Polar Expedition CruisesTravel Information for the Smart Traveler™
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Polar Cruise Destinations

From the high Arctic to the far south, here are the polar regions an expedition cruise brings within reach.

A towering iceberg with a natural arch in Arctic waters below snowy mountains

Svalbard (Norwegian Arctic)

The best place on Earth for wild polar bears — plus walrus, reindeer, glaciers and the midnight sun, on voyages round-trip from Longyearbyen.

Greenland

Vast fjords, the colossal icebergs of Ilulissat, and colorful Inuit settlements — often combined with Iceland or the Canadian Arctic.

The Northwest Passage & Canadian Arctic

The legendary route through the Canadian Arctic — Inuit communities, tundra wildlife and the history of polar exploration.

The North Pole

Reached only by nuclear icebreaker from Murmansk — crushing through multi-year sea ice to 90° North, the ultimate polar journey.

Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands

The Antarctic side — penguin colonies, whales and seals on the Peninsula, and the wildlife spectacle of South Georgia. See our sister site for details.

Greenland and Iceland expeditions often begin in Reykjavík, and a spare night guards against weather delays — see Reykjavík hotels.

Antarctic Peninsula voyages sail from Ushuaia, and with connections through Buenos Aires a spare night in port is wise — compare Ushuaia hotel options.

See the ships & what life aboard is like »

Find the right Polar itinerary

Tell us whether you’re drawn to the Arctic or Antarctica, your dates and wildlife priorities, and we’ll match the expedition ship and voyage — and get your best cruise price free from a true cruise specialist, with no obligation.

Get your best Polar cruise price free
Get your best cruise price free from a true cruise specialist