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Polar Regions Cruises - The Arctic & Antarctic

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Polar Regions
Meocre Li
Landscape of Antarctica
South Georgia
Mike Murphy
A group of penguins check out the camera
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Matt Pain
A polar bear climbs glacial ice in the Arctic
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Cruise the Arctic and the Antarctic with Adventure Life. Choose a small ship cruise of the Arctic and visit Greenland, Iceland, CanadaNorwayFinlandRussia, Alaska, and the Scottish Isles. Small ship cruises through Canada's Northwest Passages and Baffin Island, as well as Norway's Svalbard, and are among the most popular expedition cruises into the Arctic. You can even mount an expedition to the distant and remote North Pole! Antarctica is accessed from the southern tip of South America out of Ushuaia, Argentina or occasionally from Punta Arenas, Chile. Choose from small expedition ships, luxury shipsfly/cruise combos that save travel time and even tours that include camping in Antartica. Contact us, and we'll help you find the perfect small ship or expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic. 
All Antarctica Cruises

10 Best Antarctica Cruise Ideas for 2024-2025

All Antarctica Cruises
All Arctic Cruises

10 Best Arctic Cruise Ideas for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Svalbard Encounter Expedition Micro Cruise$113558May 12, 2025Join the 8-day summer cruise through Svalbard aboard the MV Vikingfjord and discover the breathtaking wilderness, glaciers, and natural beauty of …
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Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard (Northbound)$2497217May 28, 2025Cruise across Norway's fjords and Arctic Svalbard on a 17-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, and explore the wilderness, …
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Svalbard Odyssey$1679512Jul 2, 2025Join a 12-day expedition aboard the Greg Mortimer roundtrip Oslo, discovering the marvels of Svalbard's perpetual daylight. Encounter polar bears and …
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Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and the Northern Fjords$1725012Apr 25, 2026This 10-day Arctic expedition on National Geographic Resolution takes you to the remote islands and fjords of northern Norway such as Sørøya Island …
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Ring Around Iceland$98998Jun 19, 2025Embark on an 8-day Reykjavik roundtrip cruise aboard World Traveller and explore Iceland's captivating landscapes. Spot puffins along the shoreline …
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Into the Northwest Passage$1449517Aug 16, 2025Board the ice-strengthened Ocean Endeavor expedition ship on this 17-day Arctic cruise from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland through the legendary Northwest …
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Greenland & Wild Labrador$949515Sep 17, 2025During this 15-day expedition cruise on the Ocean Endeavor, see both the beauty of Greenland and the charm of Newfoundland. From Greenland, cruise …
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Wild Iceland Escape$48346Aug 12, 2025On this 6-day Wild Iceland escape, embark in Reykjavík. Discover the beauty if Iceland’s geology - glaciers, geysers, thundering waterfalls, …
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Svalbard and the Northern Fjords$1725010Jun 14, 2025This 10-day Arctic expedition on National Geographic Endurance takes you to the remote islands and fjords of northern Norway such as Sørøya Island …
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Ocean Voyage: Reykjavík - Tromso$41606Oct 12, 2024Experience a 6-day cruise on the polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, sailing into remote icy waters. Explore Reykjavík's attractions, …
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All Antarctica Tours

