Top 10 polar expedition cruises for 2026

Polar expedition cruising continues to surge in popularity and it’s easy to see why. According to the insights report from travel trade group, Expedition Cruise Network, Antarctica, the Arctic and Greenland are not only the most sought-after regions but also the fastest-growing in expedition travel.

Today’s polar voyages go far beyond the traditional cruise experience. Think ultra-luxury ships with expert guides, rugged adventure yachts accessing rarely visited locations, fly-cruise itineraries that skip rough seas and even expeditions to the Geographic North Pole itself.

Akvile Marozaite, CEO of the Expedition Cruise Network, told Sailawaze: “We’ve seen huge growth in the number of new, innovative and more comfortable expedition cruise ships over the past few years.”

“The growth in the number of new ships has now slowed but expedition cruise operators remain committed to innovation, whether that’s in the guest experience – creating richer and more varied itineraries – investing in new technologies and ramping up their sustainability credentials both onboard and by expanding science-led programming to conserve and protect the fragile environments in which they sail.”

Here are ten standout polar expedition cruises to book for 2026.

Top 10 polar expedition cruises for 2026

Antarctica

18-night Ushuaia Roundtrip with Atlas Ocean Voyages

Operated by Atlas Ocean Voyages and departing Ushuaia for Antarctica, this luxurious, 18-night Antarctic trip combines the magnificence of the Antarctic landscape and Peninsula with stops in South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

Known as a bird-watching paradise, the Falkland Islands have 220 recorded species of land and seabirds. South Georgia is also teeming with wildlife, with large colonies of King, Gentoo, Macaroni and Chinstrap Penguins, alongside Southern Elephant Seals and Antarctic Fur Seals on its beaches. You will also see numerous seabirds like Wandering Albatrosses, petrels and terns, plus whales in the surrounding rich waters.

Priced from £20,188 per person, including meals, gratuities and butler service.

– READ MORE: Antarctica what to pack: A cruise packing guide – 

14-night Uncharted Islands of the Deep South with Oceanwide Expeditions

This 14-night journey with Oceanwide Expeditions takes you far beyond the standard Antarctic routes to remote, rarely-visited islands deep south of the Antarctic Circle. Discover dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and a true sense of exploration in one of the world’s last uncharted regions.

Highlights include Marguerite Bay and Lazarev Bay, with opportunities to spot orcas, humpback and minke whales and scenic ice cruises aboard zodiacs. Perfect for experienced travellers seeking adventure and remoteness!

Prices from £9,700 per person full-board, excluding flights.

14-day Hans Hansson Fly In & Out cruise with 60° South

This intimate expedition takes just 12 passengers aboard the converted Norwegian life-saving vessel Hans Hanson. Flying directly onto the Antarctic Peninsula from Punta Arenas in Chile or Ushuaia means a more concentrated time for exploring glaciers, icebergs and wildlife.

This micro-cruise provides flexibility and agility to manoeuvre the ship into small coves and passages to maximise obscure wildlife spotting opportunities from King George Island in the South Shetlands down to the Lemaire Strait.

Prices range from £11,850 per person, including flights to and from Antarctica, full-board, excursions and landings (excluding international flights).

– READ MORE: Ushuaia cruise port guide: What to see, do & eat – 

10-day Sail and Fly the Drake Passage with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

Experience the thrill of both flying and sailing the Drake Passage with multiple departures from November to March. Fly to and from Puerto Natales and spend four days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula’s wildlife, icebergs and historic outposts.

Optional kayaking, hiking and encounters with penguin, seal and whale colonies add adventure, while National Geographic photographers onboard ensure professional-quality images. Families benefit from the Explorers-in-Training, a hands-on, educational programme led by Nat Geo-certified educators which encourages kids and teens to explore like scientists through activities, field notebooks, photography and direct nature engagement.

Prices from £10,150 per person, with under-18s receiving a £403 discount. Includes flights from Antarctica, pre- and post-night hotels, gratuities, Wi-Fi, meals and activities.

