Help in Researching Cruises to the Arctic

[cantbecreative]

I have begun looking at cruises to the Arctic for 2022.  We are 2 active adults in our late 50's.  We'd like to see wildlife and the Arctic Scenery. I am looking at Seabourn, National Geograhpic, Quark and Silverseas.  Has anyone sailed with any other these lines and have Arctic itinerary experience to share?  The cabin sizes on Quark ships looks to be very small which isn't appealing.  With the likelihood of being on a ship for 11 days we'd like a cabin with some space and nice common areas to enjoy.

 

Thank You

[ColeThornton]

While you are waiting for answers here, have you researched on those Cruise Line forums here on Cruise Critic?  Lots of good info and experience available on those forums. There isn't a forum for "Quark" though, whatever that is.  🙂

[Essiesmom]

There are other lines that visit sites in the Arctic.  Go to www.cruisetimetables.com and from the Ports of Call list, choose ports in the Arctic to see who calls there.  Island Princess has a 16 day cruise in  June 2022 which visits port on the north cape of Norway, plus Longyearbyen.  Saga, Fred Olsen, TUI, Phoenix Reisen, AIDA also have cruises to that area.  EM

 

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/visitinglongyearbyenspitzbergen-jul2022.html

[Hlitner]

I am a little confused by "Arctic."  Are you talking the Arctic or Antarctica?  When folks talk about arctic wildlife they often mean Antarctica.  There are some small special ships that do go to Antarctica and meet the new Polar 6 standards.  A few larger vessels do "cruise by" kind of itineraries but do not actually get passengers ashore in Antarctica.  You might want to take a look at Seabourn who is in the process of building two new expedition vessels (very luxurious).  The first one will be called the Seabourn Venture and this ship meets the latest Arctic Polar 6 Standards which will allow it to go to places not accessible to most ships.  They use Zodiacs to get folks ashore, carry experienced wildlife and Arctic experts, and even has a small submarine.  Another possibility is a small ship French line called Ponent which also does some interesting itineraries.   Just keep in mind that these type of expedition cruises are quite expensive.

 

Hank

[donaldsc]

6 hours ago, cantbecreative said:

I have begun looking at cruises to the Arctic for 2022.  We are 2 active adults in our late 50's.  We'd like to see wildlife and the Arctic Scenery. I am looking at Seabourn, National Geograhpic, Quark and Silverseas.  Has anyone sailed with any other these lines and have Arctic itinerary experience to share?  The cabin sizes on Quark ships looks to be very small which isn't appealing.  With the likelihood of being on a ship for 11 days we'd like a cabin with some space and nice common areas to enjoy.

 

Thank You

 

Where in the arctic.  The term "arctic" encompasses a really big area.

 

DON

[Host Kat]

On 2/2/2021 at 9:20 AM, ColeThornton said:

... There isn't a forum for "Quark" though, whatever that is... 

 

Other Cruise Lines However, the Search feature brings up only 3 threads where Quark is mentioned.

 

Their website: Arctic & Antarctic Expedition Cruises | Quark Expeditions

[ldubs]

On 2/2/2021 at 7:20 AM, ColeThornton said:

While you are waiting for answers here, have you researched on those Cruise Line forums here on Cruise Critic?  Lots of good info and experience available on those forums. There isn't a forum for "Quark" though, whatever that is.  🙂

 

Quark seems like a  very odd choice to name a cruise line.  Of course they are hard to find.  They are a quark.   😀  

[All That Jazz]

We are considering Hurtigruten for a cruise circumnavigating Svalbard. If you are on Facebook, there is an active Hurtigruten group that will accept new members if you promise to be nice. They are very helpful.

Check out:

https://www.hurtigruten.com/

and

https://www.hurtigruten.com/destinations/svalbard/#voyages