It starts with a picture in your mind’s eye, the surreal scene of an exhilarating polar adventure. Maybe you want to see the Arctic, but have never cruised before. Or perhaps you have already had a taste of the Arctic, but are looking for a more powerful wildlife encounter.
This is where Atlas Ocean Voyages steps in, to give you that once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list Arctic experience. Imagine magical, up-close moments with incredible wildlife on an exhilarating small-ship polar expedition, discovering the extraordinary landscapes of the Svalbard archipelago or Greenland. Atlas can make this happen, offering intimate expedition-style wellness retreats in total luxury – with an almost 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.
You get the best of both worlds: the thrill of witnessing wildlife in their habitats and the comfort of a sublime luxury yacht, all within the intimacy of fewer than 200 like-minded nature enthusiasts.
Explore the High Arctic of Svalbard.
Svalbard, also spoke of by its main island Spitsbergen, is a remote grouping of Norwegian islands in the Arctic Ocean, midway between Norway and the North Pole. Fascinating explorers for centuries, it remains one of the most unexplored regions in the world. Atlas cruises to Svalbard are guided by an expert expedition team that whisks guests through the icy inlets and bays on Zodiac cruises, landing on the pebbled shorelines for amazing wildlife treks.
Watch reindeer graze on the lush tundra or Arctic foxes scamper along the rocks. See seals and walruses laze among the rocks, and whales socializing right offshore. You may even witness the elusive polar bear. The captain will navigate the ship to hidden landings, searching for the best spots for wildlife viewing and exploring the whole environment.
Each Atlas Arctic expedition from the community of Longyearbyen – including Wilderness & Wonders of Svalbard, Arctic Sojourn and Svalbard Odyssey – begins with an insightful talk entitled Cultural Immersion: Discover Longyearbyen. Guests learn about the town’s way of life and enjoy local delicacies like reindeer canapés, coal mine beer and polar bear chocolates. You also take advantage of free, roundtrip, private-charter jet service between Oslo and Longyearbyen.
Discover the Arctic culture of Greenland
As the small size of the Atlas yachts make it easy to reach remote villages that larger cruise ships can’t manage, guests aboard Atlas Arctic cruises are able to experience total cultural immersion in the fascinating communities of Greenland.
By cruise ship is by far the best way to see Greenland, because there are few roads. The history of the oldest form of transportation in the Arctic comes alive in Ilulissat in western Greenland, renowned for the Ilulissat Icefjord and the massive icebergs floating in adjacent Disko Bay. And on the east side of the country in Ittoqqortoormiit, cultural immersion opens the village for Atlas expeditions, allowing for a deep dive into the heritage and traditions kept alive in this remote and engaging outpost.
This is your new travel objective
Find out how Atlas Ocean Voyages can send you on the most spellbound adventure you may ever take. The Tully Travel Designers have the reservation know-how to turn your Arctic passion into a reality.
