luxury cruises to greenland

Greenland Luxury Cruises

10 best luxury cruises of greenland for 2024-2025, greenland explorer: sail and soar the alpine arctic, gems of west greenland: fjords, icebergs and culture, jewels of the arctic, west greenland ice odyssey: glaciers and icebergs, inuit spring of ammassalik, northeast greenland's unexplored sea ice, the northwest passage, arctic odyssey: svalbard, greenland & iceland, in the ice of the arctic, from greenland to svalbard, top luxury cruise ships cruising greenland, ultramarine, greg mortimer, national geographic endurance, national geographic resolution, le commandant charcot, silver cloud expedition, silver wind, greenland travel guide & cruising tips, arctic cruise: when to go, explore the world’s largest island on a greenland cruise, wildlife guide to polar regions, the best times to visit greenland, arctic travel video.

Greenland Stories

Expedition to the top of the world, mary's mother-daughter greenland and arctic tour, top greenland travel destinations, greenland trips by departure date.

• 2024 Greenland trips (66)
• 2025 Greenland trips (43)
• 2026 Greenland trips (4)
• June 2024 (6)
• July 2024 (20)
• August 2024 (31)
• September 2024 (12)
• July 2025 (9)
• August 2025 (24)
• September 2025 (12)

Top Experiences in Greenland

• Greenland Cruises (98)
• Greenland Wildlife & Safari Exploration (42)
• Greenland Luxury (27)
• Greenland Cultural (12)
• Greenland Active (3)

Greenland Trips by Duration

• 8 day trips (3)
• 10 day trips (6)
• 11 day trips (9)
• 12 day trips (8)
• 13 day trips (11)
• 14 day trips (14)
• 15 day trips (11)
• 16 day trips (5)
• 17 day trips (10)
• 18 day trips (5)
• 23 day trips (3)

Greenland Trips by Activity

• Greenland wildlife viewing (90)
• Greenland small ship cruises (75)
• Greenland hiking (48)
• Greenland whale watching (47)
• Greenland kayaking (33)
• Greenland village visits (24)
• Greenland helicopter tours (9)
• Greenland adventure options (6)
• Greenland land & sea exploration (5)
• Greenland archaeological site visits (4)
• Greenland photography seminars (4)
• Greenland northern lights (4)
• Greenland horseback riding (3)

Why Travel With Adventure Life

Recognized by.

Arctic & Greenland

Poles away from anywhere you’ve ever been.

Take your travelling seriously with a trip to the Arctic. Driven by weather, wildlife and whim, Silversea Expeditions’ Arctic cruises are the true definition of transformative travel. From close encounters with diverse wildlife to unrivalled expedition knowledge, there is no doubt about it: our Arctic cruises put the amaze into amazing.

Our small ship cruises offer comfort, unrivalled expedition knowledge and some of the most spectacular landscapes you’re ever likely to see. That could mean scanning the horizon for Polar Bears, taking a Zodiac cruise to access an Inuit community or learning how to take the perfect iceberg photo. With Silversea, you will be kayaking the glacial Arctic seas by day and dining in superlative luxury by night.

Our extensive coverage of the region offers a variety of itineraries and lengths. From a complete circumnavigation of Svalbard to crossing the Northwest Passage, there is very little of the region we don’t cover. Your Arctic adventure starts here. Read More >

Find your cruise

Arctic & greenland dreams.

Set sail for the world’s most all-inclusive voyage to the Arctic. No other cruise line can even come close to our packages: complimentary in-country flights, transfers, pre-cruise hotel, shore experience, plus much, much more. Silversea is the only real choice when it comes to Arctic luxury cruises.

So let’s get ready to explore the Arctic – we’ve got the detail taken care of.

Arctic Brochure

Request a complimentary brochure

Travel deeper.

Just Back From…Greenland on Silver Wind

Everything You Need to Know About An Arctic Cruise

How to Choose Your Cruise: The Arctic’s Greenland, Svalbard and Canada

Just Back From…Arctic Svalbard on Silver Cloud

Our ships going to arctic and greenland.

Silver Cloud

With 20-brand new Zodiacs, four superlative restaurants in Antarctica and a pole-to-pole expedition itinerary, Silver Cloud really does break the ice between expedition and luxury.

• Crew Onboard 212
• Guest Capacity 254
• Dining Options 4
• Zagara Beauty Salon
• Fitness Centre
• Connoisseur’s Corner
• Observation lounge
• Explorer Lounge
• Panorama Lounge
• Zagara Beauty Spa
• Photo Studio

Silver Wind

Silver Wind is a perfect illustration of how complete a small-sized ship can be. With just 274-guests, beautiful suites and spacious public areas, Silver Wind is one of the cosiest and most intimate ships afloat today.

• Crew Onboard 239
• Guest Capacity 274
• The Show Lounge
• Observation Library

Sign up for offers and updates

Be the first to know about our itineraries, and receive exclusive offers, destination articles and more.

Don’t worry, we won’t clutter your inbox and you can unsubscribe at anytime.

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

• Request a quote
•  Contact
• Your luxury cruise with PONANT
• Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean
• Atlantic Coast
• Central America
• North America
• Northern Europe & Scandinavia
• Ocean Voyages
• Oceania & Pacific Islands
• South America
• The Mediterranean
• Transatlantic
• Show all destinations
• See all cruises
• Loyalty Cruise
• Gastronomy & Wine
• Polar Expedition
• Tropical Expedition
• Art & Museums
• Smithsonian Journeys
• Theatre & Literature
• The Explorers Club
• Show all themes
• Back-to-back offer
• Free Ocean Voyage
• No single supplement
• Flight credit
• L'AUSTRAL
• LE LAPÉROUSE
• LE CHAMPLAIN
• LE BOUGAINVILLE
• LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
• LE JACQUES-CARTIER
• LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT
• LE PAUL GAUGUIN
• Expeditions
• Life on board
• A different way to cruise
• A tailor-made voyage
• Why choose PONANT ?
• PONANT benefits
• Our Pavilions
• Our 360-degree destinations
• A more sustainable tourism
• PONANT Foundation
• Certifications and distinctions
• Cruises and destinations

Where would you like to travel with PONANT?

Which period?

What are you looking for?

• Gastronomy & Wine
• Art & Museums

Greenland Cruises

• Destinations
• More filters

Your criteria

Delete all criteria

Explore our list of 34 cruises

If it is a magical experience, it's definitely a cruise to Greenland . Majestic icebergs, glaciers and iconic fjords, exceptional fauna, visits to traditional villages and meeting Inuits all will contribute to the complete relaxation and enchantment of the trip. 

All about cruises Greenland

Inuit spring of Ammassalik

Inuit spring at the edge of Scoresby Sound

Northeast Greenland's unexplored sea ice

Greenland of Great Explorers

In the ice of the Arctic, from Greenland to Svalbard

Baffin Bay Secrets

Expedition to the Thule Region

• Last staterooms

The Geographic North Pole & Scoresby Sound

Expedition from Greenland to Canada via Saint Pierre and Miquelon

• You're currently reading page 1

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

+33 (0)4 91 36 41 60 (or contact your travel agent)

Highlights - Greenland

This is a land where time seems to hold no sway. It's a land that seems forgotten, an inaccessible corner of the world. For centuries, however, it has been the land of the Inuits and refuge for rich wildlife. Immense landscapes where the icebergs cut through the waters with their changing colours and spectacular fjords complete these wonderful scenes. Here are the experiences not to be missed during a cruise in Greenland . .

Essential - Greenland

What essential information do you need when visiting Greenland ? Here is a practical guide to help your exploration of this vast region and familiarise you with the customs of the inhabitants.

Explore Greenland

Introducing the Inuit

Polar sea kayaking

The History of the Polar Practice of Dog Sledding

This is a land where time seems to hold no sway. It's a land that seems forgotten, an inaccessible corner of the world. For centuries, however, it has been the land of the Inuits and refuge for rich wildlife. Immense landscapes where the icebergs cut through the waters with their changing colours and spectacular fjords complete these wonderful scenes. Here are the experiences not to be missed during a cruise in Greenland .

Meet Inuits

A stop at the museum of the history of the Inuit people in the charming village of Sisimiut takes the visitor back 4,000 years in time. Archaeological digs, crafts and collections of tools and objects from daily life take you back through history. An essential glimpse before meeting these people with their age-old culture . Skilled artisans and outstanding hunters, they continue their traditional way of life in the heart of these extreme lands.

Watch whales

The mirror surface of the water trembles. A fin appears. Then a jet of water. The humpback whales are here. In Disko Bay where they come to eat, they slalom between the icebergs and other ice blocks, offering a graceful spectacle. The strength of this aquatic ballet is emphasised by the unique landscape, where the spectacular Qeqertarsuaq cliffs rise to 1,000m above sea level.

Visit Qaanaaq

Small blocks of ice collapse on the coast. Low houses in blue, yellow or red, stand out from the hillside. The sled dogs await the next trip onto the ice floe. In Qaanaaq , Greenland's northernmost town, time seems to be on pause. Hunting is the main source of subsistence for the some 600 inhabitants, who have lived here since the 1950s. For centuries, they lived 100km further south in the village of Umanaq. But the American established an air base here during the Cold War, forcing the communities to leave their ancestral lands.

Admire the biggest icebergs in the world

It is a sea of ice, where sky blue melts into sparkling white on the horizon. Where the silence is only broken by the cracking of the icebergs . Because it is the icebergs that reign here. With UNESCO world heritage status since 2004, Ilulissat Icefjord includes the largest icebergs in the world, including in the Antarctic. A record made possible by the position of the fjord, at the sea mouth of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. This drains 6.5% of the Greenland ice sheet.

Explore immense landscapes

Although Ilulissat icefjord is one of the most outstanding examples of the iconic Greenland landscapes, other glaciers and ice formations have also made this a legendary polar region . Eqi glacier, the immense volcanic rocks of Kuannit, Lyngmark glacier, Evighedsfjorden (the fjord of Eternity) and Upernavik fjord: the crystal ice that stretches on for kilometres, the cliffs that rise steeply up to dizzying heights towards the sky, the serrated profiles… Some are also home to various bird species.

