Europe Polar Expeditions and Cruise Trips 2025/2026
Great polar expeditions and cruise trips in Europe in 2025/2026. Compare prices for 40+ polar expeditions and cruise tours with 100+ trip reviews. Book today and save up to 30% on Bookmundi.com!
Duration
5 days23 days
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Accommodations
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Northern lights, ancient cultures, and Arctic wildlife await on the "Adventures in Northeast Greenland: Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights" tour, an eleven-day polar cruise starting and ending in Reykjavik. Glide along the remote northeast coast, home to the world’s most extensive fjord system, on the Ocean Explorer.
Visit the Greenlandic community of Ittoqqortoormiit and ancient Thule sites, learning firsthand about local history and culture. Each day offers the chance to spot migrating whales, polar bears, muskoxen, and seabirds, with the possibility of witnessing the spectacular Aurora Borealis overhead.
The trip’s standout feature? The opportunity to experience some of the planet’s last untouched wilderness areas, paired with expert wildlife guidance and the magical spectacle of the Northern Lights.
Circle the Arctic’s crown jewel on the "Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: A Rite of Passage" tour—a fourteen-day polar cruise that starts and finishes in Helsinki. Board the Ultramarine and set forth on a flexible schedule of daily excursions around Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago.
With expert guides leading the way, seek out polar bears, Arctic foxes, and walruses in their natural habitat. Zodiac trips take you to glacier faces and remote islands near the North Pole, offering unparalleled photo opportunities and moments of awe.
This tour’s unique selling point? A comprehensive circumnavigation of Svalbard, delivering the ultimate polar wildlife and wilderness experience for travelers eager to explore the farthest reaches of the north.
Iceland’s raw beauty unfolds on the Iceland Circumnavigation (Ultramarine), a 12-day cruise that begins and ends in Reykjavik. Explore the island’s volcanic landscapes, geysers, waterfalls, and fishing villages from aboard the state-of-the-art Ultramarine ship. Sightseeing, glacier-spotting, and volcano hunting are all part of the adventure, with activities ranging from coach tours and Zodiac excursions to kayaking and even helicopter flights over remote regions. Designed for travellers seeking easy-paced discovery, the trip’s unique selling point is the chance to experience Iceland’s extraordinary diversity from multiple vantage points—sea, land, and air—while enjoying the comfort and innovation of a modern polar vessel.
Venture into the untouched wilderness of the Arctic on the 14-day Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland tour. From Reykjavik, cruise Iceland’s dramatic Westfjords and Greenland’s remote northeast coast, home to the world’s largest fjord system. Encounter Arctic wildlife and immerse yourself in Inuit culture at Ittoqqortoormiit. Stand among ancient Thule ruins, marvel at colossal icebergs and towering bird cliffs, and—if fortune smiles—witness the northern lights shimmering overhead. Perfect for those seeking relaxed adventure with rich cultural encounters, this trip’s standout feature is its seamless blend of wild Arctic exploration and the rare chance to experience Inuit traditions firsthand.
Spitsbergen, Greenland, and Iceland—all in one seamless journey. The Three Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland (Southbound) tour is a relaxed, 15-day polar expedition that begins in Helsinki and concludes in Reykjavik. Marvel at the stark beauty of the Svalbard Archipelago, drift past Greenland’s vast fjords and glacial walls, and cross the Denmark Strait to Iceland’s rugged shores.
This guided group adventure is accessible to travelers of all ages and fitness levels, featuring educational presentations on polar history and wildlife, plus Zodiac excursions for up-close wildlife spotting. The tour’s unique selling point is its rare opportunity to traverse three Arctic nations in a single voyage, allowing guests to witness immense icebergs, rare seabirds, and the enduring spirit of Arctic exploration—all while enjoying the comfort of a modern expedition ship.
Embrace the icy allure of the Arctic on the "Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway"—a ten-day polar expedition cruise round-trip from Helsinki. Discover Spitsbergen’s wild, unspoiled landscapes, where polar bears, walruses, and seabird colonies thrive.
Stroll the flowering tundra at the base of the 14th of July Glacier, explore the dramatic cliffs of Alkefjellet, and step back in time at the abandoned whaling sites of Smeerenburg. Along the rugged western coast, untouched fjords and shifting shades of ice await your discovery.
The tour’s unique highlight? A rich blend of Arctic history, geology, and breathtaking wildlife encounters—offering an immersive perspective on one of the world’s most remote and captivating environments.
