The Arctic is imbued with a romance—from the history of polar exploration, dauntless early Vikings, to the 18th- to 21st-century Northwest Passage and North Pole explorers. It has a reputation for extraordinary beauty and majesty, with its central symbol, the polar bear. We’ve explored it for over 30 years, which enables us to offer an Arctic expedition exploring several diverse sectors of the vast Arctic geography—and assure your safety and comfort. With a fleet of three top-tier ice-class vessels fanning out across the vast Arctic, we offer a great variety of ways to explore this region. Discover cultural centers like Iceland, the iconic coasts of Norway, the ice edge of Greenland, and so much more.
Arctic
Special Offers
Length
11 days
From
$11,460
Prices are per person
Arctic
Special Offers
Arctic
Special Offers
Length
17 days
From
$22,470
Prices are per person
Arctic
Special Offers
Arctic
Special Offers
Length
20 days
From
$24,750
Prices are per person
Arctic
Special Offers
Arctic
Special Offers
Length
18 days
From
$17,390
Prices are per person
Arctic
Special Offers
Trace the history of Viking explorers from Iceland to Greenland to the coast of North America. Venture into Greenland’s ice, where few have gone before. Sail into Norway’s towering fjords fringed in green, with tiny villages clinging to the cliffsides. See massive ice walls of tumbling glaciers. Discover the culture and fire of Iceland. There are so many ways to explore it. And with a fleet of three ships and 30+ years in the region, we have the tools and experience to ensure you a peak experience.
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The cultural activities were wonderful and it seemed like we were warmly welcomed each time we stopped.
Bonnie R.
It is a privilege to visit the Arctic, one of the planet’s most interesting places, and to this privilege, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Resolution add the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
Sep 19
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National Geographic Orion
It is a busy day this last day of our trip. However, just like every other morning of this trip, Helga our talented receptionist and musician serenaded us with her beautiful piano playing, drawing many of us to the lounge. We enjoyed a fabulous breakfast, once again. Our rental gear was collected just prior to Alex giving the disembarkation briefing, which brings the reality of our departure into clear relief. Outside the fog came and went revealing a vast sea then not much beyond the rails of our ship. Glaucous gulls and short-tailed shearwaters continue to be our travelling companions. This crossing of the Bering Sea could not have been any more smooth. A presentation about marine invasives and Pacific Ocean currents got minds engaged with the very waters we transit. Our photo team gave individual feedback to interested photographers. Soon everyone was sharing images and selecting their chosen few for the guest slide show. After lunch we set our clocks ahead an hour. Keeping track of the day and the time has been a challenge this trip. We have two September 15ths and lose two hours before the day is done. Tracey the hotel manager returned our passports and the hotel team provided an ice cream social which delighted everyone. Corey Arnold, our National Geographic photographer, presented images of Kivalina, an Alaskan whaling village, we saw with new understanding. This remote village continues to survive with strong family ties even when whaling has been scarce. All too soon it was cocktail hour and time for our slide show. WOW, we have some spectacular photographers on this trip but even more importantly, we have some stunning memories.
Sep 19
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National Geographic Orion
Sadly, today was our final in Russia. Before departing, though, we traveled south to Provideniya, the administrative center of Chukotka, to pass through customs and to experience this unique community. Provideniya was formerly a bustling military port of the Soviet era that in recent decades has declined in population, leaving many of the buildings vacant. We were warmly welcomed with performances held in their cultural center.
Sep 19
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National Geographic Orion
South through the Bering Strait we sailed over night. The pastel dawn gave us hints of Big Diomede Island off our port side. All morning we sailed toward Lorino, during which naturalist Rich Kirchner taught us about the various wildlife adaptations to the Arctic environment. The photo team, National Geographic photographer Corey Arnold, photo Instructor David Cothran, and undersea specialist Peter Webster surveyed photography submitted by guests the day before. Our time in the wild lands of Wrangel Island is behind us and we are re-entering the world dominated by people. On the sunny shores of Lorina, first we were greeted by the children. One of the many dogs that ran the beach smiled as we came ashore and approached us for a friendly exchange. The people of Lorino Village live a life that marries new technology with old-world convention: Theirs is both an internet-connected, cell-phone-equipped community, while also one of traditional maritime subsistence, bound by and founded upon whaling. The town shows the mix of cultural norms that have sustained over time. Soviet-era buildings sit squarely in the town’s center. Wooden benches perch atop a wave carved hillside to allow whale spotters a chance to sit while they search. Large-wheeled, decades-old, off-road vehicles blast rap music. Yamaha outboards clutching aluminum skiffs sit next to walrus skin boats with oars instead of paddles. The language is Russian, the culture is Yupik and Chukchi, but the berry jam is universal. The warmest of greetings surrounded us on a sunny beach. Traditional dancers danced between flags of Russia and Lorina. A competitive round of tug of war ensued, followed by javelin tossing. We laughed, we smiled, we took pictures, we petted the puppies, we tasted the food and shook hands. I am more alien here than I was on Wrangel Island. The wilderness is the greatest equalizer. Here, in Lorino, I am aware of my clothing, its style and newness. I am aware that I represent my culture. I didn’t feel that in the wilderness, and I put it on now like an overcoat or a uniform that speaks before I do. I am here to see the differences and to look into the eyes of Lorino to get past those differences. I’m here to see if that is possible.
Sep 19
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National Geographic Orion
We had a full day at sea today. We have left Wrangel Island behind and have 450 nautical miles to travel to our next destination. The wind swept across the Chukchi Sea all day. The waves and swell built a little bit, and we saw both banks of clouds and periods of sun. After an action packed three days on Wrangel Island, we welcomed a day of rest. National Geographic photographer Corey Arnold gave the first presentation of the day. He told us about his life as a commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay, Alaska and showed samples of a photo project he has been working on for 12 years. Next, Marylou Blakeslee told the history of USS Jeanette, a vessel that began its voyage in 1879 and ended up trapped in the sea ice near Wrangel Island. She made us extra grateful for this ship and its provisions. After lunch we collected photographs from the biodiversity survey (called a “bioblitz”) we did as an entire ship team during our first landing on Wrangel. This is the first time a Citizen Science project has been done here. As the climate changes, this will be important data about the flora and fauna from this special reserve in the Russian Arctic. In the afternoon, we learned about plankton from Peter Webster and Arctic communities from Jennifer Kingsley. Luckily, the swell subsided in time for the crew show, so we could have a dance party, all together, as we sailed south to cross the Arctic Circle once again.
Sep 19
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National Geographic Orion
Today we made two very special landings on Wrangel Island. Our first site was located at 180 ° W—or was it 180 ° E? This is an intriguing location where you can stand on 180 ° longitude, putting yourself in both the East and the West simultaneously. We also had the chance to visit the Wrangel Island Ranger Station to get a taste of what life is like living on the Island.
The Arctic is clearly a place we should seek to better understand and appreciate—for its own sake and for the sake of the world at large.
Sven-Olof Lindblad