Explore Antarctica

Arctic

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Arctic for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Svalbard Encounter Expedition Micro Cruise$113558May 12, 2025Join the 8-day summer cruise through Svalbard aboard the MV Vikingfjord and discover the breathtaking wilderness, glaciers, and natural beauty of …
0
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard (Northbound)$2497217May 28, 2025Cruise across Norway's fjords and Arctic Svalbard on a 17-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, and explore the wilderness, …
0
Svalbard Odyssey$1679512Jul 2, 2025Join a 12-day expedition aboard the Greg Mortimer roundtrip Oslo, discovering the marvels of Svalbard's perpetual daylight. Encounter polar bears and …
0
Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and the Northern Fjords$1725012Apr 25, 2026This 10-day Arctic expedition on National Geographic Resolution takes you to the remote islands and fjords of northern Norway such as Sørøya Island …
0
Ring Around Iceland$98998Jun 19, 2025Embark on an 8-day Reykjavik roundtrip cruise aboard World Traveller and explore Iceland's captivating landscapes. Spot puffins along the shoreline …
0
Into the Northwest Passage$1449517Aug 16, 2025Board the ice-strengthened Ocean Endeavor expedition ship on this 17-day Arctic cruise from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland through the legendary Northwest …
0
Greenland & Wild Labrador$949515Sep 17, 2025During this 15-day expedition cruise on the Ocean Endeavor, see both the beauty of Greenland and the charm of Newfoundland. From Greenland, cruise …
0
Wild Iceland Escape$48346Aug 12, 2025On this 6-day Wild Iceland escape, embark in Reykjavík. Discover the beauty if Iceland’s geology - glaciers, geysers, thundering waterfalls, …
0
Svalbard and the Northern Fjords$1725010Jun 14, 2025This 10-day Arctic expedition on National Geographic Endurance takes you to the remote islands and fjords of northern Norway such as Sørøya Island …
0
Ocean Voyage: Reykjavík - Tromso$41606Oct 12, 2024Experience a 6-day cruise on the polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, sailing into remote icy waters. Explore Reykjavík's attractions, …
0
Antarctica

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Antarctic for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Classic Antarctica Air Cruise$159958Dec 6, 2024Embark on this 8-day Antarctic cruise on the Magellan Explorer. Fly over the Drake Passage round-trip from Punta Arenas to King George Island where …
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Antarctica - Basecamp$990013Dec 25, 2024Take your Antarctic expedition to the next level! This 13-day Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp voyage aboard MV Plancius is packed full of adventures …
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Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake$167958Dec 5, 2024Fly over the Drake Passage and experience the fastest and most direct way to Antarctica on this 8-day polar expedition. Zodiac cruise in search of …
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Antarctic Small Ship Expedition$699510Nov 14, 2024Embark on this 10-day Antarctic adventure with Magellan Explorer. Sail the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia and across the Drake Passage to the western …
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Classic Antarctica Air Cruise$114958Dec 2, 2024Embark on this 8-day Antarctic adventure with Ocean Nova Air Cruises. Fly over the Drake Passage from Punta Arenas to King George Island where you …
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Antarctica - Basecamp$880013Nov 1, 2024Embark on MV Hondius for an adventure of a lifetime. This 13-day expedition cruise of the Antarctic Peninsula is packed full of adventure with hiking …
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South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula$899510Jan 20, 2025Board Ocean Victory on this 10-day cruise to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Set foot on the Antarctic continent as well as …
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Antarctica Express Air Cruise$49956Nov 29, 2024The fastest possible trip to Antarctica, and one of most economical is this 6-day cruise/flight starting in Ushuaia. Sail the Beagle Channel, Cape …
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Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent$1139511Nov 5, 2024On this 11-day adventure to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula you'll cruise through sea ice, witness penguins building their …
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Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake - Fly/Fly Expedition$2379512Feb 8, 2026Get a chance to observe seals and penguins in their natural habitat. Spend 12 days aboard the Sylvia Earle exploring Antarctica's huge white …
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Best Arctic Cruises

Explore The Arctic

Polar Regions Travel Guide

Cruising Antarctica vs the Arctic - Advantages & Disadvantages 

Are they similar? Or polar opposites?

Wildlife - Both sides have remarkable wildlife viewing opportunities. The icons of each pole - penguins in the south and polar bears in the north - don't disappoint. That is, unless the elusive polar bear escapes your view, which is a possibility depending on where you go. Penguins, in all their cuteness, will be seen by the thousands on any Antarctica cruise. 

Travel - Both the Arctic and Antarctic are accessed by expedition cruises. Antarctica is accessed primarily from the southern tip of South America, while most in North America and Europe have quicker access to Arctic cruise ports. In general, the time commitment and cost of an Arctic cruise is considerably less than an Antarctic cruise. 

