10 Best Arctic Cruises & Tours for 2021-2022

Name: Arctic Cruises & Tours
Brand: Adventure Life
Rating: 5 (179 reviews)

Helsinki to Murmansk
14 Days from $33,495

Board your vessel, "50 Years of Victory," for the ultimate 14-day Arctic & North Pole voyage. Crushing through the ice, admiring soaring seabirds, and visiting Franz Josef Land, your North Pole voyage is one that you won’t soon forget. Add the excitement of helicopter excursions and an optional hot air balloon ride at the top of the world!

Expedition Svalbard

11 Days from $7,790

Cruise the fantastic fjords of Svalbard, Norway on this 11-day cruise on the M/S Quest. Make daily landings with Zodiac craft to find remnants of the bustling 17th-century whaling period, witness Arctic wildlife such as polar bears and walrus, and explore magnificent landscapes and vast tundras of the Arctic.

Best of Iceland

Reykjavik to Reykjavik
8 Days from $2,045

This 8-day Best of Iceland cruise offers an in-depth exploration of a small Arctic island of geological extremes. Encounter unrivaled natural diversity, from volcanic landscapes to lava fields, ice sheets, gushing hot springs and cascading waterfalls.

Voyage to the top of the world aboard the 50 Years of Victory

North Pole: Top of the World

Murmansk - Murmansk
13 Days from $31,995

Board your icebreaker vessel, 50 Years of Victory, for a spectacular 13-day Arctic & North Pole voyage. Crushing through the ice, admiring soaring seabirds, and visiting Franz Josef Land, this North Pole voyage will be one that you won’t soon forget. Add the excitement of helicopter excursions!

Around Spitsbergen

10 Days from $5,150

Board the MV Plancius for an exciting 10-day Arctic expedition cruise around Spitsbergen. Visit former whaling sites, a research center, and historical sites to learn about the treacherous past of arctic exploration. Marvel at the dynamic landscapes of the region and observe the unique wildlife that call the Arctic home.

Polar Bear Migration Fly-in

8 Days from $11,608

Get as close to polar bears in the wild as possible so that you can literally walk with them in their natural environment. Join this 8-day expedition, considered one of the best polar bear tours. Follow the path that polar bears take when they migrate in search of the first sea ice to form on the bay.

Explore Reykjavik

3 Days from $770

Explore Reykjavik on this short 3-day add-on to your Iceland cruise or land tour. Tour the Golden Circle Route including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Geysir and Strokkur geysers. Spend time wandering the quaint large 'town' of Reykjavik as you immerse yourself in Icelandic architecture, culture, and lifestyle.

Golden Circle & Glaciers

3 Days from $989

Explore the Golden Circle and the main highlights of the South Iceland coast on this 3-day extension tour. Visit Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss. Walk along black sand beaches and visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon and the massive Vatnajökull Glacier. Hike the crystal caves in winter and search the sky for the Northern Lights!

High Arctic Explorer

Resolute Bay to Kangerlussuaq
12 Days from $7,595

Explore the high Arctic on this 12-day expedition cruise aboard the ice-class Ocean Endeavour. Departing from Resolute Bay high in the Arctic Circle, you'll navigate the iconic fjords and rugged islands of the icy north before heading across wildlife-rich Baffin Bay towards Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Enjoy hikes and opportunities to meet local communities.

Iceland Circumnavigation

10 Days from $4,995

Trace the routes of the Icelandic sagas' heroes on this 10-day circumnavigation cruise starting and ending in Reykjavik aboard Ocean Endeavour (AC). Volcanically and geologically active, Iceland is famed for its awe-inspiring lava fields, mountains, glaciers, and glacial rivers. Natural wonders and a stirring history await on Iceland’s rugged shores.

Favorite Arctic Travel Destinations

Svalbard

The Norwegian island of Svalbard (Spitsbergen), 400 miles North of Norway and 600 miles south of the North Pole is the land of jagged mountains, fjords, giant glaciers, and the highlight of this region, the polar bear. Trek across the ice and explore the hardy wildlife and expansive landscapes via dinghies on an authentic Arctic expedition.

