The Arctic is a summer adventure of polar bears, walruses, glaciers and the midnight sun. Svalbard is the most accessible polar-bear destination, Greenland offers vast icebergs and Inuit culture, and the Northwest Passage is a once-in-a-lifetime voyage through the Canadian Arctic.
Here are the best Arctic cruise lines we sell.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Nine Arctic lines
- Svalbard, Greenland or the Northwest Passage?
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quark Expeditions | Expedition | 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet | Polar adventure | Polar parka, Muck boots, All meals |
| HX Expeditions | Expedition | Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships | Science and nature | Main dining, Science & lectures, Zodiac landings |
| Ponant Explorations | Expedition | 14 Ships in the fleet (incl. Paul Gauguin) | Polar luxury | Open Bar all day, One excursion per port, All meals |
| National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions | Expedition | 23 Ships in the global fleet | Wildlife photography | All drinks (polar/sail/river fleet), Crew gratuities (polar/sail/river fleet), All activities + shore excursions |
| Adventure Canada | Expedition | 1 Expedition ship (Ocean Endeavour) | Canadian Arctic culture | All meals + drinks with meals, Expedition gear, Zodiac landings |
| AE Expeditions | Expedition | 3 Purpose-built small expedition ships | Small-ship Svalbard | Polar jacket, Muck boots, House drinks at meals |
| Swan Hellenic | Expedition | 3 Sister ships | Culture and nature | All meals, Drinks with meals, Expedition gear (polar voyages) |
| Atlas Ocean Voyages | Expedition | 3 Boutique yachts | Boutique comfort | All meals, Drinks with meals, Daily shore excursions |
| Poseidon Expeditions | Expedition | 2 Ships (Sea Spirit + chartered icebreaker) | North Pole | All meals + drinks with meals, Expedition gear, Zodiac landings |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Nine Arctic lines
Quark Expeditions
- Expedition
- 4 Polar-only ships in the fleet
- 138-199 Guests per ship — small-ship polar scale
Polar-only since 1991, first to take passengers to the North Pole, with Arctic voyages from Longyearbyen (Svalbard) and Greenland.
Best for: Polar adventure
HX Expeditions
- Expedition
- Hybrid Battery-electric propulsion on newer ships
- 180-530 Guests — boutique to small-ship scale
Svalbard, Greenland, Alaska and the Northwest Passage on purpose-built expedition ships with science teams.
Best for: Science and nature
Ponant Explorations
- Expedition
- 14 Ships in the fleet (incl. Paul Gauguin)
- 32-264 Guests per ship — small-ship by design
French luxury expedition ships, including Le Commandant Charcot, with Arctic voyages and Greenlandic-inspired dining.
Best for: Polar luxury
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
- Expedition
- 23 Ships in the global fleet
Arctic voyages including Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland, from the company that pioneered expedition cruising.
Best for: Wildlife photography
Adventure Canada
- Expedition
- 1 Expedition ship (Ocean Endeavour)
- 198 Max guests
The Northwest Passage, Greenland and Baffin Island on the 198-guest Ocean Endeavour, with Inuit cultural educators on every voyage.
Best for: Canadian Arctic culture
AE Expeditions
- Expedition
- 3 Purpose-built small expedition ships
- 130-160 Guests per ship — small expedition scale
Small ships of 130 to 160 guests from Longyearbyen (Svalbard) and Iceland.
Best for: Small-ship Svalbard
Swan Hellenic
- Expedition
- 3 Sister ships
- 152-192 Guests per ship
Arctic and Greenland voyages in summer on three expedition ships with expert lecturers.
Best for: Culture and nature
Atlas Ocean Voyages
- Expedition
- 3 Boutique yachts
- 196 Max guests
Boutique 196-guest expedition yachts sailing the Arctic and Greenland in summer.
Best for: Boutique comfort
Poseidon Expeditions
- Expedition
- 2 Ships (Sea Spirit + chartered icebreaker)
- 114 Max guests (Sea Spirit)
The 114-guest Sea Spirit from Longyearbyen, plus North Pole voyages on a chartered icebreaker.
Best for: North Pole
Svalbard, Greenland or the Northwest Passage?
Svalbard: the best chance of polar bears, walruses and glaciers, on voyages of around 8 to 12 nights from Longyearbyen. Greenland: giant icebergs, fjords and Inuit settlements. The Northwest Passage: a long, adventurous voyage through the Canadian Arctic for experienced travellers. The Arctic season runs from about June to September.
How we chose these cruise lines
We featured lines whose own information includes Arctic, Svalbard, Greenland or Northwest Passage voyages. Itineraries and seasons change every year, so check the sailings available for your dates, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to see polar bears on a cruise?
Svalbard, in summer.
When is the Arctic cruise season?
Roughly June to September.
Which cruise lines sail the Northwest Passage?
Adventure Canada, HX, Ponant, Lindblad and Quark among others.
Are Arctic cruises cold?
Summer temperatures are often around 0 to 10 °C; pack layers and waterproofs.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
