Greenland, Svalbard and the Canadian Arctic are becoming an even greater focus of expedition cruising. Several major operators are expanding their programmes for 2027 and 2028, developing new routes and, in some cases, extending their season. A variety of strategies are emerging, ranging from short trips to Greenland to elaborate expeditions to the High Arctic.
Expedition tourism in the Arctic continues to evolve. It is not just one operator that is offering additional trips: HX Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, PONANT, Seabourn and Swan Hellenic have expanded their offerings for the coming years or launched new routes.
This trend is particularly evident in Greenland. For the first time in 2028, HX Expeditions is offering an eight-day trip to and from Nuuk, which includes visits to Disko Bay and the Ilulissat Icefjord. Improved flight connections via Nuuk now enable tour operators to start and end trips directly in Greenland. This also makes shorter expeditions possible.
Aurora Expeditions is also expanding significantly. The company has announced 29 voyages and ten new routes for 2028. Alongside Greenland, Svalbard, Iceland and the Canadian Arctic are among the main destinations. Two modern expedition vessels, the Sylvia Earle and the Douglas Mawson, will be deployed in these regions.
Quark Expeditions is placing greater emphasis on specialised voyages to particularly remote regions. Alongside classic Svalbard expeditions, the programme includes voyages into the Arctic sea ice as well as expeditions to North Greenland. Destinations such as Qaanaaq and Smith Sound take guests deep into the High Arctic. Quark has announced 27 Arctic departures for 2027.
PONANT Explorations is pursuing a different focus. Together with SEDNA, the French company is developing voyages in which encounters with Greenlandic Inuit communities play a central role. Dog-sledding, ice fishing and stays accompanied by locals are set to become a more integral part of the expedition experience than before.
The range of options is also expanding in the upper luxury segment. Seabourn is planning a total of 49 expedition cruises for 2028/29. For the first time, the Seabourn Venture and the Seabourn Pursuit are set to sail in the Arctic at the same time. The programme includes Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, the Canadian Arctic and the Northwest Passage.
Swan Hellenic is also focusing on Greenland and particularly remote destinations. Voyages along the west coast extend as far as Qaanaaq and Siorapaluk in the far north-west. Other expeditions combine Svalbard with East Greenland and Iceland.
A broad trend is thus emerging for the coming years. Whilst some tour operators aim to attract new guests with shorter trips and easier access, others are deliberately focusing on longer expeditions to remote areas. At the same time, the seasons are being extended: on Spitsbergen, some programmes now run well into September.
For the Arctic regions, this development brings additional economic opportunities, particularly for smaller communities, local guides and service providers. At the same time, there are growing demands for a form of tourism that has as little impact as possible on nature and wildlife and takes the interests of the local population into account.
Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal