Arctic cruises & tours

This far north, you’ll need to keep your eye on the sea and sky, day and night, lest you miss something extraordinary

Where icebergs lazily float past charming seaside towns and the northern lights dance in kaleidoscopic waves, the Arctic has to be lived to be believed. Unlike its southern counterpart, this is a region where human history unites with the wonders of winter wildlife, culminating in a rich culture of enduring survival and environmental respect. A home to ice-hardened creatures great and small, from polar bears to reindeer, narwhals to puffins, you won’t find these species anywhere else on Earth.

Whether you’re seeing the Arctic Circle from Greenland, Canada, Iceland or Scandinavia, land or sea, you’ll quickly understand how the Inuit’s traditional stories of magic and mystery came to be.

Our Arctic trips

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Arctic highlights

Zodiac sailing through the icebergs near glaciers in Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland

Be eye level with the ice at Ilulissat

For a place whose translation is literally ‘iceberg,’ you can imagine there’s some stunning frozen water to be seen here in Ilulissat. Spend time among the ice as you hike atop glaciers, sail in search of whales or even kayak between the ice floes. In between outdoor excursions, explore the beauty of Greenland on a land-based trip, learning about the people who’ve lived in this region.

Greenland Expedition

Polar bear on the ice near Franz Joseph land in the Arctic

Search for polar bears across the Arctic

Known as the king of the Arctic, the mighty polar bear is the fiercest predator whose home is the ever-changing sea ice. While tricky to spot due to their white camouflage, sighting a polar bear is a favourite pastime of Arctic visitors. Seeing as they make almost all the Arctic their home, you’ll have your work cut out for you finding one of these in the wild, but rest assured, it’s a sight worth waiting for. 

Walruses relaxing on the ice, in a Fjord near Greenland in the Arctic circle

Watch laidback walruses go about their day

It might be hard to find an animal as unique as the wide-eyed walrus. Made to survive the cold climate of the Arctic, walruses are built with hefty fat stores and study tusks. Often found huddled together, find them resting on the ice floes or even ashore at certain times of the year, especially around Spitsbergen in Norway or Devon Island in Canada. 

Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway in Depth

Inuit craftsman carefully carving a tupilak

Learn about Inuit culture and human survival in the Arctic

The term Inuit is used to describe an expansive and diverse group of Indigenous people who traditionally lived in the Arctic regions as hunter-gatherers. Due to their impressive survival abilities of strategic hunting, purpose-made tools and clothes, they’ve been able to live in this tough environment. Learn more about the various Inuit cultures across Greenland and Canada. 

Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route

A historical viking longboat on the shore of Sognefjord in Norwegian summer

Retrace the paths of Vikings

It may be hard to imagine a time when Vikings ruled the seas, but they’ve left their mark in more ways than one. From the Faroe Islands, where they still speak a language descended from Old Norse to the preserved Viking ruins in Hvalsey, Greenland, even to the northern reaches of Norway, where Trondheim, a Viking city, retains its history – learn what it meant to be a Viking, from both land and sea. 

Wild Fjords of South Greenland: Land of the Vikings

Your home on the sea

It’s not every day you voyage to the Arctic, so we’ve ensured you have a journey to remember. Find comfort in onboard amenities and adventure in the outdoors. In between activities, enjoy quality meals from onboard chefs and downtime spent learning from Arctic experts. Or simply sit back, take in the sights and enjoy the luxuries of the ship.

Ultramarine

BOAT TYPE: Expedition • PASSENGERS: 199

If you’re looking to take your polar adventure to the next level, Ultramarine is designed to help you discover amazing new places and see the very best of the spectacular polar regions. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine helps travellers access a wide variety of activities while featuring spacious suites, incredible public spaces, and a huge range of outdoor wildlife viewing vantage points. It also features an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards. Other features include an all-inclusive bar and a helicopter landing pad, with sightseeing flights included in the voyages. Please note: Helicopter operations are not permitted in certain regions such as Svalbard and South Georgia. These restrictions are in place to protect the landscape and wildlife of these areas.

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Ocean Explorer

BOAT TYPE: Expedition • PASSENGERS: 138

The Ocean Explorer is the new way to see the Polar region in style. Purpose-built for exploration, this ship features a fleet of modern Zodiacs, large windows perfect for spotting Polar wildlife, two outdoor Jacuzzis, modern cabins in Scandinavian design, private verandahs in almost all rooms, a spacious gym and sauna and a two-storey, light-filled library. Coupled with plenty of outdoor viewing areas, this ship is the perfect setting for avid photographers, marine enthusiasts and sustainability-conscious explorers.

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Why choose us

Custom built ships

Each vessel is purpose-built for polar conditions, well-equipped and fitted with modern conveniences to create a home away from home. Each ship also boasts a team of professional chefs preparing high-quality meals around the clock and a crew of experienced sailors and expedition leaders to chart a course.

Expert leaders

Travel with polar experts in a range of fields – glaciology, ornithology, marine biology and natural history – who provide invaluable context and insight into the region. Trained guides in Arctic terrain ensure you can travel with peace of mind, both on board and during onshore activities.

Onboard activities

When you’re not spotting wildlife from the deck, exploring onshore or taking part in an adventure activity, all our Arctic trips include educational seminars to learn about the region’s unique flora and fauna. Arctic cruises come equipped with a gym, spa and even a library where you can do your own polar research.

Full board

All cruises provide three meals a day, 24-hour tea and coffee, and activities including Zodiac excursions, onboard seminars and shore landings. Our chefs know just how to warm you up after your Arctic outing, just be ready for a second serving!

Safety

Our polar operators are the best in the business and make your safety travelling in this potentially hazardous region their number one priority, adhering to all international maritime and SOLAS regulations.

Responsible travel

We’re committed to our pledge to be a responsible and environmentally conscious travel company. Our Arctic trips are carbon offset and we take measures to reduce our impact and protect the environment.