40 Best Cruising the Poles - Arctic and Antarctic Small Ship Expedition Cruises for 2025-2026

10 Best Antarctica Cruise Ideas for 2025-2026

10 Best Arctic Cruise Ideas for 2025-2026

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic	$13295	13	Jul 29, 2025	Join a 13-day roundtrip expedition cruise to Reykjavik on the Ultramarine. Explore South Greenland's stunning alpine peaks and remote ridges through … 0
Gems of West Greenland: Fjords, Icebergs and Culture	$10995	12	Aug 17, 2025	Experience the breathtaking scenery of West Greenland on this 12-day expedition cruise roundtrip to Toronto aboard Ultramarine, delving into its … 0
Wild Landscapes of West Greenland	$21695	15	Aug 15, 2025	Join the 15-day expedition cruise aboard the Sylvia Earle, beginning in Nuuk, Greenland's northern capital. Beyond Nuuk, sparse settlements line the … 0
Svalbard Odyssey	$16795	12	Jul 2, 2025	Join a 12-day expedition aboard the Greg Mortimer roundtrip Oslo, discovering the marvels of Svalbard's perpetual daylight. Encounter polar bears and … 0
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes	$7450	14	Aug 23, 2025	This 14-day Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are … 0
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard (Northbound)	$24972	16	May 28, 2025	Cruise across Norway's fjords and Arctic Svalbard on a 16-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, and explore the wilderness, … 0
Arctic Sights and Northern Lights	$8195	12	Sep 15, 2025	On this 12-day tour, Sea Spirit takes you to the breathtaking fjords, beaches, and islands of the Arctic, as well as the beautiful dancing waves of … 0
Scoresbysund Autumn Micro Cruise	$14895	10	Sep 16, 2025	Join this 10-day cruise aboard MV Vikingfjord from Keflavik to explore Scoresbysund in autumn—Marvel at the northern lights illuminating serene … 0
Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and the Northern Fjords	$17250	12	Apr 25, 2026	This 10-day Arctic expedition on National Geographic Resolution takes you to the remote islands and fjords of northern Norway such as Sørøya Island … 0
Northeast Greenland's Unexplored Sea Ice	$26030	15	May 24, 2025	This 15-day cruise offers a unique opportunity to explore Greenland's northeast coast, one of the most remote regions in the Far North. Take the time … 0

All Antarctica Tours

Explore Antarctica

Antarctica Travel Planner

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime to the white continent. Most Antarctica cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina. Some flight/cruise combinations, which cut a few day's sailing time off the voyage, start from Punta Arenas, Chile. A few cruises even venture to New Zealand and South Africa.

South Georgia

During the breeding season, South Georgia's northern tip may have more megafauna per square meter than any other place on earth. Visited on a limited number of cruises to Antarctica, travelers encounter a sea of thousands of black and white King Penguins and albatrosses. Glide silently in sea kayaks spying seals, seabirds, and yes, more penguins.

Ross Sea

Explore the seldom-visited Ross Sea on Antarctic cruises of around 30 days leaving from both Ushuaia Argentina & New Zealand. Retrace the steps of great explorers like Shackleton, Ross, and Scott as you pass through the "Forgotten Islands" and the remote menagerie of Macquarie Island.

Falkland Islands

The remote Falklands are frequently visited on a cruise to Antarctica, though some stay longer and are rewarded by a unique culture that mixes both British and South American traditions with astounding wilderness and landscapes.