Geography -  The Arctic region is an ocean surrounded by continents, while the Antarctic is a continent surrounded by oceans. Antartica is also has the highest average altitude above sea level of any continent, largely because of 90% of the world's ice is piled upon the continent. Both poles are cold, but the South Pole is colder - by a long shot.

Best Polar Regions Cruise Lines for 2024-2025

  • Ponant - has small capacity ships that can dock in private ports and offer stopovers in preserved polar locations. Onboard, this is translated through exceptional services, a multilingual crew, and bringing French know-how to the fore. The latest addition to its fleet, Le Commandant Charcot, the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas, is the epitome of responsible and sustainable sailing. 
  • Aurora Expeditions - pioneered ship-based adventures 30 years ago with expedition cruises to Antarctica and remained committed to small, low-impact groups. Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, which allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently, and with expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment, inviting communal spaces and unsurpassed environmental credentials. 
  • Quark Expeditions - headquartered in Seattle, is uncompromisingly polar, specializing in expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic. The newest addition to its fleet, the 199-guest Ultramarine is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, spacious suites, wellness amenities, and numerous outdoor wildlife viewing spaces.
  • Silversea Cruises - is a luxury cruise line with headquarters in Monaco and is a subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Group that explores the elegant lifestyle of all-inclusive ultra-luxury polar cruising. With 20-brand new Zodiacs, four superlative restaurants in Antarctica, and a pole-to-pole expedition itinerary, Silver Cloud does break the ice between expedition and luxury.
  • Polar Latitudes - offers a wide variety of trips to Antarctica, including itineraries to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and Falkland Island. Its newest addition MS Seaventure features a 1-A Super ice-class rating, the highest ice class awarded to passenger's vessels. The ship offers all outside-facing staterooms, some with balconies and beautifully appointed dining areas, as well as al fresco dining on the Lido deck. 
  • Oceanwide Expeditions - are pioneers of ship-based expeditions, inventors of Basecamp Antarctica, and one of the first companies to take travelers to the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen. MV Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, optimized for the most innovative exploratory voyages throughout the Arctic. 
  • Lindblad Expeditions - has an entire cast of expedition specialists that guide their polar expeditions: experienced sailors and ice masters, expedition leaders, naturalists, undersea specialists, top photographers, cultural specialists, historians, and professional filmmakers. National Geographic Resolution's most striking exterior feature is her distinctive profile, the patented X-Bow®, a game-changing design that guarantees the smoothest, most comfortable ride in all kinds of conditions; and since it eliminates bow impact, thus a quieter ride.
  • Antarctica 21 -  is committed to creating the ideal Antarctic expedition, providing safe, convenient, comfortable access to a life-changing experience. Magellan Explorer, a new and modern expedition vessel custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises, has a capacity for 73 guests accommodated in seven categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins. 
  • Poseidon Expeditions - has been a leading operator of polar expeditions in the cruise industry since 1999. Providing spacious suites for the accommodation of 114 passengers, the Sea Spirit has an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiacs, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing. 
  • Heritage Expeditions - headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, was formed in 1985 to increase awareness and conservation of the natural world through responsible expedition travel. Heritage Adventurer is a pioneering expedition vessel often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Polar Exploration' due to her illustrious history and refined design.
  • Hurtigruten - is Svalbard's most experienced tour operator, tracing its roots back to the late 1800s, and offers year-round land-based adventures next to the North Pole. MS Fram uses the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well suited for expedition voyages in Polar Regions.
  • Adventure Canada - is a family-owned business that makes learning fun, deepening cultural connections and scientific understanding of the world's farthest-flung arctic regions. The spacious, ice-strengthened Ocean Endeavour features twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, and stabilizers. A doctor, paramedic, medical clinic, and enhanced health regime offer peace of mind. 
  • Iceland Pro Cruises - is part of the Iceland ProTravel Group, the leading tour operator in Europe, specializing in Iceland. The Ocean Diamond can enter fjords and bays too shallow for larger vessels. The ship features a range of modern onboard amenities and is staffed with outstanding officers and crew and bilingual expedition leaders and guides.

 

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