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Hop between six North Atlantic archipelagos in a single voyage, from the Outer Hebrides to Svalbard, on this all-inclusive expedition cruise
- Birdwatching and whale-watching paradise through rich marine habitats
- Attempt a rare landing on isolated Jan Mayen, home to its northernmost active volcano
- Sail aboard the intimate, expedition-ready MS Spitsbergen
Trip Details
- Departs
- 3 June 2028
- Returns
- 16 June 2028
- Ship
- MS Spitsbergen
- Operator
- HX Expeditions
14-day all-inclusive Iceland, Scotland’s Northern Isles, the Faroe Islands, Jan Mayen, and Svalbard expedition cruise from Glasgow to Oslo
The 13-night Svalbard voyage aboard MS Spitsbergen sails from Glasgow to Longyearbyen, calling at Kirkwall, Lerwick, Thorshavn, Bakkagerdi, Husavik - hofn and Jan Mayen, with 4 days at sea.
Beyond the expedition cruise itself, this package includes:
- Flight in economy class from Longyearbyen to Oslo after the expedition cruise
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Longyearbyen after the expedition cruise
- Hop between six North Atlantic archipelagos in a single voyage: the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Svalbard, each wilder and more remote than the last.
- A birdwatching and whale-watching paradise, sailing through some of the richest marine habitats on Earth as you journey deeper into the Arctic.
- Attempt a rare landing on Jan Mayen, one of the world's most isolated islands and home to its northernmost active volcano.
You sail aboard MS Spitsbergen. After being completely rebuilt for exploration travel with a modern Scandinavian-inspired interior design, MS Spitsbergen joined our fleet in 2016. As one of our smaller expedition vessels, it offers a comfortable and intimate sailing experience. On board: Indoor gym; Sauna with outside view; Outdoor hot tubs; Observation decks; Explorer lounge and bar; Onboard shop; Expedition Team; Restaurant Aune.
Departures & Pricing
- 03 Jun 2028 - 16 Jun 2028
from $12,973 pp twin share / $21,649 pp sole use *
- Polar Inside from $12,973 pp twin share
- Polar Outside from $14,389 pp twin share
- Arctic Superior from $15,924 pp twin share
- Expedition Suite from $19,559 pp twin share
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Upgrades, transfers, accommodation and more can be quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.
MS Spitsbergen
After being completely rebuilt for exploration travel with a modern Scandinavian-inspired interior design, MS Spitsbergen joined our fleet in 2016. As one of our smaller expedition vessels, it offers a comfortable and intimate sailing experience.
- Guests
- 150
- Gross tonnage
- 7,344
- Speed
- 14.5 knots
- Length
- 100 m
- Launched
- 2009
- Beam
- 18 m
- Deck plans
- 6
Deck 8
Source: HX Expeditions, captured 16 September 2026. Deck plans are provided by the cruise line and are subject to change at any time.
Itinerary
- 1
Embark in Glasgow (Fairlie)
Start in Scotland's vibrant city of culture
A former industrial powerhouse, Glasgow has reinvented itself as a cultural hot spot, packed with museums, galleries, and parks. Discover the splendid Art Nouveau architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh before your expedition cruise begins.
You’ll embark your ship MS Spitsbergen in Fairlie, a small community outside of Glasgow. Lying on the shores of the Firth of Clyde and nestled against a backdrop of the North Ayrshire Hills, this area is known for coastal towns that boast both Viking heritage and scenic walks.
Get to know the ship before meeting the Expedition Team – your guides for the adventure ahead. Enjoy your first onboard dinner as we set sail.
- 2
Sailing in the Hebrides
Discover the mystical coastline of the Scottish Isles
Today, we sail through the wild beauty of the Hebrides, a scattered world of rugged coastlines and quiet islands. Spend the day on deck with the Expedition Team as we navigate these storied waters, keeping watch for seabirds, dolphins, seals, and perhaps even whales.
The Hebrides have inspired travellers, monks, fishermen, and storytellers for centuries, and there's a special atmosphere to these remote islands that reveals itself best from the sea. Enjoy the shifting landscapes of green hills, dark cliffs, white beaches, and distant lighthouses as we continue deeper into the North Atlantic.
- 3
Highlights of Orkney
Discover Norse heritage in Kirkwall
Today we visit Kirkwall, the vibrant, Viking-influenced capital of the Orkney Islands, easily explored on foot.