Helpful tips

Don't be surprised to witness a whale or seal hunt. Greenland is one of the regions in the world where hunting by natives is allowed, according to quotas. It allows the local populations to continue their centuries-old tradition and to eat protein without depending on imports. Being offered seal meat during a meal is a real honour.

Every year, between March and April, the Uummannaq ice golf world championship competition is held. For two days, at 600 kilometres north of the Arctic circle, competitors gather on a course carved into the ice in the middle of the ice floe.

Essential phrases

Hello / Good evening: Kutaa Goodbye: Inuulluarit Please: Ikinngutinnersumik Thank you: ujan Yes / no: Aap / naamik You're welcome, with pleasure: Illillu How are you?: Qanoq ippisi ? Very well thank you and you?: Ajunngilanga, qujanaq, ippit ? My name is...: ...imik ateqarpunga

Seal is cooked in various ways. It is included in suassat , the national dish. This is a soup in which the seal meat is garnished with onions, potatoes and rice. Another authentic dish, Kiviak consists of seal stuffed with gutted Little Auk (small birds living in the Arctic). It is hung to mature for several months.

Myths and legends

Tupilaks are statuettes carved into animal bones. They represent polymorphic figures, sometimes taking a human form, sometimes animal (walrus, bear, seal...). The sculptures created today by craftspeople are for the tourist market but, according to legend, these sinister statues were made to bring death. The shaman who sculpted them breathed the name of the victim into them and threw them into the water so that they could accomplish their mission.

In the spotlight

With the Greenlandia expedition planned for 2022, the French photographer and explorer Vincent Hilaire wants to collect the testimony of communities, as well as observing and studying the impact of climate change on the native peoples and, more widely, on humankind.

Book. In 1955, Jean Malaurie published The Last Kings of Thule , an account of his scientific mission to the north of Greenland in 1950-51. Aged 28, the young geologist went alone to winter with the 34 inhabitants of the village of Siorapaluk, whose way of life he adopted. It is this daily life, along with the origins and culture of the “Polar Eskimos”, that Jean Malaurie recounts in his book. Accessible data, colourful characters and dense information have made this book an international reference in ethnology.

Music. The composer of electronic music Romain Delahaye, aka Molécule, goes to extreme places to record sounds and create “a sensory soundtrack ” , as he calls it. In 2018, Molécule spent 36 days with his recording equipment in the village of Tiniteqilaaq, in the south-east of Greenland. The result was his latest work -22,7°C (the lowest temperature he experienced there), a poetic symphony full of nostalgia, hope and magic.

Film. Released in 2016, Journey to Greenland by Sébastien Betbeder traces the adventure of Thomas and Thomas, two thirty-somethings whose problems in Paris brought them to... Kullorsuaq, a village with fewer than 450 inhabitants, one of the most isolated in Greenland. This is where Nathan, the father of one of them chose to come to live twenty years earlier. A real journey of intiation for the two young men who discover the Inuit world among immense landscapes.

Facts and figures

20 billion tonnes : this is the weight of the icebergs produced by the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, in the Ilulissat fjord, with UNESCO world heritage status since 2004. This matches the quantity of freshwater used in France in one year!

• Aappilattoq (Augpilatok) (Greenland)
• Akpatok Island, Nunavut (Canada)
• Akulleq (Greenland)
• Alkefjellet Cliff, Spitsbergen (Norway)
• Ammassalik Region (Greenland)
• At sea aboard Le Commandant Charcot
• At sea along Spitsbergen (Norway)
• Baffin Bay exploration
• Banks Island (Canada)
• Battle Harbour (Canada)
• Beechey Island, Nunavut (Canada)
• Bellot Strait (Canada)
• Blosseville Coast (Greenland)
• Boltodden, Spitsbergen (Norway)
• Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands (Canada)
• Cape Farvel Passage (Greenland)
• Cape York (Greenland)
• Coningham Bay, Nunavut (Canada)
• Corner Brook (Canada)
• Crossing Belle Isle Strait (Canada)
• Crossing the Bering Strait
• Devon Island, Nunavut (Canada)
• Disko Bay (Greenland)
• Edinburgh Island, Nunavut (Canada)
• Evighedsfjorden (Greenland)
• Exploration of Ammassalik Region (Greenland)
• Exploration of Ittoqqortoormiit Region (Greenland)
• Exploration of North-East Greenland (Greenland)
• Exploring sea ice in Beaufort Sea
• Exploring sea ice of Northwest Passage
• Exploring the Blosseville Coast (Greenland)
• Fury Beach, Nunavut (Canada)
• Gaspé (Canada)
• Geographic North Pole
• Gjoa Haven, Nunavut (Canada)
• Gnalodden, Spitsbergen (Norway)
• Grinnell Glacier, Nunavut (Canada)
• Holman (Ulukhaktok)  (Canada)
• Hornsund (Norway)
• Hvalso (Greenland)
• Icy Arm Fjord (Canada)
• Igaliku (Greenland)
• Ikka Fjord (Greenland)
• Isabella Bay, Ninginganiq National Wildlife Area (Canada)
• Isafjördur (Iceland)
• Itilleq (Greenland)
• Ittoqqortoormiit Region (Greenland)
• Ivigtut (Greenland)
• Jan Mayen Island, Svalbard (Norway)
• Jesse Harbour (Canada)
• Kangerlussuaq (Greenland)
• King Frederick VI Coast (Greenland)
• King Island, Alaska (United States)
• King Point, Yukon (Canada)
• Kuannit Coast (Greenland)
• Kujalleq Glacier (Greenland)
• Kullorsuaq (Greenland)
• L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland (Canada)
• Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen (Norway)
• Melville Bay (Greenland)
• Miquelon Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon (France)
• Montreal (Canada)
• Nachvak Fjord, Torngat Mountains National Park (Canada)
• Nain (Canada)
• Nanortalik (Greenland)
• Narsalik (Greenland)
• Narsaq (Greenland)
• Narsaq Fjord (Greenland)
• Navigating through the sea ice
• Newfoundland (Canada)
• Nome, Alaska (United States)
• Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve (Norway)
• North Arm fjord, Nunavut (Canada)
• Nuuk (Greenland)
• Orpit (Greenland)
• Paul-Émile Victor Base Camp, Eqi Glacier (Greenland)
• Pond Inlet, Nunavut (Canada)
• Prins Christian Sund (Greenland)
• Qaqortoq (Greenland)
• Qeqertarsuaq (Greenland)
• Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut (Canada)
• Reykjavík (Iceland)
• Rigolet (Canada)
• Sailing River Saint Lawrence and going through its locks (Canada)
• Sailing Saint Lawrence Gulf (Canada)
• Sailing in Beaufort Sea
• Sailing in the Hinlopen Strait (Norway)
• Sailing in the Lancaster Sound (Canada)
• Sailing through the Denmark Strait
• Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon (France)
• Saint-John's, Newfoundland (Canada)
• Sam Ford Fjord, Nunavut (Canada)
• Savissivik (Greenland)
• Scoresby Sound (Greenland)
• Sermilik Fjord (Greenland)
• Sisimiut (Greenland)
• Skjoldungen (Greenland)
• Smoking Hills (Canada)
• Soraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve (Norway)
• Storoya, Svalbard (Svalbard)
• Tadoussac (Canada)
• Tasermiut Fjord (Greenland)
• Tasiilaq (Greenland)
• Thule Region (Greenland)
• Toronto (Canada)
• Uummannaq (Greenland)
• Wahlbergoya (Norway)

Ponant brochures

Want to find out more about our unique and exceptional destinations?

What will your next trip look like Greenland ?

• Discover all destinations

Click on the items you want to select.   You can select multiple. You can click on an item again to deselect it.

Discover our brand new itineraries

Only see cruises for which there are very few available staterooms

Greenland Cruises & Luxury Expeditions

Explore the infinite wilderness of the largest island on earth on a greenland cruise. encounter colossal icebergs, sail through mountainous landscapes, and visit remote inuit settlements., introduction.

Greenland cruises invite you to explore seldom-seen, hard-to-reach places only accessible by ship on an expedition cruise. From Disko Bay with its staggering Icebergs and calving glaciers to the tranquil fjords and mountainous scenery of Southern Greenland and the remote, seldom-explored fjords of the East Coast, Greenland is an epic destination for any explorer.   

Greenland offers a diverse selection of expedition cruises at different times of the year. In the Springtime, Icebreaker cruises explore Greenland's sea ice when it is off limits to regular ships and visit settlements locked in by the sea ice. During the summer, it is possible to embark on expedition cruises exploring Greenland's coast and longer-length itineraries, including Svalbard and the Northwest Passage.

Our in-house experts carefully select our Greenland cruises to help you find the perfect experience. We offer the best selection of Greenland cruises on leading ships, allowing you to explore this spectacular part of the world in comfort and peace of mind.

Cruises To Greenland

In the ice of the Arctic, from Greenland to Svalbard

Reykjavík, iceland - longyearbyen, spitsbergen.

Price from per person

Inuit Spring of Ammassalik

Reykjavík, iceland - reykjavík.

Adventures in Northeast Greenland – Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights

Reykjavik - reykjavik, highlights of a greenland cruise, explore the most epic scenery on the planet.

Greenland is one of the largest untouched wildernesses on Earth, from mountainous landscapes that rival Patagonia to vast unexplored fjords.

Witness Colossal Icebergs and Glaciers

Glaciers calve where the Greenland ice cap meets the coast, creating some of the most gigantic icebergs on the planet. Icebergs are seen throughout Greenland.

Meet Greenlandic People and Experience Greenlandic Culture

A massive highlight of exploring Greenland is meeting the people who live there and getting an insight into their way of life and culture.

Hike in Pristine Wilderness

Greenland offers fantastic chances for exhilarating hikes along remote beaches and deserted hillsides, all with amazing views.

Join Exhilarating Outdoor Activities

Greenland cruises offer the perfect chance to experience kayaking amongst the ice, dog sledging, ice fishing and polar trekking. 

Small Ship Expedition Cruise Experience

Join a small group of fellow explorers and experience Greenland in comfort and luxury on a purpose-built, ice-strengthened expedition ship.

