The Arctic
The Arctic and North Atlantic

Timelessness is the key word, says Carol Kasza. It begins with the light–until you've experienced an Arctic summer, you can't conceive of the abundance of time that 24 hours of daylight gives you. In this remote wilderness, we're free not only from the harried pace of city life, but free from the constraints of time itself.

There is a lot to explore, polar bears, walrus, seals, and even Arctic foxes haunt the ice edge, while millions of seabirds breed and raise their young on ledges and barren islands.

Cruises are generaly centered around Iceland, Spitsbergen or Greenland.


Cruise types

There are two very different cruise types to this region – firstly the larger cruise ships that visit here are restricted to scenic cruising through the area and generally include a visit to the region with longer cruises to the Norwegian Fjords.

However the majority of cruises here re provided by smaller specialty ships that allow passengers to disembark onto remote areas of the Sub Arctic islands, in particular Iceland and Greenland. These ships tend to be sturdy expedition style ships and do not offer all the extras associated with modern cruise ships. These cruises are dedicated to the experience and feature experts in the region and the wild life who give lectures and lead shore excursions. Visits to the Islands are usually by Zodiac inflatables.


Cruise seasons

The High Arctic is best explored in May to September, as the pack ice recedes.