When it comes to offbeat travel, polar expedition cruises top the list. You can take these cruises to the Arctic or Antarctica. If you’re heading to the Arctic waters, you’ll probably sail through the Northwest Passage to call on Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland and parts of Canada. The best cruises to Antarctica let you sail or fly through the Drake Passage with Ports of Call at spots like Whaler’s Bay, Half Moon Island, Yankee Harbor, Port Lockroy and Petermann Island.

Expedition-styled voyages are very different from regular cruises. Regular cruises focus on R&R while polar expedition cruises are all about action and adventure. Polar expedition cruise ships cannot be compared to traditional cruise ships. There are notable differences in onboard amenities, off-ship activities, and even the number and type of people you'll be sailing with.

So, what can you expect on a cruise to the poles? Let’s find out.

Smaller Ships
Polar expedition cruise ships are smaller than regular mainstream cruise ships. They need to be small to navigate the icy waters and comply with environmental regulations. Some cruises set sail with just about 50 passengers. At the most, a polar expedition cruise can accommodate up to 500 people. Most Antarctica expedition cruises like Antarctica 21, Poseidon Expeditions, Ponant and Hurtigruten Expeditions carry 75-150 passengers on each polar expedition cruise.

When it comes to Arctic and Antarctica tour packages, having fewer co-passengers is advantageous. These ships are permitted to take guests on land in groups of up to 100 at a time. This means the smaller the crowd, the more offshore excursions you can take advantage of. Cruise ships with more than 500 passengers may operate as ‘Sail By’ Polar Cruises. They do not include any landings.

That said, the motion of the sea may be more noticeable on smaller ships. This is why many Antarctic explorers prefer to fly over the Drake Passage rather than sail through it. Cruise operators like Antarctica 21 and Silver Sea offer itineraries with round-trip flights over the Drake Passage while others like Aurora Expeditions and Quark Expeditions you fly one way and sail the other.

Educative Entertainment
Regular cruise ships are like cities floating on water. They have multiple restaurants, theatres, salons, shops, swimming pools, arcades and may even have a mini golf course! On the other hand, a polar expedition cruise has fewer amenities onboard.

You’ll still find a bar, a restaurant and probably a fitness center. Luxury expedition cruise ships may also have hot tubs and saunas. In place of movie theatres, these ships are more likely to have a learning center and a library. Entertainment usually takes the form of photography workshops, educational talks, documentary screenings, Q&A sessions and citizen science projects. You can also spend time taking in the panoramic views from the observation lounges.

Going Ashore
Despite their smaller size, polar expedition cruise ships cannot take guests ashore directly. They rely on heavy-duty inflatable vessels known as Zodiacs. Zodiacs are used to make landings on Antarctica and for zodiac cruises. Depending on the weather, currents, number of passengers, etc. you may go ashore once a day or have multiple guided excursions. These excursions typically last for 2-3 hours. Some polar expedition cruises do offer an overnight camping experience on the ice.

Unique Off-Ship Experiences 
In addition to taking you snowshoeing and hiking, polar expedition cruises offer many different types of off-ship experiences. Zodiac cruises give you a closer view of polar wildlife. You can also try kayaking and paddleboarding in the icy waters. And then there’s the polar plunge. Participants are tethered to a harness and take turns jumping into the water from the ship’s gangplank or the side of a Zodiac. This rite of passage for thrill seekers gives you about 10 seconds in the water. Some cruises like the Seabourn Antarctica Expeditions also offer optional submarine rides.

Flexible Itineraries
Expedition cruise itineraries are dictated by the weather. It is quite common for a ship to change its route because of sea ice or a sudden storm. Wildlife sightings may also influence the ship’s course. Most polar expedition cruise itineraries will indicate the days spent sailing to and from the Poles and group the days in between as exploration days. Rather than a fixed plan, these itineraries usually only list the places the cruise expects to visit. Like the itinerary, landing slots too are subject to weather and availability. 

Planning a Polar Expedition Cruise
Whether it is to see a Penguin or a Polar Bear, polar expedition cruises promise a great adventure. You’ll find several Arctic and Antarctica tour packages. If the options seem overwhelming, turn to us. 

From picking the best Arctic and Antarctica cruise deals to choosing a cabin, CruiseBay consultants can help you plan each step of your expedition. We’ll also help you organize pre and post-cruise travel and stay as well as travel insurance and visas. At CruiseBay, we take care of every little detail so you can relax and enjoy a carefree holiday.