Arctic Cruises
Expeditionary cruising is a very practical way to discover the Arctic, allowing you to comfortably explore often untouched areas of wilderness you can’t otherwise reach from …
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Swoop says
The memory of your first morning in the Arctic will remain etched in your mind forever. After drawing your cabin curtains to reveal a world of ice and snow, you’ll be eager to step outside to inhale the crisp, still air while scanning the vast horizon for polar bears.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
What to expect on an Arctic expedition voyage
What wildlife will I see in the Arctic?
Our most popular Arctic cruises
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
The big ice and small towns of West Greenland provide a stunning start to this trip before you sail across the Davis Straight to Baffin Island and enter the Northwest Passage. Blend history, scenery and wildlife; pay your respects at…
- 17 Days
- $13,872
Sailing in August or September, explore the massive fjords of East Greenland and their legendary icebergs, spot musk oxen and visit ancient and modern Inuit settlements. Late summer provides a great chance of spotting the Northern Lights. A choice of…
- 10 Days
- $6,000
This might be a short trip but it packs a huge amount in. Sail among the ice of Disko Bay and spot humpbacks hunting herring; trek to the look out over Jakobshavn Glacier; explore the settlements of Sisimiut and Itilleq…
- 8 Days
- $5,195
A full transit of the Northwest Passage is a truly epic undertaking, travelling in the footsteps of legendary explorers Amundsen, Franklin and Larsen. This voyage is distinguished by the small, nimble and comfortably appointed expedition ship you'll travel on, with…
- 29 Days
- $50,995
There are few wilder, more remote places on the planet than East Greenland. Travelling by a small, very comfortable custom-built expedition ship, this voyage aims to showcase the best of Greenland’s eye-popping scenery, vast ice and exotic wildlife. Walk the…
- 12 Days
- $19,769
Exploring East Greenland’s wild, dramatic coastline on board a small, custom-built polar ship, this is expedition cruising at its very best. Hike the autumnal tundra in search of musk oxen during the day, with a strong chance to see the…
- 11 Days
- $12,596
Beginning in Svalbard before sailing west across the Greenland Sea and exploring Greenland’s long eastern coastline to finish in Iceland, this is an audacious Arctic journey of startling diversity and contrast. Spectacular landscapes, towering glaciers and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters all…
- 15 Days
- $16,721
Maximise wildlife sightings with the chance to circumnavigate Spitsbergen island. Search for walrus, arctic fox, whales and of course the ‘King of The Arctic'. Sail through the Hinlopen Strait and visit abandoned trapping stations and experience glaciers up close all…
- 11 or 12 Days
- $18,695
Circumnavigate Spitsbergen on board on a comfortable expedition ship and in the company of specialist guides. Travelling on a smaller ship allows you more time to explore, and some late-season departures benefit from stunning autumn light. Ask about special guest…
- 12 Days
- $11,290
Travelling in luxury aboard an outstanding expedition ship, we love this trip for its unusual combination of Svalbard and Norway’s northern tip, plus its focus on top-notch service and cuisine. After a hassle-free charter flight from Oslo to Svalbard, spend…
- 11 Days
- $17,600
Reach the top of the world in serious comfort onboard a state-of-the-art luxury, hybrid-powered icebreaker. Travel north through icebound waters and join the exclusive list of intrepid explorers who have visited the geographical North…
- 16 Days
- $40,945
Spending time exploring Canada’s historic Northwest Passage and West Greenland, we like this voyage’s balance and variety as much as exploring little visited spots such as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world, and Smith Sound. Big ice,…
- 17 Days
- $22,731
This popular introduction to Svalbard is keenly priced and, with numerous early season departures, guarantees plenty of ice. Sail onboard one of the newest ships in polar waters and spot bears from the plentiful deck space. Optional kayaking and hiking…
- 11 Days
- $8,017
Truly escape the modern world and explore Svalbard on board a schooner. Sail north through the melting spring ice, spot wildlife and learn about the archipelago’s rich history. Highlights include the Monaco Glacier, 17th century whaling settlements, close encounters with…
- 8 or 11 Days
- $4,000
Preserving the Arctic
The Arctic is one of the most beautiful, unique and perfectly preserved regions on the planet. Its variety of landscapes are home to many amazing species, each uniquely adapted to its extraordinary climate.
