- All Inclusive Board Basis
- Flights and transfers included
- Savings of £861pp included
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for activities
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
- Flying from selected UK airports
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Svalbard in Spring - The Return of the Sun
MS Spitsbergen
25th May 26
9 Nights
Day 1
Arrive in Longyearbyen
From Oslo to the town at the top of the world
After a flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with an overnight stay in the world’s northernmost town, Longyearbyen.
A colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. If you have time, head out to explore this special town, before enjoying a relaxing evening at your leisure.
If you'd like to spend two extra days exploring Longyearbyen and its surroundings before your voyage, see this voyage option. It includes the same sailing itinerary but with additional Arctic land adventures.
Day 2
Longyearbyen adventures
Explore this colourful frontier town
After breakfast it’s time to experience Longyearbyen.
The former coal mining settlement is small enough to explore on foot. Stroll down the main street lined with boutique shops, an art gallery, and restaurants. You might even see a Svalbard reindeer saunter by.
Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion and get a deeper look at this isolated and remote region at the top of the world.
Days 3-4
Hornsund and Bellsund
Majestic glaciers, birds and pioneer history
Your expedition cruise continues south towards Hornsund – one of Svalbard’s most beautiful fjords. Colourful vegetation makes way for towering mountains along this picturesque waterway. The cliffs here are home to large colonies of auks, guillemots and Northern Fulmars along with Arctic foxes and Svalbard reindeer below. Head out on deck to spot seals and whales, Mount Hornsundtind, and glaciers reaching into the sea, and learn about Wanny Woldstad, the first female trapper to hunt in Svalbard.
Then we head to admire the classic beauty of the snowcapped mountains of Bellsund – a historic area where you can see the evidence of former whaling and mining activity on the shoreline.
Our activities will be determined by the ever-changing weather conditions of Hornsund and Bellsund. Your Expedition Team will decide on the best possibilities for exploring on the day.
Days 5-6
Northwest Spitsbergen National Park
Explore pristine snowscapes under the Midnight Sun
Over the next two days, we’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of this breathtaking national park where steep mountains, glaciers, and beautiful offshore islands form a unique Arctic landscape.
We’ll scout for some of the animals of the Arctic – seals, walruses and reindeer. Early in the season, there’s a good chance we may spot polar bears too, so we’ll always be on the lookout for these iconic but elusive predators. And as we progress further into June, we may see whales returning to the region for summer and birdlife such as Little Auks, Arctic Terns, skuas, Eider Ducks and Barnacle Geese.
From landings to kayaking, be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Leader decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions.
Day 7
Ice edge attempt
Experience the opportunity of sailing to the edge of the polar ice cap
If conditions allow, we’ll sail north and cross the 80th parallel to explore the ever-changing ice edge.
The transition zone between the ice cap and the sea is a magical yet ephemeral place where the waters are filled with ice floes and drifting pack ice. From the ship, there are great opportunities for spotting wildlife, such as seals and walruses who lounge on the sparkling ice. And if the conditions are right, we’ll lower our expedition boats into the water and enjoy an unforgettable experience amid the floating ice.
The ice edge isn’t a fixed boundary, and it moves depending on the season and conditions, so visiting it will be an attempt rather than a certainty. From May to August, as summer progresses, it retreats further towards the pole, meaning it may be out of reach for us. If so, we’ll explore the no-less-impressive fjords, glaciers and incredible scenery of the Svalbard coast.
Day 8
Peaceful Ny-Alesund
Experience science, serenity and epic scenery
Today you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund and neighbouring fjords such as Krossfjord and Kongsfjord. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
One of the northernmost settlements and a former mining town, Ny-Ålesund was the starting point for Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Now a hub for global science and climate research, you can still see remnants of the town’s history.
You’ll be immersed in rugged, glacial scenery as we explore the fjords around Ny-Ålesund. Be ready for adventure; we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our small expedition boats, go ashore to hike or cruise by majestic glaciers.
Day 9
Return to Longyearbyen
A last day on top of the world
Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo.
You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice and climate change than you arrived with – and memories of an incredible experience.
If you’re not ready to say goodbye just yet, why not spend some more time in the Arctic and join our optional Post-Programme.
Why Book
MS Spitsbergen
Overview
Named after the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, MS Spitsbergen embodies the history of Hurtigruten's 1896 'Sports Route' between mainland Norway and Svalbard. She is a modern and environmentally progressive ship, perfect for exploring off-the-beaten-track.
Rebuilt in 2016 and extensively refurbished in 2025, MS Spitsbergen combines modern expedition capability and adaptability with elegance and simplicity. With space for just 220 guests, she offers a relaxed, intimate atmosphere that speaks to Scandinavian style — and the agility to access remote places larger ships can’t.
Rebuilt in 2016 and extensively refurbished in 2025, MS Spitsbergen combines modern expedition capability and adaptability with elegance and simplicity. With space for just 220 guests, she offers a relaxed, intimate atmosphere that speaks to Scandinavian style — and the agility to access remote places larger ships can’t.
An HX trip includes everything from daily excursions and activities to our onboard Science Centre, meals, gratuities, drinks* and more. All designed to give you the expedition experience of a lifetime.
Food & Drink
Superb local cuisine
Get ready for an expedition cruise that will delight all your senses. Our chefs are dedicated to delivering a world-class gastronomic experience that draws inspiration from the places we’ll visit.
Entertainment
You’ll find a variety of stimulating and relaxing places aboard MS Spitsbergen, where you’ll quickly feel at home. It’s casual and comfortable, yet stylish and inspiring, with a fresh, Scandinavian chic.
Health & Fitness
Whether you want to get your pulse racing or calm it down and feel each breath, your ship has everything you need. From intense exercise to deep relaxation, you’ll find just what the day requires for your mind and body.
Kids & Teens
We do welcome children onboard. However, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions doesn't allow children under the age of 5 to travel with us to Antarctica and South Georgia. For safety reasons, children under 12 years of age will be considered for participation in excursions at each landing.
For those travelling to the Galápagos on Santa Cruz II only - Parents with children below the age of 6 need to present at embarkation a release form signed by their parents or guardians to board a Galápagos cruise. If children between the ages of 6-18 are accompanied by one parent/legal guardian, a minor consent form signed by the other parent, or both parents if the minor is accompanied by a legal guardian, must be presented on boarding.
Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions: Advertised offers are based on 2 adults sharing the lowest category stateroom/cabin/suite unless otherwise stated. Single supplements may apply. Offers are subject to availability and can change without any prior notice and may go up or down in price. Cruise Line campaign(s) and saving messages are strictly controlled by the Cruise Line(s) and are subject to change or be withdrawn without notice. Flight inclusive packages, where promoted, are based on the cheapest UK departure airport so please ask for further details. Advertised hotels, if any, are suggested however are changeable at a possible additional cost. All prices and port itineraries are correct at the time of print but are subject to change by the Cruise Line(s) without prior notice. Hays Travel reserves the right to correct any errors or omissions in this brochure. Some ports of call may be tendered whereas vessels drop anchor a short distance away and use small boats to reach the shore. Full board to all-inclusive inclusions vary by the Cruise Line(s) and restrictions may apply. Some onboard facilities and items may incur a charge. Select destinations may require travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to be completed prior to travelling. Hays Travel LTD accepts no responsibility or compensation for any incomplete forms or declined entries from the respective country or countries that the individual(s) are visiting.
Svalbard in Spring - The Return of the Sun
FROM £5,699PP
MS Spitsbergen
25th May 26
9 Nights
From
£5,699PP
