard SH Diana, 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 up to two expedition outings a day 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

Flights from Australia to Copenhagen and home, kayaking, available to book on board, travel insurance, visa fees and personal expenses, spa treatments

Swan Hellenic’s Svalbard fares include the charter flight between Copenhagen and Longyearbyen in each direction. We arrange your flights from Australia to Copenhagen and the hotel nights either side, so the journey north is one booking.


Further Exploration

Other Arctic itineraries

Svalbard can be sailed in a week, in ten nights, or from Tromsø by way of the Lofoten Islands and Bear Island. Each voyage shows its from price where the operator publishes one; we tell you which suits the way you like to travel, and when it is worth waiting a season.

All expeditions
10 Nights
Swan Hellenic
From A$22,525

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.

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.

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.

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.

Passengers on the bow of an expedition ship navigating through Arctic pack ice in Svalbard on a Swan Hellenic cruise

Dates & prices

Departures, 2027 to 2029

Ten nights aboard SH Diana, Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen. Fares are Swan Hellenic’s published Australian fares per person, twin share, with the Copenhagen hotel night, transfers and both charter flights 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.

The ice edge. Sea ice usually still close to the Sjuøyane, snow on the tundra and the brightest light of the year. Hotel night in Copenhagen on 25 June, charter flights both ways.

Ice and landings. Ice still present in the north and east, more open water for going ashore, the bird cliffs at full strength. Hotel night in Copenhagen on 5 July, charter flights both ways.

Open water. The east at its most open and the full loop around the archipelago at its most likely; walrus haul-outs busy. Hotel night in Copenhagen on 22 July, charter flights both ways.

Mid season, a year further out: the same balance of ice and landings as the July 2027 sailing. Hotel night in Copenhagen on 4 July, charter flights both ways.

Late season: open water in the east and the full loop within reach. Hotel night in Copenhagen on 14 July, charter flights both ways.

Swan Hellenic has yet to publish its 2029 Arctic season. Tell us the month 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 bears, 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.