Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen - Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen
Aug 21 - Sep 5 2025
15 Nights
Price from per person
£31,170
We carefully choose our Small Ship & Luxury Arctic Cruises with help from our team of experts who have been on these cruises themselves. Join a small group of naturalist guides on curated expeditions to explore the Arctic region in comfort and luxury. Â
The Arctic circle region offers many regions for every explorer on a luxury expedition cruise. You have the option to go on a luxurious icebreaker to the Geographic North Pole.
You can also explore Svalbard, known for its glaciers and wildlife, including polar bears. Another choice is to visit Greenland to see its landscapes and villages. Alternatively, you can travel the Northwest Passage, following in the footsteps of pioneers.
Arctic expeditions now use small luxury ships with high comfort and service. Expert guides lead rich expedition experiences, with Zodiacs onboard for exploring.
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 spot different whale species like Belugas and Narwhals. It's a great place for animal lovers to watch wildlife.
Explore the stunning Arctic landscapes, glaciers, and scenery with a team of expert guides on a ship. Enjoy Zodiac excursions, wilderness hikes, and optional activities like kayaking.
Explore sites of historical significance from the remains of whaling stations, outposts of early explorers and ancient Inuit sites. Learn about the challenges of the early Arctic expeditions from onboard guides and historians.
On select cruises, learn about the Arctic’s unique ecosystem through the expertise of onboard scientists, lectures and guest speakers who undertake research as part of the expedition.
Travel on a small luxury expedition ship built for exploring the polar regions with all the creature comforts. Enjoy a luxury onboard experience, fine dining and sumptuous cabins combined with an authentic expedition experience led by polar experts.
With over 2,000 Polar Bears in the Svalbard region, migrating whales, walruses, an array of seal species, reindeer, Arctic foxes and a diverse bird species, including Guillemots, Puffins and Arctic Terns, there is lots of wildlife to see.
From Greenland’s colossal icebergs, the sea ice of the North Pole and the Northwest passage to over 2000 glaciers in Svalbard, an expedition cruise to The Arctic is a great way to encounter epic ice formations.
Explore isolated Inuit villages in Greenland and the Northwest Passage to the most Northerly town on Earth in Svalbard. The Arctic is home to some of the most remote communities on Earth.
Discover an array of 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 fateful expedition to traverse the Northwest Passage.
As the Arctic mainly consists of remote wilderness where there is seldom infrastructure, towns or roads, a great way to explore it is on an expedition cruise. Modern expedition ships are equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs used for exploring and shore landings, meaning you can access beautiful, untouched places.Â
The easiest way to get to the Arctic is to fly to the departure port for your expedition cruise. A flight to and from the departure port may also be included depending on your itinerary. If not, our Travel Experience Team can help you with this.Â
Common routes to get to the Arctic are to fly from Europe or the USA to Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Nuuk and Kangulusaq in Greenland, or Reykjavik in Iceland to embark on your expedition cruise. Northwest Passage and Trans Arctic cruises often arrive or depart from Nome in Alaska with onward flights included.Â
Please see our guide below for all the different ways to get to the Arctic.
Most Arctic cruises occur during the summer between May and September when the conditions are milder, the wildlife is the most active, and the sea ice less restricts the seas.Â
Doing an Arctic Cruise outside the summer months is possible. The luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot has unique features. These features enable it to explore Greenland’s thick sea ice in spring. It can also navigate the frozen Saint Lawrence River in winter. This allows for new and exciting trips to be offered.
The best time to explore the Arctic on a luxury cruise depends on your preferences. Choose early-season voyages to encounter the High Arctic at its most extreme with thick sea ice and frozen landscapes, the summer for wildlife watching and the Midnight Sun and September for the best chance to see the Northern Lights.
Please see our detailed guide below to learn more about what the Arctic offers on an expedition cruise each month.
Plan and book early: Get ahead of the game and book your Arctic cruise early. The best spots go fast, especially for North Pole and Northwest Passage trips. Make sure you don't miss out by booking your cruise well in advance.
Choose Your Itinerary: We offer a large selection of small and luxury ships, itineraries, and activities to choose from. Select an Arctic voyage that aligns with your interests, whether it's wildlife viewing or specific activities such as kayaking. Our Travel Experience Team provides personalised recommendations, understanding your preferences and tailoring the options to suit you best.
Consider North Pole Cruises as Your Travel Partner: We guarantee you will receive the best price from the operator when booking. Our knowledgeable Travel Experience Team will advise you when choosing your Arctic trip and address any inquiries you may have. Before the voyage, we will furnish you with plenty of helpful information, including packing lists, and provide support throughout your journey should any issues arise. With every booking, we offer peace of mind with our 100% financial protection.
It's essential to obtain comprehensive travel insurance when booking an Arctic Circle cruise. The insurance should encompass trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and evacuation from remote areas. Ensure that the policy explicitly covers polar travel due to the unique risks associated with this type of adventure.
Beginning an Arctic expedition cruise is an extraordinary and rare journey. As a dedicated travel agency, we are committed to supporting you in planning and preparing for this exceptional voyage to one of the planet's most secluded and pristine regions.
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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