HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EXPEDITION IN SVALBARD
Your Guide to Exploring the High Arctic
Imagine standing on the deck of a small expedition ship,...
When people think about Arctic travel, they often imagine large cruise ships slowly passing by glaciers, passengers watching from a distance.
The MS Balto is the opposite of that.
This is not about observing the Arctic.
This is about entering it.
An expedition for twelve lucky Guests.
With warm mahogany interiors and a relaxed atmosphere, M/S Balto offers a comfortable and homely setting for your adventure. Its small size makes every experience more genuine and up close. In this post, you’ll have the chance to get to know this charming vessel a little better.
Unlike traditional cruise vessels, the MS Balto is a small expedition ship, designed to navigate the remote and often unpredictable environments of places like Svalbard and Greenland.
Its size is not a limitation: it’s its biggest strength.
It allows you to:
In the Arctic, flexibility is everything and MS Balto is built exactly for that. With space for only 12 guests, M/S Balto is perfectly suited for exploring the Arctic’s remote fjords and icy coastlines. Every voyage feels personal and relaxed. The small group size allows flexibility, swift landings, and a genuine expedition spirit. Travelling aboard this unique 12-passenger ship offers a completely different and much more intimate experience compared to a larger ship.
This is where the MS Balto truly stands out.
You are not behind glass.
You are not separated from the landscape.
And you will never be.
You feel:
It’s raw, immediate, and impossible to fully describe until you experience it.
M/S Balto offers one of the most elegant and homely environments among small polar expedition ships, and after a refit in 2025, the standard has been raised even further. The interiors are beautifully appointed with mahogany panelling, soft tones, and elegant details combining warmth, style, and functionality.
The beautifully appointed saloon and dining room form the heart of life on board, featuring rich mahogany panelling, a bar, a small library, and tea and coffee stations. After a day on the water, you can unwind with a book, share stories with fellow travellers, or enjoy the views from one of the open decks. You are always welcome on the bridge, and the atmosphere throughout the ship is very relaxed and friendly. On the guest deck, there is also a small sauna with a cold shower.
In the homely dining room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served each day. With a communal table for the entire group, it’s the perfect place to share stories about your day’s adventures while enjoying delicious, well-prepared meals. The warm and inviting atmosphere makes every meal a chance to connect with fellow travellers and soak in the unique spirit of life on board.
Even if our program says “itinerary”, honestly there is no “fixed program” on a true expedition.
Each day depends on:
You might wake up to:
Zodiac boats become your gateway to exploration, bringing you face to face with the environment.
Several open decks provide spacious observation areas where you can enjoy the stunning Arctic scenery. With her strong hull and two Zodiacs, M/S Balto can reach secluded anchorages, offering close encounters with Arctic wildlife and local communities. The bridge is open to visitors and offers panoramic views of the stunning surroundings.
Traveling on the MS Balto requires a certain mindset.
You need to be:
Plans can change.
Weather can shift.
Conditions can be demanding.
But that’s exactly what makes the journey real. It’s a way of traveling that strips everything back to what really matters.
And in a world that is increasingly fast and predictable,
that might be the most valuable journey you can take.
In a world of predictable travel, this is something different.
No crowds.
No scripted experiences.
Just you, the Arctic, and the unknown.
