Saunas and Ships in Svalbard

In July 2026 I joined the CLIA Expedition Conference in Svalbard: a packed few days in the High Arctic that combined ship visits, business sessions and the chance to experience Longyearbyen properly. I went as a travel professional; I came back completely in love with the idea of building a short Svalbard stay into any Arctic expedition.

Longyearbyen: more than just a gateway

Most travellers see Longyearbyen simply as the place you fly into before joining your ship. Spending several nights there totally changed my view.

Set between steep mountains and the Isfjord, Longyearbyen has a frontier feel but also a warm, creative energy: colourful buildings, local cafes, and that surreal Arctic light that never really fades in summer. It instantly tells you that you are somewhere different and sets the tone for the adventure ahead.

Rather than dashing straight from the airport to the pier, having time in town meant we could adjust after the journey, get our bearings and really soak up the atmosphere before heading out into the wilderness.

Checking in to Funken Lodge

Our base was Funken Lodge, set slightly above the town with wide views over the valley. It became our Arctic “home” for the conference.

Between sessions we could retreat to the lounge, watch the weather move across the mountains and compare notes with fellow delegates over coffee. After long days of ship inspections and excursions, returning to a warm, stylish, intimate hotel made all the difference.

For anyone starting an expedition cruise, I would highly recommend two or three nights here before boarding. It gives you time to rest, adjust to the time zone and simply enjoy the sense of being in the Arctic before life on board begins.

Tasting life in Svalbard

Our programme included some of Longyearbyen’s most memorable experiences, all of which I would happily recommend to clients.

Svalbard BreweryOne evening we walked from the pier to Svalbard Brewery, the world’s northernmost brewery. After a full day of ship visits, sitting with a cold beer made using local glacier water felt wonderfully fitting. It is a relaxed, sociable spot, ideal for meeting locals and fellow travellers.

Husky cafeTime at the husky cafe was a gentler but equally special highlight. Instead of a high‑adrenaline sled ride, this is about learning how the dogs are cared for and spending unhurried time with them in a cosy setting. For families and animal lovers it is a lovely, low‑pressure way to have an authentic husky experience.

SvalBad: sauna and polar plungeIf you like your adventures a little bolder, SvalBad is unforgettable. Moving between the heat of the sauna and an icy dip in the fjord is both slightly mad and completely exhilarating. You step back onto the deck wide awake, with the mountains wrapped around the bay and the Arctic air hitting your lungs. It is the perfect “I’m really here” moment before you even board your ship.

These small, local experiences showed me how much Longyearbyen has to offer in its own right, and how easily they can be built into a pre‑ or post‑cruise stay.

Five ships, five personalities

Across the trip we visited five expedition ships:

AE Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer 

Silversea’s Silver Endeavour 

HX Expeditions’ HX Spitsbergen 

Swan Hellenic’s SH Vega 

PONANT’s Le Commandant Charcot

Each visit included time to explore the public spaces and suites, plus the chance to talk to the teams who actually deliver the expedition experience.

Seeing the ships back‑to‑back made one thing very clear: there is no single “best” vessel. Instead, each one has a distinct personality and is perfect for a different type of traveller.

Some feel like intimate boutique hotels with a strong focus on culture and design. Others lean into ultra‑luxury, with spacious suites and a very high crew‑to‑guest ratio. Some are ideal for guests who want to be out on zodiacs and landings at every opportunity, while others balance wilderness with wellness, fine dining and plenty of comfort on board.

As a travel professional, this was invaluable. I can now match clients to the ship that genuinely suits their style, rather than treating “expedition” as one generic category.

Inside the CLIA Expedition Conference

The conference itself took place at Funken Lodge and brought together cruise lines, destination experts and fellow agents.

Across the sessions we explored:

the expedition cruise calendar and the best seasons for the Arctic 

what guests can realistically expect from an Arctic voyage 

common client questions and misconceptions 

practical sales tips and marketing ideas 

how to position expedition cruises for different types of travellers

It was a chance to ask honest questions, share experience and deepen our understanding of what modern expedition cruising looks like. I came away with a clearer picture of how to design trips that feel personal and thoughtful rather than “off the shelf”.

Why you should add time in Svalbard

Having experienced it first‑hand, I am more convinced than ever that Svalbard deserves a place on your Arctic itinerary in its own right.

Spending a few days in Longyearbyen before your cruise allows you to:

Arrive rested, rather than stepping straight from a long travel day onto your ship 

experience the town’s character, history and food scene 

try unique activities such as the brewery, huskies or SvalBad that may not fit into a tight cruise schedule 

build a little buffer into your plans in case of any flight delays 

heighten the sense of anticipation before you sail past those same mountains and out into the ice

If you are curious about the Arctic, or have clients who are ready for something more immersive than a traditional ocean cruise, an expedition voyage from Svalbard is a truly special option. With the right ship and a thoughtfully planned stay in Longyearbyen, it becomes a journey that feels both once‑in‑a‑lifetime and deeply personal.

If you would like help choosing the right expedition ship or shaping a few perfect days in Svalbard around your sailing, I would be delighted to design a tailor‑made Arctic adventure