The best time to take a cruise to Scandinavia is during the spring and summer in the months of May, June, and July when the midnight sun, the ease of travel to fjords at sea, and the wildlife give those who take the journey an experience that exceeds expectations.

We review the top expedition cruise lines visiting the Arctic. Which one is a good match for you?

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!

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.

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.

Cruise ports in Norway that show you the beauty of the country include Tromsø, Spitsbergen, Alesund, and Longyearbyen. These journeys will take you into pristine natural wonderlands and stop at cities and towns where the people and the culture are welcoming and intriguing.

The cruise season in Norway is between June and August, but many prefer to go in late spring and early summer to beat the crowds and enjoy the long days exploring fjords and discovering wildlife including polar bears and walruses.

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.