Polar Regions Cruises: Arctic & Antarctic Expeditions For 2026-2027

All Antarctica Cruises

10 Best Antarctica Cruise Ideas for 2026-2027

All Antarctica Cruises

Wild Antarctica featuring the Weddell Sea: In Partnership with New Scientist Discovery - Fly/Sail

13 Days from $20,395

Join a 13-day Weddell Sea Fly/Sail expedition on Sylvia Earle with New Scientist Discovery Tours, exploring Antarctica's remote regions rich in ice, wildlife, and history tied to Shackleton's Endurance expedition. Encounter seals, discover ancient fossils, and observe migrating whales while delving into polar science and the unique ecosystem.

The Heroic South

13 Days from $13,140

During this 13-day The Heroic South aboard the RMS St. Helena, Discover Antarctica on a roundtrip expedition from Ushuaia. Journey through the legendary Drake Passage, cross the Antarctic Circle, and explore pristine landscapes and remote research stations.

All Arctic Cruises

10 Best Arctic Cruise Ideas for 2026-2027

Trip Name	From	Days	Summary
Arctic Sights and Northern Lights	$8,395	11	Embark on an 11-day expedition to and from Reykjavik aboard the Sea Spirit, exploring Iceland's landmarks and Greenland's stunning Scoresby Sund. Experience Inuit culture, witness the Northern Lights, and enjoy whale watching back in Iceland. 0
Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route	$21,795	17	Join this 17-day adventure from Reykjavik to Calgary aboard Ocean Explorer, exploring the stunning landscapes of Greenland and Canada’s Arctic. Travel through Greenland’s breathtaking fjords, stop at remote towns like Nuuk and Maniitsoq, and witness spectacular wildlife in Canada’s High Arctic. 0
Into the Northwest Passage	$18,495	17	Set sail on this 17-day Into the Northwest Passage cruise aboard Ocean Victory. Explore Ilulissat Icefjord, Devon Island, and historic Beechey Island. Witness incredible wildlife, from polar bears and muskoxen to narwhals and belugas. Cruise among glaciers, sail through Bellot Strait, and discover the fascinating history of Arctic explorers. 0
Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic	$21,795	17	Sail on this 17-day Arctic cruise aboard Ocean Explorer, starting in Calgary, and journey through Canada's High Arctic and Greenland. Explore stunning regions like Beechey Island, Radstock Bay, and Arctic Bay. Cruise through Smith Sound before arriving in Greenland, where you’ll visit Qaanaaq, Uummannaq, and the Ilulissat Icefjord. 0
Exploring Greenland’s Northeast National Park	$19,769	12	Start in Reykjavik and sail toward Greenland on a 12-day cruise aboard a National Geographic Endurance. Navigate the Denmark Strait, kayak remote fjords, hike tundra, photograph icebergs, and search for whales and polar bears while exploring the vast fjord system of Scoresbysund. 0
Jewels of the Arctic - Spitsbergen & East Greenland	$22,995	15	Experience the beauty of Svalbard and East Greenland on this 15-day adventure cruise aboard the Sylvia Earle. See polar bears, walruses, and guillemots in their natural habitats. Explore the world's largest fjord, Scoresbysund, and visit the remote Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit. 0
Inuit Spring of Ammassalik	$20,250	11	Embark on this 11-day cruise aboard Le Commandant Charcot, exploring the hypnotic and icy landscapes of the Ammassalik and Blosseville regions. 0
Svalbard Odyssey	$19,895	12	Join a 12-day expedition cruise on the Greg Mortimer to explore the breathtaking Arctic landscapes of Svalbard. Experience exhilarating polar bear encounters, observe wildlife like beluga whales and arctic foxes, and navigate stunning fjords and pack ice. 0
Svalbard & The Arctic Circle	$14,210	8	Embark on an 8-day cruise around Svalbard on Aqua Lares, adjusting routes based on ice and wildlife. Explore historic whaling sites, observe majestic glaciers, and enjoy expert-led small group adventures for optimal wildlife viewing. 0
Jewels of the Arctic	$22,295	15	Join a 15-day expedition cruise aboard the Greg Mortimer from Reykjavik to Oslo. Explore Svalbard's endless daylight, meet polar bears and sea ice walruses, and hear guillemot calls. Venture through East Greenland's Scoresbysund, visit remote Ittoqqortoormiit and glide amidst stunning icebergs. 0

All Antarctica Tours

Explore Antarctica

Antarctica Travel Planner

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime to the white continent. Most Antarctica cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. Some flight/cruise combinations, which cut a few day's sailing time off the voyage, start from Punta Arenas, Chile. A few cruises even venture to New Zealand and South Africa.