What To See

Due to the Greenland Icecap, which frequently calves ice into the waters around the coast, Greenland is an iceberg spotter's dream. 

Colourful Remote Settlements

Greenland, known for its remote villages with colourful houses, is home to some of the most remote settlements on Earth.

Greenland offers a great chance to encounter Arctic Animals, including Polar Bears (East Coast), Whales (Disko Bay), Musk Ox, Arctic foxes and hares.

Northern Lights

From September onwards, the Aurora Borealis lights up the skies across Greenland. Experiencing this phenomenon in such a natural setting is a sight to behold.

Getting to Your Greenland Cruise

Due to Greenland’s isolated nature, very little infrastructure links towns and settlements, making an expedition cruise with shore landings by Zodiac the perfect way to encounter all Greenland offers. 

With Greenland, there are two main options for joining cruises: 1) to fly to Greenland and join a cruise that departs from there, or 2) join an expedition cruise that sails to Greenland from other destinations in the Arctic, such as Svalbard, Greenland or Iceland. The choice is down to which itinerary best suits your preferences. 

For cruises commencing in Greenland, a charter flight to Greenland is often included as part of the itinerary from Iceland or Copenhagen, Denmark, to ensure a seamless journey. 

If cruising to Greenland from another destination, you must reach the departure port first. Many cruises to Greenland depart from Reykjavik, Iceland, which has excellent international connections to the rest of the world. 

Depending on your itinerary, a flight to and from the departure port may also be included. If not, our Travel Experience Team can help you with this. 

For more information, please see our guide below for all the different ways to get to Greenland.

When To Go On A Greenland Cruise

Greenland cruises typically occur during the summer between June and September when the temperature is at its mildest, and the seas around Greenland have less sea ice, making navigation possible. However, new icebreaker cruises now make visiting East Greenland much earlier in the season, during April and May, than possible on a conventional ship due to its unique icebreaking capabilities. 

The best time to explore Greenland on an expedition cruise depends on what you want to see. April to June offer the best chance to undertake a genuine polar expedition deep into the sea ice of East Greenland on an icebreaker cruise. 

June and July offer great months to explore the tranquil fjords of the West Coast of Greenland and the stunning ice formations of Disko Bay, with 24 hours of sunlight above the Arctic Circle and often mild weather. 

August is the best month for expeditions to East Greenland on regular cruise ships and for exploring further afield, from Greenland to the Northwest Passage, as the sea ice extent is at its lowest. 

September offers the best chances to see the Northern lights on your cruise as the darkness returns, and it is an excellent month for photographers with gorgeous hues in the sky. 

Please see our detailed guide below to learn what a Greenland cruise offers each month.

Choose Your Year

Greenland Cruises 2024

Greenland Cruises 2025

Greenland cruises 2026, types of greenland cruises.

Greenland Luxury Cruises

Greenland Icebreaker Cruises

Greenland and the Northwest Passage and Cruises

Iceland and Greenland Cruises

Places to explore on a greenland cruise.

Disko Bay & Ilulissat Icefjord

Scoresby Sund

Prins Christian Sound

Recommended Greenland Cruise Ships

Le Commandant Charcot

Plan your greenland cruise.

Book Well in Advance: Greenland cruises often sell out in advance. We recommend booking your voyage well to secure your preferred itinerary and cabin.

Choose Your Itinerary: There are a variety of small expedition cruise ships, voyages, and activities to choose from. Choose a cruise that aligns with your interests, whether visiting remote communities or specific activities such as dog sledging. Our Travel Experience Team will advise and recommend different options based on your preferences.

Reserve Your Cabin With North Pole Cruises: We will ensure you receive the best price from the operator when booking. Our knowledgeable Travel Experience Team will help you choose your Greenland cruise and answer any questions. We will provide lots of helpful information, including packing lists, before the voyage and support you during your journey if you have any issues. With every booking, we offer peace of mind with our 100% financial protection. 

Travel Insurance: When booking, purchase comprehensive travel insurance for your Greenland cruise that covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and evacuation from remote locations. Ensure that your policy explicitly covers polar travel.

Visiting Greenland on an expedition cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are here to help you plan and prepare for your extraordinary voyage to explore one of the world's most hidden destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The price of a Greenland cruise varies depending on several factors, including the ship size, the level of luxury, the itinerary, the number of guests, the time of year, and the length of your chosen itinerary. As a rule of thumb, prices per person start from £1,000 ($1274, €1152) per person per night for an expedition cruise. Due to their specialist nature, icebreaker cruises to Greenland command a higher price per person.

Yes, we offer no single supplement on selected Greenland cruises. Our Travel Experience Team has access to the best offers for solo travellers. 

We recommend you contact us with your requirements, and we can help you find the best no-single supplement Greenland cruise for you.

Seeing polar bears on a cruise in East Greenland is possible, although the chances are less so than in Svalbard. However, please note you are highly unlikely to see them in Southern Greenland or the Disko Bay area, as they are concentrated in areas of sea ice, and these areas are ice-free during the summer. 

For the best chances of seeing polar bears, we recommend a Greenland cruise that also visits Svalbard.

The weather on a Greenland cruise can vary depending on the time of year you plan to visit. Greenland has an Arctic climate, so it generally experiences cooler temperatures, although it is surprisingly mild during the summer months. 

Summer (June to August)

These are the best months for cruising in Greenland. Daytime temperatures above the Arctic Circle range from 0 to 10 degrees Celsius (32 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Areas to the south experience milder temperatures, especially during July. Longer daylight hours, with places above the Arctic Circle experiencing the midnight sun. During the summer, the Arctic has predominately high-pressure weather systems, which create calm conditions. Disko Bay is often affectionately called Disko Lake locally due to its calm summertime conditions. 

Spring (April to May) 

Spring temperatures on icebreaker cruises are colder than summer, ranging from -10 to 5 degrees Celsius (14 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). However, lower temperatures can be encountered in the sea ice in East Greenland, and snowfall is possible during this time. 

Fall (September to October)

Late-season cruises encounter lower temperatures than summer cruises, with daily temperatures ranging from -10 to 5 degrees Celsius (14 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). The first snowfall also returns during this period. These months offer the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights. 

Conditions can vary depending on your chosen time to visit. Additionally, weather conditions in Greenland can change rapidly, so it’s wise to pack layers, including warm clothing, waterproof gear, and sturdy footwear. 

During the reservation process, we will provide you with a complete packing list to prepare you for the weather conditions on your Greenland cruise.

Each Greenland cruise includes accommodation in well-appointed cabins, meals, expert guides, guest lecturers outlined in the itinerary, Zodiac cruises and excursions, and specified charter flights.

Please check the tour page of your chosen itinerary to see a complete list of inclusions.

Financial security is paramount for our clients, so all bookings made through North Pole Cruises include 100% financial protection. We also include supplier failure insurance free of charge for extra peace of mind. This ensures you have the very best protection on your booking. 

When reserving your chosen itinerary, the payment options will be quoted.

Typical payment terms are a 25% deposit when booking to reserve your cabin and the final balance payable 90 days before departure. 

We accept payment via credit card or bank transfer.

Each expedition ship and voyage offers different activities in Greenland. Zodiac excursions and shore landings with a team of expert guides are standard for all Greenland expedition cruises.

Optional kayaking, dog sledding, ice trekking, camping, and ice fishing are available on selected departures. 

During the reservation process, please specify which activities you are interested in, and we will assist you in finding a cruise that fits your preferences. Depending on the ship, some activities are included in the cost, and others are extra.

Due to its vast area, wildlife in Greenland is seen less frequently than in Svalbard, where the wildlife is more concentrated. Cruises to East Greenland offer the best chances to see polar bears, although this cannot be guaranteed. Disko Bay offers excellent whale-watching opportunities. 

If wildlife is a primary interest, we recommend a cruise that combines Svalbard and Greenland, as this will offer more opportunities for wildlife sightings. 

If you need help deciding which Greenland cruise best fits your interests, please contact our Travel Experience Team.

Greenland cruises vary between 10 days for an icebreaker cruise to explore East Greenland during the spring and 28 days for an all-encompassing cruise to explore Greenland and the Northwest Passage. We have a variety of Greenland cruises available and can help you find one that matches your ideal length.

We recommend reserving your Greenland cruise a year in advance to ensure you get your preferred choice of ship and cabin. We usually have last-minute availability on select departures for late bookers.

Please get in touch with our Travel Experience Team to find out about last-minute availability.

The first step to reserving your Greenland cruise is to contact our Travel Experience Team, who will be happy to help you with your itinerary and provide details about availability and pricing for your selected voyage.

Do you need help planning your expedition?

Our friendly and knowledgeable Travel Experience Team is ready to assist you.

International House 6 South Molton Street Mayfair London W1K 5QF United Kingdom

Tel: +44 20 3290 8799

USA & Canada

276 5th Avenue Suite 704 New York NY 10001 USA

Tel: +1 917 267 7707

Destinations

North Pole Cruises – a brand by the Expedition Collective Limited

Ask A Question

Do you have a question for our knowledgeable Travel Experience Team? We’re all ears! Just fill out this form, and we will be in touch shortly to answer your question.

Your Guide To Exploring The Polar Regions

Subscribe to be the first to know about new voyages, exclusive offers and insider travel tips.

Greenland Cruises

Book early for 2025 /2026 sailings to Greenland and save up to 40% with the HX Price Promise*.

Greenland Expedition Cruises

Greenland will take your breath away. Surrounded by a vast network of glaciers and glittering fjords, you’ll cruise past calving icebergs in Disko Bay, hike along pristine beaches and green valleys, and see photogenic wildlife. Experience Greenland’s culture and traditions as you visit colourful settlements and join exciting activities with your Expedition Team. See our itineraries, activities and current offers.

Book early for 2025/2026 and save

Explore Greenland in 2025 /2026 on our small, well-equipped, hybrid expedition ships, where safety and sustainability come first. Sail in style and comfort so you’re relaxed, rested, and ready for adventure.

PLUS with our Price Promise, if you find the same cabin available for a lower price after you've booked, let us know and we'll give you back the difference.

Activities in Greenland

Greenland expeditions come with a great selection of activities. We take you to Greenland in the best months for outdoor adventures as the days are long and the weather is mild.

