Arctic Cruises
Arctic Cruise: When to Go?Experience the magical land of icy fjords, jagged mountains, and immense glaciers on an Arctic adventure cruise. Icebreakers cut through the dense polar ice to access areas previously visited by only the most daring explorers. Comfortable expedition vessels glide travelers beyond the Arctic Circle through dramatic ice floes to walk in the footsteps of the Vikings or marvel at the breaching of a humpback whale. A trip to the Arctic offers rare wildlife, intense natural beauty and unique cultures that have survived in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. During a cruise of the Arctic enjoy the celebrated landscapes of Greenland, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Finland, Russia, Scottish Isles, as well as a trip to the distant and remote North Pole, Svalbard and Norway's volcanic Jan Mayen island.
Arctic Testimonials
Research Ships- what is this? |
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Akademik Ioffe - Research Shippassengers : 110 The Akademik Ioffe has proven herself to be an ideal 'adventure platform' for exploring Polar waters with a range of activities such as sea kayaking and camping. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Heart of the Northwest Passage | $5,290 | 15 | Aug | Canada |
| High Arctic Explorer 2009 | $4,890 | 14 | Aug | Greenland, Baffin Island, Canada |
Akademik Sergey Vavilov - Research Shippassengers : 110 Widely regarded as the finest expedition ship operating in Polar waters, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov offers a high level of comfort - in her appointment, stability and strength. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Spitsbergen Explorer 2009 | $3,390 | 11 | Dec, Jul, Aug | Svalbard |
Akademik Shokalskiy - Research Shippassengers : 46 Spend the night under the stars or in a tent on the Antarctic Peninsula! The chance to participate in a multi-day trek across South Georgia Island is available during the Shokalskiy's 19 day Antarctica cruise in December. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Spitsbergen Explorer 2009 | $5,290 | 11 | Jul, Aug | Svalbard |
| Spitsbergen, East Greenland & Iceland | $6,490 | 14 | Aug | Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard |
Noorderlicht - Research Shippassengers : 20 The ‘Noorderlicht’ was originally built in 1910 in Flensburg, Germany as a three-masted schooner. For most of her existence she served as a light-vessel on the Baltic. In 1991 the present owners purchased the hull and re-rigged and refitted her thoroughly |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Around Spitsbergen | $5,130 | 16 | Jul, Aug | Svalbard |
| Lofoten - North Norway | $1,800 | 8 | Nov, Dec | Europe, Norway |
| North Spitsbergen | $3,890 | 12 | May, Jun, Sep | Svalbard |
| South Spitsbergen | $2,480 | 8 | Sep, Oct | Svalbard |
Peregrine Mariner/ Akademik Ioffe - Research Shippassengers : 110 The Peregrine Mariner/ Akademik Ioffe is widely recognized as the best expedition-style cruise vessel operating in Polar waters. She is 'state of the art' and, while not luxurious, she's very comfortable and kept in top condition. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Iceland, Greenland & Baffin Islands Explorer | $6,290 | 16 | Jul | Iceland, Greenland, Baffin Island, Canada |
Peregrine Voyager / Akademik Sergey Vavilov - Research Shippassengers : 110 As a relatively new Scandinavian-built exploration vessel, the Peregrine Voyager, also known as the Akademik Sergey Vavilov, is very comfortable, especially following refitting and refurbishment over the last five years. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Spitsbergen Explorer | $4,490 | 12 | Jul | Norway, Svalbard |
| Spitsbergen, East Greenland, & Iceland | $5,490 | 14 | Jul | Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Svalbard |
Polar Pioneer - Research Shippassengers : 54 This vessel offers a wide range of adventure activities on its departures including SCUBA diving, sea kayaking, camping, and rock and ice climbing. The Polar Pioneer also offers a very unique opportunity to follow Ernest Shackleton's footsteps in an alpi |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Arctic Dreams | $8,990 | 20 | Aug | Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Svalbard |
| Circumnavigation of Spitsbergen | $5,090 | 11 | Jul | Svalbard |
| Spitsbergen, Greenland & Iceland: Jewels of the Arctic | $6,390 | 14 | Jul | Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard |
