Embark on an Oceanwide expedition cruise to the Arctic and experience a wilderness that is truly the stuff of legends, serving as an arena for adventure since the early days of world discovery. Oceanwide’s Arctic expedition cruises give you not only the chance to see some of Earth’s most exotic areas and animals, but also to engage in exhilarating polar activities that fully immerse you in the fascinating Arctic world.
During your expedition cruise, you can explore the Arctic by kayak, set out on shoreline snowshoeing treks, make invigorating inland hikes, or even partake in ski mountaineering outings for a perfect combination of the scenic and the exciting.
Also available only aboard Oceanwide’s new vessel Hondius are special activities focusing on science-based topics that illuminate the incredible Arctic ecosystem.
The Arctic is many things…
It is the deep Nordic forests and aurora-lit islands of Northern Norway. The glacial coastlines and mountainous fjords of eastern Greenland. The rugged tundra, berg-filled bays, and blazing white pack ice of the Svalbard archipelago.
The Arctic is polar bears, seabirds, walruses, whales, and scores of other animals. But most of all, the Arctic is an unforgettable expedition cruise experience.
Join Oceanwide on a voyage into the Arctic, where adventure is just part of the territory.
Cruises to the Arctic
North Spitsbergen, In search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice
The best opportunity to spot the King of the Arctic
HDS02-20. Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the polar bear.
North Spitsbergen, In search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice
The best opportunity to spot the King of the Arctic
HDS03-20. Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the polar bear.
North Spitsbergen, In search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice
The best opportunity to spot the King of the Arctic
HDS04-20. Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the polar bear.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
10 Jun - 17 Jun, 2020
Price:
4100 USD 3300 USD 800 USD discount
North Spitsbergen, In Search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice
The best opportunity to spot the King of the Arctic
OTL05-20. Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearben, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the polar bear.
m/v Ortelius
Cruise date:
12 Jun - 19 Jun, 2020
Price:
4100 USD 3300 USD 800 USD discount
North Spitsbergen – Summer Solstice - In Search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice
The best opportunity to spot the King of the Arctic
HDS05-20. Start your North Spitsbergen cruise with a trek around historic Longyearbyen, then join our expedition to the north of the island to take in the fantastically beautiful landscapes, the thousands of seabirds, and of course the star of the show, the polar bear.
m/v Hondius
Cruise date:
17 Jun - 24 Jun, 2020
Price:
4100 USD 3300 USD 800 USD discount
Arctic cruise video
Arctic photo
Arctic story
Greenland: Land of Superlatives
On September 16th, I flew to Iceland and spent an evening in Reykjavik, then crossed the island for the town of Akureyri the next day.
Arctic blog
Hondius Photography and Video Workshops
There’s no shortage of great things to say about a Hondius expedition cruise, but among the best are the free video and photography workshops...
Arctic experiences
See the highlights you may experience::
Arctic wildlife
See the impressive array of wildlife you may encounter::
Map of Arctic
Arctic cruise reviews
Overall rating based on 253 votes
I want to thank the crew of the Rembrant van Rijn, 2/22 to 2/29 2020, for giving me a trip of a life time. My taking this trip caused reservations by many as I am 86 years of age. My son, William, and his wife,...
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Seven night cruise arranged through Naturetrek. Despite some varied weather (only to be expected in January) the crew and leaders ensured that we enjoyed an excellent experience. We had great views of the whales...
Fabulous trip Will use Oceanwide again
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I like everything specially the crew and the entusiasm of the guides.of corse, the place was wonderful. I hope to come again on bord in the future
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It was amazing The icebergs, the scenery, the ship, the food, the staff and the people were amazing
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excellent trip that met our expectations in terms of magical landscapes, interesting naturalistic observations and perfect organization (outings and stewardship). Wonderful cruise that leaves us with great memories...
Read full review >>Arctic FAQ
What should I take into account when travelling to the Arctic?
