Arctic Cruises

The position of the Arctic Circle is not fixed. It directly depends on the Earth's axial tilt, which fluctuates within a margin of 2° over a 40,000-year period due to tidal forces from the orbit of the Moon. The Arctic Circle is currently drifting northwards at a speed of about 15 m (49 ft) per year. Some areas of the Arctic Circle have been inhibited for thousands of years It is one of the coldest places on earth, with temperatures falloing as far as -50 °C in winter, but the coastal areas around Norway are milder due to the Gulf Stream and remain ice free.

• View the Northern Lights
• Get an Arctic Circle stamp and souvenir
• See Polar bears, seals and more

Patreksfjordur is the largest village located in the southern part of the Westfjords. The village gets it's name from St Patrick who was the spiritual guide of the first settler. The main trade of the Patreksfjordur is fishing, however it is home to many beautiful and iconic sites that have been instrumental in the town becoming very popular with tourists in recent years.

• Látrabjarg cliffs
• Rauðasandur beach
• Dynjandi waterfall

Aappilattoq is a very small port village located in the south of Greenland. The name literally means 'red' in Greenlandic because of the red-coloured mountain rising above the village. The settlement is surrounded by mountains, meaning that it is only accessible by air or sea. The big cruise ships sailing through the nearby Prince Christian Sound come every summer, otherwise, the villagers lead a pretty quiet life throughout the year, using government helicopters as a means of transportation.

• Enjoy some of the country's most scenic views over the fjords
• Visit the pretty local church
• Get an insight into the life of a Greenlandic Inuit

Beechey Island is located on the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in Nunavut. It had its first European settlement in 1819 by Captain William Edward Perry. It was used as a base for many polar explorers during the 1800's and is a Territorial Historic Site since 1975. There is plenty of Arctic wildlife to be discovered so be sure to bring your camera to capture these breathtaking moments.

• Visit the graves of Franklin expedition explorers.
• Cruise the North West Passage
• Whale watching

Sam Ford is an Arctic fjord located on the coast of Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada. The island's steep rocky cliffs attract a lot of climbers and the harsh beauty of its landscapes is popular among other tourists. It has traditionally been one of the main hunting areas for Inuit, and is home to many different whales and other marine animals. The steep stone walls of the cliffs were formed by ancient glaciers that throughout time carved out the spectacular landscape.

• Hike the mountainous landscape
• Nesting ground for many different species of bird
• See bowhead whales and harp seals

Edinburgh Island is an island located in the Coronation Gulf in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, Canada. The island lies approximately 103 meters above sea level. Edinburgh Island is a former Distant Early Warning Line and is now currently a North Warning Site.

• Whale watching
• Native birds
• Hike around the island

Cape Kuyveveem is located near Provideniya. Visitors will be in awe of the beautiful scenery and sandy beaches that are located here. The bay is sheltered by two stunning cliffs and sheer granite rocks, basalt caves and arches make a perfect environment for Tufted Puffins. Definitely one for animal lovers and bird watchers. Due to the rugged terrain and steep cliffs, this part of Russia is almost exclusively accessible via cruise making it a real hidden treasure

• Rugged and breathtaking scenery
• Home to Tufted Puffins
• Best seen via cruise ship

Sakhalin is a sparsely populated island in Russia. Although beautiful, the island has a very underdeveloped tourist sector which means it has very much not been affected by outside influence. This makes it a very unique travel destination which cruisers have a rare opportunity to reach. Lake Tunaycha and the Vaida Mountains make the island an ideal destination for nature lovers.

• Unspoiled nature
• A unique destination unspoiled by mass tourism
• Lake Tunaycha and the Vaida Mountains

Proliv Senyavina is a strait near the Chukotka Peninsula in Russia. It is located near Nashkunak. The strait contains a stream with some natural hot springs that draw tourists from across globe. Although, not so easy to get to - you will need to first hike across a big chunk of the Tundra forest - visiting the hot springs and actually going into the water is well worth it. The area is surrounded by astonishing geology of aeonian stratas of time and is a find for any aspiring scientist.

• Relax in the small man-made pool filled with hot springs' water
• Explore the wonder that is the boreal forest of Tundra
• Learn all about what its like to live in Tundra from the local fishermen

Cape York is located on the northwest of the island of Greenland and is famous for the large meteorites which fell here, one of which can be seen at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Cape York used to have one settlement called Perlernerit on the northeast of the cape but this has since been abandoned.

• Magnificent glaciers
• Surreal blue waters
• Staggering icebergs

Hooker Island is one of the most important islands of Franz Josef Land, it is located in the central area of the archipelago. The island was named after Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker and has a long history connected to polar exhibitions. The landscape is varied and truly breathtaking; with a glacier, rock formations, and ice domes, you won’t want to leave your camera on the ship. Nature lovers will also want to take the opportunity to see several different species of birds that call the island home.

• Striking landscapes and natural wonders
• Several species of arctic birds
• A rich and interesting history to be discovered

Ayon Island is on the coast of Chukotka, Eastern Siberia. The island itself consists mainly of low-lying tundra, and is primarily populated by the indigenous Chukchi people, who use the tundra as pasture for their reindeer herds. The island is hard to visit except by ship so you should make the most of your time there. A must see are the Neolithic camps which located a short distance from the main village which give an insight into prehistoric ways of life. As visitors are not too common, the local population are welcoming and you can get a rare glimpse into their unique culture.

• The culture of the indigenous Chukchi people
• Neolithic camps
• Stunning landscapes

Gibbs Fjord, Nunavut is a picturesque cruising destination in northern Canada. When cruising the fjord, found in the Nunavut territory, you will be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and nature. With deep blue waters, cliffs 4,000 feet high and glacial ice rivers, there are countless opportunities for photographs. And what’s more amazing is that much of the territory is unexplored.

• Deep blue water
• Unique and unexplored territory
• Natural wonders making for great photos

The Island of Ostrov Nuneangan is located in the very north east of Russia near to Alaska. The Ostrov Nuneangan has an extremely low population made up of Siberian Yupiks. Visitors may want to take the opportunity to take an organised touzr to experience their unique culture. The proximity to Alaska and the Arctic make Ostrov Nuneangan a popular destinations on cruises to these areas.

• Unique Siberian Yupik culture
• Cruise destination on Alaska and Arctic cruises
• Found in the very north east of Russia

Champ is an island in the central area of Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Ocean in Russia. The island is only 374km² and is uninhabited. It is, however, very much worth visiting if only for the mysterious ball-shaped stones, the origins of which are still being debated by scientists. These spherical stones are different in sizes, some are as small as a ping-pong ball and others - up to 3 meters in diameter. As the island is so far away from the mainland, there is not much research being carried out at this time, so the mystery remains.

• Admire some of the highest snow-capped peaks of the entire Franz Josef Land
• Learn all about the mysteries and cultures of the Arctic
• Take a photo next to one of the mysterious stones