Professor Molchanov - Research Shippassengers : 49 The Professor Molchanov's low passenger capacity allows for a very intimate trip with an experience more like a private expedition than a traditional cruise with maximum time spent ashore in small groups. Early registration discounts are available. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Around Spitsbergen | $4,920 | 11 | Jul, Aug | Svalbard |
| Scoresby Sund | $4,380 | 10 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland |
| Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland | $5,540 | 13 | Sep | Greenland, Svalbard |
Professor Multanovskiy - Research Shippassengers : 49 As the sister ship to the Professor Molchanov, the Multanovskiy offers similar trips focusing on wildlife viewing as well as enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Some departures offer experiences such as camping, kayaking and cross-country skiing. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Around Spitsbergen | $4,920 | 11 | Jul, Aug | Svalbard |
| Spitsbergen, Northeast Greenland | $6,000 | 14 | Aug | Greenland, Svalbard |
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Ice Breaker Ships- what is this? |
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50 Years of Victory - Ice Breaker Shippassengers : 128 The "50 Years of Victory" is the largest, most sophisticated, and powerful icebreaker ever constructed. Twenty years in the making, 50 Years of Victory is the first Arktika-class icebreaker to have a spoon-shaped bow. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Voyage to the North Pole | $22,690 | 16 | Jul | Europe, Finland, Russia, North Pole |
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Expedition Cruise Ships- what is this? |
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Antarctic Dream (OW) - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 84 The Antarctic Dream is an ice-reinforced vessel, that was completely refurbished in July 2005. It features a spacious dining room, library, auditorium, gym, sauna, laundry, and boutique. Cabins all have private baths. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Around Spitsbergen | $5,700 | 11 | Jun, Jul, Aug | Svalbard |
| North Spitsbergen | $4,000 | 8 | Jun | Greenland, Svalbard |
| Scoresby Sund | $5,000 | 10 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland |
| Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland | $6,350 | 13 | Aug | Greenland, Svalbard |
Clipper Adventurer (AC) - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 110 The 122-passenger Clipper Adventurer is among the very few vessels in the world specifically constructed for expedition voyages to the far reaches of this remote land. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Heart of the Arctic | $3,695 | 11 | Sep | Greenland, Canada |
| High Arctic Explorer | $4,395 | 13 | Aug | Greenland, Canada |
| Into the Northwest Passage | $4,395 | 12 | Aug | Canada |
| Out of the Northwest Passage | $5,795 | 16 | Sep | Greenland, Baffin Island, Canada |
Clipper Adventurer (ZE) - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 110 The Clipper Adventurer is a superb oceangoing vessel equipped with stabilizers and an ice-hardened hull that allow her to navigate easily in the most rugged natural environments. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Across the Far North: Iceland to Greenland | $9,480 | 15 | Jul | Iceland, Greenland |
| Across the Far North: Spitsbergen to Iceland | $9,980 | 16 | Jul | Jan Mayen, Iceland, Svalbard |
Marina Svetaeva - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 100 Svetaeva was built in Poland in 1989 as an ice strengthened passenger vessel. In 2005, a helideck was added so that 2 helicopters could provide the magical key to unlock the secrets of the heavily iced coastlines of Deep Antarctica. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Bering Straight and Wrangel Island | $5,490 | 13 | Aug | Asia, Alaska, Russia |
MV Orlova - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 110 Built in Yugoslavia in 1976 and refurbished in 1999, the M/V Orlova is a 90 meter ice-strengthened passenger ship. Ship features include a fully equipped lecture hall and theatre, attractive bar and lounge, and also a well stocked Antarctic library. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Arctic Odyssey | $4,195 | 9 | Jul | Hudson Bay, Baffin Island |
| Arctic Odyssey | $4,345 | 10 | Jul | Hudson Bay, Canada |
| Northwest Passage | $4,895 | 9 | Aug | Greenland, Baffin Island, Canada |
| The High Arctic | $5,295 | 10 | Aug, Sep | Baffin Island |
