Visit Longyearbyen, the northernmost inhabited town on Spitsbergen
Join a 4-night mini cruise aboard the MS Serenissima
Take part in onshore expeditions led by expert guides, including small-boat trips, trekking, and wildlife spotting
Attend onboard lectures and informal briefings to enhance your understanding of the Arctic environment and wildlife
Choose the best season for you: May–June for ice and snow, July–August for 24-hour daylight and flourishing wildlife, or late August for golden light.
From £2,695 per person (voyage discounts may be applicable)
This voyage package is based on 2 people sharing a Standard cabin and includes:
This roughly converts to 3,207 EUR | 3,477 USD
Maximise your Svalbard adventure by extending your time in Longyearbyen – speak to our team if you’d like a customised itinerary.
Departures: Mini Cruise voyages typically operate from May to September, with twice weekly departures on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Please note: The itinerary shown is the 5-night tour starting on Wednesday, with the voyage operating from Thursday for 4-nights. There is also a 5-night tour starting on Saturday, including a shorter voyage operating from Monday for 3-nights. The voyage route is flexible and shaped by local weather, sea and ice conditions, alongside wildlife sightings and other unique opportunities.
Cabins booked onboard in the Standard and Inside Cabins are allocated the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel. Superior and Deluxe Cabins are allocated Standard rooms at Funken Lodge, and Suites are allocated the Superior rooms.
MS Serenissima is an intimate Arctic expedition vessel that combines classic maritime heritage with modern comfort, offering an authentic and relaxed cruising experience in Svalbard and the High Arctic. Originally built in 1960 and extensively refurbished in 2019, the ship accommodates just 103 guests, creating a highly personalised atmosphere ideal for immersive polar exploration. Its small size allows access to remote fjords, glacier fronts, and wildlife-rich areas that are often inaccessible to larger vessels, while expansive outdoor deck space and a panoramic 360-degree observation deck provide exceptional opportunities for scenery and wildlife viewing. Accommodation ranges from comfortable cabins to spacious suites across 10 categories, all featuring private en-suite facilities and modern amenities, with selected suites offering private balconies or bathtubs. The ship features the elegant Venice Restaurant serving fresh Nordic-inspired cuisine, welcoming Andrea and Harald Jarl lounges, an open-air bar, and expansive observation areas designed for relaxation between excursions and an open bridge policy. MS Serenissima also incorporates more efficient operational systems through ongoing refurbishment and smaller-scale expedition cruising, supporting a lower-impact style of Arctic travel. Blending classic ocean-liner character with expedition capability, the ship is ideal for travellers seeking a comfortable, small-ship experience focused on nature, scenery, and authentic polar discovery.
Today is a real highlight as the ship pushes north towards the 80th parallel. Encounter diverse landscapes and keep an eye out for polar bears and other wildlife, including Arctic foxes, whales and seabirds. Ice conditions permitting, the ship will sail above 80° North and approach Moffen Island, a location renowned for its walrus population, which are often found lounging on the shorelines.
Other possible landing sites today include Magdalenefjorden and Liefdefjorden, a land of contrasts and home to a variety of Arctic fauna and flora.
The voyage takes you south through the spectacular Kongsfjord region, one of Svalbard’s most scenic and historically significant areas, with the opportunity to hike on the tundra here. The ship will dock in Ny-Ålesund, once a bustling coal mining settlement this research centre now hosts scientists from around the world. Get a fascinating glimpse into the past and present as you walk around this small community, learning about Arctic exploration and international scientific research. You will also have the chance to send a postcard from the most northerly post office in the world.
