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Arctic Cruises & Tours

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Matt Pain
A polar bear climbs glacial ice in the Arctic
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On a small ship Arctic cruise, you'll experience a magical land of icy fjords, jagged mountains, and immense glaciers. Comfortable small ships 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. Hull-hardened ships cut through the polar ice to access areas previously visited by only the most adventurous explorers and even to the North Pole. A cruise of the Arctic offers rare wildlife, natural beauty, and unique cultures that have survived in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Choose from cruises that visit the Arctic landscapes of Northern Canada's Baffin Island, the Northwest Passage, AlaskaGreenland, Iceland, Canada, Norway, and RussiaContact one of our Arctic cruise experts for help planning your trip.
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10 Best Arctic Cruises & Tours for 2023-2024

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8 Best Arctic Cruise Deals for 2023-2024

Trip NameSaveFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Greenland OdysseySavings$1779517Jul 6, 2024Experience the world's largest island on this 10-day Greenland Odyssey Cruise aboard Sylvia Earle. Discover the grandeur of Greenland featuring …
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Essential Greenland: Southern Coasts and Disko BaySavings$1229515Jun 29, 2023This 15-day roundtrip Arctic cruise departs from Reykjavik aboard Ultramarine to experience the best that Iceland & Greenland have to offer. You will …
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Natural Wonders of Greenland - Tour 1Savings$749912Aug 7, 2023This 12-day expedition voyage aboard MS Seaventure takes you from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq, through the Prince Christian Sound, visiting the old …
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Iceland CircumnavigationSavings$54859Jun 1, 2024Take this 9-day cruise around Iceland on the MS Seaventure. Along the way, experience both natural wonders and the Icelandic way of life on a variety …
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Jewels of the ArcticSavings$1489515Jun 18, 2023Enjoy the 15-day cruise through the Arctic along the icy waters of the Greenland Sea between Spitsbergen and Iceland. Keep an eye out for incredible …
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Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the ArcticSavings$1139512May 22, 2024Embark the Ultramarine for a 12-day voyage to Spitsbergen, the wildlife capital of the Arctic. Start and end in Helsinki, Norway's bustling capital. …
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Hot Springs and Eternal IceSavings$1213021Jul 29, 2023Take a 21-day voyage around Iceland and Greenland on MS Seaventure through the Denmark Strait. Along the way, experience both natural wonders and the …
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Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the ArcticSavings$889512Jun 22, 2023Prepare for this 12-day Arctic expedition cruise aboard Ocean Adventurer in the exploration of Spitsbergen, the wildlife capital of the Arctic. Grab …
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10 Best Luxury Arctic Cruises for 2023-2024

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Spitsbergen Photography: Domain of the Polar Bear$1229514May 10, 2024This two-week Arctic cruise aboard the brand new expedition vessel Ultramarine, equipped with 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, luxurious onboard amenities …
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Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard$2330016May 2, 2024Cruise across Norway's fjords and Arctic Svalbard on a 16-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, and explore the wilderness, …
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Expedition Svalbard$829011Jun 30, 2023Cruise 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 …
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Out of the Northwest Passage$1299517Sep 1, 2023The Northwest Passage remains one of the world’s last true frontiers. Embark on the Ocean Endeavour for a 17-day Arctic cruise to the far reaches …
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North Spitsbergen, In Search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice$40008Jun 14, 2023Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the …
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Best of the Western Arctic: Canada and Greenland$1899520Sep 11, 2023Embark on Ocean Adventurer and join this 20-day itinerary in the exploration of the Arctic Circle through the legendary Northwest Passage, searching …
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High Arctic Explorer$899512Jul 25, 2023Explore the high Arctic on this 12-day expedition cruise aboard the ice-class Ocean Endeavour. Departing from Resolute Bay high in the Arctic Circle, …
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Best of Iceland$25368Jun 11, 2023Explore the best of Iceland on this exciting 8-day tour starting and ending in Reykjavik. Beautiful glaciers reach across the landscape as you visit …
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Discover Iceland$22478Jun 11, 2023Explore the best of Iceland on this 8-day tour, covering Reykjavik and the highlights along the famed Ring Road. Visit the Golden Triangle, witness …
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Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief$49957Jul 2, 2023Board the Ocean Adventurer in Longyearbyen for a 7-day Arctic cruise through the pack of ice and participate in optional adventure activities like …
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Arctic Cruise Tips & Travel Guide

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:​
Traveling To the Arctic in the times of COVID-19

Visits to multiple countries are common on Arctic cruises, so please consult the below list of official government sources for travel advisories, restrictions, and current travel conditions.

From the United States: See US COVID travel informationCheck 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)SvalbardFaroes Islands, Jan Mayen Island,  and Franz Joseph Land.
 
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. 
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.
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