MV Plancius - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 112 Built in 1976 and reconstructed in 2008, the MV Plancius is fully equipped for polar expeditions and can accommodate 112 passengers in 54 comfortable cabins. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Around Spitsbergen | $5,500 | 11 | Jun, Jul, Aug | Svalbard |
| North Spitsbergen | $3,800 | 8 | Jun | Svalbard |
| Scottish Islands | $3,600 | 8 | May | Iceland |
| St. Kilda - Faroes - Jan Mayen - Spitsbergen | $3,500 | 11 | Jun | Jan Mayen, Faroes, Svalbard, Scotland |
Odyssey (ZE) - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 128 The Odyssey was built in 1989 in Tsu, Japan, by Japanese craftsmen to the design of a master Dutch yacht designer, Studio Acht, and is eminently suited for the year-round itineraries in the Pacific. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Wild Alaska: Aleutians, Pribilofs, St.Lawrence, Katmai, Bering Sea | $9,980 | 15 | Jun, Jul | Alaska, Russia |
Polar Star - Expedition Cruise Shippassengers : 105 This former icebreaker began exploring Antarctica in 2000 after years of sailing in the Arctic. Early booking and child discounts are available. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Magic of Islands and Fjords | $4,995 | 15 | May | Europe, Norway, Svalbard, Scotland |
| The Remote Coast of East Greenland | $4,070 | 13 | Aug | Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard |
| The Viking Trail to the Americas | $6,895 | 18 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland |
| The Viking Trail to the Americas 2009 | $6,130 | 19 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland |
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Luxury Expedition Ships- what is this? |
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Clelia II - Luxury Expedition Shippassengers : 100 To be launched in early 2009, after extensive refurbishment, redecoration and other improvements, the all-suite Clelia II will offer the finest in small-ship cruise travel. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Into the Arctic: A Voyage to Greenland and the Canadian Arctic | $9,995 | 16 | Jul, Aug | North America, Greenland, Labrador, Baffin Island, Canada |
| The Circumnavigation of Newfoundland Including Labrador: Canadas Undiscovered Province | $7,995 | 10 | May | Newfoundland, Labrador, Canada |
National Geographic Explorer - Luxury Expedition Shippassengers : 148 The National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship accommodating 148 guests in 81 outside cabins. It is fully stabilized, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing comfort. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| Beyond the North Cape: Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard | $9,680 | 15 | Jun, Aug | Europe, Norway, Svalbard |
| Land of Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard | $6,920 | 10 | Jun, Jul, Aug | Europe, Norway, Svalbard |
Spirit of Oceanus - Luxury Expedition Shippassengers : 120 One of our most spacious and luxurious ocean going vessels. Equipped with stabilizers, the Spirit of Oceanus opens up whole new horizons for our style of up-close, casual small-ship cruising. |
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| Itineraries | Prices from | Days | Month | Destinations |
| A Voyage to Vinland: London to St. John’s | $12,795 | 20 | Aug | North America, Europe, Faroes, Iceland, Greenland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Denmark, Newfoundland, Canada |
| In Harriman's Wake | $18,499 | 25 | Jul | Asia, Alaska, Russia |
| In Harriman's Wake + Denali | $20,649 | 28 | Jul | Asia, Alaska, Russia |
| Voyage to the Bering Sea | $10,149 | 14 | Dec, Jul | Asia, Alaska, Russia |
| Voyage to the Bering Sea + Denali National Park | $12,599 | 18 | Jul | Asia, Alaska, Russia |
| Voyage to the Bering Sea + Wilderness Lodges | $13,099 | 17 | Jul | Asia, Alaska, Russia |
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Travel Planning Articles:
[all Arctic articles]
Canada: From Sea to Sea
| Cruise the Faroe Islands
| Cruise Finland!
| Explore the World’s Largest Island on a Greenland Cruise!
| Discover Iceland on an Adventure Cruise
| Island Discovery on a Jan Mayen Cruise
| Newfoundland and Labrador: Unique to Canada
| Arctic Cruise to Frozen Paradise
| Enjoy a Norway Cruise
| The Surprises of a Russia Cruise
| Flannan Islands Discovery on a Scotland Cruise
| Cruise the Arctic Svalbard Islands
| Explore the World’s Largest Island on a Greenland Cruise!
