Departing from Edinburgh, United Kingdom, this itinerary will take you beyond the Arctic Circle towards the remote archipelago of Svalbard. Along the way, you will visit mainly the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Jan Mayen before spending 4 complete days exploring Spitsbergen. Experience a true expedition to the High Arctic Wilderness where polar bears, arctic foxes, walruses, are common sightings that complement the 360 degree view of incredible landscapes.
Close to Home
British Isles, Jan Mayen & Svalbard – Crossing the Arctic Circle
13 Days aboard Sea Spirit. From AUD $10,395pp.
Details
Overview
Holiday Special: 15% Off!
Book by 31 JAN
Valid for all cabins except Triple Suites
Itinerary Highlights
- Begin your cruise in Edinburgh, Scotland and explore the medieval castle that gives immediate evidence of the capital's rich history
- Visit the Ring of Brodgar, a circle of stones dating back almost 5000 years
- Wildlife encounters; polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, whales
- Excellent birdwatching opportunities
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrival in Edinburgh, Scotland (hotel night)
- Day 2: Welcome Aboard!
- Day 3: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland
- Day 4: Fair Isle, Shetland Islands
- Day 5: Torshavn, Faroe Islands
- Day 6: At sea
- Day 7: Jan Mayen
- Day 8: At Sea
- Day 9-12: Exploring Svalbard
- Day 13: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Arrival in Edinburgh, Scotland (hotel night)
Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and starting point of our expedition. To provide you with more time to enjoy this metropolis rich in history and culture, we’ve arranged pre-cruise hotel accommodations. Relax and take a stroll through town, enjoying both medieval and classic 18th-century architecture. The famous Edinburgh Castle rises majestically above it all.
Day 2: Welcome Aboard!
Enjoy the morning and early afternoon at leisure. Each corner of Edinburgh’s old streets opens beautiful unexpected vistas of green hills or a blue flash of the distant sea. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from the hotel to the ship in the nearby Port of Leith. Before dinner, there’s time to explore the Sea Spirit, your home-away-from home for the next days.
Day 3: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Kirkwall is a small, quiet town, with a gentle pace of life. The town is the capital of the remote and amazing Orkney archipelago. Kirkwall is first mentioned in Orkneyinga saga in 1046. Such a long history has left a rich heritage that we explore today. The most famous are the sandstone St Magnus Cathedral, considered the finest medieval building in the north of Scotland, the Bishop’s Palace and the Earl’s Palace.
Included tour “Ancient treasures of Orkney with St Magnus Cathedral.” Depart Kirkwall and head into the west of Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. This tour passes through the gentle rolling landscape of Orkney and into the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney; an area designated as a World Heritage Site due to its wealth of pre-historic archaeology. Passing the Standing Stones of Stenness, we will stop at the Ring of Brodgar; a huge ceremonial circle of stones dating back almost 5000 years. We then continue on to the 5000-year-old village of Skara Brae, beautifully interpreted in the visitor centre. See the remarkable dwellings revealed from beneath the sand dunes by storms only 150 years ago.
Hear some of the stories from your guide today en route back to Kirkwall. Once back in the island capital we will take a tour of St Magnus Cathedral, built by the Vikings during their 500 year reign over the islands.
Day 4: Fair Isle, Shetland Islands
Fair Isle is a real paradise for birdwatchers. Huge number of birds inhabits the lush grasslands and spectacular cliffs. Over 345 species have been recorded here – more than anywhere else in Britain. During our walk across the island, we hope to see northern fulmars, kittiwakes, northern gannets, puffins, and great and arctic skuas.
Day 5: Torshavn, Faroe Islands
National Geographic Traveler had designated Faroe Islands as “authentic, unspoiled and likely to remain so”. It seems that the Nature spares no colours in “painting” the islands. Deep-green hills, bright blue sea, colourful houses and boats, orange-red puffins’ beaks make the sceneries unforgettable, meanwhile traditional wooden dwellings with turf roofs look like they belong in a fairy tale.
The rugged Faroese are proud of their Viking heritage and their love of the sea. Today we will explore Tórshavn, the capital and largest city of Faroe Islands.
Tórshavn is a unique city, where history meets modernity, where picturesque old turfed houses and modern buildings stand side by side...
Day 6: At sea
Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.
Day 7: Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen hosts the landscapes of breathtaking beauty and northernmost subaerial active volcano on the planet – the Beerenberg. The island is wild and uninhabited not including members of Norwegian weather station. The signboard at the entrance door says (translated from the Norwegian): “Theory is when you understand everything but nothing works. Practice is when everything works but nobody understands why. On this station, we combine theory and practice in a way that nothing works and nobody understands why”. Northern fulmars, Kittiwakes, and Brünich’s guillemots breeding on steep cliffs and slopes represent the birdlife of Jan Mayen.
Day 8: At Sea
The lectures of our invited speakers prepare us for meeting with the unique Arctic wildlife and awesome landscapes of Svalbard.
Day 9-12: Exploring Svalbard
This is a real expedition in a true High Arctic wilderness. As such, our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.
Polar bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard. We exploit every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, to discover incredible scenery, and to walk in the footsteps of the historic polar expeditions that came before us.