Your expert Expedition Team will help bring you closer to Greenland’s captivating wildlife and culture through lectures, guided hikes, landings, and kayaking.

Wildlife in Greenland

On our Greenland tours you can meet some of the hardiest wildlife on the planet, including – muskoxen, caribou, Arctic hares, Arctic foxes, reindeer, stoats and Arctic wolves.

Authentic activities

Explore Greenland’s fascinating coastline and islands by kayak, in the land where the kayak or ‘man boat’ was first made and used.

Cruises to Greenland

The Heart of Greenland | Disko Bay

Departure Dates

Jun 9, 24, Jun 24, 24 + 2 more departures

Price from $18,129

MS Fridtjof Nansen

Cruising Under the Midnight Sun

Departure date

Price from $16,218

The Ultimate Fjord Expedition

Price from $14,577

Save up to 40% on 2024-2025 Expeditions!

Explore the Extraordinary! Through June 30, save up to 40% on must-see destinations

Magnificent whales

See humpback whales feeding among icebergs under the warm glow of the Midnight Sun.

If there’s anywhere that’s suited to off-the-beaten-track adventures, it’s the world’s largest island, Greenland. Discover a pristine natural environment, photogenic wildlife and the unique culture of the Greenlanders on a range of included and optional activities.

Nuuk - Cultural History Walk

Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of the most interesting places in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland! Join a sightseeing tour of the town before you visit the National Museum, which provides a glimpse into Greenland’s interesting past.

Boat Tour to Upernaviarsuk

Upernaviarsuk Agricultural Station Learn about agriculture in Greenland and the challenges that farmers face.

Boat trip to the ice fjord

Ilulissat is renowned for its breathtakingly beautiful ice fjord - best experienced by boat. Get close to nature and experience the ice that leaves visitors speechless in wonder.

* Please note that these are optional activities; an additional cost may apply.

Ice Age wildlife

See mammals that have roamed the Arctic since the last Ice Age, including musk oxen and caribou as you explore Greenland.

Greenland’s wildlife

As 80% of Greenland is covered by an inhospitable ice sheet, you’ll discover most wildlife around the ice-free periphery. In the coastal waters, rich in fish, look for humpback whales and seals. Little Auks, Snowy Owls and Greenland Gyrfalcons are among the birds you’ll be on the lookout for here.

Ice-hewn landscapes

Greenland’s topography includes tundra landscapes, immense glacial valleys and a vast ice sheet second in size only to Antarctica’s.

Expedition Team Greenland

The Expedition Team will share the fascinating geology behind the glacial landforms you’ll find in Greenland in lectures or as you explore them on walks and on landings. They’ll accompany you to a kaffemik – a traditional coffee morning or - take you kayaking in the icy waters.

Expedition Ships to Greenland

Travel safely and in comfort aboard our hybrid-powered expedition ships and ships modified for better sustainability. Our smaller ice-class ships allow you to experience more remote and unspoilt polar destinations, and these are the ships you’ll travel with to Greenland.

Purpose-built as an expedition cruise ship, MS Fram is an exceptional base camp for explorers.On board, comfort is a top priority, so after a day of exploration you can relax in a hot tub ,dine in your choice of two restaurants or at the outdoor BBQ and catch up with your fellow guests with a cocktail in hand as you watch the scenery glide past in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. In the Science Centre, at the heart of the ship, you’ll discover more about the places you sail to and listen to talks by the Expedition Team.  With key expedition features and technology, MS Fram is primed to bring you on a journey of discovery to our planet’s most alluring and unspoiled regions. 

The newest addition to our fleet will honor the heritage of her namesake – the Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen. Known for his innovations in Arctic expeditions, Nansen led the first crossing of Greenland on cross-country skis. He is perhaps most famous for his attempt to reach the geographical North Pole during the Fram Expedition (1893-1896). Interestingly, after Nansen's Fram expedition, the ship was passed on to another great explorer who secretly planned an expedition to the South Pole - Roald Amundsen.

MS Maud, previously MS Midnatsol, is named after one of the most famous polar vessels of all time, Roald Amundsen's 'Maud' from 1917. The original 'Maud' got her name from the first Queen of modern-day Norway. She also had her namesake in Hurtigruten Expedition’s 1925 flagship, DS Dronning Maud ('DS Queen Maud'). Today, MS Maud is equipped with advanced technology that makes her exceptionally well-suited for expedition cruises in Norway and the British Isles.

MS Spitsbergen

MS Spitsbergen is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest island, Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of travelling to Spitsbergen, beginning in 1896 with the 'Sports Route'.

Helping local communities

On a Hurtigruten Expeditions cruise to Greenland you’ll be helping to improve the lives of Greenlandic children. The Hurtigruten Foundation supports the work of local charities and development projects wherever we travel.

Stories from Greenland

Travel Guide to Greenland

Greenland is truly a world apart – it’s beautiful, with glaciers and colossal blue icebergs, green meadows, hot springs and clean air. It's unlike any landscape you're likely to have seen before.

The coastal ice-free fringe of Greenland supports a range of mammals and birds living in the seas, fjords and protected areas, offering nature lovers a unique wildlife experience.

Greenland Sea - about

Dive in and Learn All About the Greenland Sea

How much do most people know about the Greenland Sea? Perhaps it’s obvious that because a lot of it is within the Arctic Circle it’s going to be cold and probably full of icebergs.

Get closer to nature with our small expedition boats

Our expedition ships venture where many cruise liners can’t. But we want to go further. We want to immerse you in the raw, untamed beauty of the natural world – and that’s where our small expedition boats come in.

Sign up for our newsletter

Be the first to hear about our latest offers, exciting itineraries and inspirational articles.

A Snob's Guide to Polar Cruises

If Shackleton could only see how we sail in his footsteps these days—on ships with French dining and suites with private hot tub—he’d be turning in his Grytviken grave. Tant pis. The beauty remains as great, as do the dilemmas: While pole? Which ship? Some answers:

The number of people who over the centuries have flung themselves at the poles is remarkable. Tomes have been written about the attraction; ­Gretel Ehrlich’s This Cold Heaven and Barry Lopez’s best-­selling Arctic Dreams are just two. The Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen went so far as to abandon his life in Europe for Greenland, even in its polar night: “Give me winter, give me dogs, you can have the rest.” Mostly, explorers were divided on the object of their desire. Shackleton and Scott were obsessed with Antarctica. For Robert Peary, it was the North Pole, which he claimed, in 1909, to be the first to reach (there were other claimants). James Clark Ross, Roald Amundsen, and, later, Edmund Hillary opted for both. Which, we think, is actually the ultimate brag.

The northernmost Arctic is a frozen sea encircling the North Pole bordered by eight countries with indigenous and nonindigenous populations, each with its own culture. The scenery ranges from Greenland’s fjords, clogged with icebergs, to the spiky black peaks that give Spitsbergen its name. ACCESSIBILITY: You can fly to where your ship awaits: to Longyearbyen, in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago; to Reykjavik; or, if you’re sailing the Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic archipelago, to a gateway city in Canada. WILDLIFE: Polar bears, especially in Svalbard, where they are not hunted (as they are in Greenland) and so have no fear of humans or ships. Also musk ox, reindeer, arctic fox, walrus. SEASON: April to October. But more cruise lines are now offering winter voyages, with dogsleddding, ice fishing, and aurora borealis chasing in the blue half-light of the polar night.

For the Adventurer: The Ponant cruise line has an ambitious new itinerary in the Canadian Arctic for 2025: sailing the St. Lawrence and Saguenay rivers in winter. It means bashing through dense ice, which is possible only on a powerful icebreaker like the Le Commandant Charcot . Activities include kayaking, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and dogsledding. Evenings onboard come with fine dining from Alain Ducasse and the somewhat incongruous ­sequins- and-feathers shows in the theater, which the French passengers (half of the onboard contingent) seem to love.

For the Historian : While Shackleton’s heroism is synonymous with Antarctica, the Arctic too has a fascinating human history—albeit without many happy endings. On a Northwest Passage trip in the Canadian Arctic—we recommend ships from Ponant , Lindblad , and Quark Expeditions —you’ll learn about the 1845 Franklin expedition on the HMS Erebus and Terror, the wrecks of which were only found in 2014 and 2016. More cheerfully, you’ll visit Inuit and Greenlandic communities. Sightings of polar bears, whales, and musk oxen are highly likely.

For the Culture Seeker : It’s not just snow. Silversea’s Silver Wind t races the coastline of western Iceland (architecture, craft breweries, puffins) before heading north to Svalbard and the serious business of bear spotting. Lindblad ’s Iceland and Greenland trip follows Erik the Red’s 982 route from one to the other, with visits to Viking archae­ological sites. Viking Octantis ’s new “Canada & Greenland Explorer” takes you from Toronto to Nuuk, mixing Inuit culture with iceberg-strewn fjords.

Dream On: Lindblad Expeditions and its ship National Geographic Resolution has an unusually early trip to Svalbard in 2025. “Polar Bears, Arctic Light, and Epic Ice” departs April 29. “Bears will be hunting on the ice, and there will be no one else there. It’s a magical time ,” says Ashton Palmer of Expedition Trips.

The Antarctic

Antarctica is the world’s largest desert, owned by no one and never inhabited by humans (other than scientists in research stations). The ­remoteness is part of the mystique. Most ships take you to its northernmost bit, the peninsula. ACCESSIBILITY: You’ll fly to the tip of Argentina (Ushuaia) or Chile (Punta Arenas), but you still have to earn your way to Antarctica: The notoriously choppy Drake Passage lies ahead. There’s a way out if you’ve booked with Silversea . Their private chartered aircraft can fly you, weather permitting, from Punta Arenas to King George Island, where the Silver Endeavour awaits. (Personally, I love the Drake crossing, a 48-hour passage from one world to another, eyes trained on the horizon for the first icebergs.) WILDLIFE: Penguins, in the thousands, are the big attraction. Also seals and, from late November, a spectacular array of whales. SEASON: Summer, November–April.

