Where Awesome Is

THE ARCTIC HAS THE MONOPOLY ON MYTHIC AND MYSTERIOUS

ITS KEYWORD IS SUBTLETY, WHICH MAKES EXPLORING THERE SUCH A JOY.

Unlike Antarctica with its vast penguin colonies that require nothing of the

explorer but a beach landing, the Arctic rewards a hunter-like patience and

persistence. Standing on deck, warm in your layers, eyes trained on the distance

as an infinity of pack ice slips by like time, the jubilation you feel when you, or the

keenest spotter aboard, ultimately cries “bear!” is exponential. Or you’re hiking

across the spare expanse of tundra on Spitsbergen’s coast, thrilled by a simple

close encounter with some curious reindeer, expecting nothing more than the

sight of seabirds circling overhead—and suddenly a surprise party of beluga

whales cruises the beach.

Itineraries, ro ute-lined maps—nature acknowledges neither. Heading out on any

of the expeditions detailed on the following pages, as our 50+ years of polar

experience has taught us, means always being willing to accept those moments

when the Arctic veils or unveils its breathtaking beauty. We may find the opening

to a destination fjord blocked by ice. Or a felt-thick fog might settle and slow

the ship’s pace to a cautious crawl. And suddenly, like a cape-clad magician,

the Arctic will—voila!—open a lead bristling with narwhal tusks, or send the sun

burning through to reveal floes studded with harp seals, as far as the eye can see

—a moment of such solemn splendour no one on the entire ship can speak.