Start with the majestic St Magnus Cathedral, built from the region's distinctive red sandstone, and admire the stone ruins of the adjacent Earl's Palace, a once-grand Renaissance building. The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae is also just a short bus ride away.
Whisky lovers will appreciate the excellent single malts from Highland Park and Scapa distilleries. If gin is more your thing, the Orkney Distillery produces small-batch spirits with local botanicals.
- 4
The Shetland Islands
Explore Scotland's northernmost town
Welcome to the Shetland Islands. Lerwick, the capital, is a friendly, Victorian-influenced fishing town set in beautiful scenery. Navigate its narrow lanes on foot to discover little shops selling local whiskies, woollen sweaters, and fudge, then head to the old waterfront for the Shetland Museum, home to Pictish carvings and intricate lace shawls. Nearby, Fort Charlotte and the regal town hall are worth a look.
Keep your binoculars handy: grey and common seals bask along Lerwick's beaches, and red-throated divers, redshanks, and curlews are often spotted from the shore.
- 5
Peaceful, tiny Elduvík
Surround yourself with the sounds of Faroese nature
Today we’ll stop to explore the tiny village of Elduvík, with just 23 inhabitants. Set in the Funningsfjørður inlet in the Faroe Islands. Elduvík is split in two by the river Stórá.
Despite its size, Elduvík has a school, church, dock, and pier. From the waterfront, look across sparkling waters to the nearby island of Kalsoy. Walk the charming streets and listen for seabirds, bleating sheep, and waves lapping from the fjord. You'll notice many houses still wear traditional grass roofs, offering natural insulation against the Faroese weather.
- 6
At Sea
Enjoy a relaxing day as we cruise towards Iceland
As we sail towards Bakkagerði, time is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Swap stories with fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge, relax in a hot tub on deck while scanning for seabirds and marine life, or join the Expedition Team in the Science Centre as they set the scene for northern Iceland: its stunning landscapes, cultures, and beliefs.
- 7
Iceland’s Wild East
Exploring the fjord-cut coastline
Iceland's east coast is cut by deep fjords, lined with tumbling waterfalls and bird-filled cliffs. Quiet villages dot the shoreline, including Bakkagerði, known as Iceland's puffin capital, where nearby platforms at Hafnarhólmi let you watch Atlantic puffins nesting in their thousands.
Beyond the birds, this is a landscape steeped in folklore and drama. We might visit Álfaborg, the legendary 'elf rock' said to house the queen of the queen of the 'hidden people' – huldufólk – and look up at the jagged Dyrfjöll peaks and colourful rhyolite mountains framing the fjord. Thanks to our Zodiacs, we can reach stretches of this coastline that are otherwise inaccessible, exploring Iceland in true expedition style.
- 8
Whale watching in Húsavík
Iceland's best whale watching spot
Today you'll discover Húsavík, a charming fishing town and one of the best places in the world to see whales. It looks out over Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and even the elusive blue whale are regularly spotted.
On shore, the Whale Museum brings you closer to these giants, while the Exploration Museum tells a more unexpected story: in the 1960s, NASA sent 32 Apollo astronauts to train in the lunar-like lava fields nearby, preparing them to collect rock samples on the Moon. For something more relaxing, soak in the geothermal waters at GeoSea overlooking the bay, or end the day with a beer at the local microbrewery.
- 9
Relax and learn at sea
Time to relax and discover what adventures lie ahead
As we cross the Arctic Circle and head towards Jan Mayen, you’ll enjoy a day at sea. There's plenty to do on board. Scan for marine wildlife from the deck, enjoy the panoramic sauna or soak in a hot tub, or simply relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, a great place to read or watch the world glide by.
The Expedition Team will also be on hand to share insights on what’s to come over the next few days exporing the Arctic.
- 10
Volcanic Jan Mayen
Visit an active volcano that's a haven for birdlife
Today we reach Jan Mayen, a volcanic island suspended 500 km offshore with no permanent residents and almost no visitors. The only inhabitants are temporarily stationed Norwegian military personnel, meaning we join a very select group given the chance to set foot here.
Dominated by Beerenberg, the world's northernmost active volcano, the landscape feels almost alien: volcanic rock, moss, and lichen stretching to the horizon. Conditions permitting, we'll go ashore to explore. While there are no land mammals, Jan Mayen is a designated Important Bird Area, home to large colonies of northern fulmars, Brünnich's guillemots, and little auks. Keep watch for whales and seals in the surrounding waters too. This is one of the true highlights of any Arctic expedition.
