Things to do on an Arctic Cruise
Star in your own wildlife documentary
Step into the set of the BBC's Frozen Planet during an Arctic wildlife cruise. You won’t be sure if you’re the hunter or the hunted, as whales bob beneath your ship, surprisingly large walruses wield their tusks beside your kayak – and the threat of a polar bear encounter looms around every icy corner. Onboard experts can help you spot – and photograph – the whitest of foxes against the whitest of backgrounds, and you’ll learn about Arctic ecosystems in the world’s largest classroom.
Top sights include polar bear cubs reaching the edge of the ice with their mothers; walruses hauling themselves onto the ice with their tusks; and shaggy musk oxen, like a creature from a strange fairytale, grazing their way across the tundra.
Our Arctic cruising Holidays
North Spitsbergen cruise, in search of Polar Bears
Expert Led, Polar Bears, Whales, Birdlife, photography
From
€3375
8 days
ex flights
Arctic sailing voyages, Spitsbergen
Experience sailing in the fjords
From
€2640 to €5490
8 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen Arctic Cruise
An exciting wildlife cruise around the Svalbard archipelago
From
£6432
12 days
ex flights
Chukotka and Wrangel Island wildlife cruises, Russia
Explore Russian Arctic - home to Polar Bears, walrus & more
From
US $9350
15 days
ex flights
Arctic wildlife holiday, Polar bear explorer
A wildlife focused Arctic safari in Svalbard
From
£7195 to £9595
11 days
ex flights
Arctic icebreaker cruise, Spitsbergen
Wildlife-focused, expert-led small ship Arctic cruises
From
£2690 to £7490
10 days
ex flights
Luxury Arctic cruise Spitsbergen & Franz Josef Land
A unique expedition to rarely visited Franz Josef Land
From
£7995
14 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen wildlife cruises
Encounters with glaciers, polar bears and icebergs.
From
£2799 to £5899
8 days
ex flights
Svalbard luxury cruise in the Arctic
Polar bears, glaciers and snow covered mountains in luxury
From
£7985 to £8265
11 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen polar bear watching cruise
Venture into the staggering realm of the King of the Arctic
From
£4149
11 days
ex flights
Iceland circumnavigation cruise
A thrilling, complete Iceland experience!
From
£2265 to £2375
10 days
ex flights
East Greenland cruise
Dramatic Arctic Mountains, Inuits, Towering Icebergs Whales
From
£3520 to £6300
8 days
ex flights
Northern Sea Route expedition cruise, 19 days
Historic Northern Sea Route expedition cruise and adventure
From
US $13900
19 days
ex flights
Icebreaker cruise to the North Pole
Embark the Icebreaker 50 to the geographic North Pole.
From
£22985
13 days
ex flights
Arctic cruise adventure holiday
Sail from Spitsbergen to Greenland on an arctic adventure
From
£4349
15 days
ex flights
Svalbard in depth cruise
An 11-day exploration of Svalbard and its unique wildlife.
From
£7000 to £11900
11 days
ex flights
Arctic expedition cruise, circumnavigation of Spitsbergen
Discover incredible wildlife and glaciers on this Arctic Voyage
From
£9100 to £13700
13 days
ex flights
North Pole expedition cruise
The Ultimate Arctic Bucket List Expedition!
From
£24195
13 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen, East Greenland to Iceland Arctic cruise
Expedition cruise taking in the Arctic highlights
From
£8750 to £18550
15 days
ex flights
Kamchatka cruise in Russia, ring of fire expedition
Discover dramatic scenery & birdlife in the Russian Far East
From
US $7800
13 days
ex flights
Arctic wildlife cruise holiday, heart of the Arctic
Immerse yourself in Arctic culture and landscape
From
US $4995 to US $16495
13 days
ex flights
Baffin Island cruising expedition, Canada
Expert Led, Polar Bears Belugas, Narwhals, Inuit Culture
From
£10850
17 days
ex flights
Spitsbergen luxury cruises
Experience this Arctic wildlife paradise in ultimate luxury!
From
€7010 to €8860
8 days
ex flights
Arctic cruises, Spitsbergen to Franz Josef Land
Navigate to remote parts of the Arctic
From
£6666 to £16140
14 days
ex flights
Journey to the North Pole
The ultimate Polar voyage: sail to 90º north
From
£26300
14 days
ex flights
Arctic cruise holidays
Explore the Arctic: Greenland, Spitsbergen and Iceland
From
US $5050 to US $37995
10 days
ex flights
Wrangel and Herald Islands expedition cruise
Diverse, abundant wildlife, dramatic and volcanic landscapes
From
US $8999
15 days
ex flights
Northern lights sailing holiday in Norway
Sailing and hiking in the land of the Aurora Borealis!
From
€2100
8 days
ex flights
Russian High Arctic cruise
The most remote regions of the Russian High Arctic.
From
£12000
22 days
ex flights
Disembark
Kayaking, snowshoeing and dog sledding are some of the optional daily activities; disembarking from your cruise ship each day reveals a side to the Arctic that is out of bounds to the boats. Visit polar research stations and meet scientists, chat to the inhabitants of the islands and inlets, and watch foxes hunting and fledglings leaving their nests. For a different perspective again you can scale an Arctic mountain, revealing one of the most surreal and lovely views of the roof of the world.
