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Prime season for the Arctic is July and August, as the ice breaks up and you have the best chance to make far north landings. Even if you go earlier, prepare for long days; this is prime Midnight Sun territory and in the summer, it rarely sets. Are you looking to explore the Arctic region through exhilarating activities like hot air ballooning and scuba diving? Maybe you want to see as many Polar Bears as possible, or are searching for idyllic Arctic landscapes. Whatever tour itinerary your dream vacation may entail, we have the perfect Arctic cruise for you! Aurora Expeditions voyages attract a wide range of travellers and age groups.
Arctic Expedition Cruises
Highlights include glaciers, fjords and the Norwegian coast, with stops on Heligoland Island, Bergen and Hamburg. We recommend that you take US dollars for exchanging in Norway and Iceland. It is better to carry US dollars for tipping and payment of bar bills on board the ship. You can also pay with all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Gratuities/tips for crew are included in your voyage fare, to the value of USD$15 per person per day. To make the most of our voyages, you should be in good general health and able to walk reasonable distances, sometimes over uneven terrain.
North Pole
The great sweep of the Arctic encompasses the northernmost latitudes on earth. The first explorers who set foot in the Arctic must have almost thought they’d wandered onto a different planet. But though they were certainly astonished by the dramatic scenery and rich wildlife, their main concern was surviving until they could find a northern trade route to the Indies. For trips starting in Longyearbyen, citizens from some countries need a visa to travel through mainland Norway.
Arctic Cruises FAQs
The Arctic and all you need to know about its land, animals and night skies are found in the information gathered over decades of research and exploration to the ‘desert of the north’. What we’ve learned about the Arctic is that this region is a magical place filled with dazzling sights and wildlife that has adapted to survive in this particular part of the world. On Discovery Voyages we visit a combination of less discovered and more populated destinations, and sometimes go off the beaten path entirely. When you disembark, we want you to be richer in your knowledge and understanding of our planet than you were when you stepped aboard. Our Discovery Voyages take you to the heart of nature and are full of excursions, hikes and activities, offering the true spirit of adventure as well as history and cultural experiences.
It is important that you bring a comfortable pair of enclosed walking shoes to wear on board the ship. Muck boots are provided on board and are required to be worn on all landings. If you have concerns regarding extra small or large sizing or hard-to-fit feet, we recommend you bring your own pair. For more than 30 years Aurora’s expert Expedition Teams have been sharing their knowledge and understanding of some of the most remote and unspoiled destinations in the polar regions.
I witnessed a polar bear kill – but that's not what I will remember most about my Arctic cruise - The Telegraph
I witnessed a polar bear kill – but that's not what I will remember most about my Arctic cruise.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
North Spitsbergen, In search of Polar Bear & Pack Ice – Summer Solstice
Sea Kayak Club is a fun and interesting way to experience the landscapes and wildlife of this unique Arctic environment. If you enjoy sea kayaking, then do not miss your chance to participate in this exciting adventure option. Franz Josef Land is a Russian High Arctic archipelago that is famous for striking landscapes and a history of polar exploration preserved by the cold.
Yet still this harsh and beautiful landscape echoes the history of those first brave voyages of discovery that happened so many centuries ago. It is the deep Nordic forests and aurora-lit islands of Northern Norway. The rugged tundra, berg-filled bays, and blazing white pack ice of the Svalbard archipelago. In 2022, we start this Arctic Circle cruise by exploring the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney islands, a haven for birdwatchers and history lovers.
Jan Mayen and Svalbard
Our purpose-built expedition ships take you into the heart of the Arctic, where wildlife thrives in abundant waters and vast tundra. Experience the immensity and cacophony of dramatic bird cliffs in Iceland. Search for the elusive polar bear and walrus on sea ice near Svalbard.
Greenland is the place where you will find some of the finest scenery in the world. Extensive fjord systems provide access to the mountainous interior of Greenland where tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs. Each night in Greenland brings a new possibility to see incredible displays of northern lights, also known as aurora borealis.
Travel with polar experts in a range of fields – glaciology, ornithology, marine biology and natural history – who provide invaluable context and insight to the region. Trained guides in Arctic terrain ensure you can travel with peace of mind onboard and during onshore activities. Each vessel is purpose-built for polar conditions, well-equipped and fitted with modern conveniences to create a home away from home.
I Almost Missed My Arctic Cruise: Don't Make the Same Boneheaded Mistake I Did - Cruise Critic
I Almost Missed My Arctic Cruise: Don't Make the Same Boneheaded Mistake I Did.
Posted: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
To make the most of your time and money, we recommend selecting only one activity. Although you cannot swim or participate in our snorkelling program in the Arctic, most of our voyages stop for a ‘Polar Plunge’, where all willing passengers can take the ultimate dip into the icy Arctic Ocean. Experienced scuba divers have the option to dive on selected voyages. Make sure you’re ready for your Arctic expedition with our essential tips. Whether you are travelling to Svalbard, Greenland, Canada’s High Arctic, Iceland or Norway, below you’ll find all the information you need to start planning and preparing for your upcoming expedition to the Arctic.
An Arctic cruise will take you to landscapes and ice formations that are otherworldly in their appeal. Whether you're cruising the islands of Svalbard, the icefloes of Greenland, the small communities in Canada's Northwest Passage or taking an ice-breaker to the North Pole, an Arctic cruise will immerse you in the Far North. Wildlife sightings include whales, walruses and the elusive polar bear. We want our passengers to get as many experiences out of their Arctic tour as possible at a comfortable pace. Each cruise day will have a pre-set schedule and most likely will include one or two landings or Zodiac excursions that take place off the ship.
Oceanwide Expedition’s Arctic cruises take you on a voyage through a region of the Earth that, despite one of the harshest environments, offers many of the planet’s once-in-a-lifetime sights. The lands of the midnight sun and polar night both fall within the Arctic’s borders. Embark on an Oceanwide expedition cruise to the Arctic and experience a wilderness that is truly the stuff of legends, serving as an arena for adventure since the early days of world discovery.
Highlights of this spectacular region include the world's longest fjord system, Scoresby Sund, and the vast landscape of Northeast Greenland National Park framed by a craggy coastline. Instead they discovered Spitsbergen, or “New Land of the Pointed Mountains.” Dutch captain Willem Barentsz named the island in 1596, and over four centuries later it still bears his handle. Before your expedition, you do need to get insurance with evacuation and repatriation coverage of no less than $200,000 USD per person. Please note this is not a regular insurance package you get for other vacations. It should be purchased no sooner than six months before the cruise departure date. We also strongly recommend but do not require trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
While you don’t need to be able to run a marathon, our expeditions to the Arctic do offer lots of great landings and walking opportunities. As with all wild animals, we cannot guarantee you will see polar bears. However, the time of year we visit is when bear numbers are at their peak, and our experienced team and crew are aware of their habitats and are well trained to spot these marvellous creatures in the wild. On an expedition cruise, we encourage you to make the most of every opportunity to nurture your inner adventurer. You can choose from a range of add-on activities to make the most of your time in these beautiful places. We have pioneered many adventure options to help you explore in your own way.
