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Expedition Svalbard with M/S Stockholm 2025

Embarking on a Svalbard journey on board the quaint and timeless 12-passenger ship M/S Stockholm promises an unparalleled adventure. With over two decades of exploring the Svalbard region, the M/S Stockholm boasts a wealth of experience and an impressive track record, enabling access to remote locations that other ships cannot reach.

From late June through early August, Svalbard basks in the embrace of summer. The magical midnight sun reigns supreme, illuminating slopes adorned with purple saxifrage. As the surrounding ice gradually recedes, it expands the possibilities for exploration, particularly towards the eastern reaches. Whales are more frequently seen in the waters, and more and more snow-free areas open up for longer walks in the pristine wilderness.

Autumn arrives in late August and it is now that the snow free landscape is most visible. The midnight sun is brushing the horizon, preparing for the polar night giving us beautiful sunsets and a warm light, perfect for photography. 

  • Only 12 passengers
  • Unique expedition ship from 1953
  • M/S Stockholm has salied in Svalbard since 1998
  • 2 experienced guides
  • Each trip is unique
Accommodation: Cabin on board M/S Stockholm, hotel. Transport: Expedition ship, Zodiac. Ship: M/S Stockholm. Passengers: 12 passengers. Languages: English & Swedish. Length: 12 days, 10 nights on ship. Price: From USD 12 090. Departures: 11 July 2025, 21 July 2025, 31 July 2025, 10 August 2025, 20 August 2025

Itinerary

Day 1: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

We arrive in Longyearbyen and transfer to our hotel.

Day 2 - 11: Expedition cruising

Explore Longyearbyen on your own before meeting up your fellow travellers and guides for lunch. In the afternoon we embark the expedition ship and sail out through the spectacular Isfjorden - the Arctic expedition has started! 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:

Northwest Spitsbergen

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. Two other 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.

Magnificent 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. 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.

Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellet

If the ice allows we enter Hinlopen Strait. Here is Alkefjellet, an impressive, basaltic cliff, which is the home to an estimated 200 000 Brünnich’s guillemots. We may also continue into the beautiful bay Palanderbukta on Nordaustlandet.

Eastern Svalbard

The island of Nordaustlandet is covered by an enormous ice cap and fascinates naturalists as well as historians. Here the giant glacier
Bråsvellbreen stretches for 200 kilometres! The
15-20-metre high ice edge is intersected by
hundreds of melt-waterfalls. Barentsøya and Edgeøya offer magnificent landscapes and vast tundra. Chances to encounter walruses, Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer are good here.

Southwest Spitsbergen

The grand fjords of Hornsund offer spectacular glaciers and a breathtaking landscape of towering mountain peaks, often reaching above the clouds. On a clear day we can see the summit of the highest mountain Hornsundtind, measuring 1431 meters. Hornsund is a favourite haunt for some of Svalbard’s polar bears and bearded seals are often seen resting on the fjord ice.

Day 12: 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!

The ship M/S Stockholm

  • Ulrich Kühn
  • Spacious deck
    Lisa Ström
  • Ulrich Kühn
  • Ulrich Kühn
  • 25 years exploring Svalbard
  • Accommodates only 12 guests
  • 1 guide for every 6 guests
  • All bevarages included
  • Brass details and wooden decks
  • Immersive historical charm

A 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 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.

Boasting 25 years of navigating Svalbard's challenging waters, the M/S Stockholm has proven her capability to reach remote sites that are inaccessible to larger ships. 

On board, you'll enjoy delicious meals in the company of like-minded travellers who share a fascination for the Arctic's captivating nature, wildlife, and history. The food on board is of high standard and all beverages are included in the price. The intimate setting, akin to a private yacht, ensures a personalised and unforgettable experience.

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. 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.

Cabins & prices

Cabin category Price per person
Twin Cabin bunk bed & private facilities USD 12 090
Twin Cabin for single use bunk bed & private facilities USD 22 990

Price includes

  • 1 night in a hotel in Longyearbyen
  • 10 nights on board M/S Stockholm
  • Lunch day 2
  • All meals on board
  • All beverages
  • 1 Expedition Leader and 1 guide
  • Guiding ashore and talks on board
  • All excursions and activities

Not included

  • Flight to/from Longyearbyen
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Gratuity to the ship’s crew

Departures & booking

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or wish to make a reservation.

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Departure Return
11 July 2025 22 July 2025
21 July 2025 1 August 2025
31 July 2025 11 August 2025
10 August 2025 21 August 2025
20 August 2025 31 August 2025

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Our travelers' experiences

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. Mary Ann McDonald
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. Blair & Jacob Briggs
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. Gerry Van der Walt
I have finally come up for my first breath of air and had to write you & tell you about our trip. It was, simply put…..WONDERFUL in ALL respects. The Stockholm is the best ship. I just loved being on her again. Our guides could not have been a better choice for us. Both of them full of life, adventure, knowledge about the Arctic and all of the flora and fauna to be met there. The cook was fabulous! The food was exceptional….his cookies are to absolutely die for. We saw every animal and bird there was to see in Svalbard. As you mentioned, every trip is different, and I think this time I got to photograph things I did not see the last time. What a plus! The trip was just plain PERFECT. Annie Katz