Friday, April 12, 2024

The most epic cruise ever? What it's like traveling to the North Pole on a luxury icebreaker

cruise to north pole

This epic voyage sails from Nome in Alaska through the pack ice to the North Pole and then onto Longyearbyen in Svalbard. The Arctic ocean is surrounded by land on almost all sides, just one of the reasons why the sea ice here is far thicker than in Antarctica. It also makes travelling by ship here a completely different experience, only possible on an ice breaker ship that can power through 2-3m of ice.

Best of Northern Norway Classic - 71° North Cape ( Private Tour)

A unique setting, the refuge of a particularly rich avifauna, offering you the possibility of taking fabulous photographs from the deck of your ship. These are truly remote areas, so it's not surprising that Arctic trips to the North Pole tend to attract seasoned travelers looking to tick off one more spot on their bucket list. The expansive region takes in northern parts of Norway and the Svalbard archipelago, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Iceland and Canada. The Le Commandant Charcot , France's only PC2-rated polar class ship, is equipped with polar research laboratories for hosting scientists onboard, thus providing an unprecedented level of support for academic research.

Priced from $49,600

Find more details about the North Pole expedition ships that have icebreaker status to reach the top of the world below, as well as more Arctic travel resources. Or contact our experts to begin planning your North Pole expedition today. In the past, some ships offered a hot air balloon ride or helicopter rides above the ice along the way.

Big ice

When you're not standing at the expansive bow taking in the scenery, you can visit the sauna, do a few laps in the pool, or pick out a good book from the well-stocked library. Travelling due north by icebreaker through heavy pack ice to stand at 90 degrees north at the Geographic North Pole is a ‘bucket list’ item shared by many. Achieving it will make you part of an elite and exclusive club, one of the very few people who have ever made it to the top of the world. The Arctic is an otherworldly land of boundless vistas, perpetual daylight in summer, glistening ice floes and abundant wildlife. No wonder that taking a North Pole cruise is becoming a growth industry in once rarely visited realms. There will be opportunities to climb aboard the ship’s helicopter to admire from above the beauty of the frozen expanse and the powerful vessel plowing through the ice.

Explore the Arctic

During the summer, milder weather allows safe passage through the navigable sea ice on an icebreaker to the North Pole. The North Pole is one of Earth's most remote and inaccessible places, making it a dream destination for any explorer. Witness pristine and untouched polar wilderness, icy seascapes, and unique wildlife on this journey into the heart of the Arctic. This ship's pièce de résistance is its on board helicopter and hot air balloon. There's no better way to get a glimpse of the scale of your ship as it carves through the ice, a small speck in an otherwise white, icy wilderness.

We will assist you with choosing your preferred North Pole cruise ship, clarify the differences between voyages, and help you make your cabin selection based on your preference. Choose Le Commandant Charcot for a luxurious experience and exciting itineraries, which include exploring Svalbard, Scoresby Sund, and East Greenland as part of a North Pole Cruise. Or cross the Arctic Ocean on a trans-Arctic expedition from Canada to Svalbard. Le Commandant Charcot is the world's first hybrid-electric polar exploration ship.

Best Arctic cruise ships: 17 stylish expedition vessels to see ice and polar bears - The Points Guy

Best Arctic cruise ships: 17 stylish expedition vessels to see ice and polar bears.

Posted: Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Sightseeing tours by helicopter will be available – just be sure to book early, so you don’t miss out. High in the air you'll be able to observe the Victory trampling through glaciers amidst the breathtaking splendor of this polar paradise. ​Following your arrival into Murmansk, Russia, you will group with the other explorers at the hotel. These conditions can reduce visibility and make outdoor activities challenging. The icebreaker is built to navigate through ice and has a reinforced hull to withstand contact with ice. However, it’s essential to note that weather conditions can change rapidly, and cold snaps can occur, leading to sub-freezing temperatures.

cruise to north pole

Nuclear propulsion allows for continuous and reliable operation in ice-covered waters. The vessel offers a high standard of cuisine, featuring a variety of dining options for passengers to enjoy during their polar expeditions. Operated by Ponant Cruises, a French company specializing in high-end expedition-style cruises, Le Commandant Charcot is the first purpose-built expedition cruise ship capable of reaching the North Pole.

