Cruise Svalbard: Sailing the Fjords of Svalbard!
In the winter of 2025, we traveled to Svalbard and took part in several incredible activities. While everything you do in this Arctic environment feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the cruise through the fjords of Svalbard is one activity that really shouldn’t be missed. In this blog, we share our personal experience with this unforgettable Arctic boat tour.
Book Your Svalbard Cruise in Advance
Long before our trip to Svalbard began, we had already booked our activities to ensure we secured a spot. Once we arrived, we noticed that some tours still had availability on certain days, but others were fully booked. So it’s definitely wise to book your cruise in advance, especially during busy travel periods.
We arranged our activities via the Gjestehuset 102 website, where all the available tours and their remaining spots are clearly listed.
Svalbard Cruise Operator
We booked our fjord cruise with Henningsen Transport. At the time of our visit, this was the only option available for a day cruise. So our experience is specifically with them.
Be prepared to spend a decent amount. Like most activities in Svalbard, the cruise Svalbard tour doesn’t come cheap. We’ve heard that getting a refund for cancellations can sometimes be tricky, but since our tour went ahead as planned, we had no issues. Just double-check that you’re booking the right date!
Before the Cruise
We were picked up from our accommodation (Gjestehuset 102) by a large bus. It didn’t come up to the front door. We had to wait outside and figure out that this was our ride. Thankfully, we were there early. After a short ride through Longyearbyen, we boarded the ship with about 100 other passengers. It was a little cramped inside, but there was more than enough space out on the deck to enjoy the views comfortably.
Cruising to Billefjorden, Svalbard
From the port in Longyearbyen, we sailed north toward Billefjorden, reaching the edge of the sea ice during our travel period. There was always something to see from the deck, but the wildlife was the absolute highlight. We spotted a few polar bears in the distance and even saw walruses and seals relatively close to the boat. Of course, there are no guarantees when it comes to wildlife sightings, but the chance of seeing a polar bear isn’t too small either.
Besides the wildlife, the sea ice itself was fascinating. Most of the water was open during our cruise, though we did navigate through some broken ice floes here and there. A bit before reaching the historic Russian settlement of Pyramiden, the ice became too thick to continue. We could still see the town from the water. For lunch, we enjoyed a solid Arctic-style barbecue on board: a nice surprise!
Our Experience: Fjord Cruise Svalbard
Even though the boat was full, we still found this cruise to be a highlight of our trip. The chance of seeing wildlife is much higher from the sea, and the view of Svalbard from the water offers a whole new perspective compared to land-based activities. In our opinion, this cruise Svalbard tour is an essential experience during your Arctic adventure.
Curious about other great things to do in Svalbard? Be sure to check out the other amazing activities we tried during our trip!
