Get the ultimate northbound adventure on an Arctic cruise
Join us on an expedition cruise to the Arctic and experience a wilderness that is truly the stuff of legends.
Our Arctic cruises give you not only the chance to see some of Earth’s most exotic areas and animals but also engage in exhilarating polar activities that fully immerse you in the fascinating far-north world.
These activities include kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing, ski mountaineering, and other outdoor adventures that will ensure your Arctic cruise gives you the maximum possible contact with the surreal polar environment.
Also available on select Hondius cruises are special activities focusing on science-based topics that illuminate the wonders of the Arctic ecosystem.
Arctic expedition: what to expect?
A cruise to the Arctic means many things…
It means encountering the aurora-lit fjords of northeastern Greenland, exploring the glacial coastlines and sprawling tundra of Svalbard, and perhaps even hiking the most remote regions of Iceland.
An Arctic cruise may introduce you to polar bears, seabirds, walruses, whales, and scores of other animals – not to mention natural phenomena like the midnight sun, northern lights, and near limitless ice formations.
In summary, the Arctic offers an unforgettable experience. So join us on an Arctic cruise, where adventure is just part of the territory.
Cruises to the Arctic
23 Days Extensive Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis
HDS10c25 A full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen combined with a voyage into northeast Greenland, this expansive expedition cruise explores some of the best spots in the high Arctic - including a visit to Scoresby Sund, Earth's largest fjord, along with exhilarating...
m/v Hondius
Reisdatum:
14 aug. - 5 sep., 2025
Ligplaatsen starten vanaf:
10480 USD
19 Days Extensive Arctic Ocean - North Spitsbergen Explorer
HDS01c25 Sailing between our home port of Vlissingen and our most cherished Arctic archipelago, Svalbard, this expedition adventure visits the Scottish port of Aberdeen, the islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, and the amazing Spitsbergen ice edge, giving you...
m/v Hondius
Reisdatum:
29 mei - 16 jun., 2025
Ligplaatsen starten vanaf:
6000 USD
17 Days Extensive Arctic Ocean - North Spitsbergen Explorer
HDS01d25 Sailing between the Scottish port of Aberdeen and our most cherished Arctic archipelago, Svalbard, this expedition adventure visits the islands of Fair Isle and Jan Mayen, and the amazing Spitsbergen ice edge, giving you the chance to search for whales,...
m/v Hondius
Reisdatum:
31 mei - 16 jun., 2025
Ligplaatsen starten vanaf:
5760 USD
Northeast Iceland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Hike & Sail - Incl. bus back up
Experience Iceland’s remote and breathtaking fjords, harbors, and inlands at an exceptional time of year
RVR16-24 Northern and eastern Iceland are characterized by small villages, dramatic coastlines, narrow fjords, waterfalls, geothermal areas, volcanoes, and mountains. We are in the heart of nature here, and the scenery is breathtaking. This destination offers...
s/v Rembrandt van Rijn
Reisdatum:
9 okt. - 15 okt., 2024
Ligplaatsen starten vanaf:
op aanvraag
East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail
Experience the northern lights on Earth’s largest fjord
RVR15-24 Sail through Earth’s largest fjord system on a historic three-masted vessel, getting the chance to encounter exotic Arctic wildlife like musk oxen and Arctic hares under the enchanting aurora borealis. Greenland whales may also appear between landing...
s/v Rembrandt van Rijn
Reisdatum:
28 sep. - 9 okt., 2024
Ligplaatsen starten vanaf:
6650 USD
Arctic cruise video
Latest blog and customer story
The how, why, and when of visiting Greenland
We're sharing some of our insights, top tips, and must-do's for a trip to Greenland.
Around Spitsbergen, in the Realm of the Polar Bear & Ice
There are journeys and there are journeys. This trip is one that falls in the latter category. I look back on a fantastic experience, during which the awareness of human behavior on this vulnerable planet (and especially the Arctic) became very clear to me.
Latest highlight and wildlife
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See the highlights you may experience:
the Arctic
Arctic cruise photos
Arctic cruise reviews
FAQ's about Arctic cruises
Waar moet ik rekening mee houden bij reizen naar het noordpoolgebied?
Er zijn diverse richtlijnen door de vereniging van Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) opgesteld, waar u rekening mee moet houden bij reizen naar het noordpoolgebied. U kunt daarbij o.a. denken aan:
Vermijd onnodige schade aan de ondergrond en de plantengroei, deze herstellen zich zeer traag in het koude klimaat. Neem geen planten mee, pluk geen bloemen. Vermijd het storen van de fauna en voer geen dieren. Wees u bewust van uw activiteiten en of ze tot een verandering in het gedrag van de dieren leiden. Er komt hondsdolheid voor op Spitsbergen, vooral onder poolvossen. Laat deze dan ook niet dichtbij komen. Wees voorzichtig tijdens wandelingen in gebieden waar vogels nesten. Als de vogels verstoord worden en hun nesten verlaten, dan koelen de onbedekte eieren snel af en vormen ze een gemakkelijke prooi voor roofmeeuwen en vossen. Op veel locaties op de eilanden worden regelmatig culturele monumenten en historische artefacten aangetroffen, zoals begraafplaatsen, blubber ovens, houten kruizen en jacht voorwerpen. Deze culturele monumenten zijn wettelijk beschermd. Het is illegaal zulke monumenten en artefacten te veranderen of te verwijderen van de plaats waar ze werden aangetroffen. Neem geen souvenirs mee, ook geen rendier geweien, walvis of zeehonden botten, levende of dode dieren, stenen, fossielen, planten of ander organisch materiaal.Waar moet ik op letten om geen zaden of ziekten te verspreiden in het Arctisch gebied?
Welke schepen reizen naar de Arctis?
Al onze motorschepen en ons zeilschip maken Arctische reizen.
Wanneer reist Oceanwide Expeditions naar de Arctis?
Onze Arctische reizen vinden plaats tijdens de zomer op het noordelijk halfrond.
Waar ligt de Noordpool?
De Noordpool is de top van de aarde. Op de Noordpool is het om en om de helft van het jaar licht of donker, ervan afhangend of de Noordpool naar de zon gericht is of juist niet. De Noordpool ligt ongeveer in het midden van de Arctische Oceaan en wordt omringt door Alaska, Canada, Groenland en Rusland.
Wie leeft er in het noordpoolgebied?
Het noordpoolgebied wordt omringt door meerdere continenten en de volkeren van de omringende landen leven daar. Het gebied wordt bewoond door verschillende etnische bevolkingsgroepen, vele zijn echter van Europese afkomst.
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About Arctic cruises
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.