Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
A mythic land under the midnight sun
Stretching across the top of the globe and touching eight countries, the Arctic is rife with opportunity for every type of explorer, whether you seek iconic wildlife, epic icescapes, or enriching encounters with cultures of the far North. Here are some highlights from the areas we explore to help you decide which Arctic expedition is the best fit for your interests.
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Norway: Under the midnight sun, photograph epic wildlife such as polar bears, reindeer, walruses, seals, whales, and myriad birds. Cruise and kayak beneath soaring cliffs and tumbling cascades along the Norwegian fjords.
Iceland: Take a Zodiac cruise through a basalt cave, hike the base of a fjord to a thundering waterfall, or stroll sea cliffs aflutter with gannets and puffins. Encounter local culture, tradition, and music.
Greenland: Greenland’s icescapes glitter in a dazzling tableau of iridescent icebergs and calving glaciers that we explore by kayak, Zodiac, and on foot. Go beyond the country’s icy surface to experience cultural encounters in thriving Inuit communities.
Canada: For the explorer who seeks seldom-seen lands, as well as elusive muskoxen, polar bears, walruses, belugas, and narwhals. Further south, along the rocky coasts of the maritime regions, we see a different side of Arctic exploration: traces of the peoples who settled these shorelines. Discover Viking villages, a Moravian mission, and other historical relics in a once-popular landing spot for westward voyagers.
(18) Arctic Itineraries
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NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Aug
From
$12,280
Prices are per person
Special Offers (1)
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
A Circumnavigation of Iceland
Duration
11 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Aug
From
$12,280
Top Highlights
Experience all of Iceland’s geological manifestations: glaciers, geysers, thundering waterfalls, immense cliffs, geothermal springs, boiling mud pots, and lava-scapes of unearthly beauty
Meet local Icelandic experts ranging from economists to filmmakers and enjoy exclusive music performances.
Explore Iceland’s wild western coast; Siglufjörður in the north; the rarely visited rugged east coast; and the Westman islands in the south, among the planet’s youngest archipelagos
Actively explore by taking Zodiacs into fjords and serene bays
Customize your experience by taking an expedition extension
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$22,090
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland
Duration
17 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$22,090
Top Highlights
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Encounter the Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses of Jarlshof, a prehistoric settlement in the Shetlands
Discover the unique culture of the Faroe Islands, where residents cling proudly to their Viking heritage
Observe nesting seabirds amid the towering peaks of the Lofoten islands
Sail past the dramatic sea cliffs of the Faroes to see cliff-nesting puffins, gannets, and northern fulmars
Venture all the way north to Northeast Greenland National Park in search of the Arctic’s iconic wildlife—polar bears, whales, muskoxen, and more
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Call at the seldom-visited Jan Mayen Island, where the only residents man a remote weather outpost and have this northernmost volcano all to themselves
Conditions permitting, see the spectacular Northern Lights as we sail the remote coasts of Iceland and Greenland
Visit Iceland’s colorful villages to see contemporary life, hike over geologically recent volcanic flows, and soak in the country’s iconic hot springs
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$17,860
Prices are per person
Special Offers (1)
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
Greenland
Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland
Duration
17 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$17,860
Top Highlights
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside a team of experts: glide among soaring icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord; and ponder the remains of the 11th-century Viking village at L’Anse aux Meadows
Meet Inuit artisans on Baffin Island and learn about their carving and weaving traditions
Join our naturalists to search for polar bears, caribou, arctic foxes, humpback and minke whales, walruses, and more in their natural habitat
Explore the untamed coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, discovering spectacular fjords and cliffs on foot and by kayak and Zodiac
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$39,990
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
New and Noteworthy
Greenland
New
Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada
Duration
25 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$39,990
Top Highlights
Travel well above 80º north into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of the explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore Ellesmere Island with binoculars at the ready to spot polar bears, walruses, ringed seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive narwhal
Visit the “Jewel of the North,” Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for its friendly community and world-renowned soapstone carvings
Marvel at the unique volcanic black sand beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls of Disko Island, a Greenlandic island often compared to Iceland
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
From
$20,980
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Greenland
Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic
Duration
19 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
From
$20,980
Top Highlights
Hike the dramatic Dynjandi Waterfall in Iceland's remote Westfjords peninsula, and visit a farm that produces eiderdown
Explore Hvalsey and Brattahlíð, 10th-century Viking settlements founded by Eric the Red and his family in Greenland, and see the incredible Qilakitsoq mummies, preserved by freezing temperatures for some 500 years
Cruise among the dazzling icebergs calved by the Ilulissat Icefjord and encounter impressive tidewater glaciers in West Greenland
Experience local culture through visits to fishing villages and longhouses, folk performances, and tasting tours of traditional Greenlandic and Icelandic foods
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Sep
From
$15,140
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Greenland
Iceland's Wild West Coast to East Greenland
Duration
13 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Sep
From
$15,140
Top Highlights
Discover the wild west coast of Iceland with its incredible geology, quiet coves, and majestic waterfalls
Explore the largest national park in the world—Northeast Greenland National Park—and search for polar bears, musk oxen, whales, and more
Sail into Scoresbysund, ice permitting, the world’s largest and longest fjord system and home to a remote Inuit community
Learn how to capture northern lights displays, conditions permitting, with our National Geographic photographer by your side
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
From
$12,350
Prices are per person
Special Offers (3)
Highlights
Arctic
Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration Of Arctic Svalbard
Duration
11 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
From
$12,350
Top Highlights
Search for polar bears and walrus alongside our skilled veteran spotters
Explore under the midnight sun—and take advantage of spectacular photo ops with tips from a National Geographic photographer
Sail up to rock-wall rookeries teeming with thousands of birds, see pelagic birds from the ship’s rail when we’re underway, and Zodiac cruise near a cloud of feeding arctic terns
Actively explore––kayak, Zodiac cruise, hike, and walk
Even discover the seldom-seen undersea via video shot by an ROV
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$12,740
Top Highlights
Go aboard National Geographic Explorer and sail in the wake of early Viking explorers, learning the region’s dramatic history
Encounter the Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses of Jarlshof, a prehistoric settlement in the Shetland Islands
Discover the unique culture of the Faroe Islands, where residents cling proudly to their Viking heritage
Observe nesting seabirds in dramatic settings—on Iceland’s skyscraping Látrabjarg cliffs and amid Shetland's spectacular Cliffs of Noss
Sail past the dramatic sea cliffs of the Faroe Islands to see cliff-nesting puffins, gannets, and northern fulmars
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
Sail aboard our new, state-of-the-art polar ship to the northernmost coastlines of the planet, where few have explored before
Venture into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Visit one of Canada’s “jewels of the north": Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for soapstone carvings
Observe polar bears, walrus, ringed seals, belugas, and bowhead whales
Meander through the remains of historic dwellings on Herschel Island; a scattered mixture from the Inuvialuit people and the once-booming whaling industry
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$21,370
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Arctic
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard
Duration
17 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$21,370
Top Highlights
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Explore the rare northern fjords, threading the ice-carved narrows and standing on the bow as the captain noses up to glacier termini
Actively explore: hike, walk, and kayak through stunning scenery
Make for the wilds of Svalbard to see ice, bears, and Arctic wildlife
Enjoy superlative photo ops and onboard photo assistance
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
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.
Iceland's Volcano: Eruption Updates with Geologist Ralph Lee Hopkins
Director of Expedition Photography Ralph Lee Hopkins spent two weeks obsessively devoted to capturing the mood swings of the world’s newest and most active volcano.
In the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Greenland, the icebergs are so concentrated that they fill the landscape. It’s a stunning combination of ancient and ever-changing: the ice that forms those bergs might be 250,000 years old, but your view will transform every hour as they shift, roll, and jostle towards the ocean.
With enhanced hunting abilities, seemingly white fur (it’s actually clear, but some cool optical tricks make it look white) to camouflage them in their icy environment, and black skin to soak in the sun’s rays, polar bears are the Arctic’s apex predator.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Explore the Arctic with a team of naturalists—many of them polar veterans—with a variety of specialties: zoology, biology, ornithology, geology, polar history, and more. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Discover what lies beneath the waves withan undersea specialist aboard who can dive into the cold waters to shoot video of what lies beneath the waves or deploy an ROV to depths of 1,000 feet to explore never-before-seen regions.
Travel and photograph with a bona fide National Geographic photographer. These top pros are at your side and at your service—providing advice, tips, and slideshows. Access to photographers of this caliber will help you improve your skills and ensure you’ll go home with incredible photos.
Certified Photo Instructor
Every Arctic expedition also offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to help you become a better, more confident photographer—and to help you understand the movements of wildlife so you can create top shots.
Video chroniclers accompany every expedition and shoot vivid HD footage—with no recycled footage ever—to provide you with a professionally edited and completely authentic memento of your expedition. Working during the day and editing into the night, they have your DVD ready for preview prior to—and available to purchase at—disembarkation.
Under the cover of low hanging clouds, we set out for our second day of adventure along the Norwegian coast. In the midst of a windmill park and only a short Zodiac ride from the ship, we were met by our local guides at the little dock on Smøla and on the small island of Brattværet. A bus ride along the shoreline took one group through the low, vegetated landscape to Veiholmen for a guided town walk. Born and raised locally, our guide shared his own story as well as the one of the little village as he took us through the narrow, charming streets of Veiholmen. Once a very active fishing town, most buildings in the village are now summer houses. We finished up the tour at a little fishing museum that featured, among other things, a hip-replacement as a fishing hook. We grabbed a coffee at the local grocery store, where we were met by a colorful selection of indoor plants and Norwegian chocolate. Meanwhile, on the island of Brattværet, local guides took us around the windblown terrain. We explored the sights and history of the small community, and we enjoyed the view from a little hill. We concluded our hike with a well-deserved, traditional morning tea – which, in Norwegian, translates to coffee and waffles. Back on board our beautiful ship, we enjoyed a delightful lunch followed by a presentation by Nick Cobbing. While sharing his story and blowing our minds with his incredible pictures, he let us in on the secret of how to become a National Geographic photographer. Following tea time, ornithologist Ciarán Cronin taught us everything about the grand migrations of species all over the planet – from the strenuous journey of the land turtles in the Galapagos to the humpback whales and Arctic terns that we hope to encounter on our voyage. We also learned how many birds are killed by outdoor cats and how swallows were once believed to turn into frogs in the winter. The sun peeked out and set just a bit later than yesterday. We continued our journey northward to the view of windmills amidst the fog.
On this final day of our voyage along the coasts of Norway and Svalbard, we spent the morning on an extended Zodiac cruise in Fjortende Julibukta (Fourteenth of July Bay). What a spectacular place to explore! Brünnich’s guillemots and black-legged kittiwakes nested on the narrowest ledges of steep cliff faces by the thousands, mostly tucked into the bay for shelter rather than on the exposed outer coast. Kittiwakes built nests of seaweed, grasses, and mud while this most northerly guillemot species crowded shoulder-to-shoulder on rock shelves barely visible without binoculars. A few Atlantic puffins were spotted in their crevice burrows, offering fleeting glimpses of their characteristic colorful beaks. All these seabirds leveraged the cliffs for protection from prowling Arctic foxes seeking an easy egg or chick meal. Several pinnipeds were hauled out on shallow rocks near shore, including a juvenile bearded seal. And the Fjortende Julibreen glacial landscape, freshly dusted with snow, encouraged consideration of both the power and nuance of water, from tiny air bubbles remaining trapped in ice to sculptural pieces of brash hosting kittiwakes to the loose debris and trimline illustrating how substantially the glacier has retreated in recent years. For this excursion, guests embarked from the marina deck, allowing them to walk through the Zodiac garage and see the talented deck team hard at work stowing boats. During final shipboard activities – including behind-the-scenes tours of the engine room and galley, photo collection for a culminating slideshow, last visits to the Global Gallery, and the dreaded packing – National Geographic Endurance cruised the tidewater face of Lilliehöökbreen Glacier. Ten major tributary glaciers feed this system, which reaches the ocean along an eleven-kilometer wide, semicircular front. Low, drifting clouds contrasted the blue hues of the ancient, compressed ice and jagged mountains – dramatic views out every window. Naturalist Kerstin Langenberger gave the last lecture of the trip, guiding us through the process of determining whether each polar bear we’ve seen in Svalbard was male or female. With clues from neck and body shape, hair differences, and other physical features, we identified a young male, an old adult male, a solitary adult female, and a female with two cubs born just this past winter. This presentation as well as National Geographic photographer Ken Garrett’s evening image showcase highlighted the voyage’s many wonderful moments. Overnight, we’ll cruise south to Longyearbyen, sailing along Svalbard’s snowy western shores with gentle seas and many northern fulmars to accompany this final leg of our expedition.