12-day Antarctica Highlights with HX Expeditions

Embark on your Antarctic adventure from Buenos Aires, with multiple departures available throughout the season from October to March. Begin by crossing the Drake Passage, then spend five unforgettable days exploring Antarctica’s pristine landscapes, with activities designed to bring you closer to its icy wilderness.

Take part in guided ice landings, navigate the waters on small-boat cruises, paddle through serene channels on a kayak, trek across snow-covered terrain with snowshoeing excursions and for the ultimate experience, spend a night camping under the Antarctic sky.

Prices from £7,238 per person, including flights within Argentina, transfers, and excursions.

– READ MORE: The southernmost hotel on Earth designed for Antarctica cruises
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Arctic

7-day Longyearbyen to Longyearbyen with Silversea Expeditions

Explore Svalbard during the time of year when the sun never sets on board the Silver Endeavour – one of the most luxurious expedition ships at sea. The remote Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean is the midway point between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and this week-long expedition begins and ends at its capital, Longyearbyen, in Svalbard.

From dramatic hikes to Zodiac rides and glacier expeditions, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, seals and thousands of seabirds.

From £7,940 per person, all-inclusive.

11-night Greenland Explorer with Polar Latitudes Expeditions

This ten-day voyage traces the ancient Norse Sea route from Reykjavík to Greenland to experience East, South and West Greenland. Travelling from Iceland, the expedition begins on the rugged east coast and explores Tunumiit culture in Tasiilaq and Kuummiut.

The journey continues south into the pristine stillness of Skjoldungen Fjord, through the glacier-lined Prins Kristiansund and into the green valleys of South Greenland. Continuing north, the expedition explores Nuuk, where traditional life meets modern Greenland, before passing the cultural stronghold of Kangaamiut and concluding among the towering cliffs and glaciers of Eternity Fjord.

Prices from £5,390 per person, including full-board, transfers, guided walks, nature hikes, and Zodiac excursions.

– READ MORE: What to do on a cruise to Greenland – 

17-day The Geographic North Pole with PONANT

Beginning at Longyearbyen, Le Commandant Charcot, a polar exploration vessel, will discover the natural treasures and landscapes of Svalbard. You will sail by ice compression ridges, mountains and glaciers, as well as spotting polar bears, seabirds and cetaceans.

Experiences include hikes, zodiac exploration, kayaking, showshoeing and polar plunging in between sailing to and from the Geographical North Pole. You will explore this exclusive destination alongside a world-renowned Photo Ambassador and may even witness the Northern Lights.

Prices from £34,216 per person, including full-board, daily activities, guided excursions, internet, and port charges.

South Atlantic

19-day Best of the Southern Ocean with Poseidon Expeditions

Poseidon Expeditions offers a unique itinerary focusing solely on South Georgia and the Falklands. As it is a Mecca for wildlife photographers, the ships host two to three additional photographers in the team for masterclasses on how to take incredible shots. Guests will experience snow-capped mountains, Caribbean-blue waters, golden sands and green tussock grass all on one island.

These magical landscapes are also home to hundreds of thousands of king penguins, elephant seals, fur seals and other species. Grytviken on South Georgia is also full of history and the location of Shackleton’s grave – the final resting place of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the famed Antarctic explorer who led the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

Prices from £13,495 per person, including pre-voyage hotel, full-board, Wi-Fi, and scheduled landings and excursions.

– READ MORE: The affordable polar cruise line you didn’t know about – 

29-day Voyage through Patagonia’s Legendary Labyrinth with Bark EUROPA

Enjoy more than three weeks of sailing on the tall ship Bark EUROPA from Ushuaia to Valparaiso, exploring and hiking the Chilean Channels. The trip will start in the Beagle Channel and sail through the maze of fjords, islands and inland waterways with glaciers and rainforests before reaching the open Pacific coast.

Here it will join the Humboldt current, a powerful northward flow of cold nutrient-rich water bringing southerly winds and an abundance of wildlife: whales, dolphins, albatrosses and penguins. Gradually, the wild coastline gives way to signs of human life and warmer skies before the destination city of Valparaiso.

Prices from £4,610 per person, full-board included.