Arctic

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Arctic for 2025-2026

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
South Greenland Adventure: The Majestic Alpine Arctic	$13295	13	Jul 29, 2025	Join a 13-day roundtrip expedition cruise to Reykjavik on the Ultramarine. Explore South Greenland's stunning alpine peaks and remote ridges through … 0
Gems of West Greenland: Fjords, Icebergs and Culture	$10995	12	Aug 17, 2025	Experience the breathtaking scenery of West Greenland on this 12-day expedition cruise roundtrip to Toronto aboard Ultramarine, delving into its … 0
Wild Landscapes of West Greenland	$21695	15	Aug 15, 2025	Join the 15-day expedition cruise aboard the Sylvia Earle, beginning in Nuuk, Greenland's northern capital. Beyond Nuuk, sparse settlements line the … 0
Svalbard Odyssey	$16795	12	Jul 2, 2025	Join a 12-day expedition aboard the Greg Mortimer roundtrip Oslo, discovering the marvels of Svalbard's perpetual daylight. Encounter polar bears and … 0
Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis, Including Long Hikes	$7450	14	Aug 23, 2025	This 14-day Spitsbergen and Northeast Greenland cruise sails waters filled with breath-taking scenery. The expedition passes through areas that are … 0
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard (Northbound)	$24972	16	May 28, 2025	Cruise across Norway's fjords and Arctic Svalbard on a 16-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, and explore the wilderness, … 0
Arctic Sights and Northern Lights	$8195	12	Sep 15, 2025	On this 12-day tour, Sea Spirit takes you to the breathtaking fjords, beaches, and islands of the Arctic, as well as the beautiful dancing waves of … 0
Scoresbysund Autumn Micro Cruise	$14895	10	Sep 16, 2025	Join this 10-day cruise aboard MV Vikingfjord from Keflavik to explore Scoresbysund in autumn—Marvel at the northern lights illuminating serene … 0
Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and the Northern Fjords	$17250	12	Apr 25, 2026	This 10-day Arctic expedition on National Geographic Resolution takes you to the remote islands and fjords of northern Norway such as Sørøya Island … 0
Northeast Greenland's Unexplored Sea Ice	$26030	15	May 24, 2025	This 15-day cruise offers a unique opportunity to explore Greenland's northeast coast, one of the most remote regions in the Far North. Take the time … 0

Antarctica

10 Best Luxury Cruises of the Antarctic for 2025-2026

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Classic Antarctica Air Cruise	$15995	8	Dec 26, 2024	Embark on this 8-day Antarctic cruise on the Magellan Explorer. Fly over the Drake Passage round-trip from Punta Arenas to King George Island where … 0
Antarctica - Basecamp	$9900	13	Dec 25, 2024	Take your Antarctic expedition to the next level! This 13-day Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp voyage aboard MV Plancius is packed full of adventures … 0
Antarctic Small Ship Expedition	$6995	10	Mar 13, 2025	Embark on this 10-day Antarctic adventure with Magellan Explorer. Sail the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia and across the Drake Passage to the western … 0
Classic Antarctica Air Cruise	$11495	8	Dec 27, 2024	Embark on this 8-day Antarctic adventure with Ocean Nova Air Cruises. Fly over the Drake Passage from Punta Arenas to King George Island where you … 0
South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula	$8995	10	Jan 20, 2025	Board Ocean Victory on this 10-day cruise to the South Shetland Islands and Antarctic Peninsula. Set foot on the Antarctic continent as well as … 0
Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent	$11395	11	Dec 28, 2024	On this 11-day adventure to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula you'll cruise through sea ice, witness penguins building their … 0
Antarctic Peninsula: Fly the Drake - Fly/Fly Expedition	$23795	12	Feb 8, 2026	Get a chance to observe seals and penguins in their natural habitat. Spend 12 days aboard the Sylvia Earle exploring Antarctica's huge white … 0
Epic Antarctica: Crossing the Circle via Falklands & South Georgia	$40595	23	Jan 18, 2026	From the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) to South Georgia to the Antarctic Peninsula, you will have countless unforgettable moments on this … 0
Spirit of Antarctica	$14895	12	Jan 6, 2025	Visit historic sites and step onto the white continent on this 12-day Antarctic cruise roundtrip Ushuaia aboard the Greg Mortimer. Explore all the … 0
Antarctica Complete	$31495	23	Jan 30, 2025	Explore Antarctica along with South Georgia and the Falkland - Malvinas islands on this 23-day adventure cruise aboard the Sylvia Earle. Enjoy the … 0

Best Arctic Cruises

Explore The Arctic

A polar bear climbs glacial ice in the Arctic

Arctic Travel Planner

Bundle up for your exploration of the mysterious Arctic on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise of the far north with Adventure Life. From June until October, small hull-hardened expedition ships navigate under the glow of the Aurora Borealis through the northernmost regions of our planet in search of polar bears, seabirds and other wildlife.