Today was the first full day of our expedition aboard National Geographic Resolution traveling from Southern Norway to the High Arctic in Svalbard, and what a day it was. We pulled into Faleidfjorden early in the morning, catching glimpses of high peaks close on either side and anchored offshore of Loen at the mouth of the fjord. Here we went ashore to travel up to Briksdal glacier, an arm of the largest glacier in mainland Europe. At first we were met with a dense, almost eerie fog, but soon the sun came through, giving us views of immense, sheer cliffs and pouring waterfalls on either side—both closer than expected and much higher. This was a stunning sight that was only magnified in impact by the slow reveal. After boarding the ship again, we traveled north to Ulsteinvik, a very special location for National Geographic Resolution . Ulsteinvik is the ship’s birthplace, the very location where she was built. We passed by here shortly after dinner as a special homecoming. What a way to start the trip!
We woke up to a wintry Arctic landscape surrounded by snow-covered mountains and blue glaciers. Low-hanging clouds masked the tips of the mountains from our view, leaving us to wonder at the height of these peaks. The air was crisp and fresh. Despite the chill, we were ready to head out. Our morning started with a landing in Gnållodden, a spectacular place surrounded by steep cliffs that are full of wildlife. These cliffs are nesting spots for large numbers of black-legged kittiwakes and guillemots. We soon realised why this place is called Gnållodden, as the calls of kittiwakes followed us throughout the morning. Gnåll means whining or gossip, and odden means point. We learned about the life of Wanny Wolstad, the first female trapper in Svalbard, and got to peak into one of the small cabins that trappers once used. We admired the birdlife and ice-covered beaches during our hikes. After lunch, we headed out once more, this time on Zodiacs and kayaks to enjoy views of the surrounding glaciers in Burgerbukta. Some brave guests also joined in a Polar Plunge, jumping into the icy Arctic water for a refreshing dip. We finished off the day with a lovely Philippine buffet dinner.
Rough weather conditions meant that today was a sea day, but after staying up last night to watch a polar bear slumber along the shoreline, we were happy to have a day of rest and relaxation. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before Kerstin, our naturalist, gave a fascinating lecture on polar bears. With the sighting from the night before still fresh in our mind, Kerstin’s talk was timely, and we enjoyed learning about the biology and behavior of these beautiful animals. We then heard from Maria, a polar bear guard and weapons master, about “survival of the fattest” and how bigger is better in cold conditions. With that in mind, we went off to enjoy lunch with multiple desserts to improve our “buoyancy.” The weather did not improve, so after our afternoon naps and further devastation of the cookie jars, more presentations were scheduled. Undersea specialist Paul discussed plankton, football teams, and the movie Alien …fit those together if you can! Just before Caroline set up her “Geology Rocks!” presentation, a call from the bridge made everyone rush to the outer decks. Eight humpback whales had been sighted! We sailed around to the western side of Svalbard outside of the fjord system of Hornsund. The whales were diving for the planktonic organisms that are attracted to the nutrients flowing from the glacier fronts. Caroline gave a really fascinating talk on the formation of the Svalbard archipelago, followed by a recap of the day and dinner. The chocolate mousse cake was incredible. Coming from a Scot, this is praise indeed!
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.
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