Tailor-made Arctic vacations shaped around your passions

You’ll journey through iceberg-choked fjords, visit small communities, and observe wildlife including ptarmigan, arctic foxes, seals, and (with luck) whales and polar bears. Depending on your vessel and weather conditions, you might have the opportunity to go kayaking or take a trip into shallower waters on a Zodiac, camp on the ice, take on a short trek, or visit Inuit settlements, historic sites, or a scientific research base. If you choose to travel towards the end of the year, you may also be lucky enough to spot the northern lights. Whatever time of year you choose to travel, on-board experts will also give talks on the region’s history, geology and wildlife while cruising between destinations.

You’ll stay on board your expedition cruise vessel for the duration of your time in the Arctic. Almost all cabins are en suite and have a window or porthole. However, there’s a range of vessels to choose from. Some are larger than others with more extensive facilities, while some are slightly more modern or European in feel, but all are equipped with expert guides, along with a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks, to help you make the most of landings. You can browse our collection of Arctic expedition cruise vessels to find one that matches your preferences.

Where to go in the Arctic depends on what you want to see and how far, or how long, you wish to travel. An Arctic expedition to Svalbard offers the opportunity to see glaciers and fjords, polar bears, and Ny Alesund, the most northerly permanent research base in the world. In East Greenland you can learn about Inuit culture and visit modern-day Inuit communities as well as sailing down Scoresby Sund, the world's longest fjord.

Canadian cruises include a trip along the fabled Northwest Passage, stopping at ancient Inuit settlements, former trading posts, modern communities, and wildlife-rich preserves along the way. It’s worth nothing, however, that shore landings are always dependent on weather conditions, which can be fickle in the Arctic, and your cruise itinerary may have to change slightly as a result.

Despite the extreme conditions, the Arctic is teeming with wildlife from caribou and arctic foxes to snowy owls and hairy musk oxen. Seals, walrus, and migratory sea birds such as puffins are also often seen, minke and bowhead whales ply the waters around your vessel, and if you’re lucky, you may also spot the striking white beluga whale or, if visiting Canada or northern Greenland, the tusked narwhal. Sightings of polar bears are also possible, though as with all wildlife, not guaranteed.

You’ll usually need to fly to the start point of your cruise in order to get to the Arctic. Many of our Arctic cruise itineraries begin in Longyearbyen in Norway, so you’ll travel there by plane via Oslo. Other departure points include Reykjavik in Iceland, Nuuk in Greenland or points in Canada or Alaska, all of which you can easily reach by plane.

Depending on which part of the Arctic you visit, the time zone can vary considerably. For example, the time zone in Svalbard is UTC+1 hour, while in Nome, Alaska it’s UTC-8 hours. During the Arctic summer you can expect up to 24 hours of daylight, while winter plunges the region into long hours of darkness, with no daylight at all at higher latitudes for many months.

Taking a cruise is the best way to get around the Arctic. Your cruise vessel will take you from place to place on your expedition, but there are numerous options when it comes to exploring. Depending on your destination, you may take trips by Zodiac (motor-powered dinghies), by kayak, or on foot with experts such as naturalists, photographers, or a local guide.

The departure and arrival points of your Arctic expedition will determine whether you need a visa or not. US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Alaska or Canada, nor to Norway, Iceland, or Greenland for up to 90 days. However, if your Arctic expedition departs from or visits a European country, you’ll need to have a passport and show evidence of a roundtrip or onward ticket.

Although no vaccinations are required to visit the Arctic, check for up-to-date advice with your doctor as recommendations can change. You can find out more about recommended vaccinations on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Checking you’re up to date with all the recommended vaccinations at home is also a good idea before taking any trip.

Unless your Arctic cruise is only visiting Alaska, you should check that your passport will be no more than ten years old and is valid for at least three months from your departure date. Depending on where you plan to start and end your trip, other conditions may apply, so please speak to your specialist about this when booking.