Mother & cub polar bears play atop autumnal tundra with scattered gray rocks, seen on a Svalbard In Depth cruise.
Group of brown-colored walrus sit atop a small rock surrounded by calm sea under purple sky on a Svalbard In Depth cruise.
Glassy, small glacial lake surrounded by rocky green tundra & snowy peaks on a clear day during a Svalbard In Depth cruise.
Small white expedition ship sits in glassy fjord while Zodiac cruises nearby with golden tundra on 1 shore & snow on the other.
Lone polar bear raises its head while walking over large blue iceberg under hazy sky, seen during a Svalbard In Depth cruise.
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Svalbard In Depth

Over 15 days aboard a small, Norwegian-designed expedition ship, enjoy the best of Svalbard, a world of endless daylight where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, guillemot cries echo from sea cliffs and beluga whales rise from the sea. The option to add on scuba diving, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling, as well as an alternative itinerary that includes Scotland, are particularly unique for expeditions in this region.

The highlights are many on this in depth itinerary. Venture close to 80° north, searching for polar bears on pack ice. Discover the thrill of seeing walrus, seals, whales, reindeer, arctic fox, guillemots and puffins. Cruise along blue glacier fronts and through stunning fjords. And enjoy tundra hikes amid stunningly beautiful scenery.

Enjoy a flexible itinerary around the archipelago, which allows 132-guest Sylvia Earle to follow the best weather and wildlife-spotting opportunities. You’ll explore tundra adorned with wildflowers and look out for arctic fox. Discover historic camps of explorers and hunters. Push through pack ice to find walrus and bearded seals, or simply enjoy breathtakingly beautiful Norwegian fjords.

Read on for details about this Svalbard route aboard Sylvia Earle or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Svalbard cruises and widespread Arctic cruises and Arctic trips.



Itinerary

Svalbard In Depth Itinerary

Spend three more days exploring the Svalbard archipelago on this 15-day itinerary aboard Sylvia Earle. A flexible itinerary round-trip from Longyearbyen, Norway, allows you to take advantage of the best weather and wildlife encounters.

An illustrated map showing the path of the Svalbard In Depth cruise round-trip from Longyearbyen.
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Day 1
Arrive Longyearbyen, Norway

Having made your way to Longyearbyen, you will be met by a ship representative and transferred to the group hotel. Upon arrival at the included hotel, request cabin tags from the hotel check-in staff, and label the tags with your name and ship cabin number. This evening, enjoy a light refreshment as you meet your fellow expeditioners at a Welcome Reception and Pre-Embarkation Briefing. Afterwards, dine at your leisure (dinner not included).

Accommodations

Radisson Blu Polar Hotel

Meals

n/a

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Day 2
Embark Longyearbyen

This morning, ensure any cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags and take it down to hotel reception. Luggage will be collected from the hotel and transferred directly to port for clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of embarkation. Keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day, as well as wet-weather gear in case the ship needs to be reached by Zodiac for embarkation.

Enjoy a sightseeing excursion of Longyearbyen before transferring to the pier for embarkation in the late afternoon. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as the crew “throws the lines” and sets sail. This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners and the friendly Expedition Team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure.

Sail out of the beautiful Isfjorden, escorted by gliding fulmars and perhaps the occasional puffin. Find a spot in one of the observation areas to watch seabirds, including graceful ivory gulls, kittiwakes and guillemots. They rise and fall skillfully, using the air currents created by the ship to gain momentum.

Accommodations

Sylvia Earle

Meals

breakfast, dinner

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Days 3 - 14
Svalbard Archipelago

Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. The ship’s experienced expedition team, who have made countless journeys to this area, will use their expertise to design your day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions and wildlife encounters.

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, stretch your legs on walks across tundra coming out in brightly-colored wildflowers. Visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice. Your expedition team is just as keen as you to find them— they will be on constant watch to spot these inspiring creatures.

If you have chosen an optional activity such as diving or kayaking, you’ll have the option to enjoy the activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you’ll hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating plunge, a memory you’ll savor for years to come.

Accommodations

Sylvia Earle

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 15
Disembark Longyearbyen, Norway

During the early morning, cruise into Longyearbyen, where you will say farewell your Expedition Team and fellow passengers upon disembarkation and enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport to continue your journey.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Arrival transfer from airport to hotel on Day 1; welcome reception/pre-embarkation briefing on Day 1; one night’s hotel accommodation in Longyearbyen on Day 1 (including breakfast on Day 2); group sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen, prior to embarkation on Day 2; group transfer from ship to airport in Longyearbyen on Day 15; onboard accommodation during voyage including daily cabin service; all meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage; beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner; all shore excursions; educational lectures and guiding services from expedition team; complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consult); a 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket; complimentary use of muck boots during the voyage; comprehensive pre-departure information; port surcharges, permits and landing fees; gratuities for ship’s crew.

