Arctic Cruises
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 Travel Articles
Expedition Cruise Ships
Spacious, comfortable passenger vessels designed for smooth sailing with deluxe accommodations and services. These ships offer larger cabins, as well as deluxe amenities such as roomier public areas, lounges and bars, gift shops, and fitness facilities.
Antarctic Dream (OW) |
Ship Highlights
| $5,000*10 days | |
 | The Antarctic Dream (OW) is a Dutch built ice-reinforced vessel, that was completely refurbished in July 2005 for Arctic cruising. It features a spacious ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoresby Sund (East Greenland) | 10 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland |  |
Clipper Adventurer (AC) |
Ship Highlights
| $1,995*8-17 days | |
 | Adventurer is a handsome expedition vessel reminiscent of the days of the great ocean liners, with lots of varnished wood and brass. She sails on a wide ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Into The Northwest Passage | 15 | Aug | Greenland, Canada | |
| Greenland and Wild Labrador | 14 | Sep | Greenland, Newfoundland, Labrador | |
| Newfoundland Circumnavigation | 11 | Sep | Newfoundland | |
| Maritime Explorer: Islands of the Gulf | 8 | Sep | Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
| Out of the Northwest Passage | 17 | Sep | Greenland, Canada | |
MV Orlova |
Ship Highlights
| $4,895*11 days | |
 | Built in Yugoslavia in 1976 and refurbished in 2006, the M/V Orlova is a 90 meter ice-strengthened passenger ship for Antarctica & Arctic cruises. Ship ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The High Arctic | 11 | Sep | Baffin Island | |
Ocean Nova (AC) |
Ship Highlights
| $3,295*11 days | |
 | Ocean Nova (formerly called Sarpik Ittuk) made its debut operating as an expedition ship in Antarctic waters in 2006. Built in 1992 in Denmark, Ocean Nova was ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland Circumnavigation | 11 | Sep | Newfoundland, Labrador | |
Odyssey (ZE) |
Ship Highlights
| $9,980*13 days | |
 | 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 ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In the Wake of the Vikings | 13 | Jul | Iceland, Scotland, Denmark | |
| Circumnavigation of Iceland | 13 | Jul | Iceland | |
Polar Star |
Ship Highlights
| $3,495*9-18 days | |
 | The Polar Star was built in Finland and served in the Swedish Maritime Administration's fleet of icebreakers under the name of Njord. In 2000 she underwent ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islands on the Edge - UK, Eire & ... | 15 | May | Scotland, United Kingdom | |
| The Remote Coast of Northeast Greenland | 12 | Aug | Iceland, Greenland, Svalbard | |
| The Viking Trail to the Americas | 18 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland | |
| Steam to Ice: East Greenland | 10 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland | |
| Magic of Islands and Fjords | 15 | May | Norway, Svalbard, Scotland | |
| Steam to Ice: East Greenland | 12 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland | |
| Newfoundland - Round the Rugged Rock | 9 | Oct | Newfoundland, Labrador | |
| Spitsbergen - Realm of the Polar Bear | 11 | May | Svalbard | |
Ice Breaker Ships
Former ice breaker research ships converted to passenger vessels. These larger ships offer many deluxe amenities including fitness facilities, gift shops, and multiple bars and lounges, but maintain the expeditionary style and feel of former "working" ships.
50 Years of Victory |
Ship Highlights
| $22,690*15 days | |
 | Designed for Arctic cruises to the North Pole, the "50 Years of Victory" is the largest, most sophisticated, and powerful icebreaker ever constructed. Twenty ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Pole | 15 | Jul | Finland, Russia, North Pole | |
Kapitan Khlebnikov |
Ship Highlights
| $17,990*20-28 days | |
 | The KAPITAN KHLEBNIKOV was built in Finland in 1981 and is a powerful polar class icebreaker, which has sailed to extremely remote corners of the globe with ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Passage: Siberia & the Russia ... | 28 | Jul | Russia | |
| Greenland Semi-circumnavigation: The ... | 20 | Aug | Greenland, Russia, Canada | |
| Arctic Passage: Amudsen's Route to Asia | 23 | Aug | Greenland, Russia, Canada | |
Luxury Expedition Ships
These expedition cruise ships offer luxury 5-star amenities and services. Whether you're gliding along the rivers of West Africa or plunging through the icy waters of Antarctica, you'll enjoy the detailed touches onboard that make these luxury vessels. These vessels allow travelers the opportunity to take advantage of the adventurous land excursions and up-close wildlife viewing that is best experienced on a small expedition ship without sacrificing the creature comforts traditionally found on much larger cruise ships.
National Geographic Explorer |
Ship Highlights
| $7,490*10-25 days | |
 | 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 ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond the North Cape: Norway's Fjords ... | 15 | May, Aug | Norway, Svalbard | |
| Land of Ice Bears: An In-Depth ... | 10 | Jun, Jul | Norway, Svalbard | |
| Epic Arctic: Russias White Sea, Franz ... | 25 | Jul | Norway, Svalbard, Russia | |
Prince Albert II |
Ship Highlights
| $13,695*19 days | |
 | Embark on a luxurious expedition to the best far-flung destinations in the world aboard Prince Albert II, a purpose-built expedition cruise ship unlike any ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland to Newfoundland | 19 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Canada | |
Spirit of Oceanus |
Ship Highlights
| $0*13-17 days | |
 | 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 ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In the wake of St. Brendan: Edinburgh, ... | 13 | Aug | Faroes, Iceland, Scotland | |
| Voyage to Vinland: Reykjavik, Iceland ... | 17 | Sep | Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Canada | |
Research Ships
Former research ships refurbished for small-group passenger travel. These ships feature large decks and open bridges, but maintain the expeditionary feel of their former status. Offer economical options for solo travelers who want to share accommodations with other passengers in a wide range of cabin categories.
Noorderlicht |
Ship Highlights
| $1,800*8 days | |
 | 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 ... | ||
| Itinerary | Days | Months | Destinations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lofoten - North Norway | 8 | Nov | Norway | |
| South Spitsbergen | 8 | Oct | Svalbard | |
