Secret Atlas will be using MV Freya, a 12-person ship complete with a recycled sauna and a hot tub, for its 2025 sailings. Olivia Palamountain reports

Expedition micro cruise specialists Secret Atlas have partnered with MV Freya for its Arctic season sailings to Svalbard and Greenland in 2025.

The ship is available for both FIT and private charters in Svalbard from April to November. A signature twin or double cabin costs from €10,150 and is available to book here.

Originally used as a lighthouse-building vessel, MV Freya houses spacious en-suite cabins, a large dining saloon bar and multiple viewing decks providing guests with first class comforts while exploring the Arctic.MV Freya Following an extensive interior renovation in 2024 by Sweden-based ship owner Edvin and his family, MV Freya offers a cosy and comfortable home away from home with high-quality furnishings and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere including an open bridge policy for all guests.

Secret Atlas co-Founder and enthusiast explorer Michele D’Agostino says: “Secret Atlas has worked with MV Freya for several years and we’re honoured to now have exclusive use of the ship, taking guests to the Arctic in a new class of comfort. Our shared vision and values around low-impact exploration and making the most of each trip, ensures we can confidently provide guests with a high-quality, authentic experience with the luxury comforts MV Freya offers for the 2025 season.”

MV Freya’s environmentally conscious onboard philosophy originates from the dairy farm in Western Sweden where owner Edvin grew up and goes hand in hand with Secret Atlas’ core values of low impact travel.

Having served as an environmental protection ship for the Swedish Coast Guard, an oil spill-rescue ship, as well as a research ship MV Freya has a heritage of working for sustainable sea travels. Edvin and his family are committed to make MV Freya as green as possible.

What makes MV Freya also stand out from other expedition ships, is her strong hull with the highest ice-breaking class (1A).

This makes her the a great choice for travelling through pack-ice and accessing previously difficult to reach places, ensuring Secret Atlas guests enjoy a unique Expedition Micro Cruise experience free from the crowds of larger vessels.

Travelling with only 12 guests onboard and equipped with two Zodiac landing crafts for shore landings, MV Freya is ideal for explorers looking to combine the spirit of exploration with first class comforts.

After a day on land or exploring in the zodiacs, guests can relax and warm up in the onboard sauna or hot tub, repurposed from Edvin’s family dairy farm.

Edvin Vidarsson, owner of MV Freya says: “Having grown up on a farm in Western Sweden, close to lake Vänern, I’ve always had a curiosity and passion for water and learned to sail from a young age. My passion for sailing naturally led me to study to become a Sea Captain after high school, and when the opportunities to come onboard as MV Freya Chief Officer in 2016, and purchase the ship in 2018 came up, I grabbed them with both hands.

“Our business passion lies in exploring how we can operate as sustainable and energy efficient as possible, and the partnership with Secret Atlas has allowed us to provide sailing enthusiasts with the opportunity to travel to and explore these amazing places as a small group.”