For the Sybarite: Fear not the Frozen Continent! These ships will take grand care of you. The two Scenic vessels , Eclipse and Eclipse II , fully expedition-ready, are superyachts at heart: multiple restaurants, free-flowing cocktails, helicopters. Silver Endeavour has a cigar lounge, a library, and absolutely lavish suites. Lindblad’s new Scandi-chic National Geographic Endurance comes with a yoga room,vapor fires, and glass domes for “camping” on the deck (hot water bottles provided). Seabourn’s Venture and Pursuit have all-veranda suites and hot tubs.

For the Science Buff : Spots on scientific research vessels are gold dust, so savvy scientists now hitch rides to Antarctica on expedition ships, paying for their passage with lectures and guest engagement. I came away from a recent sailing on Viking Polaris richly informed about krill and microplastics. “Citizen scientist” programs also enable you to log whale and bird sightings on an app, take seawater samples, or help launch weather balloons. Polaris and sister Viking Octantis sail out of Ushuaia all winter.

For the Extremist : If the mere fact of going to Antarctica isn’t enough, you can do it from “the other side.” While most ships reach it from South America, Scenic Eclipse departs from New Zealand’s Milford Sound, spends 10 days exploring eastern Antarctica, and ends in Hobart, Tasmania. (Look at the underside of a globe to get the picture.) The thrills start with a colony of 500,000 Adélie penguins, the largest on the continent, and just keep coming.

For the Schackleton Fan : Expedition snobs argue that no peninsular Antarctic voyage is complete without South Georgia Island, site of Shackleton’s rescue mission. Get there on Quark Expeditions’ Ultramarine or any of Silversea’s expedition fleet to see the mountains across which he and his men trekked in 1916. Or travel to the Weddell Sea, which claimed his Endurance, on an Aurora Expeditions charter of the sumptuous new Sylvia Earle . The guest speaker was on the media team that found the wreck in 2022.

Dream On: Got 28 free days this January? Hurry: Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot, currently the world’s only luxury icebreaker (see above), departs on January 7 for “Unexplored Antarctica”—not just its peninsula but halfway around the entire continent. Suites still available. Contact [email protected]

It’s best to book a cruise through a specialist. Our go-tos: Mary Jean Tully ([email protected]) and Tom Baker ([email protected]), who both specialize in luxury ships of all sizes, and Ashton Palmer, the guru of small ship expedition cruises ([email protected]).

Sue Bryant is an award-winning writer and editor specializing in travel, in particular cruising and experiential travel. She is cruise editor of London's The Times and The Sunday Times and also contributes to  Cruise Critic , Sunday Times Travel Magazine , Cruise Passenger , Travel Weekly , National Geographic Traveller and Insight Guides .

@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1jdielu:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-transform:scale(-1, 1);-moz-transform:scale(-1, 1);-ms-transform:scale(-1, 1);transform:scale(-1, 1);background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-1jdielu:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1jdielu:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}} Town & Country All Access @media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-128xfoy:before{margin:0.625rem 0.625rem 0;width:3.5rem;-webkit-filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);filter:invert(17%) sepia(72%) saturate(710%) hue-rotate(181deg) brightness(97%) contrast(97%);height:1.5rem;content:'';display:inline-block;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-128xfoy:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/townandcountrymag/static/images/diamond-header-design-element.80fb60e.svg);}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-128xfoy:before{margin:0 0.625rem 0.25rem;}}

T&C Horoscopes: April 16—30

Why Billionaires Are Buying Up Sports Teams

The Dawn of the Dumb House

How the Royal Family Is Connected to Epstein

Why Ivy Leaguers Still Join Secret Societies

T&C Horoscopes: April 1—15

A Look Inside One of England's Grandest Homes

Inside Philip Johnson’s Private Playground

Meet the Parent Whisperers

Reclassifying: Why Students Are Repeating Years

T&C Horoscopes: March 16—31

Exploring Greenland in Luxury on National Geographic Endurance

Specifically designed for polar regions, National Geographic Endurance transports guests in style.

By Toby Louch

A three-course lunch was being served aboard Lindblad’s National Geographic Endurance . We had been crossing the Denmark Strait for two days; since leaving Greenland the weather had deteriorated somewhat. A bad system had surged north, the captain made the call to leave Greenland several days early and “head for Iceland to avoid the worst of it.”

Waiting staff danced around the dining room like an expertly choreographed ballet, narrowly avoiding one another as they carried trays on their shoulders, stacked high with plates and glasses. They barely noticed as the ship pushed onwards, pitching and rolling over swells that could reach upwards of 35 feet. Diners occasionally grabbed sliding wine glasses, while the bigger waves lapped up at the large windows that encased the dining room. It’s likely as close to a real adventure as you can get while still being afforded the luxury of a post-lunch affogato. And anyway, a little bit of chop just adds to the atmosphere.

Throughout the 20th century, heroic feats of exploration captured headlines across the globe. From the first flight across the Atlantic, the crossing of the Rub’ al-Khali, summiting Everest, the race to both poles and of course the moon landings, explorers became household names. Today, once previously thought “unconquerable” feats have now in fact been conquered. But in the gulf left behind by this wake of exploration, a new market has opened. Now a select group of companies offer travelers the opportunity to take the path least trodden, to inhabit this realm, walk in the footsteps of these explorers, and witness the vast expanse of earth at its extremities.

One such company that practically invented this style of travel is Lindblad Expeditions, seasoned veterans in the art of polar exploration . Founded in 1958 under the name Lindblad Travel, Lars-Eric Lindblad would go on to lead the first tourist expedition to Antarctica in 1966.

Continuing the legacy of Lars-Eric Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions has been in partnership with National Geographic since 2004 and offers expeditions to some of the most remote places on Earth aboard its 17 ships.

The latest additions to this impressive fleet are sisterships National Geographic Endurance and Resolution . As two of the most advanced ships in the sector, these vessels have been specifically designed to transport travelers into the polar regions. Saunas and wellness facilities, briefing and lecture rooms, and dedicated research labs occupy the decks, as well as all the amenities you would expect from a luxury expedition vessel.

Regent Seven Seas Announces Record-breaking 2027 World Cruise

Discovering India on Uniworld’s Exclusive River Cruise

Champagne Cruising: How Liners Are Adding Extra Sparkle

I recently stepped aboard the National Geographic Endurance as it sailed from Kangerlussuaq, a fjord in northwest Greenland, heading south around Greenland’s southern tip and then across the Denmark Strait to dock in Reykjavik , Iceland.

[See also: Champagne Cruising: How Liners Are Adding Extra Sparkle]

The National Geographic Endurance is a true feat of engineering, a vision of blue, yellow and white — company colors — it would sit proudly in any port, however, it’s against a backdrop of icebergs, glaciers and deep blue arctic water that she’s truly at home.

Content from our partners

Sky High Gourmet: Qatar Executive’s Impressive Dining

The Best Family-friendly Vacation Destinations in Spain

El Paso: History, Nature, Culture and 302 Days of Sunshine

Positioned as “the most advanced ice-class expedition ship afloat,” and named after Ernest Shackleton’s famous vessel that lasted 10 months stuck in ice around Antarctica before the sailor’s daring escape, the National Geographic Endurance has some major boots to fill.

While by all metrics a sizable vessel, Endurance carries only 138 guests across 71 spacious cabins, a testament to Lindblad’s commitment to luxury. Featuring two restaurants, a yoga studio, sauna, several bars and a library, while you’re not out exploring there’s certainly enough to keep you occupied.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served aboard each day. It’s a true marvel that a ship traversing some of the most remote stretches of water on the planet can produce such a varied menu. Fresh ingredients form dishes that dart across the culinary spectrum, from classic French to Southeast Asian . On the upper deck, there is even a multiple-course tasting menu, inspired by Lindblad Expeditions’ commitment to sustainable travel. Beautiful dishes that focus on zero waste arrive on plates made of ice in this nod to climate change.

Even Endurance ‘s hull pushes the limits of innovation. Without getting too techy, Endurance and her sister ship Resolution feature an X-bow. Essentially, instead of being pointy and arrow-shaped, as you would expect from the front of a ship, these ships’ bows are inverted, curving backward toward the bridge. It’s striking to look at, while greatly improving fuel efficiency and stability in rough seas, something I was extremely grateful for as we crossed the Denmark Strait. The X-bow has the added benefit of reducing noise and in turn, improving the chances of spotting wildlife. For a vessel designed for expeditions in some of the roughest, wildlife-rich environments in the world, it’s a no-brainer.

[See also: Ponant Reveals Winter Journeys Through St Lawrence River]

The Journey

The National Geographic Endurance was built to traverse polar regions, and so spends most of her time at the top or bottom of the world, transporting travelers to the Arctic, Antarctica, Falklands, Patagonia, and Iceland to name a few.

The voyage I embarked on was entitled South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls and Fishing Villages. Greenland is a fascinating country. One of the least visited destinations in the world — seeing only 100,000 tourists annually — around 80% of its land is occupied by a colossal polar ice sheet.

Beginning in Kangerlussuaq — once a US military base constructed during the Second World War, today it remains Greenland’s largest airport — the ship headed south for Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. With a population of 20,000, a third of Greenlanders live in Nuuk. It’s a city on the verge of change, its landscape dotted by a mixture of high-rise apartments and traditional colorful dwellings.

Nuuk is an outlier in Greenland: Three times the size of its next biggest rival, it’s also the only spot on the voyage that Endurance is able to dock at a port. At all other destinations, travelers reach the shore on zodiacs. These are small rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) that transport visitors from the ship to Greenland’s rocky shores; arriving in this manner really brings the concept of an expedition cruise into perspective. These fjords are both complex to navigate and disembark.

Once ashore, the landscape had an almost mystical quality, seemingly untouched, populated only by whales, harp seals and other arctic wildlife. At the end of fjords the occasional village springs up, a subtle reminder that people do live amongst this wilderness. Settlements sustained entirely by sheep farming lie in the very spot the Viking Erik the Red settled around the year 985.

[See also: First Look Inside the Owner’s Residence Onboard Explora 1]

The National Geographic Endurance continued south, rounding Greenland’s southern tip and heading through Prince Christian Sound. Here steep mountains, some over 5,000 ft, descend quickly to the water, delivering the most dramatic vistas of the journey. The night before we had heard the news of the incoming storm and were making our way hastily to Iceland.

In expedition cruising plans change. The experienced expedition team on board reworks the itinerary based on what’s happening —it’s part of the experience.

I woke early one morning to an announcement from the captain that around 40 humpback whales had been spotted. Stepping out onto the balcony, several separate pods of whales had surrounded the ship, occasionally rising up and breaching the water.

[See also: The Most Relaxing Luxury Cruises of 2023]

At night, with a bit of luck, northern lights dazzle the night sky. During a particularly good display at around one in the morning, the captain once again sent a gentle message over the ship’s intercom. Some sights are just too good to miss.

This is the beauty of this style of travel. Superb itineraries are rigorously set and planned by some of the best in the business, but these experts are then able to go off-piste and change things on the fly. It’s in these opportune moments, that the heart of an expedition cruise reveals itself.

Lindblad Expeditions: South Greenland Exploration: Fjords, Waterfalls, and Fishing Villages trip begin at $13,800 per person . Lindblad holds expedition cruises in destinations all around the world, which can be booked via their website.

lindbladexpeditions.com

Latest in Luxury

The explorer.

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

Review: Greenland on 'Scenic Eclipse II' Expedition Cruise

W e came bursting out of our cabin doors, pulling cameras from their bags faster than an Arctic gyrfalcon diving for prey. Only moments earlier, Captain Erwan Le Rouzic had come onto the ship's loudspeaker and said, "You all must come to the outside decks. There's not 10, not 20, not 50, not 100, but probably several hundred whales here. They're all around us." We had to see it.

He wasn't exaggerating. From our perch on the Observation Deck, it looked like the Fountains at the Bellagio had been stretched across the horizon, thanks to the blowhole sprays of several hundred fin and humpback whales.

"This is so rare, even for Greenland," an expedition guide told us, adding that whales don't typically travel in pods anywhere near this large and that they'd likely been enticed into this bay by an abundance of food. "It makes you feel like a real explorer."

"That's exactly why we've come," I think. In a world that's been explored to the point of overtourism, Greenland stands out. Though it's the planet's largest island (roughly three times the size of Texas), the mostly Indigenous population is made up of just 57,000 residents, and prepandemic, only about 68,000 people visited annually. (For context, Times Square sees nearly twice as many total visitors on an average day.)

Granted, visitation will likely increase in the coming years-advancements in polar sailing, such as a growing number of ships with ice-breaking abilities, are making exploration of this region more accessible. In recent years, a slew of cruise companies have launched their first trips to Greenland.

What it's like sailing on the "Scenic Eclipse II"

In fact, this was the first time the ship we were aboard, the 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse II , the latest discovery yacht in Scenic Luxury Cruises ' portfolio, which launched in April 2023, had sailed to the ice-covered isle.

The new 10-deck ship has no shortage of comforts. All cabins (which range from the two-person 344-square-foot entry-level suite to the four-person 2,745-square-foot penthouse suite) boast private balconies, mini-bars that are restocked daily, a flat-screen TV, beds with remotes that allow you to adjust pressure and position, and butler service.

Then there are the eight dining options, which include two reservation-only tasting-menu restaurants (the French-themed Lumiere, where caviar, escargot, and champagne are givens, and the Night Market, which features different Asian cuisines each night), and the invite-only Chef's Table (which boasts a 14-course gastronomic experience, complete with wine pairings). Then there's the main bar, on the lobby level, that features a wall of more than 100 complimentary whiskeys and bourbons. (If you tell your butler which you prefer, they'll arrange for a decanter of it to be left in your room.)

Other amenities include a library, a gym, a spa complex (with massages, facials, and nail and hair treatments and gendered sauna, steam, and salt therapy rooms, which are always available to guests), a laundry room (free for guests to use), and a heated plunge pool. We spent much of our time in the theater, where expedition staff give daily lectures on everything from Arctic animals to how climate change is reshaping Greenland.

As amazing as the onboard areas and offerings are, the real appeal of the ship is its ability to access wilder areas.

Because the ship doesn't need to be anchored (it holds position with stabilizers), it can tuck into areas that other, larger ships can't. And onboard toys, like kayaks and Zodiacs (eight-person inflatable, motorized boats), get passengers even closer to nature. (Although it wasn't available on our sailing, all future cruises will also have access to a custom-built submersible called the Scenic Neptune II, which can dive 650 feet.)

One day, in an Edenic bay off the coast of the Nansen Fridtjof peninsula, we loaded into a Zodiac to zoom between bits of glacial ice. Roughly 80 percent of Greenland is covered in ice. During the summer, when it's warmer, large chunks break off and float along the shore. The pieces come in all sizes, ranging from massive tabular icebergs, as big as aircraft carriers, to smaller, baseball-sized bergy bits that float like corks in the choppy water. They also come in all kinds of surrealistic shapes, like a child's winsome doodle come to life.

Another ship amenity, a pair of Airbus H130-T2 helicopters, helped us take in the landscape from on high. With Scenic Eclipse II parked before the lolling tongue of a massive tidewater glacier in the Skjoldungen Fjord, three other passengers and I were swept into the sky. From 1,000 feet, we followed the river of ice, marred with veins of crevasses hundreds of feet deep and sprinkled with pools of water so otherworldly blue that they looked like a portal into another realm through the mountain pass. Soon, we found ourselves flying over the Greenland Ice Sheet, a pure white mass that's more than 1,200 miles long and 500 miles wide, so the horizon goes on endlessly. It's a landscape that feels both lunar in its starkness and more dazzling than the brightest sunset.

We were lucky to have that window to fly. Later in the trip there were few opportunities for airborne pursuits; the cloud ceiling was too low.

The unpredictability of cruising in Greenland

On the first day, following a lecture on being responsible visitors (including avoiding trampling plant life, not petting wild dogs, and being respectful of local communities), expedition leader Xavier Garcia told all the passengers that flexibility would be key to having a memorable and enjoyable trip. Sure, we'd be stopping in a few towns (Narsaq, Nuuk, and Ilulissat), where activities like visiting with a local family over a meal of smoked Arctic char or touring museums to get a better idea of how locals have lived in such a harsh environment were planned. But our excursions outside of port towns would be determined somewhat on a day-to-day basis.

While that's true of all expedition sailings, which are characterized by visiting remote regions where the weather often scrambles plans, it's especially true on sailings to Greenland.

Unlike other expedition destinations, such as the Galápagos islands, Svalbard, and Antarctica, which have been regular offerings from cruise companies for decades, Greenland is somewhat of a newcomer to the scene. Companies are still learning where along the 27,000 miles of coastline they can stop for activities like hikes, Zodiac rides, and polar plunges. (We did a polar plunge near the spindly finger of a tidewater glacier, where the water was just above 40 degrees-most jumpers came up shivering and swearing.)

For Garcia, who'd only been to Greenland once before our sailing, that meant reading about the history of the land and ice we'd pass, looking at navigational charts, and scouting out areas with the helicopter ahead of time. They're still learning, but those itineraries will only get better as time progresses. In 2024, this itinerary will be called the Greenland Explorer- it will start in Reykjavík before sailing to Fjallfoss in Iceland's Westfjords and then onward to Greenland for 11 days. (Three days are in towns, while the rest could be spent anywhere along Greenland's coast between the Fridtjof Nansen peninsula in the southeast and Upernavik in the west.) Afterward, guests will be flown to Copenhagen, where the journey will conclude.

"We're not planning only for this voyage, we're also researching for all the years to come," Garcia told me, before adding that regardless of when guests come or where they stop, his hope for them is that what they leave with isn't just a check on their bucket list, but a relationship with this vast and rugged wilderness. That they become better stewards of this fragile environment, where climate change and the effect it has on nature and wildlife is front and center. That they become modern explorers, not in the sense that they conquered, like the sailors of old, but instead, connected.

Bailey Berg is the associate travel news editor at AFAR, where she covers breaking news, trends, tips, sustainability, the outdoors, and more. When not interviewing sources or writing articles, she can be found exploring art galleries, visiting craft breweries, hiking with her dogs, and planning her next adventure (at present, she's been to 75+ countries and hopes to spend time in every one someday).

• Special Offers
• Find a Cruise
• Request Information
• Partner Center

1.866.585.0942

800.285.1835.

• Agent Center
• The Regent Experience
• Worldwide Destinations
• Regent Cruise Collections
• Discover More
• Seven Seas Society®
• Every Luxury Included
• Immersive Exploration
• Culinary Experiences
• Luxury Suites
• Personalized Service
• Onboard Activities
• Regent Enrichment
• Customize Your Journey
• How We Compare
• Seven Seas Grandeur™
• Seven Seas Splendor®
• Seven Seas Explorer®
• Seven Seas Voyager®
• Seven Seas Mariner®
• Seven Seas Navigator®
• Africa & Arabia
• Australia & New Zealand
• Canada & New England
• Caribbean & Panama Canal
• Mediterranean
• Northern Europe
• South America
• South Pacific
• Transoceanic Crossings
• Grand Voyages
• World Cruises
• Digital Brochures
• Virtual Tours

Destination Insights

• Luxury Goes Exploring Blog
• Social Media

Reservations

• Request a Call
• Post Cruise Inquiry

Have a question? You may find an answer in our FAQs .

Hours of Operation

• WEEKDAYS: 8:30 am - 8:00 pm EST
• SATURDAY: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm EST
• SUNDAY: Closed
• My Bookings
• Marketing Tools
• Sales Resources
• RSSC University
• Update Profile

Explore Our World

• By Destination

• 699 Free Excursions

• 298 Free Excursions

• 944 Free Excursions

• 427 Free Excursions

• 40 Free Excursions

• 326 Free Excursions

• 815 Free Excursions

• 2665 Free Excursions

• 1391 Free Excursions

• 361 Free Excursions

• 286 Free Excursions

• 0 Free Excursions
• Africa & Arabia 55 Ports
• Alaska 15 Ports
• Asia 63 Ports
• Australia & New Zealand 32 Ports
• Bermuda 3 Ports
• Canada & New England 23 Ports
• Caribbean & Panama Canal 53 Ports
• Mediterranean 130 Ports
• Northern Europe 106 Ports
• South America 33 Ports
• South Pacific 21 Ports

• Request Pricing
• Submit an Inquiry
• Group Travel Benefits
• Order a Brochure

Become a Regent Insider

Become a regent insider.

