Small ship cruises in Spitsbergen

The average small ship cruise around Spitsbergen, the main island in the Svalbard archipelago, lasts around eight days – although options of between five and 15 days are available. The vessels vary in style, from a converted expedition ship that can take you further afield into icy waters, to an elegant 100-year-old schooner. They could have anything from 50-200 passengers on board. The first thing that you need to shed from your mind, however, is any concept of floating mega hotels, black tie and after dinner cabarets. The class acts here are the wildlife and the outfits are outdoor protective ones so that you can partake in activities. These include Zodiac rides into the fjords and sea kayaking in the inlets alongside whales and walruses. Experienced – and intrepid – divers can book a specialist scuba trip, and be amazed and the amount of life in the icy waters. Some cruises spend more time ashore than others, giving you time to trek up mountains, enter ice caves, trek across glaciers or, in winter, try snow shoeing or sledging – pulled by your own pack of huskies. Find out more about whether an expedition cruise is right for you.