Largely untouched and undisturbed, special guidelines exist to ensure it continues to be a constant source of wonder and inspiration.
The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) offer advice on how to have the safest and best experience possible, while keeping the Arctic pristine, in their short video.
The flora of East Greenland in summer
Zodiac cruises and landings
Seal encounter on a zodiac excursion
Exploring off-ship in the Arctic is split into two types of activity. Zodiac cruising and landings. In all instances, during your trip, you will need to abide by the AECO guidelines, which include keeping a safe distance from wildlife (minimum 5 metres) and avoiding any activity which may cause an animal to alter its natural behaviour.
Rubber zodiac vessels will be used to get you ashore for landings, after which you will explore on foot. Generally, these are wet landings, where the boat will push up onto the beach and you will then step out into the water and up onto the shore - hence the need to wear your waterproof boots and trousers/pants.
On arrival, you will be briefed by the expedition team as to the nature of the specific landing. They will point out the route, which will be marked by flags, any particular points of interest and any hazards to avoid. Landings may include walks up to a ridge point for a spectacular view, or you may be focussing on a wildlife encounter.
Tips for zodiac cruising
- Wrap up warm! Put on extra layers as the lack of physical movement means that your body cools down much faster.
- Keep your eyes peeled – the guide will always be looking for wildlife, but if you spot something interesting, please alert them.
- Ask questions – whether it be about an iceberg, a seal you’ve spotted or a bird flying overhead. If your guide isn’t a specialist in that particular area, they will be able to radio the rest of the expedition team for more information.
- Look at the ice – from the water level, you can really appreciate the myriad shapes and textures, not to mention the fifty shades of blue!
- Stay quiet – especially if you are approaching wildlife as they will likely be resting and recovering their energy. It is also wonderful to experience the serenity of the Arctic, away from the ship’s engines and surrounded by crackling ice.
Waterproof and windproof keeping out the chill on a zodiac
Tips for landings
- Bring a backpack and dress in layers! Once you start walking you can get surprisingly hot. It's helpful to be able to strip off a layer and pop it in your backpack. This is also a useful place to store spare batteries, memory cards and other equipment.
- Make sure to put the camera down every now and again so you don’t spend the whole time looking through a lens! Find a quiet spot and soak up the spectacular 360-degree vistas.
- Don't attempt to touch Arctic wildlife, just enjoy the moment.
Zodiac cruises do not involve landing at all, instead, you will head out for a water-based adventure that could last 1-2 hours. This is one of Swoop’s favourite ways to explore the Arctic as it is the best way to enjoy spectacular icebergs and marine wildlife.
Hikers take in the views on Scoresby Sun, East Greenland
Ship cruising and time on deck
If you are booked onto a voyage in the Arctic you will have 'ship cruising' time scheduled in, as well as zodiac cruises and landings. This often signals a time where the ship is making its way to the next location on the itinerary or passing through somewhere particularly jaw-dropping, which is best viewed from the vantage of the ship’s decks.
The deck of the ship is often the best location from which to spot wildlife and you may hear impromptu announcements on the tannoy inviting you outside to see whales “at 3 o’clock”. This is not a scheduled viewing time, but rather a description of the animals’ position relative to the ship at that exact moment – so this would be directly starboard (right off the ship).
On deck at dusk
Our customers' thoughts on what to expect in the Arctic
Swoop says
We recommend you spend any spare time out on deck to make the most of the Arctic. Once aboard, familiarise yourself with the ship's layout including access to the decks, and always have your camera and warm layers to hand, so you can get outdoors quickly if there is a sighting announcement.
More about the Arctic
When to visit the Arctic
The arctic summer, blessed with long days and buzz of wildlife and human activity, is favoured by travellers seeking the classic arctic experience. But delve deeper and you'll find…
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Arctic cruise costs explained
The Arctic is the destination of a lifetime. Our guide offers everything you need to know about how much an Arctic cruise costs, whatever your type of trip.
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Places to visit in the Arctic
The land inside the Arctic Circle is divided between eight countries, each with its own very distinct characteristics. From polar bears to history, wilderness to dog sledding, …
Discover MoreReady to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
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2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
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