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My sister and I went on a cruise in the Arctic Circle. With 24 hours of daylight, we had to ‘create’ nighttime in our rooms.

September 22, 20240
They saw wildlife like walruses and polar bears.

Courtesy of Gail Abrams

Arctic wildlife includes such wonders as reindeer, in a hydrogen balloon that had not been properly tested, they crashed only three days after launch.

Their whereabouts were unknown until 1930, when the remains were discovered by another expedition team who found diaries, scientific logs, and glass negative plates from which photographs could be developed. It was deduced that Andree and his fellow explorers died within two weeks of landing on Kvitøya.

We experienced a once-in-a-lifetime hike
The author and her sister saw the “Lion’s Head” iceberg.

Courtesy of the author

People have asked if we saw the northern lights; unfortunately, summer is not the time of year to witness that phenomenon. Instead, we had 24 hours of daylight, which was truly a weird experience. It was just as bright and sunny at 10 p.m. as at 8 a.m., and we had to “create” nighttime by closing the blackout curtains in our stateroom to sleep. Our circadian rhythms were out of whack, but after a few days, we adjusted fairly well.

The crew was incredible. They were knowledgeable about the history and science of this remarkable area and well-trained in safety measures on land and water. They ate with and circulated amongst the passengers, and they were attentive to diverse physical capabilities by offering varying levels of exertion on hikes.

The ship was homey, and I loved the experience
Expert guides took them out in Zodiacs to explore glaciers and icebergs.

Courtesy of Gail Abrams

The ship is small, homey, and friendly. The food was plentiful and excellent, and attention to individual dietary needs and preferences was stellar. Beer and house wine, as well as soft drinks and juices, are included with dinner, and there are always snacks, coffee, and tea available. There is also a medical clinic and doctor on board, with medications available if needed.

If you want an experience like no other, I highly recommend an expedition cruise. Aurora Expeditions offers Polar Expeditions and Discovery Expeditions from 7 days to 34 days, so of course, prices and itineraries vary considerably (starting from $5600 to $35,000 per person).

Expeditions cost more than a traditional ocean cruise because there are far fewer passengers, and you are making an investment in the specialized equipment, expedition team’s expertise, and access to remote locations. Some cruises offer ice camping, snowshoeing, kayaking, and other activities for a surcharge. It can truly be a craft-your-own-adventure type of experience. Happy traveling!