We anticipate exploring the spectacular fjords, coasts, and islands in the western part of Svalbard. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to walrus and a wide variety of whales. The whole area is alive with migratory birds, including numerous rare species, taking advantage of summer’s fecundity in 24-hour daylight.
To complete the Arctic experience we also explore places rich with history. Our area of exploration contains the historical remnants of whaling camps, coal mining operations, trappers’ cabins, staging areas for historic attempts to discover the North Pole, and even an abandoned polar research station. The days are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery and wildlife to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions.
Day 13: Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard. By this time, you may already be making plans for your next amazing trip with us into the polar worlds!
Next Departure Date: 27 May 2025
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 May 2025 - 08 Jun 2025 | AUD$10395pp | ||
| Triple Suite | AUD$10395pp | Contact us | |
| Main Deck Suite | Holiday Special: 15% Off! | ||
| Classic Suite | Holiday Special: 15% Off! | ||
| Superior Suite | Holiday Special: 15% Off! | ||
| Deluxe Suite | Holiday Special: 15% Off! | ||
| Premium Suite | Holiday Special: 15% Off! | ||
| Single Suite | Holiday Special: 15% Off! | ||
| Owners Suite | Holiday Special: 15% Off! | ||
| 27 May 2026 - 08 Jun 2026 | AUD$10796pp |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Triple Suite
Averaging 21 square metres/226 square feet, these staterooms have two twins and a comfortable sofa bed. The twins also convert to a King, if desired. Located on Oceanus Deck, these suites have a picture window, two wardrobes and en suite facilities. Amenities include: in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.
Main Deck Suite
Averaging 23 square metres/248 square feet, Main Deck cabins are equipped with either two twins or a King Size bed. They are located on the Main Deck with a minimum of two portholes for exterior views. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD individual temperature control and hair dryer.
Classic Suite
Averaging 21 square metres/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window, two wardrobes and a choice of either two twin beds or a King Size bed. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control and hair dryer.
Superior Suite
Superior Suites are located on the Club Deck. Averaging 20 square metres/ 215 square feet, these cabins feature two twin beds or a King Size bed. The picture window overlooks an outside walkway on the Club Deck. Amenities include: en suite facilities, walk-in closet or wardrobe, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, hair dryer.
Deluxe Suite
The Deluxe Suites with balconies are located on the Sports Deck. Averaging 24 square metres/ 258 square feet means plenty of room. Choose from either two twin beds or a King Size bed. A sliding glass door leads to a private balcony. These suites feature a walk-in closet or wardrobe. Amenities include en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and a hair dryer.
Premium Suite
The Premium Suites are located on the Sun Deck. Averaging a generous 30 square metres/ 323 square feet, with two twin beds or a King Size bed. Access the private balcony by a sliding glass door. Amenities include: en suite facilities, lounge area, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/DVD, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.
Owners Suite
Super-spacious (63 square metres/ 678 square feet) elegant suite on the Sun Deck. Designed for entertaining, the Owner's Suite has a separate living room with game and meeting area. A BOSE stereo system provides background music, or watch videos on the HD plasma TV. Sliding glass doors lead to a private deck. Refresh in the jetted bathtub in en suite facilities. Slumber in the King Size bed. A sofa bed can accommodate a third person.
Single Suite
Averaging 21 square meters/226 square feet, these cabins are located on the Oceanus Deck. They feature a picture window (it may be covered during rough sea crossings), two wardrobes, and a King Size bed. Amenities include: en suite facilities, in-room safe, refrigerator, satellite telephone access, TV/VCR, individual temperature control, and hair dryer.
Sea Spirit Deckplan
Specifications
- Length: 90.6 meters (297 ft.)
- Beam: 15.3 meters (50 ft.)
- Speed: 15 knots
- Passengers: 114
- Crew: 72
- Expedition Team: 14
Whats included?
- 1 pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre;
- All-inclusive beverage package that includes soft drinks, house wine and beer, and house spirits (applicable only for 2026 voyages, except 02 AUG 2026 cruise);
- Seamless group transfer to the ship for embarkation on Day 2;
- Cozy accommodation aboard the elegant Sea Spirit, your home away from home;
- Delicious gourmet meals crafted by our chef throughout your voyage;
- AECO fees, governmental taxes, and port fees are included for a worry-free experience;
- 24-hour tea and coffee station, complete with cookies for a quick energy boost;
- Scheduled landings and excursions (weather permitting) to explore breathtaking landscapes;
- Expert leadership from our experienced Expedition Leader and top-notch Expedition Team;
- A stylish parka to take home as a cherished memento;
- Comfortable rubber boots for shore landings during your cruise;
- Welcome and Farewell cocktails to celebrate your journey with fellow travelers (applicable only for 2025 voyages);
- Group transfer upon disembarkation;
- Comprehensive pre-departure materials to prepare you for your adventure;
- A Digital Voyage Log with photos and a memorable video from our expedition photographer;
- Wi-Fi on board to stay connected during your journey.
What’s not included?
- Airfare;
- Visa and passport fees (if applicable) (applicable only for 2026 voyages);
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations (applicable only for 2025 voyages);
- Personal expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
- Mandatory Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of US$ 200,000 per person;
- Staff gratuities.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!