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The Mysteries of the Beluga Whale
Beluga whales (also known as white whales, sea canaries, and sometimes melonheads) are a rare but cherished sight during Arctic cruises, due in part to their striking appearance. Yet despite the infrequency of beluga sightings, a fair amount is known about these friendly-faced cetaceans.
Five Birds You Might See on Your Greenland Cruise
A Greenland expedition cruise gives birdwatchers the chance to add some beautiful avian entries to their photo collections. Host to over 230 different species of bird, Greenland is as full of spectacular landscapes as winged wildlife.
A visit to the fascinating island of Jan Mayen
After exploring the remote island of Fair Isle, our Atlantic Odyssey voyage once more turned its attentions northwards and left the outer extremities of the UK behind. Our destination was Jan Mayen, a volcanic island situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge just north of 71°.
100 bowhead whales near Qeqertarsuaq, West Greenland
Today – May14, 2016 - we were sailing with the Rembrandt van Rijn towards Qeqertarsuaq; certainly in the hope of seeing a couple of whales. We know that these waters are nutrient rich and thus hoped for the possibility of seeing a few Humpback whales or even Greenland whales (Bowhead whales) off the coast of Disko Island.
Why You Should Visit Greenland: 11 Things to See, Do, and Explore
There's nothing quite like seeing your first Greenland glacier, sailing into the island's largest fjord system (also, incidentally, Earth's largest), or watching a humpback whale breach over the dark Greenland Sea - three great reasons to visit Greenland, and we've barely gotten started.
19 Photos of Life on Ortelius
It’s understandable that most of your questions are going to revolve around what you can do once your Arctic or Antarctic cruise reaches its destination. Still, you may very well be curious about the journey itself; after all (depending on your cruise) you may be spending as much as a month aboard a ship.
Get to Know Your Ice
Ice. It does everything from cooling your drink to helping to regulate the temperature of the entire planet. Let’s take a look at the ways we encounter ice in the world and its wide variety of names.
20 Reasons Why We Love a Spitsbergen Cruise (and Why You Will Too)
Welcome to Spitsbergen. It’s one of the destinations we always love to visit, and we think you’ll love it too. Why? Well…
The Norse Settlement of Greenland
Erik the red is a very colourful and important figure in the history of the Norse Vikings. The source for his story is found in the Icelandic Sagas Huaksbók (14th Century) and Skalhóltsbók (15th Century). Also Flateyjarbók (13th Century), which contains the Saga of the Greenlanders, is an important source that helps to understand the settlement of Greenland and the discovery of Vinland – North America.
10 Tips for Top Northern Lights Photography
Though the northern lights are a heavenly wonder best experienced first-hand, they also represent some of the most amazing photographic opportunities in the Arctic. Here are a few tips to help you get the best images out of the auroras.
Solargraphy & Pinhole photography in the Arctic
The breakfast room fills up with SeesNL participants. Everyone is excited and ready to leave, however we have to wait until the afternoon to get going.
9 Facts about the Greenland Shark
The Greenland shark, or Somniosus microcephalus, is one of many fish that live in the waters around Greenland, though this is not the only area in which the shark dwells. These sharks, which are sometimes referred to as “gray sharks” or “gurry sharks,” can also be found in the north Atlantic Ocean near Iceland, Norway, and Canada.
The Small Mammals of the Arctic and Antarctica
There may not be any naturally occurring land mammals living in Antarctica right now, but this does not mean that the icy area was always like this. In fact, a research team from America discovered the continent’s first land mammal fossil back in 1982.
11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic
There are 18 species in the family of True Seals (Phocidae) currently alive throughout the world, and a total of 10 of them can be found between the Arctic and Antarctica. Out of this list, four are found in Antarctica, and they are also among the most populated seal species on earth
Polar Bear Sets Impressive New Diving Record
Polar bears are known to dive underwater for short periods of time in order to hunt seals and other food sources, but one of these creatures recently shattered all known diving records for this species.
The Evolving Shipboard Eco-traveler
Bored with the common place, usual hum-drum of daily life? Shopping for another reality? Well, look no further! Most of us live and play on terra firma. We rarely go swimming, though we embrace an aqueous 71.5% liquid composition.
Navigating by touch through the sea ice
“Speed?” questions the Officer of the Watch, not taking his eyes off the random pattern of floes and leads ahead. “3.6 knots” replies the helmsman. Ice navigation is not to be rushed. “Ok, Rudder Port 10 degrees” he orders.
Humpback Whales Sing for Food, Not Entertainment
The normal call of a humpback whale can be heard from miles away, and they often make noises that sound similar to crying, howling and moaning. This sticks out even more because their songs will often last for hours. In other words, people who join an Arctic or Antarctic expedition have a solid chance of hearing one of these songs, and it is an extremely memorable experience.
No Patches, Pills, or Tablets: Seven Natural Seasickness Remedies
Just because you're embarking on polar sea travel doesn't mean you need to spend the whole voyage leaning over the rail. If you're anticipating rough waters, here are some steps you can take to alleviate or even eliminate your symptoms.
Life in the Polar Regions
Polar bears in the Arctic, penguins in Antarctica. That's all there is to it, right? Well, actually, no. There's a lot more to it. Though there appears to be less life in the polar regions than, say, anywhere else you can think of or imagine, there are in fact highly complex ecosystems within both the Arctic and Antarctica.
