The word Arctic is generally used to define the region inside the Arctic Circle and includes a number of different countries and destinations. This vast area spans over 5.5 million square miles and covers a total of 6% of the earth’s surface. There is often a debate as to where the Arctic begins but the general belief is that anything further north than sixty six degrees is included. This encompasses the majority of Greenland, along with areas of Russian, Canada, Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Finland as well as the entire Svalbard archipelago. Iceland does not strictly meet this criteria but we do still offer a range of expedition cruises to the country.
On your Arctic expedition there is a chance that you may encounter polar bears, reindeer, walruses, Arctic foxes and various species of bird, but no penguins. Penguins are found in the Antarctic and it is a common myth that they and polar bears ever encounter each other in the wild. Aside from the wildlife, there’s majestic frozen landscapes and thriving local communities to discover; making for a truly memorable trip.
