The polar regions offer some of the most dazzling natural scenery on the planet, along with some incredible wildlife. In the Arctic you can explore the islands of Svalbard, where polar bears lurk, or the northern wastes of Alaska, while the South Pole is home to the ethereal landscapes and penguin colonies of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Polar Small Ship Cruises
When to go
November to March in Antarctica, June to August in the ArcticDuration
From 7-10 nightsHow to get there
Depends on the cruise itineraryFind a cruise
Our top picks
Seabourn Cruises
20-Day Scottish Isles, Iceland & Scoresbysund
From Dublin to Reykjavik
6 Jul - 26 Jul 2026 (20 Nights)
From £13,004 per guest
Silversea Cruises
Longyearbyen to Tromsø
From Longyearbyen to Tromsø
8 Jul - 17 Jul 2026 (9 Nights)
From £11,800 per guest
Ponant Explorations
Fjords and glaciers of Spitsbergen
From Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen
11 Jul - 18 Jul 2026 (7 Nights)
From £9,115 per guest
Silversea Cruises
Waterfalls, Fjords & Glaciers: Iceland & Greenland Discovery
From Reykjavik to Nuuk
14 Jul - 28 Jul 2026 (14 Nights)
From £12,600 per guest
Our Insight
Luxury Polar Cruises
Travelling by ship on a polar region cruise you can go for days without seeing a trace of civilisation, or you can choose an itinerary that will bring you face to face with intrepid communities of individuals who live in this harsh environment.
To the north, search for polar bears in Svalbard, explore icy fjords in Greenland, or push through pack ice in search of the elusive Northwest Passage. Many cruises also combine with an exploration of Iceland, beginning or ending in Reykjavik.
Almost 12,500 miles south, Antarctica offers extraordinary ice formations, comical penguins, and breaching whales, plus the chance to venture into even more remote waters in the subantarctic islands of New Zealand.
Whatever you choose, the luxury of travelling with polar experts ready to educate, tell tales and explore alongside you makes a polar expedition cruise the journey of a lifetime.
Our Tips
Ways to make it better
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Explore Spitsbergen
Travel out of Longyearbyen by snow scooter or dog sled to take a look at the amazing scenery and hunt for wildlife.
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Don't miss
Take a boat tour from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to see the numerous whales of Faxaflói Bay: harbour porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and humpback whales.
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Our favourite hotel in Tromsø
The Scandic Ishavshotel has a great location on the quay so nearly all the rooms have magnificent views.
collections
Explore the polar regions
Arctic & Svalbard
Cross the Arctic Circle into a surreal landscape of glaciers, mountains and fjords, where you’ll find reindeer, puffins, walruses and, in all likelihood, polar bears.
Learn more
Greenland & Northwest Passage
Greenland is a remarkable place, an icy and often inhospitable land where a sparse indigenous population clings on around the coast in little fishing villages.
Antarctica
Antarctica is the world’s last great wilderness, an alien landscape of snow-covered mountains, steaming pools and jagged icebergs that is virtually untouched by man.