Baffin Island

Venture into the Arctic Circle and one of Canada's greatest wilderness regions in search of Polar Bears as you sail by fjords with glaciers that crash into the sea, or visit remote Inuit villages and learn about their ancient cultures on Baffin Island

Svalbard

The Norwegian island of Svalbard (Spitsbergen), 400 miles North of Norway and 600 miles south of the North Pole is the land of jagged mountains, fjords, giant glaciers, and the highlight of this region, the polar bear. Trek across the ice and explore the hardy wildlife and expansive landscapes via dinghies on an authentic Arctic expedition.

Greenland

Cross the Arctic circle as you float between ice floes and icebergs along dramatic coastlines and visit quaint villages. Explore the frozen icescapes of Greenland on an Arctic cruise through the Northwest passage or the European islands of Svalbard and Iceland. Day excursions include hikes across glaciers and panga navigations around fjords.

Northwest Passage

Trace the route of great explorers through the northernmost islands of Canada via the Northwest Passage. Experience Inuit culture and witness the rugged wildlife that calls this home, including thousands of seabirds, reindeer, polar bears and more, all as the Aurora Borealis light up the night sky.

Polar Regions Travel Guide

Kayak quiet waters as you sail to remote polar regions

Comparing the Two Polar Regions: Antarctica and Arctic Cruising

Many people assume that the Arctic and Antarctic are similar, just at different ends of the earth. Vast differences in the environment, geographical properties, climate, and wildlife may result in some rather surprising realizations of each destination.

Cruising Antarctica vs the Arctic - Advantages & Disadvantages

Are they similar? Or polar opposites?

Wildlife - Both sides have remarkable wildlife viewing opportunities. The icons of each pole - penguins in the south and polar bears in the north - don't disappoint. That is, unless the elusive polar bear escapes your view, which is a possibility depending on where you go. Penguins, in all their cuteness, will be seen by the thousands on any Antarctica cruise.

Travel - Both the Arctic and Antarctic are accessed by expedition cruises. Antarctica is accessed primarily from the southern tip of South America, while most in North America and Europe have quicker access to Arctic cruise ports. In general, the time commitment and cost of an Arctic cruise is considerably less than an Antarctic cruise.

Geography - The Arctic region is an ocean surrounded by continents, while the Antarctic is a continent surrounded by oceans. Antartica is also has the highest average altitude above sea level of any continent, largely because of 90% of the world's ice is piled upon the continent. Both poles are cold, but the South Pole is colder - by a long shot.

Arctic Overview

The Arctic brings to mind scenes of ice, snow, and barren stretches of land. Though it is a remote part of the world, it offers travelers so much more than these things! Intriguing culture, remarkable wildlife, fascinating history, and breathtaking landscape are all experienced during a visit to the Arctic.

Polar bear balances on the ice in the Arctic

Wildlife Guide to Polar Regions

Which Polar region is home to penguins? Or how about those elusive narwhals? Before your travels, it will be helpful to learn more about the different species that inhabit the Polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. You may be surprised to learn the differences!

Gorgeous views of Greenwich Island and the wildlife on shore.

Best Time of Year to Travel to Antarctica

The travel season in Antarctica is during the summer which runs from November through March. January and February are considered the best months to visit due to better weather and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Cruise the Arctic Svalbard Islands

Svalbard is an archipelago situated in the Arctic waters just north of Norway. The rugged terrain is largely covered by icepack & glaciers, granting opportunities for unique adventure activities. Rare wildlife sightings, tastes of local culture, & taking in awe-inspiring views are just a few of the things to look forward to.