Northwest Passage

Trace the route of great explorers through the northernmost islands of Canada via the Northwest Passage. Experience Inuit culture and witness the rugged wildlife that calls this home, including thousands of seabirds, reindeer, polar bears and more, all as the Aurora Borealis light up the night sky.

Norway

Norway is your gateway to the Arctic. From Svalbard to the Barents Sea, you'll learn about fascinating Scandinavian culture & how it has developed throughout the centuries. Norway is also a common departure port for cruises that visit Iceland & Greenland and track polar bears and whales across glaciers and around ice floes.

Iceland

From the capital city of Reykjavik, explore Iceland's otherworldly glaciers, fjords, volcanoes & hot springs on a small ship expedition cruise deep into the Arctic. And remnants of the Norse & Viking cultures that were originally established here centuries ago can still be seen even today.

Greenland

Cross the Arctic circle as you float between ice floes and icebergs along dramatic coastlines and visit quaint villages. Explore the frozen icescapes of Greenland on an Arctic cruise through the Northwest passage or the European islands of Svalbard and Iceland. Day excursions include hikes across glaciers and panga navigations around fjords.

A view from the cliffs of Gros Morne National Park.

Canada

Follow in the footsteps of early American explorers along the St. Lawrence River and across the Northwest Passage, yacht along the shores of the temperate rainforests of British Columbia, or watch for polar bears in the Torngat Mountains of Labrador's Coast. Canada offers a vast array of stunning scenery, wildlife and adventure.

Russia

Adventure Life's cruises visiting Russia give you an all access pass to some of the most remote Arctic regions of the top of the world. Breathe in the Aurora Borealis sailing Kamchatka, Siberia's Forgotten Coast and even venture to the North Pole.

Baffin Island

Venture into the Arctic Circle and one of Canada's greatest wilderness regions in search of Polar Bears as you sail by fjords with glaciers that crash into the sea, or visit remote Inuit villages and learn about their ancient cultures on Baffin Island

Alaska

Embark on a cruise of Alaska exploring wildlife and spectacular small bays and inlets impossible to access on a large cruise ship. Spot bears, moose, birds, and whales from the comfort of your small cruise ship.

8 Best Arctic Cruise Deals for 2021-2022

Trip Name	Save	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Franz Josef Land: Longyearbyen - Longyearbyen	15%	$10395	14	Jul 21, 2021	Join the Sea Spirit on an authentic Arctic adventure. Discover Longyearbyen, capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting point of … 0
North Pole: Top of the World	5%	$31995	13	Jul 10, 2022	Board your icebreaker vessel, 50 Years of Victory, for a spectacular 13-day Arctic & North Pole voyage. Crushing through the ice, admiring soaring … 0
Spitsbergen, East Greenland & Iceland: Arctic Odyssey	15%	$9095	14	Aug 25, 2021	Explore three fascinating Arctic destinations, Spitsbergen, East Greenland, and Iceland, on a spectacular 14-day cruise. Discover magnificent … 0
Best of Svalbard	15%	$8395	12	Jul 12, 2022	Join the Sea Spirit on an authentic Arctic adventure. Discover Longyearbyen, capital of the Norwegian territory of Svalbard and starting point of … 0
Best of Svalbard	15%	$7495	11	Jul 3, 2022	Journey across the enchanting Norwegian Arctic on this 11-day sailing expedition aboard the Sea Spirit. Take every opportunity to experience … 0
South & West Greenland	15%	$6095	12	May 27, 2022	Start your 12-day Arctic expedition cruise aboard the Sea Spirit, from Reykjavík, Iceland, and make your way to Kangerlussuaq. You'll visit … 0
West Greenland and Disko Bay	15%	$4695	8	Jun 7, 2022	This 8-day cruise aboard the Sea Spirit will take you all around West Greenland and Disko Bay, where you will see impressive fjords and icebergs in … 0
Viking Odyssey	15%	$4395	10	May 19, 2022	Sea Spirit hosts this 10-day Arctic cruise from Edinburgh to Reykjavik. Long days and short nights give you ample opportunity to experience this … 0