It may be an Arctic cruise - but don't think you'll be kicking back on deck with a cocktail. The boats are simply there to take you up close to the edge of the land.![]()
Meet local communities – past and present
The Inuit have lived in some of the earth's most stunning locations and wild conditions for centuries. Yet not only do they manage to survive out here between ice and Arctic water, they have a warm, rich culture, with ancient folklore and a thriving art scene. Soapstone sculptures have today replaced the traditional bone and ivory, but the hand carving technique remains the same. Cruise to Canada's Baffin Island and the shores and islands of Greenland to meet the Inuit, see their finely woven textiles and hear their eerie throat singing. Be prepared for evidence of hunting, though – this is a subsistence culture and every part of the animal will be used. Nearby visitors' centres reveal more about the history of the Arctic peoples, and showcase their clothing and crafts.
Historically, the Thule people lived around the shores of Greenland and Arctic Canada – the remains of some of their settlements give fascinating insights into their lost culture. Eastern Siberia’s Wrangel Island reveals older culture still – with a 3,400 year old Paleo Eskimo camp.
Historically, the Thule people lived around the shores of Greenland and Arctic Canada – the remains of some of their settlements give fascinating insights into their lost culture. Eastern Siberia’s Wrangel Island reveals older culture still – with a 3,400 year old Paleo Eskimo camp.
Our top Arctic cruising Holiday
Arctic icebreaker cruise, Spitsbergen
Wildlife-focused, expert-led small ship Arctic cruises
From
£2690 to £7490
10 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2021: 13 May, 18 May, 20 May, 23 May, 27 May, 28 May, 29 May, 1 Jun, 2 Jun, 3 Jun, 4 Jun, 7 Jun, 10 Jun, 11 Jun, 12 Jun, 13 Jun, 15 Jun, 18 Jun, 19 Jun, 20 Jun, 21 Jun, 25 Jun, 26 Jun, 28 Jun, 29 Jun, 30 Jun, 1 Jul, 2 Jul, 6 Jul, 7 Jul, 10 Jul, 11 Jul, 13 Jul, 16 Jul, 19 Jul, 20 Jul, 23 Jul, 25 Jul, 28 Jul, 29 Jul, 30 Jul, 3 Aug, 6 Aug, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, 12 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 21 Aug, 24 Aug
2021: 13 May, 18 May, 20 May, 23 May, 27 May, 28 May, 29 May, 1 Jun, 2 Jun, 3 Jun, 4 Jun, 7 Jun, 10 Jun, 11 Jun, 12 Jun, 13 Jun, 15 Jun, 18 Jun, 19 Jun, 20 Jun, 21 Jun, 25 Jun, 26 Jun, 28 Jun, 29 Jun, 30 Jun, 1 Jul, 2 Jul, 6 Jul, 7 Jul, 10 Jul, 11 Jul, 13 Jul, 16 Jul, 19 Jul, 20 Jul, 23 Jul, 25 Jul, 28 Jul, 29 Jul, 30 Jul, 3 Aug, 6 Aug, 7 Aug, 9 Aug, 12 Aug, 15 Aug, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 21 Aug, 24 Aug
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Arctic cruising or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Lecture programme
When you sign up for an outdoor adventure in a wild landscape, lecture programmes may sound rather dull. But the ships’ biologists, geographers, photographers, historians and geologists share fascinating insights about the land and creatures around you. You’ll learn to identify species, the best angle to photograph a polar bear and a little knowledge means you’ll be even more amazed by the world around you.
Life onboard is an ongoing learning experience. Every time the wild landscapes throw up a new question - you'll have some of the world's top experts at hand to answer it.![]()
More about Arctic cruising
The best time to go on an Arctic cruise is during the summer months, when the sea ice melts enough to let ships pass, and the midnight sun bathes these northern lands - find out more with our month by month guide.
Our Arctic cruises travel guide reveals why the best way to explore is a small ship expedition cruise, and compares the different Arctic areas - with Northern Lights, Inuit art, dog sledding,and - of course - polar bears.
There are several Arctic cruise itineraries available, focusing on different regions and activities - wildlife features on any Arctic cruise, but use our interactive map to find out which species you are likely to see and where.
On a typical Arctic cruise the amenities are quite basic as the aim is to spend a lot of time on land - optional activities in the Arctic range from nature hikes to kayaking and even the chilling ‘Polar Plunge’!
Arctic wildlife cruises, with superb biologists and wildlife guides accompanying them, will help you spot polar bears, enormous walrus, fluffy Arctic foxes and several species of whales, plus birds, seals and orca.
The big ticket attraction on Arctic cruises is the chance to see polar bears and while sightings can never be guaranteed certain locations are more likely than others - read on to find out where to see polar bears on an Arctic cruise.
With at least 17 species seen in Arctic waters at different times of year, responsible whale watching in the Arctic has immense potential, and onboard experts are always at hand to explain what species and behaviours you’re witnessing.
With comfortable but compact cabins, and various practicalities that you’ll need to prepare for, knowing what to pack for an Arctic cruise is essential to make the most of the space in your suitcase and ensure you bring all you need.
An Arctic cruise is likely to be one of the most memorable holidays of your life, so it’s important to get it right - here's our advice on choosing a ship for an Arctic cruise so you have all you need to know before making a decision.
What will the sleeping and eating arrangements be, how many fellow passengers can you expect, but most importantly, what will you be doing each day - read on to find out what life onboard ship on a typical Arctic cruise holiday involves.
Deciding whether you ought to save or splurge on an Arctic cruise holiday is likely to be one of the biggest issues you face during the planning process - here are some of the ways you can either cut costs or supersize your trip.
Read on for the best Arctic cruises travel advice offered up by our holiday experts who have spent years working in the far north, with tips on which regions to visit, recommendations for twitchers and health and safety advice.
Responsible tourism in the Arctic is a thorny issue but taking a responsible Arctic cruise can help strengthen this region, its communities and wildlife against exploitation, climate change and land grabs - find out more below.
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