Discover the stunning beauty of Svalbard with our beautiful and intimate 12-passenger ship, M/S Stockholm! Your adventure begins with a comfortable night in a hotel in Longyearbyen, followed by seven nights on the M/S Stockholm, delving into the heart of this Arctic gem that has fascinated explorers for centuries.
The midnight sun reigns supreme, the bird colonies are teeming with life and the peaks of the dramatic mountain ranges are beautifully snow-capped. The ice still holds the islands in its grip, and we can admire the ever-changing ice formations. Spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner. As we navigate the magnificent Arctic wilderness of Svalbard, we will cruise along glittering glaciers and go ashore to take in the magnificent scenery. We also keep an eye out for the iconic wildlife, including walruses, seals, and polar bears.
-
Only 12 passengers
-
Unique expedition ship from 1953
-
M/S Stockholm has sailed in Svalbard since 1998
-
1 night in Longyearbyen
-
7 nights on board the ship
-
2 experienced guides
Facts about the trip
Itinerary
Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.
Day 2 - 8: Expedition cruising
Explore Longyearbyen on your own before meeting up your fellow travellers and guides for lunch. In the afternoon we embark the small expedition ship M/S Stockholm and sail out through Isfjorden. We are now in a part of the world where we are totally dependent on the ice and weather conditions. Our exact itinerary depends on these factors and on the wildlife we encounter. Our ambition is to head out on Zodiac cruises every day and to go ashore when the opportunity arises. Here are some examples of places we may visit:
Prins Karls Forland
This narrow strip of land is covered by a magnificent and snow-covered mountain chain. The island is also home to many seabirds and harbour seals.
Virgohamna, Danskøya
Two of the most courageous attempts to reach the North Pole started on the island of Danskøya. Swedish explorer Andrée made an attempt with a hydrogen balloon and American journalist Wellman started with an airship. There are still interesting remnants from these expeditions left on this site.
Fantastic fjords
Svalbard offers the visitor countless spectacular fjords. During our journey we will explore a few of them such as:
Liefdefjorden, meaning “The fjord of love”, is lined with snow-covered mountain peaks and here we hope to cruise along the face of the spectacular Monaco Glacier. Many common eiders and pinkfooted geese nest in the area and if lucky we could see the rare king eider. In Krossfjorden we revel in the beautifully sculptured front of the 14th of July Glacier to the raucous greeting of the large number of kittiwakes and Brünnich’s guillemots nesting on the nearby cliffs. Raudfjorden is an area of immense natural beauty – dominated by beautiful glaciers. It is also a favourite spot for seals and the bird cliffs are bursting with activity. The scientific village of Ny-Ålesund is situated in Kongsfjorden. It was from here that Amundsen and Nobile started their heroic expeditions to the North Pole.
North of Spitsbergen
North of Spitsbergen we might meet the edge of the pack ice. Not many ships venture here and we can marvel at the silence and grandeur of this icy landscape. We keep a lookout for the iconic wildlife.
Day 9: Longyearbyen
Early morning we disembark our expedition ship and begin our journey back home.
Please note: All itineraries are for guidance only. Our exact route will depend on the ice, weather conditions, wildlife and government regulations. The places mentioned are just examples of some of the many sites Svalbard has to offer. We always strive to maximise your experience. Please remember that flexibility is the key to a successful expedition!
Important!
To ensure responsible tourism and protection of the environment, new regulations come into force in Svalbard on 1 January 2025. Read more about the regulations and PolarQuest's comments about these changes.
Map
Recorded webinar about the trip
Would you like to know more about Svalbard, what an expedition day on a small ship may look like, and which trip will suit you the best? Watch our recorded webinar from November 2024, when our expedition leader Niklas Nilsson, Svalbard specialist at PolarQuest will take you on an exciting virtual journey into the Arctic wilderness!
The ship M/S Stockholm
Passengers
12Crew
7Built
1953Cruising Speed
9 knA classic expedition ship loved by many.
The M/S Stockholm is a classic vessel, originally built in 1953 for the Swedish National Maritime Administration. In 1998, she underwent a complete refit and embarked on her new journey as a comfortable polar expedition ship. The crew's genuine enthusiasm for the Arctic's unique wildlife and pristine environments is a key to the authentic expedition cruises offered on the M/S Stockholm.
The M/S Stockholm accommodates up to 12 passengers in cozy twin cabins equipped with bunk beds, private facilities, and small windows (portholes). With her beautiful brass details and wooden decks, M/S Stockholm stands as a stunning piece of maritime history, cherished by many for her charm and elegance. A journey through these northern waters, with its unparalleled wildlife and untouched landscapes, is an experience of a lifetime! To enhance exploration, the ship is equipped with two Zodiacs and staffed by two knowledgeable guides.
Departures and booking
Departure | Return trip | Cabins available | |
---|---|---|---|
11 May 2025 | 19 May 2025 | Fully booked | More info |
1 June 2025 | 9 June 2025 | Fully booked | More info |
8 June 2025 | 16 June 2025 | Fully booked | More info |
18 May 2026 | 26 May 2026 | Cabins available | Book trip |
Lodging & prices
- Book any Svalbard expedition in 2026 by the 31st May 2025 at the latest and get a USD 500 discount per person! Cannot be combined with any other offers.
Lodging category | Bed | Prices 2025/person | |
---|---|---|---|
Twin Cabin | bunk bed & private facilities | 9 590 USD | |
Twin for single use | bunk bed & private facilities | 18 190 USD |
Lodging category | Bed | Prices 2026/person | |
---|---|---|---|
Twin Cabin | bunk bed & private facilities | 9 990 USD | |
Twin for single use | bunk bed & private facilities | 18 890 USD |
Included in the price:
- 1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
- 7 nights on board M/S Stockholm
- Lunch day 2
- All meals on board
- All beverages on board
- 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
- Guiding ashore and talks on board
- All excursions and activities
Not included in the price:
- Flight to/from Longyearbyen
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Gratuity to the ship’s crew
Said about the trip
-
Mary Ann McDonald
Every one of the crew worked very hard to give us the best trip possible. They went out of their way to look for bears and seals, to provide Zodiac excursions and to help make it like ‘home’ on the M/S Stockholm. Both our guides spent many hours either up in the crow’s nest, or awake during the night in the bridge, helping to look for photo subjects. We couldn’t have asked for more.
-
Gerry Van der Walt
The trip was absolutely amazing and I cannot commend the staff and crew of the Stockholm enough. The sightings and weather obviously takes care of itself but the Captain and his team made the experience truly next level. They are a very special group of people.
-
Blair & Jacob Briggs
Jacob and I enjoyed the trip on board M/S Stockholm very much. It was truly an incredible experience. Our guide was very helpful and qualified. He was always pleasant and willing to answer questions for everyone.