South Georgia

Explore penguin rookeries with our South Georgia Cruises. Also see king penguins, elephant seals, rugged glaciers, and historic whaling stations. Adventure and wildlife abound on this unforgettable polar expedition.

Ross Sea

Explore the seldom-visited Ross Sea on Antarctic cruises of around 30 days leaving from both Ushuaia, Argentina, & New Zealand. Retrace the steps of great explorers like Shackleton, Ross, and Scott as you pass through the "Forgotten Islands" and the remote Macquarie Island.

Falkland Islands

The remote Falklands are frequently visited on a cruise to Antarctica, though some stay longer and are rewarded by a unique culture that mixes both British and South American traditions with astounding wilderness and landscapes.

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Arctic

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Arctic for 2026-2027

Trip Name	From	Days	Summary
Arctic Odyssey Under a Solar Eclipse	$13,795	14	Embark on a 14-day expedition aboard the Sea Spirit, starting in Longyearbyen, and experience the midnight sun while exploring Svalbard's stunning fjords and wildlife. Witness a rare total solar eclipse in the Arctic, then sail to Iceland's breathtaking Westfjords before concluding your adventure in Reykjavik. 0
Arctic Odyssey	$11,495	14	Join this 14-day cruise on the MV Sea Spirit from Reykjavik, experiencing vibrant culture and Icelandic cuisine. Sail through Faxafloi, spotting whales, then explore remote West Fjords, East Greenland, and Svalbard, ending in Longyearbyen. 0
The Geographic North Pole	$36,190	13	Embark on a 13-day Arctic expedition aboard Le Commandant Charcot, starting in Longyearbyen and sailing through Spitsbergen's stunning landscapes to the North Pole. Experience wildlife encounters, visit Ny Alesund, and explore breathtaking fjords while enjoying Zodiac landings with expert guides. 0
Encounter with the Last Guardians of the North Pole	$13,410	13	Experience a 13-day Arctic cruise on Le Commandant Charcot. Sail from Nuuk through Disko Bay to the remote village of Kullorsuaq. Engage with traditional Inuit hunters and navigate the frozen expanses of Baffin Bay. This unique expedition provides rare access to the heart of the ice to observe polar bears and massive icebergs this Arctic spring. 0
Total Solar Eclipse: Iceland to Greenland	$16,095	13	Join a 13-day Arctic expedition aboard Ultramarine. Discover Iceland's Westfjords, explore Greenland's Scoresby Sound and witness the stunning solar eclipse. Visit remote fjords, glaciers, and historical Viking settlements. This unique journey offers Zodiac excursions, expert-led talks, and stunning landscapes. 0
Icelandic Mosaic	$7,560	8	Le Bellot hosts this 8-day Arctic cruise of Iceland, departing from the artistic capital city of Reykjavik. Bird lovers rejoice at the wealth of seabirds, especially at Grimsey Island. You'll also witness the beautiful Ísafjörður, nestled in a dramatic landscape of volcanoes, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks, all while learning about the local culture. 0
In the Ice of the Arctic, from Greenland to Svalbard	$33,160	17	Join Le Commandant Charcot on this 17-day cruise exploring the north-east of Greenland, inaccessible to traditional ships in early summer, before cruising to Svalbard and its untouched landscapes. 0
In the Heart of the Northwest Passage	$23,330	20	Embark on a 20-day cruise from Kangerlussuaq aboard the L'Austral, exploring Baffin Bay and the Northwest Passage. Discover stunning Arctic landscapes, rich wildlife, and Inuit culture along the way. 0
Expedition to the Thule Region	$20,970	17	Departing from cosmopolitan Paris, luxurious L'Austral takes you north to Arctic Greenland on this 17-day expedition cruise. Explore Baffin Bay, discovering the region of Thule, the mythical territory of the Far North. From the ice cap to the ice floes, via glaciers, icebergs and brash ice, marvel at the Arctic landscapes. 0
Svalbard, Arctic Circle & Tromso	$24,360	13	Embark on a 13-day Svalbard expedition aboard Aqua Lares, adjusting routes for optimal wildlife viewing. Explore iconic sites like bird cliffs, historic cemeteries, and glaciers, with daily shore landings and expert guidance for safety and responsible encounters. 0

