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Spitsbergen

MS Quest

Expeditionary Ship

Originally built in Denmark in 1992 to serve as a ferry on the west coast of Greenland, the MS Quest underwent a complete refurbishment in 2005 that saw her be converted to a comfortable ice-strengthened expedition ship.

Accommodating a maximum of 53 passengers in 26 Scandinavian-style cabins, each with outside views and private facilities, the vessel is made up of superior cabins and spacious owner’s cabins. There is a spacious observation lounge and a panoramic lecture room where guides discuss the flora, fauna, history and glaciology of the region. The outer decks and forward observation area of the 161-foot-long vessel allow for plenty of outside viewing, and five zodiacs allow everyone to disembark and explore easily.

Expedition Svalbard with Doug Allan

Departing 9 July 2024, spend 10 nights exploring Svalbard onboard the MS Quest with expert polar photographer and cameraman Doug Allan. Doug has filmed for Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, Ocean Giants and many more standout series. Guests will enjoy fascinating presentations about Doug’s experiences filming in polar regions and other extreme regions. Navigate the Svalbard archipelago in search of whales, polar bears and walruses on this epic journey.

Enquire now.

Passengers:	53
Length:	161 ft.
Zodiacs:	5
Cabins:	26
Ice Class:	1D

Double Cabin

Double Cabin Superior

Owners Suite

Triple Cabin

Twin Cabin

Twin Cabin Plus

Idea

Spitsbergen

Arctic Polar Bear Voyage

A High Arctic navigation that focuses on spotting the elusive polar bear in its natural habitat while also searching for other Arctic species, this sailing moves through the Svalbard Archipelago and is bookmarked with time spent in Longyearbyen.

11 days from £5,450pp

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Idea

Spitsbergen

Sailing in Spitsbergen

An introduction to the Arctic that can be completed in under two weeks, this expeditionary cruise offers world-class guiding and an insight into the wildlife, history and geography of Spitsbergen.

10 days from £4,000pp

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Idea

Spitsbergen

Snowmobiling in Spitsbergen

Journeys through the Arctic wilderness on a snowmobile, travelling through stunning landscapes and staying at one of the most unique lodges in the world.

5 days from £2,360pp

Nordenskiold Lodge, Basecamp Explorer, Spitsbergen

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Idea

Spitsbergen

Dog Sledding in Spitsbergen

This exploratory dog sledding adventure across Svalbard combines remote camping with mushing your own team of huskies across a frozen wilderness.

7 days from £3,565pp

Dog Sledding, Basecamp Explorer, Spitsbergen

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Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Idea

Spitsbergen

Arctic Polar Bear Voyage

11 days from £5,450pp

View Cruise

Idea

Spitsbergen

Sailing in Spitsbergen

An introduction to the Arctic that can be completed in under two weeks, this expeditionary cruise offers world-class guiding and an insight into the wildlife, history and geography of Spitsbergen.

10 days from £4,000pp

View Cruise

Idea

Spitsbergen

Snowmobiling in Spitsbergen

Journeys through the Arctic wilderness on a snowmobile, travelling through stunning landscapes and staying at one of the most unique lodges in the world.

5 days from £2,360pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Spitsbergen

Dog Sledding in Spitsbergen

This exploratory dog sledding adventure across Svalbard combines remote camping with mushing your own team of huskies across a frozen wilderness.

7 days from £3,565pp

View Holiday Idea

View all holiday ideas View all cruises

Alternative boats

Our travel experts have years of knowledge and between them and have personally inspected or travelled on board many of the boats we offer.

See even more options

Spitsbergen

Polar Pioneer

Expeditionary Ship
£££££

View Boat

Antarctica

Greg Mortimer

Expeditionary Ship
£££££

ICE RATING: A1

View Boat

Arctic

Ocean Adventurer

Expeditionary Ship
£££££

View Boat

Canada

Ocean Endeavour

Expeditionary Ship
£££££

View Boat

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Enquire

Thank you, Sue, for arranging our family snowmobiling trip, which was simply out of this world. We left with memories to last a lifetime.

Destination: Spitsbergen
Travel Expert: Sue

Sue knew how important it was to me to spot polar bears and did everything she could to ensure we had the best chances possible. We were even lucky enough to see Arctic foxes and walruses.

Destination: Spitsbergen
Travel Expert: Sue

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?

More about Steppes

Featured in the press

Vessel Ice Rating Comparison Chart.

We use the Lloyd Register scale to signify the ice rating of our vessels but you can see how that scale aligns with other scales in the chart below.

Mame / Country of Register

Ice thickness (cm)

10 15 30 50

Ice thickness (cm)

lowest highest

Finland / Sweden

Category II

IA Super

Finland / Sweden

Category II

IA Super

Finland / Sweden

Category II

IA Super

Finland / Sweden
Category II
IC
IB
IA
IA Super

Finland / Sweden

Category II

IA Super

Finland / Sweden

Category II

IA Super

Finland / Sweden

Category II

IA Super

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