- 11
Enjoy a day at sea
A peaceful interlude in your adventure
Spend the day at your leisure as we sail across the Barents Sea deeper into the Arctic towards the Svalbard archipelago. Watch the open water slip by from the Explorer Lounge & Bar, soak in a hot tub on deck while scanning for seabirds, or work up a sweat in the gym. The Expedition Team will set the scene for what's ahead with lectures on Svalbard's history, geology, and wildlife. This time is yours to enjoy.
- 12
Scenic Spitsbergen
Days 12–13A land of spectacular beauty
Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, is a wilderness of steep mountains, glaciers, and scattered offshore islands.
Over the next few days, we'll explore dramatic fjords where glaciers creak and calve icebergs into the sea, push north towards Northwest Spitsbergen National Park where sea ice may shape our route, and scan for the wildlife that thrives here: polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and colonies of seabirds nesting on the cliffs.
Each day will be different. Landings, Zodiac cruises, kayaking, hikes: be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Team read the conditions and seize every opportunity the Arctic offers.
- 14
Longyearbyen
A last day at the 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 when you arrived – and with memories of an incredible experience.
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
- Flight in economy class from Longyearbyen to Oslo after the expedition cruise.
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Longyearbyen after the expedition cruise.
- A stay in a cabin of your choice.
- All day coffee, tea and soft drinks.
- Fine dining in restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests.
- A complimentary Ocean Bottle water bottle to refill on board and take home.
Not included
- International flights
- Additional overnight(s) if required due to international flight timings
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Accommodation
MS Spitsbergen
After being completely rebuilt for exploration travel with a modern Scandinavian-inspired interior design, MS Spitsbergen joined our fleet in 2016. As one of our smaller expedition vessels, it offers a comfortable and intimate sailing experience.
On board: Indoor gym; Sauna with outside view; Outdoor hot tubs; Observation decks; Explorer lounge and bar; Onboard shop; Expedition Team; Restaurant Aune; Brygga Bistro; Wi-Fi.
Polar Inside
Our cosy Polar Inside cabins feature
Double beds and some have additional Pullman beds.
All have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, a TV, a safe, European two-pin plug sockets, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
- K2D – Larger inside cabin: no window, double bed, 15–20 m².
Polar Outside
Most of our Polar Outside cabins onboard MS Spitsbergen have double beds. Some include a single or double sofa bed and two Pullman beds (upper/lower berths).
All have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, a TV, a safe, European two-pin plug sockets, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
- O3 – Outside cabin: window, two pullman beds, upper/lower berths, 13–14 m².
- O2D – Outside cabin: window, double bed, 13–14 m².
- J2D – Outside cabin: window, limited view or no view, double bed, 11–12 m².
Arctic Superior
Relaxation and comfort are the hallmarks of our Arctic Superior cabins.
They feature double beds, some with a sofa bed.
All have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, a TV, a safe, European two-pin plug sockets, and tea- and coffee-making facilities.
- QJ – Outside cabin: window, limited view or no view, double bed, 14–18 m².
- YA – Wheelchair-accessible cabin: window, limited view or no view, double bed, 18 m².
- P2D – Outside cabin: window, limited view or no view, double bed, 11 m².
- U2D – Outside cabin: window, double bed, 13–14 m².
Expedition Suite
Add some indulgence to your voyage aboard MS Spitsbergen and reserve one of our Expedition Suites.
Spacious, serviced, and with bed combinations for up to four people, these well-appointed apartments offer special features such as private balconies, expansive windows, and minibars (charges apply).
Suites feature double beds, some with a seating area, some with a sofa bed or a Pullman bed.
All have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, a TV, a safe, European two-pin plug sockets, tea-making facilities, and a single-serve coffee machine. Naturally, the accommodation includes a full range of premium facilities including daily turn-down service and laundry.
Champagne on ice and a platter of delicacies are provided for your enjoyment as you set sail.
- MX – Owners Suite: private balcony, double bed, sofa bed, 32–33 m².
- MG – Grand Suite: private balcony, double bed, sofa bed, 28–29 m².
- Q2 – Mini Suite: window, double bed, 16–17 m².
- Q3 – Mini Suite: window, double bed, 22–23 m².
- Q4 – Mini Suite: window, double bed, 21–22 m².
Common questions about this voyage
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Book this cruise
Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.
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