Terms & Conditions

All fares are displayed in Great British Pound, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.

Overview

Pricing based on departure date 01st June 2027

Expedition Overview

Svalbard in Spring: Sea Ice, Pristine Snow and Wildlife is a rare opportunity to visit the Norwegian High Arctic when Svalbard is bathed in 24 hours of daylight, yet the landscape remains entrenched in its snow-clad Arctic splendor. Entire mountains are still cloaked in snow and expansive sea ice, including fast ice. You have the unique privilege of witnessing the Arctic “waking up.” Birds arrive, filling the silence with their calls. Meltwater begins to trickle, ice cracks and pops, and the ground starts to thaw. Tiny shoots may appear through the melting snow—a quiet yet grand rebirth unfolding, echoing life’s cycle on an Arctic scale.

Trip Highlights

Witness the snow-covered landscapes under the Midnight Sun

Photograph sea ice— and the wildlife it attracts

Experience the Arctic as it “wakes up”

Observe the arrival of migratory species

Spot iconic Arctic wildlife— walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and the elusive polar bear

Explore Svalbard on an ice-class polar vessel.

Included Activities

Zodiac Cruising
Get an up-close looks at icebergs, ice floes, and glaciers on a guided zodiac tour.

Hiking
Hiking in the polar regions is far from your typical trail experience.

Presentations
Enjoy daily chats with and presentations by our world-class onboard polar experts.

Science and Discovery
Take part in researcher-led sessions, and interactive learning and field experiences with our expedition team.

Polar Plunge
Plunge into polar waters cheered on by fellow passengers and our Expedition Team.

Photography
Our photography guides will help you hone your skills to capture the beauty of the polar regions.

Itinerary Highlights

Ship: Ultramarine

Cabin: Balcony Suite

Travel Date: 01st June 2027

Total Cruise + Stay Duration: 10 Nights

Map

Day-wise itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Helsinki, Finland

Arrive in the Finnish capital and make your way to the group hotel located right at Helsinki airport, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. You will have the rest of the day to explore explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District. If you do plan to visit Helsinki city centre, take advantage of the convenient 40-minute rail service from the airport.

Day 2

Fly to Longyearbyen for Embarkation

After breakfast, the group will transfer to the Helsinki airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package. Our journey to the High Arctic now truly begins. You will see the coastal and birch forests of southern Scandinavia give way to taiga and tundra environments, the mountains of Norway and northern Sweden, and the convergence of the Norwegian and Barents seas. Approaching Svalbard, you may get your first views of a pure, snowcapped wilderness, complete with ridgelines, glaciers, and perhaps even sea ice in the distance. We land in Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s largest settlement, and transfer to the harbor where we will embark on our ship.

Day 3 to 9

Springtime in the Svalbard wilderness

Spring in Svalbard is characterized by a beautiful combination of snow, ice and Midnight Sun. A fascinating contrast unfolds with the arrival of spring: majestic polar landscapes illuminated by continuous daylight. Sea ice is at or near its annual maximum, drawing us north. If experiencing Arctic sea ice is on your bucket list, you have chosen the perfect time to visit. Your Expedition Team and Bridge Officers will consult the latest ice charts daily—sea ice is incredibly dynamic and can drift dozens of kilometers in a day. Our route will depend on where sea ice offers the best opportunities for exploration and wildlife encounters. Sea ice is the primary hunting, resting, and travelling platform for iconic Arctic species—and spring offers the best chance to see it all. As we navigate the ice edge—or even through it—spend time on deck with your binoculars at the ready. Somewhere in the maze of marooned icebergs and pressure ridges, wildlife may be present—perhaps even polar bears who are lured to the ice edge by the presence of seals—a primary food source. Watch for clues, shapes, and shadows that could signal something special. And while polar bears may be the main goal, you may also spot walruses, Arctic foxes, and ivory gulls—in addition to ringed and bearded seals. On shore, spring landscapes remain blanketed in snow, with many bays still f illed with ice—habitat crucial to Arctic wildlife for food and survival. It’s the kind of scenery that embodies the word “pristine.” On sunny days, snowcapped ridges against cobalt skies are electric in their beauty. On cloudy days, the Arctic’s muted palette of whites, greys, and blues creates moody, powerful vistas. Photography tip: try switching your camera to black-and-white mode—textures become dramatic, and light behaves differently. Alongside drifting sea ice, you may see icebergs and bergy bits— fragments of glacial ice whose origins lie deep in mountain valleys. Spring in the Arctic is also a time of awakening. As we travel, we’ll witness this seasonal transformation firsthand. Some slopes, beaches, and valleys begin to melt faster than others, revealing bare ground untouched for months. Grasses and mosses emerge, seizing every opportunity to photosynthesize in the returning sunlight. Meltwater trickles grow into fast-flowing runoff, adding sound and motion to the awakening landscape. Yet spring remains cold. In fact, these areas may go through multiple freeze-thaw cycles, especially farther north and east. In Svalbard, this mesmerizing transition is vivid and inspiring—a reminder to all of us of the powerful rhythms of Arctic life. Spring also welcomes migratory birds and whales. As the season unfolds, cliffsides will become busy with seabirds, such as little auks, guillemots and kittiwakes, returning to breed. Each day brings new arrivals. Nest-building, courting, and bird calls fill the air in a sensory-rich spectacle. When we encounter these colonies, take time to pause. Put down your camera. Simply observe the vibrant pulse of life and imagine the sheer abundance of food required to feed so many birds—and the chicks that will soon arrive. Whales, too, may appear. While sightings can never be guaranteed, some large migrators—such as blue whales—begin arriving in coastal waters by late spring. Others, like belugas, live here year-round and may be spotted threading through sea ice. Each encounter, however brief, reminds us of the interconnectedness of Arctic ecosystems. With seven full expedition days in Svalbard, we aim to explore a wide range of locations. The order of our journey will be shaped by sea ice conditions, which vary daily. Potential destinations include the spectacular fjord systems of Hornsund, Bellsund, Isfjorden, Krossfjorden, Smeerenburgfjorden, Raudfjorden, Woodfjorden, Sorgfjorden, and others. These fjords feature dramatic mountains rising directly from the sea, folding into endless layers. Glaciers spill from the highlands, many reaching the water’s edge where they calve into the sea. Throughout Svalbard, we’ll look for thriving seabird colonies and hope to make regular landings along the coasts and within fjords. Some outings may take place on exposed rocky terrain, but most will involve walking on snow. And if conditions are safe and suitable, we may even set foot on the sea ice itself—an unforgettable moment that truly feels like walking on water.

Day 10

Disembark in Longyearbyen and fly to Helsinki

The time to say goodbye has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the frontierstyle settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Helsinki, and hotel night. Both are included in your Charter Flight & Hotel Package.

Day 11

Depart Helsinki

After breakfast at your included hotel, make your way independently to the airport for your onward flight home, or spend more time exploring the Finnish capital as prearranged.

Your ship: Ultramarine

Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and to immerse you in the best the region has to offer.

Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.

With all this and more, Ultramarine is set to deliver the ultimate polar expedition experience.

Itinerary

Enquire Now! Call our representatives for pricing and availability on other departure dates.