Get Inspired to Travel to the Arctic

Small Ship Cruises

Land Based Expeditions

Luxury Arctic Cruises

Arctic Adventure Options

Our Favorite Arctic Cruise Ships

Ship Name	Max Passengers	From	Summary
Ultramarine	199	$5995	New in 2021, the Ultramarine is designed with an ice rating of 1A+, PC6, making it one of the most capable polar exploring vessels on the planet. …
National Geographic Endurance	126	$10990	The 126 passenger National Geographic Endurance has the highest ice class rating (PC5 Category A) ever for a purpose-built cruise ship which allows …
L'Austral	264	$3340	The L'Austral, sister ship to the Le Boreal, is the fruit of Italian expertise and French sophistication. A superb mega-yacht with 132 cabins, the …
Sylvia Earle	126	$6295	New in 2021, cruise the polar regions in style on the Sylvia Earle. Designed for low-impact voyages featuring a fuel-efficient Ulstein X-Bow®, …
Sea Spirit	114	$4395	Explore polar regions in style and comfort aboard the all-suite Sea Spirit. Providing spacious accommodations for a maximum of 114 passengers, the …
MV Janssonius	170	$1950	Janssonius is meeting the latest and highest Lloyd’s Register standards for ice-strengthened cruise ships. Janssonius represents the most flexible, …
Ocean Endeavour	200	$5795	The Ocean Endeavour is the ultimate expedition cruising ship. Strong and stable, with plenty of creature comforts, we’re sure you will feel at …

10 Best Luxury Arctic Cruises for 2021

All Luxury Arctic Cruises

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Northeast Passage: An Unforgettable Voyage from Norway to Alaska	$36990	25	Jul 19, 2021	Embark the National Geographic Endurance for this 25-day expedition cruise crossing the Northeast Passage with a mission to explore the Siberian … 0
Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq	$13500	10	Jul 29, 2021	Explore the Arctic on this exceptional 10-day expedition cruise, starting in the magical city of Reykjavik, Iceland, and making your way through … 0
Reykjavik Round-trip	$8640	11	Jul 5, 2022	Join the Silver Whisper on a splendid 11-day journey to see a land of fire and ice. Iceland’s location close to the Arctic Circle and on the … 0
Expedition to the Thule Region	$26690	17	Jul 30, 2021	Departing from cosmopolitan Paris, luxurious L'Austral takes you north to Arctic Greenland on this 17-day expedition cruise. Explore Baffin Bay, … 0
Longyearbyen to Dublin	$21600	27	Aug 1, 2022	Join the Silver Cloud on a magnificent 27-day sailing expedition exploring Svalbard, an Arctic territory full of life and color defined by the … 0
Iceland & Svalbard - Reykjavik to Tromso	$17900	16	Jul 5, 2021	On this 16-day adventure cruise aboard Silver Wind, journey to Iceland and Svalbard to see isolated islands, remote landscapes, glaciers, and to look … 0
Baffin Bay Secrets	$18510	14	Jul 27, 2022	This incredible 14-day journey aboard L'Austral will acquaint you with the secrets of the Baffin Bay and Greenland. Glaciers and icebergs are home to … 0
Expedition along the East Coast of Greenland	$13370	16	Aug 15, 2021	Discover the east coast of Greenland during a new 16-day expedition cruise onboard L’Austral, and venture into an extremely remote part of the … 0
Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq	$13950	12	Jul 21, 2022	This 12-day Arctic expedition cruise aboard Silver Wind takes you from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq on an epic exploration of Iceland and Greenland, … 0
Arctic Expedition: Reykjavik to Tromsø	$19890	14	Jun 28, 2022	Explore the Arctic from this 14-day cruise aboard Silver Cloud expedition and visit the isolated islands and remote regions of the northernmost part … 0

Arctic Cruise Tips & Travel Guide

All Arctic Travel Guides

Arctic Cruises: When to Go?

Though the austere Arctic landscape is often imagined to be a cold white wasteland, the brief months of summer see the flora blossoming and the fauna emerging from their long winter dormancy. Find out the best time to visit the Arctic based on your interests and expectations.

Arctic Cruise Top Activities

Any of our small ship Arctic cruises will provide you with a variety of opportunities to experience the ice-capped top of the world in an engaging and active way. The most popular Arctic activities included on most cruises are:

Whale watching.
Polar Bear & Narwhal watching.
Trekking across glaciers.
Kayaking around towering fjords & inlets.
Exploring icebergs up-close via zodiacs.
Diving in the fascinating polar waters of Baffin Bay.
Learning Norse & Viking history.
Wildlife watching.
Photography cruises.
Stay at a wilderness lodge

Traveling To the Arctic in the times of COVID-19
Updated March 22, 2021

There are currently travel advisories and limitations when traveling to most destinations in the Arctic.

