Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway (11 days) – Ocean Explorer, June 2026

Itinerary Map

Illustrated expedition map of Svalbard showing travel from Oslo to Longyearbyen and a route circling key sites such as Phippsøya, Moffen, and Calypsobyen in the Arctic Ocean

Trip Summary

Dates:

Jun 15, 2026 -

Jun 25, 2026

Duration:

11 Days

Ship:

Ocean Explorer

Adventure
options:

Kayaking

Starts & Ends in Helsinki

Starting at: $ 11,795.00

Veranda Stateroom

$12.395

One double bed made up of two twin berths plus fold out sofa bed.

Veranda Suite

$13.195

One double bed made up of two twin berths and fold out sofa bed.

Studio Single

$15.495

One double bed made up of two twin berths

Junior Suite

$15.495

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

Penthouse Suite

$17.995

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

Deluxe Veranda Forward Stateroom

$11.795

One double bed made up of two twin berths.

Studio Veranda Single

$16.795

One twin single.

Owners Suite

$19.195

Two rooms. One double bed made up of two twin berths fold out sofa bed.

About the 8-day Spitsbergen Classic itinerary

Svalbard offers one of the most accessible yet remote Arctic experiences. Cruises typically depart from Longyearbyen, with some itineraries including charter flights from Oslo. Over 8 to 12 days, you'll explore dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and expansive sea ice. This region is renowned for its rich wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and a variety of seabirds. Daily excursions by Zodiac and guided hikes provide intimate encounters with this pristine environment. The Midnight Sun during summer months offers extended daylight, enhancing wildlife viewing and photography opportunities.

Arrive in Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world. Enjoy time to explore the colorful town before boarding your expedition vessel in the afternoon. After embarkation, the ship sails out through Isfjorden and into the vast wilderness of the Svalbard archipelago.

Spend your days exploring the rugged coastline and remote fjords of Spitsbergen. Activities include Zodiac cruises along glaciers, shore landings for guided hikes, and wildlife spotting—keep your eyes open for polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, and reindeer. Depending on ice conditions, you may visit sites like the Lilliehöök Glacier, Kongsfjorden, or the historical whaling station at Smeerenburg.

Return to Longyearbyen for disembarkation. Transfer to the airport or spend extra time exploring the Arctic town before departure.

Ocean Explorer is modern, elegant and purpose-built for polar exploration. The 138-passenger vessel has been designed with the latest in expedition ship technology. One of the ship’s key features is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, a marine engineering innovation that ensures a comfortable and smooth sailing experience thanks to the inverted bow. Located at the bow is the two-story, light-filled library, which introduces a welcome airiness to the expedition ship.

Spacious cabins feature a modern, bespoke Scandinavian design and almost all have verandas. Guests can relax and find comfort in the spacious gym, sauna with large windows, and two outdoor Jacuzzis.

Ocean Explorer features ample outdoor viewing areas and multi-height outer decks, which are ideal for long-view photography and wildlife viewing. The vessel is equipped with a fleet of 15 Zodiacs that enable guests to get off the ship quickly and safely for off-ship adventures. In addition to the well-appointed and spacious public areas, Ocean Explorer has an industry-leading mix of sustainability systems, including fuel-efficient Rolls Royce engines.

Cabins & Amenities

Two Story Library: Light-filled interior library—at the bow of the ship— allows guests to sit and relax indoors while taking in the surrounding polar landscapes from their choice of two levels.
Leading Edge Sustainability: With the latest sustainability technology in polar expedition, the ship features fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines and the ground-breaking MAGS gasification system that converts waste into energy, eliminating the environmental impact of waste transportation.
Ulstein X-Bow: the innovative X-Bow design ensures calm, energy-efficient sailing in rough waters.
Dry sauna
Gym
Jacuzzis

Includes:

Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
NEW Free beer, standard wines, spirits, and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner.
Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
NEW Complimentary Wi-Fi service on one device permitting basic Internet browsing, email, posting on social media and voice applications. (Premium packages are available for more data intensive applications.)
Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Antarctic Reader
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
Group arrival transfer in Ushuaia from airport to preexpedition hotel on Day 1
One night’s pre-expedition hotel accommodation in Ushuaia with breakfast (Note: The number of guests per room is the same as cabin occupancy on the ship. Due to limited availability, travelers who reserve a suite on board are accommodated in standard rooms at the hotel. Triple rooms may not be available.)
Group transfer from hotel to ship on embarkation day
Group departure transfer upon disembarkation in Ushuaia from ship to local airport or to luggage storage facility

Extras:

International airfare
Passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes
Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation
Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance – strongly recommended
Excess baggage charges
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac landing and cruising excursions, or any other gear not mentioned
Laundry, bar, massage services and other personal charges, unless specified
Phone and Internet charges
Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for expedition staff and shipboard crew
Additional overnight accommodation
Arrival and departure transfers, except where explicitly stated
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person