Cruise from Norway to Svalbard

What Awaits You

This luxury cruise embarks on a journey to the edge of the Arctic, setting sail from Tromsø, the Arctic gateway to Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Over ten days, the itinerary visits notable destinations, including the majestic North Cape, the northernmost tip of Europe, and Svalbard. The voyage offers the enchanting experience of exploring the Arctic’s striking landscapes and unique wildlife. The cruise provides opportunities to visit fascinating places such as the scenic Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø and the realm of polar bears, walruses, and arctic foxes amidst its stunning glaciers and fjords. North Cape presents iconic views and unique Arctic phenomena like the midnight sun. Throughout this luxury cruise, guests can partake in a variety of activities. Join the expedition team on a thrilling Zodiac tour or savor the sights from the ship’s observation deck. Optional activities include kayaking in Svalbard. Onboard, delve into lectures and enhance your photography skills with guidance from professional photographers, ensuring an enriching journey.

Expedition highlights

High-latitude coasts where glaciers, fjords, and shifting light set the pace, and wildlife watching is part of the day from deck and shore.

Eternety Fjord, Greenland

Ice Fjords

Listen to the symphony of nature as towering icebergs and colossal glaciers crack and calve.

Citizen Science Workshops

During your trip, join Swan Hellenics Citizen Science programs and contribute to real-world environmental research.

Longyearbyen

Two Days in the Polar Capital

Time to explore Longyearbyen — the Svalbard Museum, the North Pole Expeditions Museum, dog sledding history, and the world's northernmost town on its own terms.

Expert-led Talks

Learn more about this isolated polar region from our on board team of experts.

Polar Wildlife Watching

Spy on polar bears, walruses, whales and arctic foxes in their natural habitat.

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

The voyage offers the enchanting experience of exploring the Arctic’s striking landscapes and unique wildlife. The cruise provides opportunities to visit fascinating places such as the scenic Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø and the realm of polar bears, walruses, and arctic foxes amidst its stunning glaciers and fjords. North Cape presents iconic views and unique Arctic phenomena like the midnight sun. Throughout this luxury cruise, guests can partake in a variety of activities. Join the expedition team on a thrilling Zodiac tour or savor the sights from the ship’s observation deck. Optional activities include kayaking in Svalbard. Onboard, delve into lectures and enhance your photography skills with guidance from professional photographers, ensuring an enriching journey

NOTE: This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Also, please be aware that some of the venues and highlights mentioned may not be open or accessible on the day we visit. For the most accurate tour program, we recommend contacting your Swan Hellenic agent or travel agent closer to your departure date.

Overview

Day 1

Tromsø

The Arctic gateway, Tromso at 69 degrees north, is renowned for the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. The Arctic Cathedral, with stained-glass windows, hosts midnight concerts. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views from Mount Storsteinen, while the historic centre features old wooden houses. The Polar Museum chronicles early polar explorations, and the thriving Alpine Botanic Garden adds to Tromso's charm

Day 2

Skarsvåg (Nordkapp)

Skarsvåg, Europe’s northernmost fishing village on Magerøya Island, is a short journey from Nordkapp (North Cape) — Europe's northernmost point above the Arctic Circle, marked by a striking globe monument. Only Svalbard stands between here and the North Pole. Along the coast, Atlantic puffin colonies and over a million seabirds nest, including arctic skuas, razorbills, northern gannets, white-tailed eagles, common eider ducks and great cormorants

Activities:

Included

Guided Transfer to North Cape

2.5 hours

North Cape lies on the island of Magerøya—meaning “meagre island”—a fitting name for its stark and windswept Arctic landscape. This excursion is operated as a guided transfer, taking you comfortably through wild, open terrain with a distinctly Arctic character. Along the way, you may spot some of the approximately 4,000 reindeer that graze on the island during the summer months before being guided back to the mainland by the Sámi people in autumn. At 71°10′21″ north, you arrive at the iconic North Cape, where sheer cliffs rise 307 meters above the Arctic Ocean. You will have free time to explore the North Cape Hall, home to a cafeteria, souvenir shops, a post office, a small ecumenical chapel, and a seasonal panoramic film. Weather permitting, step outside to admire the sweeping views from the famous Globe monument at the cliff’s edge, as well as the nearby “stone wheels” displaying children’s drawings from around the world under the theme of peace and friendship. The return journey follows the same scenic route back to Skarsvåg.

