Booking Guide
Everything You Need to Know to Choose Your Perfect Voyage
There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right voyage in the Arctic, from your destination, the itinerary, to dates, to cabin category, to shoreside excursion options – and it can be hard to know where to start!
Our handy booking guide will walk you through the decisions you need to make. Choose a topic to get started! Links to more information in the sections below will open in a new tab.
If you have questions at any point, or you’re ready to book, please contact our Sales Team via chat, email, or by scheduling a phone call to have someone get back to you at a convenient time.
When should you go to the Arctic?
Many guests ask us, “When is the best time to go to the Arctic?”
Thankfully, whenever you visit the Arctic, you will have a huge range of wildlife, cultural and historical marvels to experience. The Arctic summer is brief, and visiting at the beginning or end of the season can offer vastly different experiences. Visit our When to Travel page for more details.
Even if your time to travel is constrained, we offer time-efficient exploration options throughout the Arctic season in a variety of destinations, all the way through to longer in-depth voyages combining several destinations.
Pro tip: Prices tend to be higher during the peak holiday period in July and August, due to price pressure on flights and accommodation. Travelling during the early summer (May/June) offers guests the chance to see the wildlife and greenery returning to the icebound Arctic, while Autumn (September) gives the best chance to see the northern lights, as darkness returns to the Arctic.
All About Pricing
We know it can be confusing sometimes to look at Arctic voyage prices and get a clear idea of what you’ll pay for your voyage. Here are some important things to understand as you start to plan your journey.
Prices are always shown on a per-person basis. When you’re looking at the price of a stateroom or suite, you need to multiply that by the number of people in your party. If you’re traveling alone, we will pair you with another single traveler of the same gender who booked your same cabin class. (You will also share your included hotel nights with them.) If you do not want to share, you may request to remain a single, and we will charge you the per-person cabin rate times 1.7.
All voyage prices include the following:
- All landings and Zodiac cruises during your voyage
- Selected shoreside activities, as per itinerary
- All Meals and Dinner Drink Package
See our full list of voyage inclusions
Payment Terms*
- Deposit due within 7 days – 20% per person
- Final Payment due 120 days prior to departure
- We accept all major credit cards
- Payment Plans available – contact Sales
Early Booking Discount
Early Booking Discounts and other promotional pricing can be found on our Rates and Dates page.
*Does not apply to group bookings, exclusive voyages, or charter sales.
Choosing an Itinerary
Wherever you choose to go in the Arctic, pristine nature and fantastic vistas can be found at every turn. The Arctic is a vast geographical region, and your chosen destination will strongly influence your overall experience. From the lush fields and ice-fjords of Greenland to the rich wildlife of Svalbard, from the bustling Icelandic capital of Reykjavik to the remote but welcoming hamlets of Arctic Canada, the Arctic is a land of spectacular contrast, where the only thing many destinations have in common is a cold climate!
If you have a specific date or time of year in mind, that’s a good place to start. If you’re time-challenged, that might be another. We offer Arctic voyages ranging from 8 to 13 days, some of which include several destinations. We’ve done our best to point out the highlights of each voyage, so let your explorer’s spirit guide you to the one that most touches your heart.
Please note: The majority of our Arctic voyages begin in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, or Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, or in Reykajvik, Iceland. Arctic expeditions do not include a hotel night, so departure is on day one – please bear this in mind when planning your pre-voyage travel. Flight arrival and departure airports and inclusions vary, so please see individual expeditions for specifics, as well as day-to-day details about the expedition and the exciting experiences on offer.
Staterooms & Suites
There are four ships in our fleet, Seaventure, Ocean Albatros, Ocean Victory and Ocean Nova and cabin options vary greatly from ship to ship, from singles to a suite that that can accommodate a family of five (on both Ocean Albatros and Ocean Victory). Groups of six or more may be eligible for a group discount. Once you’ve determined the voyage you’re interested in, refer to the descriptions below for your particular ship. Note that Ocean Albatros and Ocean Nova are sister ships, so their stateroom and suite options are the same.
All staterooms offer several 230 W power and USB outlets, and ample luxury bathroom products, including a hairdryer. More details on the particular features of each ship and room inclusions can be found here. In the meantime, here’s a quick overview of our flagship, Ocean Albatros. Click the cabin type to see a representative drawing.
Ocean Albatros
Family Suite
Our largest room, an interconnecting French balcony suite with two bedrooms that can accommodate up to 5 people.
Premium Suite
A spacious two-bedroom suite featuring a twin bed and sofa bed, table and chairs, and a spacious balcony. Can accommodate 3.
Junior Suite
Located on deck 7 with great views, a double bed or twin beds, sofa bed, seating area, and private balcony. Can accommodate 3.
Balcony Suite
Features a large balcony, double or twin beds, and a workstation. Accommodates 2.
Grand Balcony Stateroom
Our most spacious balcony stateroom. The Grand Balcony Staterooms are located on deck 4. They have a balcony, a double bed, or two single beds. Accommodates 2.
Superior Balcony Stateroom
Features a double bed or two single beds, seating area complete with a table and loveseat. and a balcony. A select few are equipped with a sofa that converts to a bed for a third occupant. It’s also possible to book two staterooms with connecting doors, on request.
