Arctic Cruises & Tours

Midnight sun, ethereal natural light shows and preening polar bears – welcome to the edge of the map.

A pristine Eden of mountain peaks, glacial structures and pretty much every shade of blue known to man, this winter wonderland sometimes seems too beautiful to be real. Polar bears, whales, reindeer and walruses dot the ice-strewn land and seascapes while wildflowers bloom on the inland plains. Come the seasonal equinoxes, Aurora Borealis throws up its dazzling display of lights. On some summer nights the sun never sets. Enchanting, stark and about as remote as you can get while crossing parts of eight countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Greenland (Denmark), Russia, Canada and the USA – the Arctic Circle really is poles apart from the typical travel experience. Set sail on a cruise to the Earth's tip top - The Arctic.

Arctic highlights

Your home on the sea

We know you want to be as comfortable as possible while on board, which is why we’ve chosen vessels equipped with modern conveniences along with luxurious touches that make each voyage a true pleasure. Each ship boasts onboard chefs to prepare a range of hearty, quality meals, and onboard experts to ensure you spend more time seeing the sights and less time thumbing through a guidebook.

Ocean Adventurer ship in Arctic
Ocean Adventurer
BOAT TYPE: Expedition PASSENGERS: 128
This sturdy expedition ship was built in 1975 and underwent an $8 million refurbishment in 2017 which included new engines and refurbished cabins and public spaces. All her cabins are ensuite with exterior views.
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Ultramarine
Ultramarine
BOAT TYPE: Expedition PASSENGERS: 199
If you’re looking to take your polar adventure to the next level, Ultramarine is designed to help you discover amazing new places and see the very best of the spectacular polar regions. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine helps travellers access a wide variety of activities while featuring spacious suites, incredible public spaces, and a huge range of outdoor wildlife viewing vantage points. It also features an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards. Other features include an all-inclusive bar and a helicopter landing pad, with sightseeing flights included in the voyages. Please note: Helicopter operations are not permitted in certain regions such as Svalbard and South Georgia. These restrictions are in place to protect the landscape and wildlife of these areas.
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Ocean Endeavour - Arctic
Ocean Endeavour - Arctic
BOAT TYPE: Expedition PASSENGERS: 200
The Ocean Endeavour - Arctic is a comfortable and spacious ship with a gym, library and wide range of cabin types.
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Ocean Explorer exterior from a distance with a large iceberg in the foreground
Ocean Explorer
BOAT TYPE: Expedition PASSENGERS: 138
The Ocean Explorer is the new way to see the Polar region in style. Purpose-built for exploration, this ship features a fleet of modern Zodiacs, large windows perfect for spotting Polar wildlife, two outdoor Jacuzzis, modern cabins in Scandinavian design, private verandahs in almost all rooms, a spacious gym and sauna and a two-storey, light-filled library. Coupled with plenty of outdoor viewing areas, this ship is the perfect setting for avid photographers, marine enthusiasts and sustainability-conscious explorers.
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Why choose us

Custom built ships

Each vessel is purpose-built for polar conditions, well-equipped and fitted with modern conveniences to create a home away from home. Each ship also boasts a team of professional chefs preparing high-quality meals around the clock, a crew of experienced sailors and expedition leaders to chart a course.

Expert leaders

Travel with polar experts in a range of fields – glaciology, ornithology, marine biology and natural history – who provide invaluable context and insight to the region. Trained guides in Arctic terrain ensure you can travel with peace of mind onboard and during onshore activities.

Onboard activities

When you’re not spotting wildlife from the deck, exploring onshore or taking part in an adventure activity, all our Arctic trips include educational seminars to learn about the region’s unique flora and fauna. On top of all that, there’s a library where you can do your own polar research or have some downtime in the lounge.

Full board

All cruises provide three meals a day, 24-hour tea and coffee, and activities including Zodiac excursions, onboard seminars and shore landings. Our chefs know just how to warm you up after your Arctic outing, just be ready for a second serving!

Safety

Our polar operators are the best in the business and make your safety travelling in this potentially hazardous region their number one priority, adhering to all international maritime and SOLAS regulations.

Sustainable travel

We strive to use travel as a force for good. That’s why we choose to give back to the communities we visit, carbon offset all our trips and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We’ve been officially certified as the world’s largest travel B Corp, which means when you choose Intrepid Travel, you can rest assured you’re travelling to improve the planet.

Arctic tour reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 829 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Iceland Express

Brittany · Traveled August 2024
If you have limited time in Iceland, this tour is for you. We had a great tour guide with a deep understanding of Iceland which made us love and appreciate Iceland even more!
Review submitted 19 Aug 2024

Six Days in Iceland

Jesse · Traveled August 2024
I had a great tour guide and group. This tour offered an easy way to get around the country and learn about its history. My main complaint was the lack of variety of stops. The itinerary is mostly waterfalls which are all great in their own unique way, but some of the “optional” stuff are the best parts of the tour and if you don’t do them then I think the overall experience is negatively impacted. Otherwise fantastic tour and I look forward to the next time I go to Iceland!
Review submitted 20 Aug 2024

Iceland Discovery

Diana · Traveled August 2024
Intrepid never disappoints! Great well organized tour. Beautiful country with stunning views. The tour covers a lot of ground so be prepared to be in the van for some time. Our tour leader Margret was phenomenal! So many wonderful memories. Thank you Intrepid!
Review submitted 25 Aug 2024

Iceland Discovery

Crystal · Traveled August 2024
Highly recommend Intrepid Iceland tour. Our guide Margret went above and beyond to show us her beautiful country and give great insight into the culture, history and landscape of Iceland while going above and beyond to take care of the entire group. Itinerary was full and varied all accommodations were clean and comfortable.
Review submitted 18 Aug 2024

Iceland Discovery

Paul · Traveled August 2024
Our trip to Iceland with Intrepid was amazing. We could not have asked for a better guide, so knowledgeable, helpful well organised, friendly with a lovely sense of humour. She helped to ensure the group gelled together so well. The scenery and the experiences were fantastic. The accommodation was very comfortable we have no complaints.
Review submitted 18 Aug 2024

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We're here to do good by creating positive change through the joy of travel.
We're here to do good by creating positive change through the joy of travel.