| Discover Iceland on an Adventure Cruise
| Island Discovery on a Jan Mayen Cruise
| Arctic Cruise to Frozen Paradise
| Enjoy a Norway Cruise
| Cruise the Arctic Svalbard Islands
| Scotland’s Canna Island
| The Beauty of Scotland’s Fair Isle
| Flannan Islands Discovery on a Scotland Cruise
| Scotland’s Beautiful Foula Island
| Migulay and Berneray Scottish Isles
| Scotland Cruise to Mousa Island
| Tour Scotland’s North Rona and Sula Sgeir
| Enjoy Scotland Travel to the Islands of St. Kilda
| Cruise the Faroe Islands
| Finland Travel: A Look at Local History
| Greenland’s History: Ancient to Modern
| The Ancient History of Iceland
| The History of Scotland’s St. Kilda Islands
| Iceland’s Modern History: What You Should Know Before Your Tour
| The History of Jan Mayen
| Arctic Travel: A Look into History
| Svalbard Travel: A Historic Look into the Region
| The History of the Faroe Islands
| The Cultural Discovery of a Finland Tour
| Learn about Local Culture on a Greenland Cruise
| Discover the Local Culture on an Iceland Cruise!
| The Cultural Side of an Arctic Tour
| The Unique Norway Culture
| A Cultural Look into Svalbard Travel
| Enjoy the Culture of the Faroe Islands
| Geographical Exploration on a Finland Cruise
| Geography Discover on a Greenland Tour
| Explore Iceland’s Geography
| The Environment and Geography of Jan Mayen
| A Geographic Look at the North Pole
| The Geography of Norway
| The Geographic Appeal of a Svalbard Cruise
| Discovery the Faroe Islands’ Geography on an Adventure Cruise
| Finland’s Celebrated Environment
| The Environment of Iceland
| Environmental Discoveries on an Arctic Cruise
| Norway Tour: A Look at the Environment
| Svalbard’s Arctic Environment
| Faroe Islands Tour: An Environmental Discovery
| Faroe Islands Wildlife
| Discover the Rare Wildlife of Finland
| Greenland Wildlife
| The Wildlife on an Iceland Cruise
| Jan Mayen Wildlife
| Wildlife Wonders on an Arctic Trip
| The Wild-side of a Svalbard Cruise
| Finland Cuisine: A Tasteful Tour
| Greenland Cuisine
| Iceland’s Unique Cuisine
| Taste What a Norway Cruise Has to Offer
| Enjoy the Local Cuisine on a Faroe Islands Tour
| Finland’s Weather
| Greenland’s Artic Weather
| Iceland’s Welcoming Weather
| What to Expect from the Weather on Jan Mayen
| The Weather in the North Pole
| Norway’s Weather
| Experience Arctic Weather on a Svalbard Cruise
| Faroe Islands Cruise: Plan for the Weather
| Finland Politics: What you should Know Before you Travel
| Greenland Politics
| Iceland Travel: Learn About the Local Politics
| The Politics of Jan Mayen
| Norway Travel: What You Should Know About Local Politics
| Svalbard’s Local Island Politics
| The Politics of Faroe Islands
| Arctic Cruises to Spitsbergen Island!
| Arctic Cruise Journal - Betty Wittels
| Arctic Cruise: When to Go?






Akademik Ioffe
Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Akademik Shokalskiy
Noorderlicht
Peregrine Mariner/ Akademik Ioffe
Peregrine Voyager / Akademik Sergey Vavilov
Polar Pioneer
Professor Molchanov
Professor Multanovskiy
50 Years of Victory
Antarctic Dream (OW)
Clipper Adventurer (AC)
Clipper Adventurer (ZE)
Marina Svetaeva
MV Orlova
MV Plancius
Odyssey (ZE)
Polar Star
Clelia II
National Geographic Explorer
Spirit of Oceanus