Avoid unnecessary damage to the ground surface and vegetarian cover, as regeneration rates are extremely slow. Do not take specimens from plants. Do not pick flowers. Avoid disturbing or feeding the wildlife. Be aware of your activities and whether...
Read more >>What checks should I undertake before going to the Arctic?
Ensure that the footwear you intend to take has been scrubbed clean and all soil and seeds removed. Check all of your clothing for soil, seeds and insects, especially cuffs, pockets, hoods and all Velcro. Check that any equipment and luggage you...
Read more >>Which ships travels to the Arctic?
Plancius, Ortelius, Hondius, Noorderlicht and Rembrandt van Rijn.
Read more >>When does Oceanwide Expeditions travel to the Arctic?
Oceanwide Expeditions travels to the Arctic during the European summer months.
Read more >>Where is the Arctic?
The north Pole is the top point of earth. At the North Pole, night and day occurs continuously half the year. This depends on whether the pole is facing the sun or not.The North Pole is in the middle of the Arctic Ocean and is surrounded by Alaska, Canada,...
Read more >>Who lives in the Arctic?
The Arctic is inhabited by different groups of people with mostly an European background. People from the surrounding countries live at the North Pole.
Read more >>
About Arctic
Arctic Expedition Cruises
The first explorers who set foot in the Arctic must have almost thought they’d wandered onto a different planet. But though they were certainly astonished by the dramatic scenery and rich wildlife, their main concern was surviving until they could find a northern trade route to the Indies.
Instead they discovered Spitsbergen, or “New Land of the Pointed Mountains.” Dutch captain Willem Barentsz named the island in 1596, and over four centuries later it still bears his handle. But though the Dutch didn’t succeed in finding their route, they did manage to return to Amsterdam a year later still wearing the fur clothes and white fox hats gotten in their expeditions ― but without their captain, who died during the journey.
Unlike the explorers, our motivation is purely for experience. We lead cruises to the Arctic and North Atlantic islands so 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 the jagged glaciers, peaks and snowdrifts reflected up from water clear as glass, and white-winged birds streaking the bright blue sky. But nothing can prepare polar travelers for their first sight of the undisputed sovereign of the Arctic: the polar bear.
Today we visit these locations during the summer season, taking advantage of the long hours of daylight when temperatures are not so severe. Yet still this harsh and beautiful landscape echoes the history of those first brave voyages of discovery that happened so many centuries ago.
Facts About The Arctic
- Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is not a continent but a region ― extending 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 name refers to one or both of two constellations in the northern sky: Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Ursa Minor contains the star Polaris, also known as the North Star
- The Arctic Ocean is about 8,690,450 km2, larger than the surface area of Europe
- Until recently it was unknown whether the Arctic’s massive sheet of ice was on top of 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 in Siberia
- The Arctic glacier holds about 7% of the world’s fresh water
Travel to the Arctic
Oceanwide Expedition’s Arctic cruises take you on a voyage through a region of the Earth that, despite one of the harshest environments, offers many of the planet’s once-in-a-lifetime sights. The lands of the midnight sun and polar night both fall within the Arctic’s borders.
Join us aboard our ice strengthened cruise ships m/v Plancius and m/v Ortelius and explore the northern territories of the polar regions. There you’ll enjoy hiking, bird watching, whale spotting, snow shoeing, and firsthand contact with awe-inspiring wildlife and history. Depending on which trip you take, you may also be able to zip up next to a whale in a Zodiac, take a hike around Greenland, dive under the Arctic waters, or if your love of the Arctic runs even deeper than that, help us clean up the shores of Spitsbergen.
But if you’d prefer to take a cruise on a ship that’s a little smaller ― though definitely not small in terms of adventure ― take a look at the Arctic voyages offered aboard our sailing ships s/v Rembrandt van Rijn and s/v Noorderlicht.
Whatever your choice, climbing aboard one of Oceanwide’s Arctic cruises gives you the chance to investigate one of the last surviving wildernesses on the planet.