Exclusions

International or domestic flights, unless specified in the itinerary; transfers not mentioned in the itinerary; airport arrival or departure taxes; passport, visa and vaccination charges; travel insurance, emergency evacuation charges or personal insurance (required); hotels and meals not included in itinerary; optional excursions not included in the itinerary; optional activity surcharges; all items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, WiFi, email or phone charges, discretionary expedition team gratuities (USD cash only).

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a nonrefundable deposit of $2,500 is required per person at time of booking (additional nonrefundable $250 deposit is required for optional activities). The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
91 days or more – 100% of deposit
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Vaccination Requirement
To join this trip, all eligible guests must provide proof of being fully vaccinated (at least 14 days after your final COVID-19 vaccine shot), including a booster shot for those eligible. There may also be COVID-19 testing or other requirements to participate; your Adventure Specialist will provide details of current policies upon booking.

Arrival & Departure

The Svalbard In Depth Cruise begins and ends in Longyearbyen, Norway (LYR). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. At the latest, plan flights to arrive to Longyearbyen by midday or early afternoon on Day 1 to have time to attend the welcome reception and pre-embarkation briefing. An arrival transfer to the group hotel is included. Plan flights to depart Longyearbyen no earlier than 12:00pm noon on disembarkation day. A group transfer from the pier to the airport is included following disembarkation. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Birdwatching, walking, Zodiac cruising, photography tips, lectures, a polar plunge & all trips ashore are included in the rate. Various optional activities may be available, with per-person 2023 & 2024 prices starting at: kayaking $1,190. For the kayaking program, join 20 like-minded paddlers (in small groups of 10 per guide) to fully experience nature at its wildest. Please contact AdventureSmith for details on which activities are available on your specific departure date and to reserve space with your booking.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at a 50% supplement of the per-person listed rate in select cabins upon availability. Solo travelers willing to share may be matched with a person of the same gender, and if the other cabin berth goes unsold, will only pay the standard double-occupancy rate. 

Families & Children

Kids 8 years and older are welcomed aboard all departure dates. Children between 8-17 years of age must pay the adult price of the expedition.

Travel Insurance

A medical form for all travelers, signed by their doctor, is required for every departure. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum required coverage of $250,000 USD per person, covering medical, accident and repatriation/emergency evacuation, as well as baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of holiday. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Jun 26 - Jul 10, 2023
Sylvia Earle • 15 days
brown kayaking icon depicting offered kayaking activity
From $14895USD
Per Person
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Jun 10 - Jun 24, 2024
Sylvia Earle • 15 days
brown kayaking icon depicting offered kayaking activity
From $15495USD
Per Person
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brown kayaking icon depicting offered kayaking activity Kayaking
Accommodation

Learn All About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle offers a robust menu of adventure activities from kayaking and polar diving to mountaineering and backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Cruise responsibly knowing this brand new icebreaker polar expedition ship was built with cutting edge nautical technology including one of the lowest polluting marine engines in the world.

Deals

Current Deals on This Trip

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Offer expires May 31st, 2023
Early Birds Save Up To 25% On Select 2024 Arctic Expeditions

Early Birds! Save up to 25% when you book your select 2024 Arctic cruise aboard the Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle.

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Offer expires June 30th, 2023
Book One, Get The Second 20% Off On Select 2023-2024 Antarctic Or Arctic Expeditions

Travel to both poles and save up to 20% when you book two consecutive cruises to the Arctic or Antatcaboard a National Geographic expedition ship.

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Offer expires May 31st, 2023
$600 Air Credit Or Complimentary Activity On Select 2023 Arctic & Northern Europe Cruises

Let the fun begin! Receive $600 in air credit per person or a complimentary activity when you book your select 2023 Arctic or Northern European voyage.

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Offer expires May 31st, 2023
Save Up To 20% On Select 2023 & 2024 Arctic & Northern Europe Cruises

For a limited time, save up to 20% on 2023 & 2024 voyages in Europe and the Arctic aboard Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle.

Expert Reviews

Reviews From Our Experts So You Know What To Expect

Todd Smith • January 19th, 2021
Expert Aboard: Sylvia Earle & Greg Mortimer Ship Review

Read a detailed ship review about the identical polar sister ships Greg Mortimer & Sylvia Earle and what they offer travelers. Our expert has been aboard and writes this from his firsthand experience.

Arielle Lightcap • January 7th, 2020
Expert Review: What to Expect on a Polar Bear Cruise

A travel expert lends her Arctic cruise insight on what you can expect aboard a small ship polar bear cruise in the Arctic Svalbard region.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Extend Your Trip

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Discover the jewels of the Arctic aboard cutting-edge small expedition ships. Among Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland there is something for every traveler to discover. Add-ons like kayaking, rock climbing and scuba diving make the journey even more rewarding for the adventurous.

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