Summer vacations to the polar Arctic region are exceptionally popular with luxury travelers who can’t wait to see stunningly gorgeous scenery and search for seals, whales, Arctic birds, reindeer, musk ox, polar bears and other wildlife. In addition, travelers also have to chance to learn about local Indigenous cultures, sample local cuisine and drinks; and mix and mingle with the locals. On unique wintertime voyages, it’s also possible to gaze at the Northern Lights.
Both expedition and classic, non-expedition lines sail deep into the Arctic region. For example, thanks to soaring demand, Royal Caribbean International’s 2,191-passenger Jewel of the Seas, a non-expedition vessel, will operate a nearly sold-out, 13-night “Arctic Circle Cruise” on July 5, 2024; a few suites were still available at press time.
Bottom line? Whether looking at a classic or expedition ship itinerary, travelers should book sooner rather than later for an Arctic region sailing. Here’s a sampling of enticing options for 2025 and beyond.
The Grand Shebang
For luxury travelers seeking a grand, lengthy voyage, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer a new 83-night “Grand Arctic Adventure” from New York to Barcelona, Spain, on the 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner, a non-expedition cruise ship. Departing June 2, 2025, this voyage will take guests to multiple ports in Greenland and Iceland in the Arctic region as well as multiple destinations in Scandinavia, including North Cape (for access to the Arctic village of Honningsvag, Norway).
In addition, Seven Seas Mariner’s guests will also visit ports of call in New England, the Canadian Maritime Provinces, the Faroe Islands of Denmark, Baltic region countries, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal and Spain. They’ll certainly have plenty of exploring options as the ultra-luxury line includes a choice of 386 included shore excursions. So, guests can easily customize the vacation, based on their personal interests.
Several big differences between the Arctic region and Antarctica on all voyages? First, in Antarctica, which is a protected continent via international treaty, there are no year-round residents. The only vestiges of civilization are various countries’ scientific research stations. The Arctic, in contrast, has many Indigenous cultures and plenty of opportunities in small villages, towns and cities to mix and mingle with the locals.
Another difference is the wildlife. Luxury Travel Advisor spotted musk ox and caribou while arriving on the eastern coast of Greenland for a Seabourn Pursuit cruise last summer. But you won’t find those species in Antarctica. The Arctic also has prolific colonies of cute puffins as we spotted on Heimaey Island, Iceland, but Antarctica has no puffins. In contrast, though, Antarctica is home to multiple species of penguins, but the Arctic has none of those waddlers. So, pick your bird passion!
With that in mind, while in Honningsvag on Regent Seven Seas’ “Grand Arctic Adventure,” we’d suggest guests consider the line’s shore excursion entitled “Bird Safari.” Travelers will travel by motorcoach across the Mageroya island tundra landscape to a tiny fishing town, where they’ll board a birdwatching vessel. Then, they’ll sail to a cluster of remote islands where thousands of seabirds congregate and nest. One highlight is close-up viewing of the Finnmark region’s largest puffin colony. Plus, on this excursion, guests are likely to spot kittiwakes, cormorants, razorbills and white-tailed eagles.
Another classic (non-expedition) line offering a 14-day “Norway and North Cape” itinerary is Cunard Line. Just launched earlier this spring, the 2,996-passenger Queen Anne will sail this voyage roundtrip from Southampton, U.K. to beyond the Arctic Circle and back; it departs June 21, 2026. Guests will discover a classy ship with a fresh, new look and feel.
Starting next year, Viking will sail three new summer season Arctic expedition itineraries. The 378-passenger Viking Octantis, one of the line’s two state-of-the-art expedition ships, will operate these 13- to 27-day itineraries. All will explore the polar north of Canada and Greenland. One highlight? Two of the three voyages will visit the Canadian High Arctic.
The 13-day “Into the Northwest Passage” itinerary will operate round-trip from Nuuk, Greenland. Receiving eight included tours, Viking’s guests will likely “ooh” and “aah” at the pristine waters of the Ilulissat Icefjord and the dramatic polar scenery as their ship enters the Northwest Passage’s eastern entrance in Pond Inlet, Canada.
