{"id":27254,"date":"2023-08-21T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-20T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=27254"},"modified":"2025-02-26T02:20:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T15:20:49","slug":"differences-between-arctic-and-antarctica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/differences-between-arctic-and-antarctica\/","title":{"rendered":"Arctic vs Antarctic cruises: How to choose your polar expedition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>As adventures go, a journey to the <a href=\"\/polar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">polar regions<\/a> is a big one! But which frozen frontier should you pick? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"\/arctic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arctic<\/a> and <a href=\"\/antarctica\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">Antarctica<\/a> are literally (and figuratively) poles apart. Whilst they\u2019re similar in the sense that they\u2019re both intensely cold, boast out-of-this-world scenery and are home to some amazing <a href=\"\/wildlife\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wildlife,<\/a> there is plenty that separates them too.<\/p>\n<p>Polar bears or penguins? Smooth sailing or rocky crossings? The North Pole or the South Pole? Let\u2019s work out the right one for you\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>When to go<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: Choosing between the Arctic and Antarctica will depend heavily on what time of year you\u2019re able to travel.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_47664\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47664\" class=\"wp-image-47664 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_777075208-800-1.png\" alt=\"A glacier in Spitsbergen in the Arctic\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_777075208-800-1.png 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_777075208-800-1-425x239.png 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_777075208-800-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_777075208-800-1-585x329.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-47664\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anton_Ivanov\/Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The Arctic: <\/strong>Cruising season is determined largely by the sea ice. From October to <a href=\"\/adventures\/where-to-travel-in-march\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">March<\/a>, large patches of the Arctic Ocean are frozen, making it almost impossible to navigate.<\/p>\n<p>European summer is the perfect time to visit the Arctic (and Spitsbergen in particular), with most departures leaving between <a href=\"\/adventures\/where-to-travel-in-june\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">June<\/a> and August. If it\u2019s the Northern Lights you\u2019re after, then <a href=\"\/adventures\/where-to-travel-in-august\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">August<\/a> to September is a good bet.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_47457\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47457\" class=\"wp-image-47457 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/DSC_0318-800-1.png\" alt=\"A fledging penguin in Antarctica\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/DSC_0318-800-1.png 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/DSC_0318-800-1-425x239.png 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/DSC_0318-800-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/DSC_0318-800-1-585x329.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-47457\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo captured by Andrew Turner<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Antarctica: <\/strong>Things aren\u2019t quite as cut and dried when it comes to Antarctica, and your decision will be impacted by what you\u2019re hoping to see.<\/p>\n<p>Antarctic summer (<a href=\"\/adventures\/where-to-travel-in-november\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">November<\/a> to <a href=\"\/adventures\/where-to-travel-in-december\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">December<\/a>) is tipped to be the most awe-inspiring time to visit. Prepare to see vast numbers of migrating animals, huge amounts of ice and pristine snow, and fascinating penguin courtship displays.<\/p>\n<p>Full summer (mid-December to <a href=\"\/adventures\/where-to-travel-in-january\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">January<\/a>) is the warmest time of year here. It\u2019s now that the first penguin chicks start to hatch. The days are also longer, meaning more daylight to be enjoyed and even 24-hour sun at times (around the Christmas period).<\/p>\n<p>Late summer (<a href=\"\/adventures\/where-to-travel-in-february\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">February<\/a> to March) is great for whale watching and the ice allows for exploration further south along the peninsula. You can also spot adult penguins feeding their young, some of which will be starting to grow feathery coats.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/antarctica\/best-antarctica-wildlife-explorer-ocean-endeavour-139303\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Experience the best of Antarctica on our 11-day Wildlife Explorer Expedition<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Getting there<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: There\u2019s no disputing a polar trip will be a little pricier than your average holiday, so don\u2019t forget to factor in flight costs.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Arctic: <\/strong>For those living in <a href=\"\/europe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Europe<\/a>, the Arctic is definitely the more affordable option of the two. The Svalbard Archipelago is in <a href=\"\/norway\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">Norway<\/a> and is easily reached on a short flight from Oslo or Troms\u00f8.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27260\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27260\" class=\"wp-image-27260 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_21202612.jpg\" alt=\"A ship crossing a rough Drake Passage, Antarctica\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_21202612.