Antarctica and Arctic

Destinations

Expedition cruising at the ends of the earth. Limited berths, peak season, plan ahead.

Where to Sail

Antarctica

The classic expedition. Most voyages cross the Drake Passage from Ushuaia to the Antarctic Peninsula for Zodiac landings among gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguin colonies, humpback and minke whales, and ice in every conceivable form. Fly-cruise options skip the Drake entirely with a charter to King George Island. Add South Georgia and the Falklands for the greatest wildlife density on earth.

Best Time to Sail

November for pristine ice and courtship. December to January for chicks, warmth, and the longest days. February to March for peak whale activity and fur seals.

Expedition Cruising

The Arctic and Svalbard

Sailing from Longyearbyen into a landscape of tidewater glaciers, walrus haul-outs, and the best polar bear odds anywhere. Twenty-four-hour daylight means wildlife sightings at two in the morning and no one minds. Circumnavigations of Spitsbergen are the signature itinerary when the ice allows.

Best Time to Sail

June through August. Late June and July offer the best combination of ice access and wildlife.

Expedition Cruising

Greenland and the Northwest Passage

Vast fjord systems, the iceberg nursery at Ilulissat, Inuit settlements, and the historic route across the top of North America that defeated explorers for three centuries. These are long, ambitious voyages, often ending in Nome or Kangerlussuaq, and among the most rewarding sailings I book.

Best Time to Sail

July through September, when the ice retreats enough for passage.

Expedition Cruising

The Norwegian Coast and Iceland

Fjords, fishing villages, sea eagles, and the working coastal route that inspired modern expedition cruising. In winter, the same waters become one of the most reliable places on earth to see the northern lights from a ship's deck.

Best Time to Sail

May to September for midnight sun and hiking. October to March for aurora sailings.

Ocean Cruising

Antarctica and the Arctic

True expedition cruising on purpose-built ships from Silversea, Seabourn, and other expedition partners. Zodiac landings, expert naturalists, and small-group shore experiences. Antarctica is a transformative bucket-list voyage. The Norwegian Arctic, Svalbard, and Greenland are equally extraordinary at a different scale.

When to Go

Antarctica: November through February. Arctic Norway and Svalbard: May through September.

Next Step

Ready to plan your voyage?

Begin with a complimentary discovery conversation.

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