Arctic Cruises made for you
Icebergs
Watch massive ice floes glide before your eyes
Polar bears
Meet the giants of the Arctic on exclusive excursions
Seabirds
See puffins, gannets and kittiwakes flit above the ocean
Naturalist guides
Learn from our expert naturalists during tours and talks
Explore the wild and remote Arctic on a luxury expedition cruise
Few experiences on earth instil the sense of awe you will discover on a luxury Arctic cruise. At the northernmost reaches of our planet lies a land of icy wilderness, where polar bears roam and glaciers calve into the oceans with great drama and spectacle. Exploring this vast and varied region on a luxury expedition cruise is a truly thrilling experience, with private Arctic trips on zodiacs to get up close to this strikingly beautiful part of the world.
Arctic adventures can encompass myriad destinations, including Greenland with its rich viking history and huge ice sheet, where the local indigenous population live far out west, and the best wildlife-spotting opportunities are found in the remote north. In Iceland, volcanic landscapes sit beneath an aurora-lit sky for breath-taking excursions on land.
And in Norway, luxury Arctic cruises take in the glaciers and nature reserves of the Svalbard Islands, where Arctic fox, reindeer, seabirds and whales thrive in a pristine environment, where glaciers and waterfalls are hidden within arresting fjords.
At this northern extreme, you move and shift according to the rhythms of nature, making the most of the tundra on foot as the snow melts away in summer, or gliding through the pack ice in search of wildlife. This is the joy of luxury Arctic adventures – there is something different but always enchanting to discover every single time.
Get in touch with our team of experienced travel designers to start planning your trip.
Highlights
Explore southern Greenland’s dramatic fjords and meet locals living in remote towns
Experience splendid isolation in a Zodiac floating through the pack ice in Arctic waters
See rare wildlife like beluga whales, musk ox, walrus and polar bears with expert naturalist guides
Learn about Inuit culture and history or delve into the Arctic’s Viking past
The Arctic has some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth. The iridescent icebergs, dramatic, rocky coastlines of the islands and the remote communities in places like east Greenland make for utterly unforgettable experiences. Then there's the wildlife: muskoxen, all manner of seabirds and, of course, the majestic polar bear. Seeing these creatures in such a fragile ecosystem is a huge privilege and a thrilling experience.
Charles Kronsten
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury cruises in the Arctic
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Arctic trip inspiration
Where to go
Greenland
The diversity of landscapes in Greenland will astonish you, with glassy fjords made for serene zodiac trips and hulking blue and turquoise glaciers that calve into the ocean. This is one of the Arctic’s most exciting destinations for wildlife and wonder.
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Iceland
Fire and water come together in Iceland to create a magnetic beauty unlike anywhere else. See thunderous waterfalls amid volcanic landscapes and soak in steaming pools of mineral-rich water, warmed by the geothermal activity that bubbles away beneath the surface.
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The Svalbard Islands
Remote and wild and brimming with intrigue by way of rare wildlife and flora, the Svalbard archipelago adds magic to any luxury Arctic adventure. Over half of the region is covered by glaciers and there are no roads connecting its few settlements; explore by zodiac or snowmobile for a memorable trip.
Discover moreMeet your Polar Regions team
When to visit
The best time to board a luxury expedition cruise in the Arctic is during the northern hemisphere’s summer months, between May and September. This time of year benefits from extended daylight, with the sun setting for just a few hours each evening, offering more opportunities to see wildlife on your cruise.
Thanks to the warmer weather at this time of year, you can enjoy kayaking in the calm seas or hiking across the Arctic tundra, as the snow melts away and reveals a landscape begging to be explored on foot.
Luxury expedition cruises run throughout the summer months to make the most of the wildlife activity, which peaks at this time of year. Encounters with lolling walruses, whales, seals and, of course, majestic polar bears all happen beneath the Arctic summer skies.
Expedition cruises
May – September
Midnight sun
May –July
Wonderful wildlife
June – August
Arctic travel guides
Plan your trip to the Arctic
Whatever you want from your adventure in the Arctic, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