From the United States: See US COVID travel information. Check the US embassy's travel advisories to Canada, Iceland, Russia, and Norway.

From Canada: Check the Canadian embassy's advisories to Greenland, Denmark, Iceland, Russia, and Norway.

The United Kingdom: Check the United Kingdom's government's current travel advisories.

Top Destinations for Arctic Cruises

Your Arctic cruise will take you across landscapes featuring impressive glaciers & fjords, oceanic fields of ice, expansive snow-covered tundras, and evergreen forests.

The Arctic is an intercontinental region with the land masses of North America, Europe, and Asia surrounding the Arctic Sea's churning icebergs and frigid waters.

The Arctic region is made up of countries like Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, US (Alaska) and Canada.

Popular regions to visit on an Arctic cruise include the Northwest Passage, Baffin Island (Canada), Svalbard, Faroes Islands, Jan Mayen Island, and Franz Joseph Land.

Kayak quiet waters as you sail to remote polar regions

Comparing the Two Polar Regions: Antarctica and Arctic Cruising

Many people assume that the Arctic and Antarctic are similar, just at different ends of the earth. Vast differences in the environment, geographical properties, climate, and wildlife may result in some rather surprising realizations of each destination.

Where should I go in the Arctic?

“The Arctic” is an umbrella term for a number of diverse destinations near the northern pole. This area includes parts of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, as well as the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. The region is home to unique ecosystems, flora and fauna, and cultures which have adapted to the extreme climate.

Best Times to Cruise the Arctic

The travel season in the Arctic runs from May through November.

The best times to go are late May to early June when wildlife spotting is at its best, and mid-August into September when, with a little luck, the Aurora Borealis may be seen.

The weather during these "shoulder seasons" is not as warm as mid-June to mid-August, but the mosquitos and gnats aren't quite as prevalent, or hungry in the late Spring and early Fall.

Arctic Overview

The Arctic brings to mind scenes of ice, snow, and barren stretches of land. Though it is a remote part of the world, it offers travelers so much more than these things! Intriguing culture, remarkable wildlife, fascinating history, and breathtaking landscape are all experienced during a visit to the Arctic.

Polar bear balances on the ice in the Arctic

Wildlife Guide to Polar Regions

Which Polar region is home to penguins? Or how about those elusive narwhals? Before your travels, it will be helpful to learn more about the different species that inhabit the Polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. You may be surprised to learn the differences!

Cruise the Arctic Svalbard Islands

Svalbard is an archipelago situated in the Arctic waters just north of Norway. The rugged terrain is largely covered by icepack & glaciers, granting opportunities for unique adventure activities. Rare wildlife sightings, tastes of local culture, & taking in awe-inspiring views are just a few of the things to look forward to.

Arctic Cruise: When to Go?

May through September is usually the top season to plan your Arctic cruise as there are fewer insects, the temperatures are tolerable, and usually above freezing levels.

Explore the Arctic waters up close aboard a zodiac

Top Places to Visit in the Arctic

An expedition cruise through the Arctic is unlike any other vacation experience. As you follow in the wake of great explorers, you will discover firsthand the breathtaking beauty and surprising biodiversity that exists in the northernmost region of the globe. A cruise of the Arctic may circumnavigate one single country or cross the Arctic Circle on a comprehensive expedition.

Where do Arctic trips usually start/finish and how can you visit?

The Arctic is normally visited on a cruise from one of the below northern ports:

Oslo is the gateway for cruises visiting the Svalbard archipelago, whereas Stockholm and Copenhagen are the main ports for accessing the Baltic Sea.

Reykjavik, Iceland is a major port for accessing cruises to Greenland, Spitsbergen, and the Baltic Sea.

If visiting the Northwest Passage and Baffin Island, Canada cruises often start and/or finish in and Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.

Nome and Anchorage Alaska have several cruises departing for the Northwest Passage, Northeast Passage, and Russia.

Russia's Far East is accessed frequently by Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy.