A note about polar cruises

When cruising in the polar regions, one can never be sure which places one will visit.  A sudden change in weather conditions may necessitate a reroute.  Or you may find a pod of whales to follow, or an iceberg to circumnavigate.  And that is the beauty of polar cruises - you never know what is around the corner; you just know it will be yet another highlight.

Bourbonhamna (Svalbard)

Bourbonhamna is a well-known spot to see beluga whales. During a hike here you will come across an old hunting cabin and massive piles of beluga whale bones.

Kapp Lee (Svalbard)

Kapp Lee is an area of lush vegetation and hosts many old whale bones, dating back to the years of whale hunting. Covered in blankets of green moss and grass, spattered with blotches of orange lichen, and framed with flowers, they make for great photography.

Krossfjorden (Svalbard)

The rocky shores of Krossfjorden are home to plenty of bird cliffs and colonies. The sculpted front of the 14th of July Glacier is a great place for a zodiac cruise. On the green slopes near the glacier, a colourful variety of flowers bloom, while large numbers of birds nest on the nearby cliffs, the base patrolled by Arctic fox.

Lilliehöök Glacier (Svalbard)

With a height of 80 metres, the front of Lilliehöök Glacier is a spectacular sight.  The fjord by the same name is often filled with icebergs which calved from the glacier.  In the area are a large dovekie colony and historic spots such as the whaling station at Smeerenburg and Ny Ålesund.

The ice edge & Phippsøya  (Svalbard)

Depending on the season and weather, the ice edge may be found around 80 degrees north. Bearded seal, ringed and harp seals as well as walrus and polar bear can be seen here. Because of its proximity to the pack ice, Phippsøya offers the potential for great polar bear viewing.

Hinlopen Strait (Svalbard)

Tidal currents roar through Hinlopen Strait separating Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. It is home to bearded seal, ringed seal, polar bear, and ivory gull.  The bird cliffs at Alkefjellet are home to massive numbers of Brunnich’s guillemots, kittiwakes and black guillemots. The area has some spectacular hiking routes

Monaco Glacier (Svalbard)

The broken-up, seven kilometre wide face of Monaco Glacier is a great place for a zodiac cruise, while the surrounding tundra makes for a great place to hike.

Alkehornet (Svalbard)

At the mouth of Isfjord, Alkehornet offers bird cliffs and a beautiful tundra walk, during which you may see Arctic fox and reindeer.

North East Passage

Inaccessible until the modern age, a journey through the North East passage will take you into the realm of polar bear and walrus, see scientific stations and into the home of Arctic fox, lemming and a variety of birds. Zodiacs and helicopters will be deployed during landings and you may attempt to visit a camp of nomadic people. This is an epic expedition through pack ice and remote islands.

North Pole

Few people can say they have stood at the top of the world.  Helicopter excursions will add to the excitement of a journey crushing through ice, admiring soaring seabirds and visiting Franz Josef Land.  This is one voyage you will not soon forget.

Novaya Zemlya

Separating the Barents and Kara seas, the two islands that make up Novaya Zemlya is an Arctic wilderness inhabited by lemming, Arctic fox, seal, walrus.  Polar bears make an occasional appearance.

Franz Josef Land

The northernmost archipelago in the world, Franz Josef Land was not discovered until the late 19th century.  Bowhead whales and Atlantic walrus are often seen in the waters surrounding the islands, while on land polar bear and numerous sea birds make their appearance.