North Pole in Luxury

Weather and sea ice could waylay the most meticulously planned routes. Animals in the Arctic are generally more dispersed than those in other expedition cruise locales like Antarctica and the Galapagos, where guides have regular go-to viewing spots. While not as luxurious as some cruise ships, the 50 Years of Victory provides comfortable accommodations for passengers on polar expeditions.

Our luxurious French expedition ship, Le Commandant Charcot, shudders as it plows through a thick slab of snow-covered ice. Next is a transatlantic crossing to Africa, followed by a northward journey to Europe, eventually crossing the Arctic Circle off the coast of Norway. Then, there's the return transatlantic crossing via Iceland and Greenland, followed by a trip down the East Coast and back to Fort Lauderdale. Send your enquiry and our Travel Experience Team will search from 100’s of cruises and assist you finding the right ship and itinerary for you. Born from a passion for exploring remote places and a wealth of knowledge about luxury expedition cruising, we are here to help you plan your perfect expedition.

Without doubt one of the most epic expeditions on earth, the North Pole cruise is a once in a lifetime adventure. During your cruise, you will encounter various types of ice, including pack ice and icebergs. During the Arctic summer, cruising to the North Pole occurs between late June and early September. The climate and weather conditions in the Arctic vary considerably, so it’s crucial to be prepared. Each North Pole Cruise includes accommodation in well-appointed cabins, meals, expert guides, guest lecturers outlined in the itinerary, Zodiac cruises and excursions, and specified charter flights. Transarctic North Pole Cruises commence in Seattle with a charter flight to Nome in Alaska, where the ship expedition begins.

You and your fellow explorers will ceremoniously join hands as you walk in a circle, known as the international Round Dance. The ship will drop anchor at the true 90 degrees point, before those on board are able to disembark onto the frozen waters and share a celebratory champagne. The first step to booking your cruise is to contact our Travel Experience Team, who will be happy to help you with your choice of itinerary and provide you details about availability and pricing for your selected voyage. Advance planning is essential as expeditions are often booked a year in advance. Start planning your North Pole Cruise at least 18 months before departure to ensure you have the best choice of itineraries and cabins.

cruise to north pole

Rode Fjord and its cliffs coloured red by iron ore provide a fascinating setting you will not want to miss. Discovering these stunning places in the wake of great explorers like Captain Charcot, who was deeply attached to the land of the Inuit, inspires a profound reverence. The north-east of Greenland is renowned for being home to one of the oldest and thickest layers of ice on the planet. The largest island in the Svalbard archipelago, its name meaning “pointed mountains” in German, Spitsbergen is the last piece of land before the Arctic ice floe. Aboard your ship, you will sail along the extremely spectacular coastline of this icy land. Between millennial glaciers and rugged mountains, you will discover a jagged coastline, hollowed-out by fjords.

Because seals gather in the Cambridge Strait, polar bear are frequently seen here. Although it's rare for a polar bear to catch a seal, just seeing the hunt is fascinating. You'll get 15 minutes high above the North Pole looking down on the beautiful and icy landscape. ​Not including walrus, there are several species of seals found in the archipelago.

Historically, the Arctic has attracted intrepid explorers in search of adventure. From the territory of Ultima Thule, the mythical kingdom of the Vikings, to the North Pole, men have surpassed themselves. We still talk today of the exploits of James Cook, who sailed the coasts of Alaska in 1778, Roald Amundsen, the first man to traverse the Northwest Passage in 1905, and Paul-Emile Victor. The latter set off for the first time in 1934 with the famous Jean-Baptiste Charcot, heading for Greenland. His account served to bring to light these populations and their traditions, little-known in Europe until then. Witness the unparalleled beauty of the frozen Arctic wilderness for yourself.

No comments:

Post a Comment

About the J Banks Design Group Hilton Head Island, SC

Table Of Content Projects Where does J.Banks Design provide services? What services does J.Banks Design provide? THAD HAYESThad Hayes, I...