Optional

Hike to Kirkeporten Rock

3 hours

Set off on a guided hike through Skarsvåg, the world’s northernmost fishing village on the island of Magerøya. This moderately easy walk leads you into a stark and beautiful Arctic landscape, where open sea, rolling tundra, and dramatic rock formations define the scenery. Along the way, your guide will share insights into local life and the natural forces that shape this remote region. The trail brings you to Kirkeporten, a striking natural rock arch overlooking Mefjord. Once believed to have been a sacrificial site for early Sámi settlements, the arch forms a dramatic “window” toward the North Cape Plateau beyond. Here, you’ll have time to pause, take photos, and absorb the scale and silence of the Arctic environment. This hike offers a memorable opportunity to experience the raw power of nature and the unique atmosphere of northern Norway at the very edge of Europe. Minimum participation required; tour may be cancelled or subject to price changes if not met

Optional

King Crab Safari at Sarnes

3.5 hours

The giant King Crab was introduced to the Barents Sea in the 1960s and quickly thrived, spreading along the North Norwegian coast. With populations now in the millions, controlled fishing is permitted to manage its impact on the local ecosystem. Prized for its rich, lobster-like meat, the King Crab can live up to 30 years and reach impressive sizes, though the crabs used for this experience typically weigh between 3 and 7 kilos. Your tour begins with a short bus transfer from the pier to Sarnes Lavvo Camp. On arrival, the crabs will already be waiting in tanks or crab pots, ready for preparation. They are freshly cooked and served inside a traditional lavvo-style building, accompanied by bread, butter, and coffee brewed over an open fire. After enjoying this authentic Arctic delicacy, you return by bus to your ship. Minimum participation required; tour may be cancelled or subject to price changes if not met

Day 2

Cruising North Cape

North Cape (Nordkapp), the northernmost tip of Europe in Norway, where the Arctic Ocean meets the rugged coast, is a majestic headland that has fascinated explorers for centuries. Cruising to North Cape promises an awe-inspiring encounter with nature's grandeur and a glimpse into the Arctic's captivating allure. In summer, North Cape basks in the ethereal glow of the midnight sun, a surreal phenomenon where the sun never fully sets

Day 3

Bear Island

The greatest bird cliff in the Barents Sea is on Bear Island, or Bjørnøya, Svalbard’s southernmost island. Atlantic puffins, northern gannets, glaucous gulls, great skuas, black-legged kittiwakes, little auks, common guillemots, and Brünnich's guillemots, nest on the steep cliffs near Kapp Kolthoff, south of Sørhamna. The ocean has sculpted sea stack rock columns, sea caves and tunnels, with a notable tunnel at Perleporten

Days 3-9

Svalbard

Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals and arctic fox

Day 10

Longyearbyen

The world's most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It's home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out

Guest Reviews

Each Swan Hellenic journey is designed to inspire curiosity, broaden horizons, and create lasting memories. Our guests' experiences bring to life the spirit of cultural discovery and exploration that defines our voyages.

What elevates Swan Hellenic above competitors is the expedition team and the dedication to immersive travel. The expert lecturers, naturalists, and guides are world-class, offering fascinating lectures and ensuring safe, intimate excursions.

Rachel TaylorAustralia

Everything was absolutely perfect! There was not a single thing to complain about. It was incredibly fun, and that fantastic atmosphere was maintained by the entire crew from the very first to the very last minute of our stay!

Alexander KorneevFinland

A terrific expedition trip! Small number of guests, very attentive staff, very interesting ports of call. Excursions were varied & fun!

Katie BrownCanada

I highly recommend Swan Hellenic! Every single aspect of my cruise was outstanding. The food was fantastic and the ship is awesome. The crew supported my every need in an excellent manner.

Robbie AsherUnited States

From the captain to the expedition guides, from the service staff to housekeeping. 100 out of 100 points!

Annette ClavinDenmark

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