• Privacy Notice

Thank you for your request

• Request A Brochure

Sign up to become a Regent Insider and be the first to learn about the latest special offers, company announcements, and voyage collection debuts.

Cruise has been saved!

Do you have an account.

• Plan a Cruise

Nuuk, Greenland

As the oldest town in Greenland, Nuuk offers visitors a glimpse of old Greenlandic culture. Visit the harbor and view Greenlandic hunters bringing in seal and reindeer to be sold at the local market. Go hiking around Lille Malene, whale watching in the ocean or explore abandoned settlements. There’s so much wildlife to see as Nuuk is home to whales, seals, reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hares and ravens.

Stroll around the harbor with its quaint old buildings and newly renovated market where locals sell their daily catch. Greenland’s history comes alive in the National Museum, and its culture thrives in the Nuuk Museum of Art and the Katuaq Cultural Centre. 

• +1 800-442-4448
• My Account Hello Credits My Account Log out

ARCTIC CRUISES

Taking in views of rugged mountains, ice-blue glaciers, and lush greenery is one of the most sought-after activities for expedition travelers. Experience nature's seasonal extravagance in the oute British Isles, Norway, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic. Cruise in Zodiacs under teeming bird cliffs and kayak among tall, stately icebergs under the Midnight Sun. Visit Viking ruins and Inuit sites. View whales, walrus and seals up close, as reindeer and musk oxen graze on tundra meadows blankedted in wildflowers. Explore Svalbard's breathtaking fjords, immense icelandic waterfalls, the grandeur of Greenland's glaciers and polar bear-haunted beaches in remote Baffin Bay and Nunavut.

Featured Regions

The svalbard experience.

The islands of Svalbard rise dramatically from the  Arctic Ocean  halfway between Norway’s North Cape and the North Pole. They give eloquent evidence of nature’s slow but ceaseless industry, scored and corrugated by  glaciers that still cover 60 percent of their mass. Stony, sentinel peaks soar above deeply carved fjords and sparkling bays. In summer, the sparse tundra vegetation erupts under the endless encouragement of the  Midnight Sun . Migratory birds in their millions arrive from more southerly realms, to nest and breed and nurture their young on steep striated cliffs, shingle beaches and tundra meadows. Elaborately antlered  reindeer  graze the slopes.  Arctic foxes  and predatory gulls haunt the nursery edges, alert for opportunity.  Seals and walruses  haul out to join the breeding season, and patient  polar bears  patrol the rocky shorelines and floating ice, while  whales roll and breach offshore , feeding on the sea’s summer abundance.  Here and there, bleached testaments to past human endeavors endure: whalebones and weathered try pots from medieval whaling stations; the wind-sanded timbers of an expedition’s launching site; a hut where someone whiled away a long-ago, dark winter. Riding in  Zodiacs and paddling kayaks , observing from the decks and trekking on the islands themselves, we will experience and explore this  isolated, unspoiled and breathtakingly beautiful place , as it revels in the endless days of its short, exuberant summer.

THE ICELAND EXPERIENCE

Iceland is a paradox. The English words ‘fellow’ and ‘geyser’ are both of Icelandic origin. Of all the Northern lands, Iceland has in many ways the most civilized and settled population. Yet it is also a singularly  wild and unbridled piece of the earth, filled with jaw-dropping geologic marvels of monumental scale , enchanting landscapes of exceptional beauty, and is literally boiling with unbounded energy. Its cities enjoy an unbroken heritage of governance and lofty levels of modernity. But its  immense, ground-shaking waterfalls , soaring peaks and fuming, pyroclastic vents are interspersed with an untouched, green geography harboring  millions of nesting birds  alongside prosperous sheep farms, and  marine mammals  including whales of all sorts, porpoises and seals in the heart of its busily harvested summer seas. Some say the Vikings named it Iceland to hide the secret of its bounteous plenitude. But we will go ourselves, in  Zodiacs, kayaks and on foot to discover  what wonders await us in Iceland’s tall, winding fjords; broad, verdant valleys; and towering stone sea stacks.

THE GREENLAND EXPERIENCE

Greenland is the  largest island on earth , sprawling from near the North Pole southward across the Arctic Circle, where it wedges between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. Its circumference is fringed with  innumerable fjords , cut deep into the planet’s most ancient,  vividly colorful rocks .  These waterways meander between towering alpine ranges to where shining, serpentine glaciers flow from the immense  Greenland Ice Field  to calve massive amounts of ice into the sea. This fringe of fjords and mountains is where Greenland’s life is concentrated. In summer it is brilliant with wildflowers, boisterous with colonies of every sort of breeding birds, and alive with grazing bands of  caribou and musk oxen, Arctic foxes and polar bears . Seals, walrus and  many species of whales  from humpbacks to orcas, seis and porcelain-white belugas haunt the shores. Tiny, isolated human communities are scattered among the fjords, accessible only by boats or kayaks from the sea, afoot or, in winter, by dogsled. Our ship is the key to exploring this majestic place. We  discover the hidden vistas  folded between snowcapped peaks. We thread among towering icebergs in Zodiacs and kayaks, climb flower-bright tundra slopes and  meet the people  who live in this difficult, exquisitely beautiful place.

THE NUNAVUT EXPERIENCE

The  most remote and least-populated destinations  explored during Seabourn Venture’s Arctic season are the islands of the  Canadian Arctic Archipelago , now included in the huge territory of Nunavut. The islands form a curve complementing Greenland’s western coastline, enclosing Baffin Bay and the Davis Strait. We will visit the small community of Pond Inlet on northern  Baffin Island  for a look at modern  Inuit culture , still linked to age-old traditions by choice and necessity. On Devon Island we will land at the  ghost town of Dundas Harbour  and sail between flat-topped mountains to Croker Bay’s tidewater glacier. At Beechey Island, we can pay our respects at the graves of three of Sir John Franklin’s Northwest Passage expedition members who perished there during the long winter of 1845.   Lady Franklin Island and Monument Island  are named for the explorer and his wife, and their tall, weather-beaten cliffs, teeming with breeding seabirds and frequently patrolled by  polar bears in search of seals and walrus , provide a dramatic climax to our memorable season in the spectacular,  seldom-visited  realms of the Midnight Sun.

Seabourn’s Arctic Expeditions

Featured ports.

Tromso, Norway

Husavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, iceland, recommended for you.

Book a Europe cruise this summer with direct flights starting at £1*

• Need help? 0344 493 2043 0344 493 2043
• Let Us Call You CALL ME
• Drink Packages
• Flights by Celebrity℠
• Manage Reservation
• Shore Excursions
• Upgrade with MoveUp

• Join Captain's Club

Already booked? Sign in or create an account

• South Korea
• New Zealand
• Grand Cayman
• St. Maarten
• U.S Virgin Islands
• New England & Canada
• Pacific Coast
• Antarctic Ocean
• Panama Canal
• Transatlantic
• Transpacific
• Cruise Ports (+300)
• Mediterranean
• All Inclusive
• Bucket List Cruises
• Cruise & Stay Packages
• Alaska & Galapagos Packages
• Family Cruises
• Groups & Events
• New Cruises
• Overnight Stays Cruises
• Popular Cruises
• Specialty Cruises
• Destination Highlights
• Group Excursions
• Private Journeys
• Shore Excursions Overview
• Small Group Discoveries

Our revolutionary Edge series ship, Celebrity Apex, sails from Southampton, exploring Europe's must-see destinations.

• 360° Virtual Tours
• Celebrity Apex®
• Celebrity Ascent℠ NEW
• Celebrity Beyond℠
• Celebrity Constellation®
• Celebrity Edge®
• Celebrity Eclipse®
• Celebrity Equinox®
• Celebrity Infinity®
• Celebrity Millennium®
• Celebrity Reflection®
• Celebrity Silhouette®
• Celebrity Solstice®
• Celebrity Summit®
• Celebrity Xcel℠ COMING SOON
• Explore Edge Series

Galapagos Expedition Series

• Celebrity Flora®
• Celebrity Xpedition®
• Celebrity Xploration®
• The Retreat
• All Suites. All Included
• Iconic Suite
• Penthouse Suite
• Reflection Suite
• Royal Suite
• Signature Suite
• Celebrity Suite
• Aqua Sky Suite
• Concierge Class
• Eat & Drink
• Entertainment
• Spa & Wellness

• Cruising 101
• Cruise Fare Options
• Cruise Tips
• First Time on a Cruise
• What is Included on a Cruise
• Future Cruise Vacations
• Accessible Cruising
• Flights by Celebrity
• Healthy at Sea
• Manage Cruise
• The Celebrity Store
• Travel Documents
• Our Distinction
• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises

• At Least 30% Off 1st & 2nd Guest
• Fly to Europe from £1
• 3rd & 4th Guests Sail from £129pp
• 20% Off Galapagos Cruises
• Exciting Deals
• Cruise and Stay Packages
• Bluelight & Military Offers
• View All Offers
• All Included
• Dining Packages
• Photo Packages
• Wi-Fi Packages
• View All Packages
• Captain's Club
• Celebrity Points
• Loyalty Exclusive Offers

Get at least 30% off your first and second guests' cruise fare. Plus, book now and get up to $200 onboard spend per room.

Cruises to Iceland and Greenland

Tabs view cruises.

• View Cruises

Discover Arctic vistas and marvel at dramatic scenery on one of our cruises to Greenland and Iceland, where you’ll be surrounded by natural wonders and quaint colonial towns at every turn. These twelve-night journeys are a once-in-a-lifetime experience that sail across the Atlantic Ocean. Combine quiet days at sea with exciting stops in breathtaking ports of call like Akureyri in Iceland and Greenland’s Qaqortoq, where you’ll experience adventure, beauty, and relaxation like never before.

Itineraries

Departure ports for greenland & iceland cruises.

