Passenger numbers in the Arctic have jumped in double-digit percentages in the last couple of years and, according to an Expedition Cruise Network survey, the Arctic and Antarctic have led the increased demand among all expedition destinations in 2025.

The boom is reflective of a wider travel trend towards more remote places and increasing cruise interest from younger generations, but has also been fuelled by media attention directed at Arctic destinations such as Greenland.

New regulations introduced in 2025 aimed at protecting the Arctic’s fragile environment and wildlife reflect growing pressure from cruise ships. Svalbard limited access to ships with 200 passengers or fewer and has regulated the distance ships can approach polar bears.

Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is loosely defined. Few ships can penetrate the Arctic icepack or get near the North Pole. The main destinations are Svalbard, Canada, Iceland and Greenland. Then there’s Alaska and Norway, although their most-cruised destinations are below the Arctic Circle.

Expedition cruises might concentrate on one area, join up several, or occasionally make long intrepid journeys through the Northwest Passage, which has been traversed by fewer than 500 ships in history.

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Part of the Arctic’s popularity lies in its easy accessibility compared to Antarctica. Still, most ships sail only during the July-September northern summer, although hull-strengthened polar-class ships might sail at other times.

Unusually, Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot is sailing between October 2026 and March 2027, when the northern lights are best spotted. It includes an itinerary from Canada’s St Lawrence River to Greenland, and another from Norway to Svalbard.

If you want to sail the Arctic, plan ahead. The limited season means cabins sell out. Cruise lines are opening their bookings further in advance, with summer 2027 already looking busy.

Among the more recognisable names in cruising that offer comprehensive Arctic programs are Aurora Expeditions, HX, National Geographic-Lindblad, Scenic, Seabourn and Silversea.

Aurora Expeditions has 15 polar journeys in the 2027 season on its ships Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, with dedicated solo cabins attracting no single supplement on every sailing. Among them is a photography cruise in Iceland and Greenland, and another focused on polar bears in Svalbard.

Silversea is offering 20 cruises on Silver Wind and Silver Endeavour that visit more than 70 destinations across Greenland and Canada. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions too has an expanded season, including an itinerary between Greenland and Newfoundland, and one that concentrates on Baffin Island.

Meanwhile, Scenic has rolled out several new itineraries for 2027, among them a 12-day expedition to the national parks of East Greenland and Iceland, and a 15-day journey from the Norwegian fjords as far as Svalbard.

Many boutique expedition companies also operate in the Arctic, such as Albatross, AE, Quark and Secret Atlas. Last year G Adventures returned after a six-year hiatus.

This May, Aqua Expeditions launches 30-guest icebreaker-superyacht Aqua Lares, which will sail five- to 14-night expeditions through Svalbard and the Norwegian Arctic, or combine the Arctic with Scottish islands.