Heading North: Cruising the Arctic

Imagine sailing under the midnight sun, as a polar bear roams the pack ice just a stone's throw from the ship… An Arctic cruise is a journey into a world of ice and light, at once fragile and breathtakingly beautiful.

The Arctic encompasses several iconic destinations: the Svalbard archipelago, a Norwegian territory halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, of which Spitsbergen is the largest and most visited island. Both names are often used interchangeably in cruise brochures — Svalbard refers to the archipelago as a whole, Spitsbergen to its main island. Some itineraries venture as far as Greenland, for an even deeper immersion into Arctic wilderness.

As you sail, you may spot polar bears on the pack ice, walruses and seals on the rocks, arctic foxes, whales and vast colonies of seabirds nesting on vertiginous cliffs. Each port of call is also an opportunity to meet local communities, custodians of a culture shaped by the Far North. And from April to August, the midnight sun transforms every night into an unforgettable golden twilight.

For cruises along the Arctic coastline, companies such as Holland America Line, Ambassador, Hurtigruten — which regularly sails beyond the Arctic Circle —, Azamara and Explora Journeys offer carefully crafted itineraries. For a true expedition experience close to the ice, Quark Expeditions, Silversea, Ponant, HX Expeditions and Seabourn sail with on-board teams of naturalists and specialist guides. Mainstream cruise lines such as MSC and NCL also offer Nordic itineraries accessible to all budgets.

When is the best time to cruise the Arctic?

The season runs from April to September. For whale watching, May to September is the ideal window. Polar bears, walruses, seals and seabirds are present throughout the season. As for the famous midnight sun, it can be seen from April to August — a natural phenomenon that turns every night into a golden dusk.

Frequently asked questions: 

What is the difference between Svalbard and Spitsbergen? Svalbard is the Norwegian archipelago as a whole, while Spitsbergen is its largest island. In cruise brochures, both names are often used interchangeably — so don't be surprised to see them used to describe the same destination!

Will I really see polar bears? Polar bears are present throughout the Arctic season. Sightings can never be guaranteed, but the naturalist guides on board know exactly where to look — and encounters are often truly unforgettable.

What is the difference between a Nordic cruise and an Arctic expedition cruise? A Nordic cruise follows the coastline aboard a comfortable ship, calling at Arctic ports and villages along the way. An expedition cruise uses smaller, specially equipped vessels to get closer to the ice, with Zodiac landings and a programme focused on wildlife and wild landscapes.

Discover our Arctic cruises and let yourself be captivated by the magic of the Far North.

*Photo credits: Ponant Explorations, HX Expeditions, Explora Journeys