No Single Supplement
Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Aug 6 - Aug 21 2025
15 Nights
Price from per person
£33,160
We handpick our Small Ship and luxury Arctic Cruises with the help of our team of experts, who have been on these cruises themselves. Join a small group of naturalist guides on tailored expeditions to the Arctic in comfort and style.
The Arctic Circle has many areas to suit every explorer on a luxury expedition cruise. You can go on a luxury icebreaker to the Geographic North Pole.
Arctic exploration has a long history, with early explorers searching for trade routes. Today, you can experience the stunning landscapes and wildlife that made these journeys so appealing to modern-day travellers. You can visit Svalbard, famous for its glaciers and wildlife, including polar bears. You can visit Greenland to see its landscapes and villages. You can follow in the footsteps of the pioneers and travel the Northwest Passage.
Arctic expeditions use small luxury ships with high comfort and service. Expert guides lead in-depth expedition experiences, and Zodiacs are on board to get up close.
Price from per person
Price from per person
Price from per person
In the Arctic, you can see polar bears hunting on ice, walruses on beaches, and birds on cliffs. You can also see Arctic hares and different whale species like Belugas and Narwhals. It is a great destination for animal lovers who want to watch wildlife.
Explore the Arctic landscapes, Arctic Ocean, glaciers and scenery with a team of expert guides on board: Zodiac excursions, wilderness hikes and optional kayaking.
Visit sites of historical interest, including old whaling stations, early explorer outposts, and ancient Inuit settlements. Our guides and historians on board will also teach you about the challenges of the early Arctic expeditions.
On some cruises, you can join our onboard scientists, lecturers, and guest speakers conducting research as part of the expedition.
Travel on a small luxury expedition ship designed for polar exploration with all the comforts. Enjoy luxury on board, fine dining, sumptuous cabins, and an authentic expedition experience led by polar specialists.
With over 2000 polar bears in the Svalbard area, migrating whales, walruses, several seal species, reindeer, arctic foxes, and a wide range of bird species, including Guillemots, Puffins, and Arctic Terns, there is plenty to see.
An Arctic expedition cruise is the best way to see massive ice, from Greenland's giant icebergs, the sea ice of the North Pole and the Northwest passage to over 2000 glaciers in Svalbard.
Visit Inuit villages in Greenland, the Northwest Passage, and the most northerly town on Earth, Svalbard. The Arctic has some of the most remote communities on the planet.
Find history across the Arctic, from Svalbard, where the first attempts to reach the North Pole by airship were made, Inuit and Viking sites in Greenland and the final resting place of Franklin's ill-fated expedition to traverse the Northwest Passage.
Since the Arctic is mainly wilderness with no infrastructure, towns or roads, the best way to see it is on an expedition cruise. Modern expedition ships have a fleet of Zodiacs for exploring and shore landings so that you can visit beautiful, untouched places.
The easiest way to get to the Arctic is to fly to the departure port for your expedition cruise. Depending on your itinerary, a flight to and from the departure port may also be included. If not, our Travel Experience Team can help you with this.
To get to the Arctic, fly from Europe or the USA to Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Nuuk and Kangulusaq in Greenland, or Reykjavik in Iceland to join your expedition cruise. Northwest Passage and Trans Arctic cruises often start or end in Nome in Alaska with flights included.
Most Arctic cruises occur during the summer (May to September) when the conditions are more pleasant, the wildlife is more active, and the sea ice is less restrictive.
You can do an Arctic Cruise outside of the summer. The luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot has unique features. These features allow it to sail through Greenland’s thick sea ice in spring. It can also navigate the frozen Saint Lawrence River in winter. This means new and exciting itineraries can be offered.
The best time to cruise the Arctic in style depends on your preferences. Choose the early season to experience the High Arctic at its most extreme, with thick sea ice and frozen landscapes, summer for wildlife, and the Midnight Sun or September for the best chance to see the Northern Lights.
See our complete guide below for what the Arctic offers on an expedition cruise.
Our team has extensive firsthand experience of all Arctic destinations, including Svalbard, Greenland, the Northwest Passage, and the North Pole.
We offer free expert advice to help you plan your next Arctic expedition cruise.
We will help you find the best price for your trip, and we don't charge for our services.
As an added bonus, we include 100% financial protection with all our reservations.
Arctic cruise prices vary depending on a wide range of factors, including the ship size, the level of luxury, the destination, the number of guests, the time of year, and the length of your chosen itinerary. As a rule of thumb, prices per person start from £1,000 per person per night.Â
A luxury cruise to the Arctic Circle starts from £8,684 (€10,030, $10,992) per person for a ten-night expedition on SH Diana from Tromso in Norway to explore Svalbard in the high Arctic with accommodation in an oceanview stateroom and up to £19,325 (€ 22,324, $24,466) per person for a premium suite.
For an epic 20-day night Trans Arctic expedition from Nome in Alaska to Svalbard via the North Pole on the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot, prices start from £36,390 ($46,078, €42,049) per person in a Prestige Stateroom and rise to £126,850 ($160,621, €146,579) per person for the Owners Suite.
Our Travel Experience Team can assist you in planning your Arctic Circle expedition. We can suggest the best ship and cabin options for you. We can also assist you in getting the best price when booking.
Here’s a more simplified version: “We don’t charge extra for solo travelers on some of our Arctic cruises. Our Travel Experience Team can help solo travellers find great deals. Just let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you find the best deal for solo travellers on an Arctic cruise.