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_21202612-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_21202612-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_21202612-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-27260\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gen Productions\/Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Antarctica: <\/strong>The fact that Antarctica is so isolated makes it more challenging (and expensive) to get to. It also requires you to allocate more time to reach your destination, as most tours make the two-day trip from Ushuaia to the peninsula \u2014\u00a0across the infamous Drake Passage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/adventures\/antarctica-questions-answered\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Read more: All your Antarctica questions, answered<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Weather<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: A word of warning&#8230; if you\u2019re not a fan of the cold, maybe rethink a trip to the polar regions.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Arctic:<\/strong> Throughout the summer months temperatures sit at around 4-6\u00b0C (39-43\u00b0F). A lot warmer than you\u2019d typically find at similar latitudes in <a href=\"\/canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">Canada<\/a> or <a href=\"\/russia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Russia<\/a> at this time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Antarctica: <\/strong>Even during the summer, the weather in Antarctica can be changeable. But at its best, you\u2019d enjoy long sunny days with heady temperatures of about 2\u00b0C (35\u00b0F).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\"><strong>Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest polar offers, news and competitions<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Wildlife<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: Serious question&#8230; is it more important to you to see polar bears or penguins?<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27257\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27257\" class=\"wp-image-27257 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_193652336.png\" alt=\"A lone polar bear on an Arctic ice floe\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_193652336.png 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_193652336-425x239.png 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_193652336-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_193652336-585x329.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-27257\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">FloridaStock\/Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The Arctic:<\/strong> Explorers tend to come to the Arctic in the hope of spotting a majestic polar bear. Aside from these cream-coloured giants, there are masses of other creatures to see too.<\/p>\n<p>In the ocean, you\u2019ll find walruses, several species of seal and 17 kinds of whales, including belugas, orcas and mythical-looking narwhals. Whereas on land you might find Arctic foxes and hares, Svalbard reindeer and an abundance of birdlife, including puffins.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27256\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27256\" class=\"wp-image-27256 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Intrepid-Travel-antarctica_penguins-front-back.jpg\" alt=\"Two penguins perched on a rock in Antarctica\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Intrepid-Travel-antarctica_penguins-front-back.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Intrepid-Travel-antarctica_penguins-front-back-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Intrepid-Travel-antarctica_penguins-front-back-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Intrepid-Travel-antarctica_penguins-front-back-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-27256\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Volodymyr Goinyk\/Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Antarctica: <\/strong>Penguins have the real pull when it comes to wildlife watching in Antarctica. Look out for Ad\u00e9lie, chinstrap, Gentoo, king and macaroni species across the peninsula, as well as the elusive emperor penguin.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re pretty likely to see all five species of seal too: fur, elephant, Weddell, leopard and crabeater. Humpback whales, wandering albatross, storm petrels and so much more can also be seen here.<\/p>\n<h2>Terrain<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: It\u2019s going to be icy!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Arctic:<\/strong> Snow and ice are year-round fixtures in the Arctic, and the area around Svalbard offers views of impressive ice floes, icebergs and drift ice. The landscape here is incredibly sparse and rugged, with craggy mountain peaks and gorges. Small flowers help to add some colour to the brownish moss vegetation that covers parts of the region.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27263\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27263\" class=\"wp-image-27263 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Picture1279-800.jpg\" alt=\"A crack in the ice, Antarctica\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Picture1279-800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Picture1279-800-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Picture1279-800-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Picture1279-800-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-27263\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Simon Evans<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Antarctica:<\/strong> As the highest, driest and coldest continent on the planet, you probably won\u2019t be surprised to hear that Antarctica is 98% covered by ice. Its vast wilderness is\u00a0broken up only by mountain ranges and ice streams. There are just two flowering plants found in Antarctica: Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort.<\/p>\n<p>If it\u2019s turquoise-hued glaciers you\u2019re looking for, Antarctica can\u2019t be beaten. However, when summer comes to the Arctic the calving of glacial ice makes for pretty spectacular viewing.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/adventures\/antarctica-packing-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Read more: What to pack for your polar trip<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Local culture<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: If it\u2019s cultural experiences you\u2019re after, the Arctic is probably the right choice.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27265\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27265\" class=\"wp-image-27265 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-Russia-SIberia-Labrovaya-Nenet-reindeer-herders-Herding.png\" alt=\"A Nenet reindeer herder in Siberia, Russia\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-Russia-SIberia-Labrovaya-Nenet-reindeer-herders-Herding.png 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-Russia-SIberia-Labrovaya-Nenet-reindeer-herders-Herding-425x239.png 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-Russia-SIberia-Labrovaya-Nenet-reindeer-herders-Herding-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-Russia-SIberia-Labrovaya-Nenet-reindeer-herders-Herding-585x329.