Begin or end your cruise in Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik, a fascinating city that is at the top of the bucket list for adventurous travelers. Depending on your itinerary you’ll either depart or disembark in this stunning port, where you should make sure to spend an extra day or two exploring its endless natural wonders, including the towering Gullfoss Waterfall, the Vatnajokull Ice Caves, and Reykjavik’s famous Blue Lagoon.

Cape Liberty

On cruises to Greenland and Iceland, you can depart from the port of Cape Liberty, New Jersey, which is located near Newark airport and less than an hour’s drive away from Manhattan. Plan on getting there a few days early and discover everything the Big Apple has to offer, including its world-class restaurant scene, Broadway shows, and top-notch shopping. Then set sail from this convenient port and soak in unrivaled views of the New York City skyline and the iconic Statue of Liberty before heading out on your vacation across the Atlantic. 

Ports of Call

Mother Nature’s beauty is on full display in Isafjordur, a small, scenic town in the Westfjords that serves as a gateway to Iceland’s unspoiled terrain. Take a walk around its picturesque old town, where you’ll find cute shops and local restaurants. Visit the Dynjandi Waterfalls, known as “the jewel of the Westfjords.” Or go on a hike up Kaldbakur, the tallest mountain in the Westfjords, where you’ll enjoy majestic landscapes. 

You’ll get even more of a taste of Iceland’s stunning nature in Akureyri, a small town with impressive mountainscapes that is known for being one of the best places to catch the Northern Lights. Head to the lava fields of Dimmuborgir and take photos amongst the unusual formations. Travel to Godafoss, a towering cascade that is also known as the “waterfall of the gods.” Or relax and soak in the healing properties of the mud baths at Lake Myvatn or the hot springs of Hverir.  

Explore the tiny town of Qaqortoq during one of our cruises to Greenland and Iceland, where you’ll get a sense of the Arctic climate and wilderness. Admire the serene beauty of Lake Tasersuaq, where you’ll see unbeatable views of Qaqortoq and the mountains beyond. Learn about Nordic history at Hvalsey Church, ancient ruins that span back thousands of years. Or go on a reinvigorating nature walk through Qaqortoq’s hillsides, where you’ll marvel at scenic fjord views and charming colonial homes in bright colors. 

Find All Cruises to Iceland and Greenland

You might also like.

Greenland Cruises

Cruises to Halifax, Nova Scotia

Cruises to St. John’s, Newfoundland

Boston Cruises

Northern Europe Cruises

Iceland Cruises

August Cruises

An Insider’s Guide to Qaqortoq, Greenland

The Ultimate Greenland Food Guide

Things to Do in Greenland

Unique Places to Visit in Europe

Extraordinary Waterfalls in Iceland

Experience Iceland’s Nature at These Incredible Sites

What to Pack for Iceland

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Eastern Greenland & Iceland Expedition

• Fully Guided
• Ocean Cruise

• Introduction
• Day 1 Reykjavík, Iceland
• Day 2 Isafjördur
• Day 3 Ittoqqortoormitt, Greenland
• Day 4 Kong Oscar Fjord
• Day 5 Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord
• Day 6 Scoresbysund
• Day 7 Scoresbysund
• Day 8 Scoresbysund
• Day 9 Grundarfjörður, Iceland
• Day 10 Reykjavík

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Scenic luxury cruises & tours ship.

Reviews About This Operator

• Tour Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours 4.3
• Jan · 7th January 2023 Accomodation was just as amazibgbut what made it special was our tour manager Cathy. She went out of her way to help,... Show more

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• Wednesday 14 Aug, 2024 Friday 23 Aug, 2024 English Multiple Room Types Scenic Eclipse €24,617 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currencies kr Danish Krone Greenland kr Iceland Krona Iceland

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, K.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Greenland. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Tuberculosis - Recommended for Greenland. Ideally 3 months before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Greenland. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 2nd August 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 2nd August 2024, a minimum payment of €500 is required to confirm your booking with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• The following cards are accepted for "Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
• Great Migration Safari
• Italian Alps Luxury tours
• Munster Luxury tours
• Pilgrim Travel System tours
• Atlantic Coast Morocco Budget tours
• Cambodia and Thailand Explorer tours
• Bavaria: Beyond the Expected

Similar Tours

Keep Exploring Europe

• Best Explorer Tours and Trips 2024/2025
• Europe from Reykjavik
• Europe Explorer
• 10 days Europe
• Operators in Europe
• Eastern Greenland & Iceland Expedition Tours in Explorer
• Explorer Tours
• Europe Tours
• Polar Tours
• Group Tours
• Fully Guided Tours
• Ocean Cruise Tours
• Iceland tours
• Greenland tours

Authorities to Limit Arctic Cruises with New Regulations

New rules for polar cruises are intended to protect some of the world’s most remote and vulnerable destinations..

• Copy Link copied

New restrictions on cruises to Svalbard, Norway, go into effect on January 1, 2025.

Photo by Lloyd Woodham/Unsplash

Svalbard , an archipelago deep in the Arctic Circle known for its rugged, remote terrain of glaciers and frozen tundra, is often referred to as the land of the polar bear. But spotting one of the majestic white giants is expected to get harder next year under new regulations aimed at protecting the region from the growth in popularity of expedition cruising.

Beginning January 1, 2025, only ships carrying 200 or fewer passengers will be permitted to land—and only in select spots—within national parks and other protected areas of the Norwegian territory that are home to walruses, seals, reindeer, and more.

The new rule , among several changes enacted by the government of Norway in February, is even more strict than those for cruises in Antarctica, where ships carrying up to 500 people can make landings, albeit with no more than 100 people disembarking at a time.

It’s one of a growing list of recently adopted or proposed restrictions for the Arctic and the Antarctic that aim to regulate where visitors can go and what they can do when they get there.

Like debates about overtourism worldwide, the attempt to balance environmental concerns with booming travel demand is a tug-of-war that has been going on for years—and one that will no doubt continue to escalate in response to the steady increase in expedition cruise ships being built and deployed.

Here’s a look at the new and proposed rules for polar tourism, and the impact they might have.

New rules for cruises in Svalbard

Last year, 32 boats carrying nearly 24,000 passengers visited Svalbard, compared to 25 ships carrying just over 20,000 passengers in 2019, according to numbers provided by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).

While larger ships will still be able to visit Svalbard’s only cruise port in Longyearbyen, the northernmost settlement in the world, it’s just the jumping-off point for sailing deeper into the wild to explore by foot and on Zodiacs and kayaks.

Expedition ships traditionally carry up to 200 passengers, and those small ships make up 70 to 80 percent of the Svalbard sailings, according to industry estimates. But as expedition cruising has grown, so has the size of some of the ships, including some of the luxury entrants into the expedition market. Seabourn and Silversea’s new expedition ships, for instance, carry between 200 and 300 passengers. Scenic’s new ships carry just over 200, but the company keeps polar sailings to 200 passengers.

Come January, only ships carrying 200 passengers or fewer will be permitted to sail in Svalbard.

Tetyana Dotsenko/Shutterstock

Besides restricting passenger counts of ships in the protected areas, the new Norwegian regulations will limit to 43 the number of protected areas where the ships can drop anchor and take their passengers to explore. They will also prohibit people and boats from getting closer than 500 feet to areas where walruses congregate, and prohibit cruise ships from breaking fast ice, or ice that is connected to the shore or seabed—a controversial practice that some employ to give passengers a closer view of polar bears or to allow passengers to walk on ice.

Exactly what impact these rules will have on cruising in the region remains to be seen. But AECO said it “will not only limit operations, but also will put a severe strain on the remaining areas open for shore-landings.”

Howard Whelan, a veteran guide with the Australian company Aurora Expeditions , which only sails ships with fewer than 150 passengers, said he, too, is concerned about the impact of funneling all the ships into limited sites rather than having them spread out and explore more widely across the archipelago. But he applauded the fast-ice rule “because that’s clearly affecting polar bear and seal habitat.”

AECO said it was disappointed the rules were enacted “despite a thorough consultation process, where a united industry has worked on providing solutions in line with the common goal of protecting the vulnerable wildlife and wilderness of Svalbard.”

Now the group said it is working with operators to help them better understand the new rules as they tweak their itineraries.

Hurtigruten, the Norwegian-based company that was a pioneer in expedition cruising, says that while its two ships that circumnavigate Svalbard have a maximum capacity of 200 passengers, it has larger ships that also sail the region.

“Our team of expedition experts await further updates from AECO, and we will work together to adapt our itineraries where necessary,” said Karin Strand, vice president of expedition development at HX, Hurtigruten’s expedition arm.

HX said it will announce new Svalbard itineraries in the weeks ahead that meet the new requirements, and that it is deepening its partnership with sister brand Hurtigruten Svalbard , the oldest and leading ground operator in the destination.

Iceland is considering regulating visits to Dynjandi waterfall.

Thomas Schnitzler/Shutterstock

Proposed regulations for Greenland and Iceland

While the new regulations may push more Arctic cruises south to Iceland and to Greenland’s remote eastern coast, authorities in those countries are also working on proposals that could restrict cruising.

Among those being considered is a tourism law that would create zoning in Greenland to define areas where tourism is restricted or banned, according to AECO. Greenland is also looking at creating cruise-specific zones that define where cruise activities are either fully unrestricted, allowed under certain conditions, or prohibited entirely.

In Iceland, the government is considering regulations for Zodiac landings near the Dynjandi waterfall, the largest waterfall in the country’s Westfjords region and a popular attraction for tourists on land and ship. And it recently passed an accommodation tax for overnight stays, including on cruise ships.

Antarctica looks into further limits, too

One of the hottest tickets for expedition cruising is Antarctica, which reported more than 100,000 visitors last year, mostly on cruise ships. Managing that growth is expected to be a key focus of next month’s annual meeting of consultative members of the Antarctic Treaty, which last year agreed to begin work on a comprehensive tourism management plan.

Among the contentious topics discussed last year were whether to prohibit any expansion of landing sites for cruise-ship passengers and the possible banning of overnight camping and the use of helicopters and submersibles by cruise ships.

Debates for limiting tourism in Antarctica have been going on for years, but changes are much harder to adopt as there is no central government, and 56 countries are party to the treaty that governs the vast white continent.