Hurtigruten
Norwegian Coastal Express — daily ports along the Norwegian coast, year-round, working ships.
Cruise destinations
Arctic Cruises
Polar bears, glaciers and Inuit communities under the midnight sun, from Svalbard and Greenland to the Canadian Arctic and northern Norway.
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Arctic Cruises with Travelisto
The Arctic covers a wide area, and an Arctic cruise can mean quite different trips. Expedition voyages around Svalbard search for polar bears, walrus and seabirds along the edge of the pack ice. Greenland cruises sail past enormous icebergs and visit small Inuit settlements. Canadian Arctic voyages follow the routes of early explorers through the Northwest Passage region. Closer to home, voyages along northern Norway reach well inside the Arctic Circle with regular port calls.
For expedition cruising, the season is the northern summer, roughly June to September. June and July bring the midnight sun, when it never gets dark, and the best chance of reaching the ice edge around Svalbard. August and September are good for Greenland and the Canadian Arctic as the sea ice retreats. If the northern lights are your goal, choose a Norwegian coastal or Arctic Norway voyage between September and March, when the nights are long and dark.
Typical expedition voyages last 7 to 14 nights. Svalbard trips usually start and end in Longyearbyen, reached by flights via Oslo. Greenland voyages often begin in Reykjavik or Kangerlussuaq, and Canadian Arctic trips may combine Greenland with Nunavut over two weeks or more. Norwegian coastal voyages sail from Bergen to Kirkenes and back in about 12 nights, with shorter one-way options.
Arctic expedition ships are small, with zodiacs for landings and an onboard team of guides and lecturers. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and itineraries change daily with ice and weather, which is part of the experience. It suits travellers who prefer nature, quiet and long days outdoors. Our Travel Designers can help you choose between expedition, coastal and luxury options, and arrange flights to the right starting point.
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Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Hurtigruten
Havila Voyages
Norwegian Coastal Express alternative — green-fuel ships sailing Bergen to Kirkenes year-round.
Adventure Canada
Small-ship Canadian Arctic and Atlantic Canada expedition cruising with onboard scholars.
Poseidon Expeditions
Russian-built polar expedition fleet — North Pole nuclear icebreaker plus Antarctic ships.
Swan Hellenic
Cultural expedition cruising with onboard expert lecturers — boutique modern fleet.
Silversea
All-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising on small ocean and expedition ships, butler service throughout.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Hurtigruten | Travellers who want Norway’s coastal voyage and expedition trips with a long polar heritage. |
| Havila Voyages | Coastal-voyage fans looking for newer ships on the route along Arctic Norway. |
| Adventure Canada | Anyone drawn to Greenland and the Canadian Arctic with a strong focus on local culture. |
| Poseidon Expeditions | Polar travellers who want a dedicated expedition specialist for Svalbard and beyond. |
| Swan Hellenic | Travellers who want small expedition ships with an emphasis on lectures and culture. |
| Silversea | Luxury travellers who want all-inclusive comfort in the far north. |
Arctic destinations at a glance
- Svalbard
- The best-known Arctic expedition destination, with glaciers, pack ice and a chance of polar bears and walrus.
- Greenland
- Huge icebergs, fjords and small settlements, often combined with Iceland.
- Canadian Arctic
- Remote islands and channels, on longer voyages for experienced travellers.
- Iceland
- Circumnavigations call at small harbours around the coast, mixing landscapes with easy port days.
- Arctic Norway
- Tromsø, the North Cape and the coastal voyage, with the Northern Lights a highlight from autumn to early spring.
Expedition cruise or coastal voyage?
An expedition cruise uses a small ship with zodiacs, a team of guides and a flexible plan that changes with the ice and weather. It is the way to reach Svalbard’s wildlife and the wilder coasts of Greenland, and suits travellers who put wildlife and wilderness first.
Norway’s coastal voyage follows a fixed route along the coast with regular port calls, so it is more predictable and runs all year. It is a good choice for scenery, small towns and, in the darker months, the Northern Lights.
Either way, wildlife and the aurora are never guaranteed, which is part of the appeal. Pack warm layers, waterproofs and good boots, and ask your Travel Designer what cold-weather gear is included on your ship.
Who an Arctic cruise suits
An Arctic expedition cruise suits travellers who want remote landscapes and wildlife, and who are happy for the plan to change from day to day. Life on board revolves around landings, zodiac cruises and talks from the expedition team.
A Norwegian coastal voyage suits travellers who want a more predictable trip, with daily port calls, comfortable ships and the chance of the Northern Lights in the darker months.
Both work well for solo travellers and couples, and many guests combine an Arctic cruise with a few days in Oslo, Reykjavik or Tromsø before or after the voyage.
FAQ
Arctic Cruises: your questions answered
When is the best time for an Arctic cruise?
For expedition cruises to Svalbard, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, the season runs from about June to September. June and July give you the midnight sun and the best chance of reaching the pack ice, while August and September open up more of Greenland and Canada. For the northern lights, a voyage along Arctic Norway between September and March is the better choice.
Will I see polar bears on an Arctic cruise?
Svalbard is one of the best places in the world to see polar bears in the wild, and many expedition voyages there spot them, usually from the ship or a zodiac at a safe distance. Sightings are never guaranteed, as bears roam widely along the ice. Walrus, reindeer, Arctic foxes and huge seabird colonies are also common sights.
What is the difference between an Arctic expedition cruise and a Norwegian coastal voyage?
An expedition cruise uses a small ship with zodiacs to reach remote, uninhabited places such as Svalbard or East Greenland, with landings guided by naturalists. A Norwegian coastal voyage follows a fixed route between Bergen and Kirkenes, calling at many towns and villages along the way. Coastal voyages sail year-round and suit travellers who want scenery and northern lights rather than wilderness.
How cold is it on an Arctic cruise?
In the summer expedition season, temperatures are usually around zero to ten degrees Celsius, though wind and spray make it feel colder on deck and in zodiacs. Pack warm layers, a hat, gloves and waterproof trousers. Many expedition lines lend rubber boots for landings. Winter coastal voyages in Norway are colder, but ships are well heated.
How long is a typical Arctic cruise?
Most Arctic expedition voyages last 7 to 14 nights. A circuit of Svalbard from Longyearbyen is often around 8 to 10 nights, while Greenland and Canadian Arctic voyages tend to run two weeks or longer. A round-trip Norwegian coastal voyage takes about 12 nights, and one-way sections of 5 to 7 nights are popular too.
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