Svalbard: North to the Midnight Sun
An eight-day Svalbard expedition combining the west-coast fjords, wildlife sites and an attempt to reach the northern pack ice.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Why we picked it
This is a useful middle ground between the shortest Svalbard introductions and longer circumnavigation attempts. The ships offer modern comfort and balcony choices, while the programme still centres on Zodiac cruising, walks, wildlife and the ice edge.
Travellers wanting a modern ship, balcony choices and a focused week of Svalbard exploration.
A large spread of 2027 and 2028 dates, with both Ocean Albatros and the smaller Discoverer used on selected departures.
Seven nights aboard limits the team’s geographic range compared with a 10- to 14-day voyage. Ask us to check cabin availability for your preferred dates.
Considering this voyage? Ask our team how its cabins, activities and overall trip compare with other Arctic options.
Enquire about this voyagePersonal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
The Expedition Advisory difference
Why book this voyage with us?
Choose your voyage and cabin with confidence. We’ll help with the rest of your journey.
Operator Pricing
You pay the expedition operator’s fare. We check applicable offers and promotions for your voyage. Our advice and booking support cost you nothing extra.
Independent Advice
Compare this voyage with other Arctic options. We match the ship, season and cabin to your priorities. We search all available itineraries from our partner operators, including voyages not listed on our website.
Field Experience
Our polar guiding experience helps you understand sea conditions, time ashore and daily expedition life before you choose.
Beyond the Cruise
Get practical flight, packing and preparation guidance, plus a pre-departure call with a regional guide. We can book your hotels and transfers with no extra booking fee.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
The voyage at a glance
Board in Longyearbyen and work north through western Svalbard, with six expedition days divided among glacier fjords, historic sites, seabird cliffs and the pack-ice edge before returning to Longyearbyen.
A compact west-and-north Svalbard programme
The planned shape includes northwest Spitsbergen, northern wildlife areas, time at the ice edge and Kongsfjorden. Conditions decide whether the ship can reach every area and how long is spent at each site.
Your expedition, day by day
This is an expedition programme rather than a fixed port schedule. The captain and expedition leader adjust the route to weather, sea ice, wildlife and local conditions.
Embark in Longyearbyen
Board the ship, meet the team and sail into Isfjorden. Longyearbyen is compact enough for independent exploration before embarkation.
Northwest Svalbard
Explore glacier fjords, whaling history and tundra by Zodiac and on foot. Ny-Ålesund or other northwest sites may be included when conditions permit.
Northeast possibilities
The team assesses ice and weather for access towards Hinlopen Strait, seabird cliffs and the stark landscapes farther east.
North Svalbard
Search glacier bays, islands and shorelines for walrus, reindeer, Arctic foxes and polar bears while moving towards the high north.
Into the ice
Spend time at the northern pack-ice edge when its position and sea conditions allow. Much of the day may be devoted to patient wildlife observation from deck and Zodiac.
Kongsfjorden area
Return through Kongsfjorden for glacier scenery, historical sites and a final landing or Zodiac cruise selected around the conditions.
Disembark in Longyearbyen
Leave the ship after breakfast and continue with independent arrangements in Svalbard or mainland Norway.
Wildlife sightings and individual landings are never guaranteed. Images illustrate the region and experience; the final sequence varies by departure.
Dates & departures
Selected published departures are shown below. Ask us to confirm the current schedule, ship and cabin availability for your preferred dates.
| Starts | Ends | Ship |
|---|---|---|
| 18 May 2027 | 25 May 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 25 May 2027 | 1 June 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 1 June 2027 | 8 June 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 26 June 2027 | 3 July 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 3 July 2027 | 10 July 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 10 July 2027 | 17 July 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 8 August 2027 | 15 August 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 15 August 2027 | 22 August 2027 | Ocean Albatros |
| 17 August 2027 | 24 August 2027 | Discoverer |
| 24 August 2027 | 31 August 2027 | Discoverer |
| 31 August 2027 | 7 September 2027 | Discoverer |
| 19 May 2028 | 26 May 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 26 May 2028 | 2 June 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 2 June 2028 | 9 June 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 9 June 2028 | 16 June 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 16 June 2028 | 23 June 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 23 June 2028 | 30 June 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 30 June 2028 | 7 July 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 7 July 2028 | 14 July 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
| 14 July 2028 | 21 July 2028 | Ocean Albatros |
Plan your voyage
Ask about this voyage, check availability or request a quote. We’ll confirm the complete trip cost, inclusions and any applicable operator offers for your chosen departure.
Enquire about this voyagePersonal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Life aboard Ocean Albatros / Discoverer
Ocean Albatros is a modern X-Bow expedition ship with large observation spaces, two restaurants, a lecture lounge, mudroom, pool deck and many balcony cabins. Discoverer is the smaller alternative on selected late-2027 dates; EA will confirm the cabin range for the chosen ship.
Operator ship film.
Operator regional film. Wildlife and landing conditions vary.
Choose your cabin
Cabin photographs are representative. Layout, outlook and bedding can vary, so we check the exact cabin before you commit.
Category F Triple
A practical three-berth option with private facilities.
Category E French Balcony
A compact cabin with a floor-to-ceiling opening window.
Category D Albatros Stateroom
An exterior twin cabin with a porthole or window depending on location.
Category C Balcony Stateroom
Private balcony accommodation for two.
Category B Balcony Suite
Additional living space with a private balcony.
Category G Single
A dedicated single cabin for solo travellers.
Activities and inclusions
Included
- Seven nights aboard with all meals
- Scheduled landings, Zodiac cruises and expedition guiding
- Lectures, citizen science and photography programme
- Expedition parka and loan rubber boots where stated
- Port charges, landing fees and listed transfers
Budget separately
- Travel to and from Longyearbyen or the stated flight gateway
- Mandatory charter-flight package where attached to the departure
- Discover Kayaking or full kayaking programme
- Travel and evacuation insurance
- Gratuities, premium drinks and personal purchases
Let’s find your expedition
Tell us your wishes, dates and questions. We’ll help you choose with confidence.
Personal advice · No obligation · No advisory fees
Voyage information checked 7 September 2026 against the operator’s published itinerary, dates and ship information. We reconfirm the programme, fare, cabin and booking terms with your live quote.