Arctic Small Ship Expedition Cruises & Tours

Travel to the Arctic is best in the Northern Hemisphere summer between June and September, when daylight lasts between 18 and 24 hours a day. The best time to see ice and snow is early in the season, when polar bears can be found hunting on the ice edge and birds are returning to breed. Later in the season there is less ice and therefore it is the best time to circumnavigate Spitsbergen. As the season nears its end, the days begin to shorten and the birds start to migrate south. 

Small expedition cruises range from 6 days, like the Ortelius: A Taste of North Spitsbergen, to 29 days, like the Greg Mortimer: Traversing the Northwest Passage. Trip length also depends on which part of the Arctic you would like to explore, whether that’s European Arctic destinations like Svalbard, or North American routes like the Northwest Passage. Once you add flights from Australia, your total trip time will naturally extend beyond that. 

The Arctic is home to some of the world’s most iconic wildlife. Travellers may encounter polar bears, walrus, Arctic foxes, seals, and whales, along with vast colonies of seabirds such as puffins and guillemots. Wildlife sightings vary by region, but destinations like Svalbard are particularly well known for polar bears, while Greenland offers spectacular whale watching. Travelling with experienced expedition teams greatly enhances your chances of meaningful wildlife encounters. 

Prices for small expedition cruises vary greatly depending on the level of ship, time of travel, location, and type and length of itinerary. On top of that, you will need to consider the cost of flights to North America or Europe for embarkation. In 2026, prices for small expedition cruises to the Arctic start from roughly AUD $4,500pp, like the 9 Day Plancius: Arctic Ocean Spitsbergen, up to premium voyages such as the 17 Day Le Commandant Charcot: The Geographic North Pole and the East Coast of Greenland, from roughly AUD $85,000pp.