Balcony Stateroom
Features a double or two single beds, balcony, and seating area. Some include a sofa bed. In some cases, can be connected by door to adjoining room. Accommodates 2 or 3.
Albatros Stateroom
A standard stateroom with double bed or twin beds and porthole windows, located on decks 3 and 4.
French Balcony Stateroom
Our standard room with a French balcony, one queen size bed, and floor to ceiling windows. Accommodates 2.
Triple Stateroom
Porthole rooms featuring three single beds, though two can be combined to form a double. Convenient to mudroom and loading platforms. Accommodates 3.
Single Stateroom
A basic, comfortable, well-equipped porthole room on deck 3. Accommodates a single passenger.
OCEAN ALBATROS
Click deck plan to see in bigger detail
Ocean Victory
Premium Suite
A spacious two-bedroom suite featuring a twin bed and sofa bed, table and chairs, and a spacious balcony. Can accommodate 3.
Junior Suite
Located on deck 7 with great views, a double bed or twin beds, sofa bed, seating area, and private balcony. Can accommodate 3.
Balcony Suite
Features a large balcony, double or twin beds, and a workstation. Accommodates 2.
Grand Balcony Stateroom
Our most spacious balcony stateroom. The Grand Balcony Staterooms are located on deck 4. They have a balcony, a double bed, or two single beds. Accommodates 2.
Superior Balcony Stateroom
Features a double bed or two single beds, seating area complete with a table and loveseat. and a balcony. A select few are equipped with a sofa that converts to a bed for a third occupant. It’s also possible to book two staterooms with connecting doors, on request.
Balcony Stateroom
Features a double or two single beds, balcony, and seating area. Some include a sofa bed. In some cases, can be connected by door to adjoining room. Accommodates 2 or 3.
Albatros Stateroom
A standard stateroom with double bed or twin beds and porthole windows, located on decks 3 and 4.
French Balcony Stateroom
Our standard room with a French balcony, one queen size bed, and floor to ceiling windows. Accommodates 2.
Triple Stateroom
Porthole rooms featuring three single beds, though two can be combined to form a double. Convenient to mudroom and loading platforms. Accommodates 3.
Single Stateroom
A basic, comfortable, well-equipped porthole room on deck 3. Accommodates a single passenger.
OCEAN VICTORY
Click deck plan to see in bigger detail
Adventure Options
Every itinerary has adventure activities that you may want to consider when you book. Some, like kayaking and our photography program, are extremely popular and sell out quickly, so we highly recommend you book those at time of deposit.
Kayaking – see the Arctic the traditional way
The kayak was born in the Arctic. The word ‘kayak’ is a loanword from Inuit languages; the Inuit have used these light maneuverable boats for millennia to hunt and travel in the Arctic. Kayaking is not just a great way to experience the Arctic – it is the most authentic way to connect with the pristine nature of the north, as the locals have for thousands of years. We cannot promise you’ll become a master paddler – but we can promise a fantastic experience on the water!
Discover Kayaking – $350: This option is for those guests who just want a taste of the Polar kayaking experience. Each participant kayaks once per voyage in a group of up to 14 guests, with a dedicated guide team and safety Zodiac. The total number of available kayaking spots on each departure will vary by itinerary length, and may be affected by weather, but we aim to get groups on the water at every opportunity.
Kayaking sells out quickly. Be sure to sign up at time of deposit!
Optional Excursions – experience with the locals
On selected voyages in Greenland visiting Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat (see individual itineraries for details) we offer a selection of thrilling excursions led by local guides. See our Arctic Activities for further details.
Hiking – explore more ashore
On most voyages, we offer invigorating hiking options to explore deeper ashore. These hikes will typically usher you through the Arctic’s rich and varied landscapes, to breathtaking vantages points or important historical sites. We offer hiking options to suit every ability, from short coastal strolls to longer wilderness treks. Hiking options are included for all guests who wish to join, unless otherwise stated.
Hikes vary greatly depending on individual landing sites and opportunity. Other voyage-specific activities may also be available. Consult your itinerary.
Citizen Science – give back to your destination
Having a Citizen Science program on every voyage is an effort we pioneered, as the very first Antarctic operator to officially collaborate with The Polar Citizen Science Collective. We continue to team up with them on several projects, giving our passengers the chance to play a meaningful role in recording and better understanding the ecology and the impact of climate change on the regions we visit. Observations from our vessels are particularly valuable in the polar regions, where we support long-term academic observation teams that would find it nearly impossible to be as ever-present on their own.
The projects offered will vary slightly by voyage and scientific need. Everyone is welcome to participate. If interested, please see the onboard daily bulletin and join the scheduled Citizen Science Introduction Meeting at the start of your voyage. There is no additional cost.
On-board photographer – included for all
On all our voyages, a dedicated photographer coach will be at your disposal, with invaluable tips and advice on how to capture the natural beauty of this unique landscape. They will also work hard to capture the experience of your voyage through their lens. A Voyage Memories link containing a selection of our Photographer’s best images will be shared with guests shortly after their voyage concludes – yours to keep and relive your Arctic adventure!