Arctic cruises in Svalbard offer the best chances for seeing polar bears, thanks to their high population in a small area. For the best chances of seeing polar bears, we strongly recommend a more extended, in-depth expedition around Svalbard to maximize your sighting opportunities. Svalbard is truly the ultimate destination for polar bear enthusiasts.
While Svalbard is the top spot for polar bear sightings, these magnificent creatures can also be spotted on Northwest Passage and North Pole cruises.
However, it’s important to note that polar bears are less frequently seen in East Greenland and the far Northwest of Greenland in the Qanaq region, making Svalbard’s offerings even more special.
With polar bears also sighted on Northwest Passage and North Pole cruises, and the less common but equally thrilling sightings in East Greenland and the far Northwest of Greenland in the Qanaq region, the Arctic offers a variety of opportunities for polar bear enthusiasts.
The best Arctic cruises to experience Inuit culture are Greenland, The Northwest Passage and the Canadian Arctic, home to numerous remote indigenous settlements where it is possible to glimpse the local way of life.
The weather on an Arctic cruise can vary significantly depending on the specific region, time of year, and prevailing weather patterns. Generally, the Arctic experiences a polar climate characterised by cold temperatures, ice, and variable conditions, although it is much milder in the summer months than most people imagine.Â
During the summer, temperatures in the Arctic can range from just above freezing to around 10°C (50°F). This is when many Arctic cruises occur, as the ice is more navigable. Daylight can be continuous in some areas, providing a unique midnight sun experience.
During the transitional months of Spring and Autumn, you may encounter colder temperatures than summer, with a higher likelihood of encountering ice. However, these seasons also bring increased wildlife activity and the potential to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during the fall.
Winter cruises are less common due to harsher conditions, extensive ice coverage, and limited daylight. Temperatures can drop significantly, often reaching well below freezing. However, this time offers a chance to witness the Northern Lights and experience the Arctic in winter solitude.
Be ready for rapid changes in weather conditions in the Arctic. Fog, snow, and wind are frequent, and sea ice conditions can affect travel routes. It’s crucial to prepare for a wide range of weather scenarios.
Don’t forget to pack the right clothing for your Arctic adventure. Insulated and waterproof layers are essential to keep you warm and dry in the cold and potentially wet conditions. We’ll provide you with a complete packing list and details of what’s included in your reservation.
Each Arctic Cruise package offers comfortable cabin accommodations with private facilities, freshly prepared meals featuring local and international cuisine, knowledgeable guides and guest lecturers as outlined in the itinerary, immersive Zodiac cruises and land excursions, and dedicated charter flights for select itineraries. For a comprehensive and detailed list of all inclusions, we encourage you to visit the tour page of your chosen itinerary.
North Pole Cruises prioritises the financial security of our clients. All bookings made through us include 100% financial protection and supplier failure insurance at no extra cost, providing you with peace of mind. When you reserve your chosen itinerary, the payment options will be clearly outlined. Typically, a 25% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your cabin, with the final balance due 90 days before departure. We offer the convenience of payment via credit card or bank transfer to suit your preferences.
Each Arctic cruise and ship offers different activities to help you get closer to nature. On expedition cruises, Zodiac rides and shore landings are all included as part of the experience. A selection of cruises offer Arctic tours like kayaking, snowshoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing, and polar treks. Activities are subject to availability and weather conditions.Â
During the reservation process, please specify which activities you are interested in, and we will assist you in finding the best voyage from our range of Arctic adventure cruises. Depending on the ship, some activities are included in the cost, and others are extra.
The best cruises for wildlife watching in the Arctic are expeditions around Svalbard and through the Northwest Passage. Whilst wildlife is seen in Greenland, it is spotted less frequently due to the sheer size and distance of the land.Â
For Arctic wildlife cruises, we highly recommend a small ship experience. This will ensure you spend more time out exploring nature.
All expedition cruises in the Arctic have outstanding guide teams with wildlife spotters who keep watch for animals. The ship will alter its course if wildlife is spotted so the guests can get a closer look.
Whilst icebergs are common throughout the Arctic, Greenland is undoubtedly the best place to encounter colossal icebergs, some up to 1km high!
Due to its icecap that feeds glaciers all over the coast of Greenland, icebergs are a frequent sight throughout Greenland. Choose a cruise exploring Disko Bay in West Greenland to encounter the most gigantic icebergs.
Luxury expedition cruises to the Arctic vary between 7 days for a luxury cruise around Svalbard on Silver Endeavour and up to 30 days for an extensive exploration and traverse of the Northwest Passage.
We recommend a more extended cruise for those looking to see more wildlife and places.
We recommend reserving your Arctic luxury cruise 12 – 18 months in advance to guarantee your preferred ship and cabin option. That said, we always have last-minute availability on select departures.
Please contact our Travel Experience Team to find out about last-minute availability.
The first step to booking your Antarctica luxury cruise is to contact our Travel Experience Team, who will be happy to help you with your itinerary and provide details about availability and pricing for your selected voyage.
We work with operators that have advanced sustainability and a proven track record leading environmentally responsible expeditions.. We recommend operators that have invested heavily in their own sustainability from creating a new generation of environmentally friendly small ships designed for the polar regions to enhanced onboard operations to ensure minimal environmental impact.
All operators for our Arctic cruises are members of AECO. You can find out more about the stringent guidelines that are followed here.
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