The genesis for this adventure dates to November 24, 2003, the day Quark Expeditions became the first operator to successfully lead a total solar eclipse voyage in remote Antarctica.
On that day, we provided 100 people, from 17 different nations, the experience of becoming the first-ever humans to witness a total solar eclipse in Antarctica. Now we’ve decided to achieve a comparable feat in the Arctic. However, with innovation as our DNA, we set out to make it distinct from any other eclipse-viewing experience in the industry.
We’ve assembled a taskforce of eclipse experts, a meteorologist and members of our Expedition Team to research the geography, terrain, angles of the sun, and Arctic weather patterns to prepare for one of the rarest experiences on the planet – observing a total solar eclipse in the High Arctic.
In addition, you’ll discover the natural wonders of the Westfjords – the unsung wonder of West Iceland. Our journey also takes us into the immense Northeast Greenland National Park, where we cruise the 70mi (110km) King Oscar Fjord. You’ll also get to unleash your inner adventurer on thrilling heli-flightseeing adventures over remote Greenland on Ultramarine’s state-of-the-art helicopters.
Special Guests
David Baron: The veteran science journalist, broadcaster and umbraphile – who has witnessed nine total solar eclipses across the globe – is also the author of the award-winning American Eclipse: A Nation’s Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World. Baron has travelled to every continent and more than 50 countries for work and pleasure.
Michael Zeiler: The highly respected author, geographer and eclipse cartographer is a member of the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Solar Eclipses – with an asteroid named in his honour. Zeiler has been witnessing solar eclipses since 1991 and was among the first to develop eclipse maps online.
Opportunities to witness a total solar eclipse are rare. Your chances of experiencing one in the Arctic—from the deck of a polar ship—are even more rare considering the last total solar eclipse north of the Arctic Circle occurred in 2015. The next will take place on August 12, 2026.To satisfy the demand of eclipse-watchers, this longer voyage has been introduced on one of Quark's newest ships, Ocean Explorer. Covering 2,200 nautical miles in total—this expedition features your bucket-list eclipse adventure, time to explore Northeast and South Greenland, plus you get to check off two of the world’s northernmost capital cities: the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik (64°08′ north), where you’ll have time to explore, and Nuuk, Greenland (64°11′ north), where we disembark for our charter flight back to Reykjavik.
World-renown eclipse-cartographer Michael Zeiler will be onboard to deepen your understanding of eclipse-viewing, observational astronomy and celestial mechanics. Of course, you’ll also get to witness waterfalls, towering cliffs and remote fishing villages in the Westfjords, a hidden gem of Iceland, as well as icebergs, wilderness areas, glaciers, and the deep fjords of Greenland.
Special guest Michael Zeiler: The highly respected author, geographer and eclipse cartographer is a member of the International Astronomical Union Working Group on Solar Eclipses – with an asteroid named in his honour. Zeiler has been witnessing solar eclipses since 1991 and was among the first to develop eclipse maps online.
Circle Iceland in style with the "Iceland Circumnavigation: Helicopters, Glaciers And Volcanoes" tour—a 12-day guided expedition for experienced travelers seeking to truly see it all. Starting and ending in Reykjavik, this journey takes you far beyond the typical tourist trails. Marvel at thunderous waterfalls, towering sea cliffs, erupting geysers, and shimmering glaciers, while visiting fishing villages and wild, remote coasts.
Travel by small polar ship, Zodiac, coach, kayak, and even helicopter, ensuring access to Iceland’s hidden gems and spectacular vistas unreachable by road. The trip’s unique selling point is its complete circumnavigation of Iceland—an immersive, innovative way to discover the country’s main attractions and secret corners alike. For those longing to experience the full spectrum of Iceland’s natural wonders, this tour is truly unmatched.
Step into the wild frontiers of the North with the "Iceland To Greenland: Mountains, Glaciers And The Westfjords" tour, a 15-day guided expedition ideal for experienced travelers drawn to untamed landscapes. Begin in Reykjavik and explore the Westfjords—one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets—where dramatic fjords, bird cliffs, and green hills await. Visit Vigur Island, a sanctuary bursting with birdlife, before venturing to East Greenland’s vast glaciers and remote communities.
Explore by ship, Zodiac, kayak, and on foot, delving into the longest fjords in Greenland and the vibrant capital of Nuuk. The tour’s unique feature is its access to rarely visited areas and immersive encounters with both Norse and modern Greenlandic cultures. For those eager to experience the raw beauty and rich traditions of the Arctic, this tour package promises adventure at every turn.