Ocean Cruise Tours & Trips in Arctic / North Pole
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10 best ocean cruise Arctic / North Pole tours
Compiled by
MelissaArctic / North Pole travel expert at TourRadar
- West Svalbard (11 Days)
- Ultimate Greenland, Hudson Bay & North Canada’s Wildlife
- Kurs Nord: Über den Polarkreis
- Arctic Sights and Northern Lights
- Best of Svalbard
- Arctic Odyssey Under a Solar Eclipse
- Ultimate Iceland to Canada: Wildlife & Glaciers
- Greenland to Hudson Bay & the Canadian Arctic
- Glaciers & Wildlife of Svalbard
- Iceland to Greenland & the Glaciers of Disko Bay 2027
Duration 11 days Destinations Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Spitsbergen, Hornsund, Bellsund Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $16,367
40% Off- NZ$9,820You save $6,547
Duration 32 days Destinations Denmark, Greenland, Canada, USA Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $86,000
16% Off- NZ$72,000You save $14,000
The Arctic waters between Reykjavik and Svalbard unfold over 11 nights. Whales breach in Hornvik Bay, volcanic Jan Mayen Island rises from the sea, and Spitsbergen's ice-filled fjords beckon. Full-board meals and expert lectures enhance the voyage.
Duration 9 days Destinations Iceland, Norway, Svalbard Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator DIAMIR Erlebnisreisen From
16% Off- NZ$5,157
M/V Sea Spirit offers a luxury Arctic cruise from Reykjavík through Denmark Strait to Scoresby Sund's dramatic fjords. Total costs around $17,000. Features suite accommodation, gourmet dining, and expert-led excursions through pristine polar waters with whale watching opportunities.
Duration 11 days Destinations Reykjavik, Ittoqqortoormiit Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $14,625
20% Off- NZ$11,700You save $2,925
M/V Sea Spirit's varied suite options complement Svalbard's pristine waters. Marine mammal watching in Isfjorden, views of Bråsvellbreen's ice cliff, and Zodiac trips to remote shores fill the days. Expert guides lead Northwest Spitsbergen National Park activities.
Duration 12 days Destinations Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From $17,761
20% Off- NZ$14,209You save $3,552
From Longyearbyen, M/V Sea Spirit sails through ice-filled Arctic waters, offering suite accommodations and gourmet dining. Watch calving glaciers in Svalbard, massive icebergs in Scoresby Sund, and optimal solar eclipse viewing in Greenland waters.
Duration 14 days Destinations Svalbard, Norway, Greenland, Iceland Age Range Ages 6+ Operator Poseidon Expeditions From
20% Off- NZ$24,058
Duration 29 days Destinations Iceland, Greenland, Canada Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $78,285
17% Off- NZ$65,285You save $13,000
Duration 17 days Destinations Denmark, Greenland, Canada Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $42,625
12% Off- NZ$37,625You save $5,000
Duration 14 days Destinations Oslo, Longyearbyen, Svalbard Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $34,665
17% Off- NZ$28,665You save $6,000
Duration 15 days Destinations Iceland, Greenland, Denmark Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $38,190
16% Off- NZ$32,190You save $6,000
What people love about Ocean Cruise Tours in Arctic / North Pole
- Svalbard - Last Stop before the North Pole 2026
We really enjoyed the Expedition, the Expedition Team was fantastic, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. The food (i.e. dinner) was very good and of great quality. The ship itself was dated, our cabin (#518) was old and worn, it needed WC replacement, and also had very dated and stained bedlinen. Also, despite CoViD reminders of wearing masks and keeping distance, many crew and most guests did not adhere to this (this should have been enforced), and we ended up with Cruise guests with CoVid, which we tested positive for a few days later also as result of Cruise. This was a very unpleasant experience.
- Disko Bay (Includes Return Flight Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq)
Excellent trip and so beautiful!
What our customers ask about Ocean Cruise Tours & Trips in Arctic / North Pole
When is the best time to take an Arctic Ocean Cruise?
Arctic Ocean cruises operate from June through September when ice conditions allow safe passage. The Disko Bay region in Greenland draws visitors in June-July with its midnight sun and icebergs at the Ilulissat Icefjord. Late August to early September brings chances to see the Northern Lights according to travelers. A TourRadar visitor reported "the ethereal aurora displays over Scoresby Sound were absolutely magical." Purpose-built vessels like the MS Fridtjof Nansen navigate varying ice conditions during this peak season.
What wildlife can I expect to see on an Arctic Ocean Cruise?
The Arctic waters host diverse wildlife year-round. Svalbard's northwestern waters are home to polar bears walruses bearded seon ice floes. Near Disko Bay humpback and fin whales feed in the nutrient-rich waters. One TourRadar traveler on a Poseidon Expeditions cruise shared: "We saw countless seabirds several polar bears hunting on the pack ice and even a pod of beluga whales - the expert guides knew exactly where to find them." The coastal cliffs attract Arctic terns kittiwakes and thick-billed guillemots.
What are the must-see highlights of an Arctic Ocean Cruise?
Key stops include the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord where glaciers meet sea and Disko Bay's ice formations. The narrow Prins Christian Sound offers fjord views while Scoresby Sound the world's largest fjord system showcases mountains and glaciers. Visitors often explore the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier and the historic town of Sisimiut. As one TourRadar traveler noted "The most impressive sight was sailing through Ilulissat Icefjord where the massive ice formations created an otherworldly landscape."
How physically demanding are Arctic Ocean Cruises?
The cruises suit various fitness levels with most activities rated easy to moderate. Onboard life is relaxed though shore trips via Zodiac boats need basic mobility. Optional excursions range from gentle walks to challenging hikes like those in Tasermiut Fjord or on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The Ultramarine and similar ships offer activities for different abilities. A TourRadar traveler noted "The expedition team was excellent at accommodating different fitness levels ensuring everyone could participate in some way."
How close can we get to polar bears and other wildlife?
Arctic cruise operators prioritize wildlife safety and maintain strict viewing distances. Ships observe polar bears in Northwest Svalbard Nature Reserve and the Polar Ice Edge from safe positions that still allow clear views and photos. Zodiac boats approach seals and walruses following AECO guidelines. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "The expedition team was excellent at finding polar bears and positioning the ship for optimal viewing while maintaining safe distances."