Antarctica

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Antarctic for 2026-2027

Trip Name	From	Days	Summary
Antarctica: Through the Lens - Fly/Sail Expedition	$20,895	12	Join a 12-day Antarctic Explorer Fly/Sail Expedition from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia aboard the Sylvia Earle. Discover stunning wildlife, majestic glaciers, and pristine landscapes as you cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula's icy bays. 0
Antarctic Explorer - Fly/Sail Expedition	$17,295	9	Experience a 9-day Antarctic Fly/Sail expedition aboard the Douglas Mawson, flying over the Drake Passage to maximize your time exploring the stunning Antarctic Peninsula. Discover majestic granite peaks, massive glaciers, and vibrant wildlife, including penguin colonies and seals, with fewer days at sea. 0
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake	$25,995	8	Explore King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, skipping the Drake Passage on this 8-day polar experience. Zodiac cruise in search of whales, seabirds, and astounding icebergs, and enjoy daily landing excursions in the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands. 0
Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake	$17,895	8	Discover King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula on this 8-day polar adventure aboard World Voyager, skipping the Drake Passage for a seamless journey. Fly directly from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, where you’ll explore the pristine landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula. 0
Antarctic Small Ship Expedition	$6,995	10	Embark on this 10-day Antarctic adventure with Magellan Explorer. Sail the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia and across the Drake Passage to the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula where you will search for wildlife and explore the surrounding landscape. 0
Antarctic Explorer - Fly/Sail Expedition	$20,395	12	Embark on the 12-day Antarctic Explorer - Fly/Sail Expedition from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia aboard the Douglas Mawson. Fly over the Drake Passage to maximize your time exploring the Antarctic Peninsula. Experience vast glaciers, penguins, seals, and whales. Take Zodiac cruises, photograph icebergs, and witness skuas. 0
Spirit of Antarctica	$16,195	11	Join an 11-day Antarctic expedition aboard the Sylvia Earle, experiencing the wild beauty of the continent like early explorers. Enjoy daily adventures, including guided Zodiac cruises through stunning ice formations and opportunities to explore penguin-populated landscapes. 0
Antarctic Women’s Expedition: Spirit of Antarctica	$16,195	11	Join this 11-day Antarctic expedition on the Sylvia Earle, where women actively engage in science and leadership. Experience stunning landscapes, wildlife encounters, and discussions on climate change alongside expert female guides. 0
Exploring Antarctica's Spring	$9,895	11	Embark on an extraordinary 11-day Antarctic expedition aboard the Ocean Albatros. Discover the rich wildlife of this frozen world, including albatrosses, prions, petrels, penguins, seals, whales, and dolphins. Journey through the stunning landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula, Drake Passage, and South Shetland Islands. 0
Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake - Fly/Fly Expedition	$24,595	10	Embark on a 10-day Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake – Fly/Fly Expedition roundtrip from Punta Arenas aboard the Douglas Mawson, flying over the Drake Passage to maximize exploration time. Discover stunning icebergs, abundant wildlife, and the breathtaking landscapes of this remote region. 0

Best Arctic Cruises

Explore The Arctic

A polar bear climbs glacial ice in the Arctic

Arctic Travel Planner

Bundle up for your exploration of the mysterious Arctic on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise of the far north with Adventure Life. From June until October, small hull-hardened expedition ships navigate under the glow of the Aurora Borealis through the northernmost regions of our planet in search of polar bears, seabirds and other wildlife.

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

Svalbard

Svalbard cruises take you deep into the Arctic from Longyearbyen, sailing icy fjords and remote coastlines to spot polar bears, walrus, seabirds, and glaciers, with daily landings, Zodiac excursions, and guides who explain the region’s wildlife and polar history.

Greenland

Cross the Arctic circle as you float between ice floes and icebergs along dramatic coastlines while in our Greenland tours and cruises.

Northwest Passage

Enjoy Northwest Passage cruises aboard small ships, exploring remote Arctic channels, glaciers, and wildlife. Flexible itineraries and expert guides provide an immersive Arctic adventure.

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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.

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.

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!

Gorgeous views of Greenwich Island and the wildlife on shore.

Best Time of Year to Travel to Antarctica

The travel season in Antarctica is during the summer, which runs from November through March. January and February are considered the best months to go on an Antarctica cruise due to better weather and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Cruise the Arctic Svalbard Islands

Discover where Svalbard is, who lives there, and fascinating facts about Svalbard’s culture, history, people and wildlife in this remote Arctic archipelago.

Best Polar Regions Cruise Lines for 2026-2027

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.