Best Polar Regions Cruise Lines for 2025-2026

Ponant - has small capacity ships that can dock in private ports and offer stopovers in preserved polar locations. Onboard, this is translated through exceptional services, a multilingual crew, and bringing French know-how to the fore. The latest addition to its fleet, Le Commandant Charcot, the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas, is the epitome of responsible and sustainable sailing.
Aurora Expeditions - pioneered ship-based adventures 30 years ago with expedition cruises to Antarctica and remained committed to small, low-impact groups. Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle feature the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW®, which allows the ship to cross oceans more comfortably and efficiently, and with expansive observation decks to bring you closer to the environment, inviting communal spaces and unsurpassed environmental credentials.
Quark Expeditions - headquartered in Seattle, is uncompromisingly polar, specializing in expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic. The newest addition to its fleet, the 199-guest Ultramarine is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, spacious suites, wellness amenities, and numerous outdoor wildlife viewing spaces.
Silversea Cruises - is a luxury cruise line with headquarters in Monaco and is a subsidiary of the Royal Caribbean Group that explores the elegant lifestyle of all-inclusive ultra-luxury polar cruising. With 20-brand new Zodiacs, four superlative restaurants in Antarctica, and a pole-to-pole expedition itinerary, Silver Cloud does break the ice between expedition and luxury.
Polar Latitudes - offers a wide variety of trips to Antarctica, including itineraries to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and Falkland Island. Its newest addition MS Seaventure features a 1-A Super ice-class rating, the highest ice class awarded to passenger's vessels. The ship offers all outside-facing staterooms, some with balconies and beautifully appointed dining areas, as well as al fresco dining on the Lido deck.
Oceanwide Expeditions - are pioneers of ship-based expeditions, inventors of Basecamp Antarctica, and one of the first companies to take travelers to the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen. MV Hondius is the first-registered Polar Class 6 vessel in the world, optimized for the most innovative exploratory voyages throughout the Arctic.
Lindblad Expeditions - has an entire cast of expedition specialists that guide their polar expeditions: experienced sailors and ice masters, expedition leaders, naturalists, undersea specialists, top photographers, cultural specialists, historians, and professional filmmakers. National Geographic Resolution's most striking exterior feature is her distinctive profile, the patented X-Bow®, a game-changing design that guarantees the smoothest, most comfortable ride in all kinds of conditions; and since it eliminates bow impact, thus a quieter ride.
Antarctica 21 - is committed to creating the ideal Antarctic expedition, providing safe, convenient, comfortable access to a life-changing experience. Magellan Explorer, a new and modern expedition vessel custom-built for our Antarctic air-cruises, has a capacity for 73 guests accommodated in seven categories of accommodation, including dedicated single cabins.
Poseidon Expeditions - has been a leading operator of polar expeditions in the cruise industry since 1999. Providing spacious suites for the accommodation of 114 passengers, the Sea Spirit has an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiacs, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing.
Heritage Expeditions - headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, was formed in 1985 to increase awareness and conservation of the natural world through responsible expedition travel. Heritage Adventurer is a pioneering expedition vessel often referred to as the 'Grande Dame of Polar Exploration' due to her illustrious history and refined design.
Hurtigruten - is Svalbard's most experienced tour operator, tracing its roots back to the late 1800s, and offers year-round land-based adventures next to the North Pole. MS Fram uses the most advanced technology to make her exceptionally well suited for expedition voyages in Polar Regions.
Adventure Canada - is a family-owned business that makes learning fun, deepening cultural connections and scientific understanding of the world's farthest-flung arctic regions. The spacious, ice-strengthened Ocean Endeavour features twenty Zodiacs, advanced navigation equipment, and stabilizers. A doctor, paramedic, medical clinic, and enhanced health regime offer peace of mind.
Iceland Pro Cruises - is part of the Iceland ProTravel Group, the leading tour operator in Europe, specializing in Iceland. The Ocean Diamond can enter fjords and bays too shallow for larger vessels. The ship features a range of modern onboard amenities and is staffed with outstanding officers and crew and bilingual expedition leaders and guides.