Nestled along the northern shores of Baffin Island, Pond Inlet is home to a small, vibrant Intuit community. The landscape here takes one’s breath away, which is why it’s often called the “Jewel of the North.” Cruise guests will gaze at a mix of glaciers, icebergs and rugged mountains. Pond Inlet is also a gateway to Sirmilik National Park, a declared migratory bird sanctuary and home to polar bears, wolves, narwhals (a species of toothed whale) and beluga whales.
Viking will offer this “Into the Northwest Passage” itinerary on multiple voyages from July 2025 through September 2025. The other two itineraries are offered in the months of July and September 2025. First is the 15-day “Canada & Greenland Explorer” itinerary, which will sail between Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Nuuk. Combining the above two voyages is the in-depth 27-day “Canada & the Northwest Passage” itinerary.
Also in the Arctic, Albatros Expeditions has launched a new ship, Ocean Albatros with 94 staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view and most with their own balcony. A sister to Ocean Victory, it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open-deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and more.
Top suite is the 538-square-foot, double bedroom family suite, also called the BS (Brynhilde Suite). Located on Deck 7, it’s the largest aboard. Guests will discover two, interconnecting French balcony suites, accommodating up to five travelers on two double beds and a sofa bed. All stateroom types offer a refrigerator, TV, multiple plugs for techie devices, and bathrobes, slippers, toiletries (body wash, lotion, shampoo) and a hairdryer for guest use.
Unlike Ocean Victory, Ocean Albatros also offers a panorama sauna, and more dedicated solo travel cabins without a single supplement. Ocean Albatros also has more than a 50 percent lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels.
Typically, cruise lines sail to the Arctic region in summer, but several lines also offer winter options, perfect for travelers who can’t wait to witness the Northern Lights. For example, Ponant has introduced new winter 2024-2025 seasonal voyages to Lapland, the Gulf of Bothnia, Norway’s North Cape and the Baltic Sea. The line’s 11-night “Polar Lights: From North Cape to the Lofoten Islands” itinerary departs October 18, 2024.
Sailing between Tromso and Lakselv, Norway, the itinerary visits multiple destinations north of the Arctic Circle, including North Cape and Svalbard. Guests will travel in luxurious style aboard the hybrid-electric Le Commandant Charcot, a state-of-the-art, modern, 245-passenger icebreaker.
Among the ship’s many accommodations, four stunning 1,011-square-foot, split-level suites offer private terraces and whirlpools. As for public spaces, this small-ship luxury vessel offers an indoor pool, fine dining, observation lounge, sumptuous suites and more. One passenger benefit for this specific Arctic voyage is that Ian Dawson, a British photographer and Ponant photo ambassador, will sail with guests and share his tips for getting the perfect shot of the frozen scenery and the Northern Lights.
Launching in January 2026 at the peak of the aurora season is HX’s new “Ultimate Norway — Arctic Expedition Under the Northern Lights” itinerary. (HX is the new name for Hurtigruten’s expedition line.) One perk is that this company has extensive regional experience; its first Norway expedition sailed in 1896. Sailing round-trip from Tromso, Norway, HX’s 160-passenger Spitsbergen will operate 10 scheduled sailings of this new itinerary between January and March 2026. Guests will spend seven nights entirely above the Arctic Circle.
Guests will explore four areas of northern Norway—the Lyngen Alps, Senja, Lofoten and Vesteralen. Highlights? Look for a polar night bonfire, an exclusive evening at the Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes, and a traditional Scandinavian sauna session followed by a polar plunge. Along the route, guests can also go kayaking, whale watching or snowshoeing; take nature walks and alpine treks; and enjoy community visits and ski touring.
Other luxury lines including Silversea, Scenic, Seabourn, and many others also sail within the Arctic Circle or along the southern edge of the Arctic region. Just south of the Arctic Circle, for instance, Oceania Cruises’ 670-passenger Sirena sails an 11-day “Icelandic Reaches” itinerary roundtrip from Reykjavik, Iceland.
This July 31, 2025, voyage will take guests to six other Iceland ports plus the Faroe Islands. One stop for Oceania’s guests is Heimaey Island, Iceland, which has dramatic volcanic landscapes, Viking heritage, and cliffside trails with views of myriad nesting puffins. It’s the best of what the Arctic region offers—scenic beauty, unique cultures and incredible wildlife.
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