Arctic North Atlantic

The Arctic and North Atlantic

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Timelessness is the key word, says Carol Kasza. It begins with the light-until you've experienced an Arctic summer, you can't conceive of the abundance of time that 24 hours of daylight gives you. In this remote wilderness, we're free not only from the harried pace of city life, but free from the constraints of time itself.

There is a lot to explore, polar bears, walrus, seals, and even Arctic foxes haunt the ice edge, while millions of seabirds breed and raise their young on ledges and barren islands.

Cruises are generaly centered around Iceland, Spitsbergen or Greenland.

Cruise types

There are two very different cruise types to this region - firstly the larger cruise ships that visit here are restricted to scenic cruising through the area and generally include a visit to the region with longer cruises to the Norwegian Fjords.

However the majority of cruises here re provided by smaller specialty ships that allow passengers to disembark onto remote areas of the Sub Arctic islands, in particular Iceland and Greenland. These ships tend to be sturdy expedition style ships and do not offer all the extras associated with modern cruise ships. These cruises are dedicated to the experience and feature experts in the region and the wild life who give lectures and lead shore excursions. Visits to the Islands are usually by Zodiac inflatables.

Cruise seasons

The High Arctic is best explored in May to September, as the pack ice recedes.

Main Ports

Larger cruise ships tend to depart from UK ports
Specialty ships generally depart from regional ports.

Keflavik (Iceland) is the starting point for the voyages around Iceland or to Greenland. Many big cities have direct flights to Keflavik

Longyearbyen is the starting point for the voyages to the North and Around Spitsbergen. To get to Longyearbyen you will have to fly via Oslo and Tromso.

Weather

Weather is the sub Antarctic islands is cool but pleasant in the summer months. The nature of the area means that the weather can and does change quite quickly, so if you plan a cruise here take good note of the cruise lines advice on clothing. Again remember that island visits are by zodiac infaltables so you need to ensure you are properly dressed for these trips.