ARCTIC ACCESS

Venture to the end of the earth with Abercrombie & Kent.

WIDELY recognized as the pioneers of luxury adventure travel, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has earned a reputation for going to the ends of the earth for its guests. Though now, “the ends of the earth” is no longer just a figure of speech — it’s also an itinerary. In the summer of 2024, A&K will debut its first expedition to the North Pole, a journey across the Arctic aboard the amenity-rich icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot.

Limited to fewer than 200 passengers, this epic adventure to the northernmost point on the planet begins in Oslo before whisking intrepid travelers to Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard, in the sovereign Arctic Archipelago of Norway — a remote island chain where nearly two-thirds of the surface is covered by stunning glaciers. Passengers will board an exclusively chartered, sumptuous, and sustainable expedition vessel and set sail towards a vast expanse of virgin sea ice. While many tend to dismiss the Arctic as an isolated and icedover tundra where only the hardiest survive, A&K makes exploring the Northern frontier equal parts posh and progressive.

For starters, Le Commandant Charcot is the first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas, and the onboard pool — the Blue Lagoon — is heated by the ship’s energy recuperation system. Passengers can absorb the immense landscape in complete comfort. Stunning suites — all with private balconies — offer panoramic views of calving glaciers, floating icebergs, majestic polar bears, and migrating humpbacks. Gourmet restaurants, daily wellness classes, a relaxing sauna, and a full-service spa only add to the private yacht-style ambiance.

Led by A&K's acclaimed Expedition Team, educational and social onboard activities include hands-on scientific research projects, stargazing sessions, polar survival workshops, and cooking demonstrations — enriching ways to pass the time as the ship’s Captain charts the clearest and safest path to the Geographic North Pole. Upon arriving at the northernmost point on the planet, the captain will position the ship at exactly 90 degrees, signifying you’ve reached the holy grail of polar exploration.

A champagne toast, Instagram-worthy photo session, and for the bravest of souls — the polar plunge — mark the occasion.