Cruises to the Arctic

From Arctic exploration to Arctic cruises

The first explorers who set foot in the Arctic must have thought they had wandered onto a different planet. But though they were certainly astonished by the dramatic scenery and rich wildlife, their main concern was finding a northern trade route to the Indies.

Instead, they discovered Svalbard, then called Spitsbergen by Dutch captain Willem Barentsz, who named the island in 1596. But unlike the early Arctic explorers, our motivation on Arctic cruises is purely for the experience.

We lead cruises to the Arctic so that our passengers can enjoy one of the last truly wild places on Earth. Remote and occasionally hostile, these areas are home to countless eye-popping sights: fiery sunsets glowing over jagged glaciers, snowy peaks reflected up from water clear as glass, and exotic seabirds streaking the bright blue sky.

And let’s not forget one of the most awe-inspiring sights you might encounter on an Arctic cruise: the polar bear.

We make our expedition cruises to the Arctic during the summer, taking advantage of the milder temperatures and long hours of daylight – yet still this ruggedly beautiful landscape recalls to our minds those first brave voyages so many centuries ago.

Things to know before your Arctic cruise

• The Arctic is a region that extends into Canada, the US, Russia, Finland, Greenland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland.
• Almost 4,000,000 people live in the Arctic, despite its severe conditions.
• The name “Arctic” comes from the Greek word ἀρκτικός (pronounced “arktikos”), which means “near the bear.” This refers to one or both of two constellations in the northern sky: Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
• The Arctic Ocean is about 8,690,450 square km, larger than Europe.
• Until recently, it was unknown whether the Arctic’s massive ice sheet was on land or water. The answer was revealed in 1958 when the submarine USS Nautilus navigated under the ice, proving it was indeed over water.
• The coldest temperature ever recorded in the Arctic was around -68°C (-90°F) in Siberia.
• About 7% of the world’s fresh water is contained in Arctic glaciers.

Why take a cruise to the Arctic?

Despite having some of the wildest conditions on Earth, the Arctic offers many of the planet’s once-in-a-lifetime sights. An Arctic cruise takes you to the lands of the midnight sun, polar bear, northern lights, and so much more.

On your cruise to the Arctic, you can enjoy hiking, bird watching, whale spotting, snow shoeing, and firsthand contact with awe-inspiring wildlife and history.

Depending on which Arctic trip you take, you may be able to enjoy numerous outdoors activities in some of the most iconic locations to be found. And if you’d prefer an Arctic cruise on a smaller vessel, check out our Rembrandt van Rijn voyages.

Whatever your choice, joining one of our expedition cruises to the Arctic gives you the chance to experience one of the last true wildernesses on the planet. If you have any questions about our Arctic expedition, please feel free to contact us.