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-27265\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo captured by Mikey Sadowski<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The Arctic:<\/strong> Made up of parts of Canada, <a href=\"\/greenland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greenland<\/a>, Russia, <a href=\"\/united-states\/alaska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">Alaska<\/a>, <a href=\"\/iceland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">Iceland<\/a>, Norway, <a href=\"\/sweden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sweden<\/a> and <a href=\"\/finland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Finland<\/a> \u2013 the Arctic Circle is home to around four million people. The region\u2019s indigenous inhabitants have lived here for thousands of years and come from different populations such as Inuit, Sami and Nenets. It\u2019s possible to meet these Arctic inhabitants and learn the life skills that have kept them here for centuries, from reindeer herding to foraging.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_47451\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47451\" class=\"wp-image-47451 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_115361746-800-1.png\" alt=\"An old whaling station on Deception Island, Antarctica\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_115361746-800-1.png 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_115361746-800-1-425x239.png 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_115361746-800-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/shutterstock_115361746-800-1-585x329.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-47451\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Whaling station on Deception Island, Antarctica<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Antarctica: <\/strong>The punishing Antarctic climate means that the continent has never had any permanent residents. However, there can be anywhere up to 4,000 people living here temporarily at any given time \u2013 namely scientists using the area for key research. Having said that, a trip to an abandoned whaling station can provide some interesting insights into what life could have been like here.<\/p>\n<h2>Activities<\/h2>\n<p><em>Note: Bear in mind that most polar activities need to be booked in advance.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_47648\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47648\" class=\"wp-image-47648 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-arctic_siberian-husky-race-800-1.png\" alt=\"Arctic husky sledding in Siberia\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-arctic_siberian-husky-race-800-1.png 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-arctic_siberian-husky-race-800-1-425x239.png 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-arctic_siberian-husky-race-800-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-arctic_siberian-husky-race-800-1-585x329.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-47648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sirko Hartmann\/Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>The Arctic: <\/strong>Aside from exploring the incredible outdoors, you can also try your hand at sea kayaking, riding a snowmobile, snowshoeing, hiking, husky sledging and more.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_27267\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27267\" class=\"size-full wp-image-27267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-PeregrineAdventures-Antarctica_CiervaCove_Kayakers_118-800.jpg\" alt=\"Kayakers in Cierva Cove, Antarctica\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-PeregrineAdventures-Antarctica_CiervaCove_Kayakers_118-800.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-PeregrineAdventures-Antarctica_CiervaCove_Kayakers_118-800-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-PeregrineAdventures-Antarctica_CiervaCove_Kayakers_118-800-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/IntrepidTravel-PeregrineAdventures-Antarctica_CiervaCove_Kayakers_118-800-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-27267\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo captured by Liam Neal<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Antarctica: <\/strong>Kayaking is also popular in Antarctica! You can also have a go at snowshoeing, hiking and ice camping too.<\/p>\n<p>Both the Arctic and Antarctica also offer the opportunity to take the \u201cpolar plunge\u201d, and yes that is exactly what it sounds like. Join the queue as you line up to launch yourself into the freezing water \u2013 it\u2019s a real bucket list tick!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/adventures\/polar-plunge-antarctica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Read more: What it&#8217;s really like to take the polar plunge<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ready to embark on your own polar exploration? Then have a browse through Intrepid\u2019s broad range of trips to the <a href=\"\/arctic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arctic<\/a> and <a href=\"\/antarctica\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpil=\"url\">Antarctica<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Polar bears or penguins? Smooth sailing or rocky crossings? Let&#8217;s find out which polar region is right for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15998,"featured_media":27540,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[105,293,291,1935],"class_list":["post-27254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-antarctica","tag-arctic","tag-polar","tag-travel-guide","ipf_theme-polar"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Arctic vs. Antarctic Cruises: Choosing Your Polar Trip | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are many similarities between the Arctic and Antarctica, but there are plenty of differences too. So, let&#039;s find out which polar region is right for you!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/differences-between-arctic-and-antarctica\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Arctic vs. Antarctica: How to choose your polar expedition\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There are many similarities between the Arctic and Antarctica, but there are plenty of differences too. 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