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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$107857May 18, 2024Join the 7-day summer cruise through Svalbard aboard the MV Vikingfjord and discover the breathtaking wilderness, glaciers, and natural beauty of …
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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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Out of the Northwest Passage$1399517Sep 12, 2024The 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 10, 2024Start 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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High Arctic Explorer$999512Aug 3, 2024Explore 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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Spitsbergen Highlights: Expedition in Brief$49957May 15, 2024Board 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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A Circumnavigation of Iceland$1117210Jul 4, 2024On this active 10-day Iceland cruise aboard the National Geographic Explorer, you'll circumnavigate Iceland and witness glaciers, geysers, thundering …
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Into the Northwest Passage$1399517Aug 27, 2024Board the ice-strengthened Ocean Endeavor expedition ship on this 17-day Arctic cruise from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland through the legendary Northwest …
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Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic$909512May 28, 2024Prepare 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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All Antarctica Tours

Explore Antarctica

Arctic

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Arctic for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Svalbard Encounter Expedition Micro Cruise$107857May 18, 2024Join the 7-day summer cruise through Svalbard aboard the MV Vikingfjord and discover the breathtaking wilderness, glaciers, and natural beauty of …
0
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 …
0
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, …
0
Discover Iceland$24078Dec 1, 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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Out of the Northwest Passage$1399517Sep 12, 2024The 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 …
0
North Spitsbergen, In Search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice$40008Jun 10, 2024Start 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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Birds, Bears & Belugas$128428Jul 6, 2024Spend a week exploring Hudson Bay in Northern Manitoba, Canada, and stay in a remote luxury eco-lodge in this unique and wild wilderness known for …
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High Arctic Explorer$999512Aug 3, 2024Explore 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$25538Dec 1, 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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Ungava Polar Ecotour Adventure$111187Aug 17, 2024Spend a week exploring the Gyrfalcon Islands in Northern Quebec, Canada, in this unique and wild wilderness known for its stunning landscapes, …
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Antarctica

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Antarctic for 2024-2025

Trip NameFromDaysNext DepartureSummary
Classic Antarctica Air Cruise$139958Dec 1, 2023Embark 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$910013Dec 11, 2023Take 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$154958Dec 5, 2023Fly 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$659510Mar 13, 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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Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent$1099511Jan 20, 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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Across the Antarctic Circle - Fly/Sail$1619514Feb 25, 2024Fly to King George Island before embarking on your journey aboard the Sylvia Earl on this 14-day tour of Antarctica. For the rest of the trip, go on …
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Classic Antarctica Air Cruise$114958Dec 2, 2023Embark 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$910013Nov 23, 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$859010Dec 26, 2023Board 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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Spirit of Antarctica$1279512Dec 4, 2023Visit historic sites and step onto the white continent on this 12-day Antarctic cruise roundtrip Ushuaia aboard the Greg Mortimer. Explore all the …
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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 committment 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 aslo 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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