Cruises & expeditions to the North Pole

Voyages to the North Pole by icebreaker ship are only available between June and August each year, when the sea ice is less thick allowing successful passage to the roof of the world. Multiple departure dates are available to choose from.

Typically a North Pole voyage is 16 days in length and starts and finishes in Paris. Return charter flights between Paris and the ship for ease of logistics are included in the voyage price

An icebreaker cruise to the North Pole costs from USD $30,000 to over USD $60,000 per person, depending on which cabin category you choose and how far in advance you book. Prices are variable and increase over time as the early booking discounts diminish.

Operating a full icebreaker ship in such a remote place is no small undertaking and demands considerable resources – from the expertise of the captain and his team, to the fuel required to run the ship, and the food to feed everyone onboard, to name a few key cost areas. Then there’s the army of staff onboard who make 16 days at sea all possible. And operating in remote regions always costs significantly more.

It is unquestionably a significant investment, however, the opportunity to undertake such an extraordinary and exclusive trip carries its own unique value for each person; and this trip majors in wow factor.

Plus, once you’re onboard the ship, the all-inclusive nature of this trip means that you won’t be having to dip into your pocket (with the exception of any spa treatments, premium liquor or purchases in the boutique).

With only a small number of North Pole departures each season and high demand for this iconic journey, early booking is strongly recommended. 

Particularly if you are keen on one of the limited number of premium suites.

To have the widest choice of departure dates and to secure the best discounts you need to be booking 18–24 months in advance, shortly after the dates are publicly released.

Dates and prices typically become available in the month of June two years in advance - for example, the 2028 dates will be available in June 2026. Swoop Arctic takes early expressions of interest pre-release for travellers who are keen to ensure that they are at the front of the queue.

Booking early for solo travellers is also beneficial as each voyage has a modest allocation of no-single supplement cabins available on a first come-first-served basis, which delivers a significant saving.

When it comes to getting your clothing right in the Polar regions, we always preach ‘dress like an onion’ - i.e. in layers! While you’ll be equipped with a top notch outer parka jacket, it will be your responsibility to ensure that you’ve got the requisite base and mid layers of merino wool and other thermal clothing. Plus suitable gloves and headwear.

Swoop will provide you with extensive notes ahead of your trip on what to pack and what clothing to wear, so that you’re properly prepared and don’t need to worry.

On the ship itself, while indoors, you’ll find that it's kept at a very pleasant temperature and that you won’t need to layer up until you go outside. 

It’s important to note that there’s no dress code onboard and during the day clothing is very casual. In the evenings, some people enjoy making more of an effort and dressing up – particularly for the gala dinner – however it's down to whatever you’re comfortable wearing.

The trip starts and finishes in Paris, from where you join your fellow North Pole travellers and fly by charter flight north to Svalbard, deep inside the Arctic circle, where your ship awaits. 

Once onboard, the lines will be cast, the compass set for 90 degrees north and you’ll begin your journey northwards, first up Svalbard’s west coast and then into the pack ice, on your way to achieving your ultimate destination.

The closer you get towards the North Pole the thicker the ice - up to 3-6 feet thick (1-2 metres) - at which point the ship’s captain will make good use of cracks and ‘leads’ of open water in the ice, deviating from a straight line course. The journey from Svalbard to the North Pole takes approx. four days.

On the return journey south, you’ll get to spend time exploring Svalbard, where zodiac cruises, landings and hikes on land are planned - a welcome break after the time at sea.

The average temperature during the summer months is 32°F (0°C), and the atmosphere is dry and the sun remains low in the sky.

It's important to note that the weather in the Arctic can be variable and it's important to be fully prepared for all eventualities so there's no risk that being underprepared on the clothing front could mar your experience. 

For anyone considering the ultimate wild swim by doing the famous ‘polar plunge’, depending on the day, you can expect a bracing air temperature a few degrees below zero and the water temperature around -1°C.

This North Pole voyage is one of those very rare and privileged times when seeing polar bears are 'almost guaranteed'. The only other place where you can be guaranteed polar bear sightings is in Churchill, Manitoba.

You’re also likely to see whales and seals, if you keep a sharp eye out, and birds are frequently seen throughout the voyage.

The bottom line line is that this trip is as active or passive as you would like it to be. While you are treading in the footsteps of the early explorers, there’s no requirement to drag your own sled!

Sea days are relaxed. Once you get to the North Pole, those who would like to can get active after the days on the ship by snowshoeing, kayaking (if the ice permits) and even take the polar plunge.

For many onboard, it's more than enough simply to know you’ve finally achieved 90 degrees north, and to spend time enjoying taking photos and drinking in the views across this vast, austere polar desert at the top of the world.

As the passenger mix is different on every single voyage we need to be a little cautious, however, there are known patterns which we can share, namely:

• Every voyage has a very broad international mix of travellers
• Many guests have never done a cruise before
• Typically the clientele is well travelled, sophisticated and interesting
• Age-wise there are often two groups: people in their forties and fifties, and +65

It’s this very cosmopolitan, well-travelled melting pot of kindred traveller spirits onboard which can lead to lively conversation over shared meals, and is one of the less tangible highlights for many people.

Yes. Days at sea are busy – packed full of fascinating lectures about the Arctic, time spent getting to know your fellow adventurers, looking out for polar bears scouring the ice, and preparing yourself for reaching the North Pole. 

There are also fascinating tours of the:

• Engine rooms for those interested in learning how this groundbreaking hybrid ship’s batteries work.
• Science labs onboard, led by the current scientists-in-residence. The ship plays host to a rotating community of scientists undertaking important data collecting work as the ship moves around the oceans.

While attendance for all of these activities is voluntary, there’s rarely a dull moment.

As anticipation levels build with every mile you get closer to the North Pole, on the day you arrive excitement levels are at fever pitch!

Once the captain has actually located the exact position - harder than it might sound with the ice and currents – the official announcement is made that you’ve arrived. At which point, everyone onboard disembarks and marks this momentous achievement with champagne and celebratory photos at the top of the world.

Over the course of the next few days, when the ship is effectively ‘parked up’ in the ice at or close to the North Pole, you’ll get to spend extended time experiencing this extraordinarily unique point on the planet:

Off the ship:

• Walking on the ice with your guides
• Kayaking in the open water
• Braving the polar plunge
• Incredible photo opportunities

Onboard the ship:

• Enjoy the views from the 30-degree heated on-deck lagoon pool
• Jogging or walking around the wraparound deck
• Time on the bridge looking at charts and talking with the officers
• Indulge yourself in the spa