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Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Length
16 Days
Ship category
Luxury
Ship type
Large Ship
Capacity
138 Passengers
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Ocean Explorer is a modern, purpose-built expedition ship for up to 138 guests. Its Ulstein X-Bow, 15 Zodiacs, multi-height outdoor decks and light-filled, two-storey library at the bow are designed around polar travel and wildlife viewing. Most cabins have a private veranda.
The Ready Room keeps expedition gear outside the cabin areas. Between outings, guests can use the observation spaces, Tundra Spa & Sauna, gym and two outdoor Jacuzzis. The combination gives guests several places to watch the landscape or step away from busier shared areas between excursions. The veranda-heavy cabin plan … Read more about Ocean Explorer
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Bar
Mudroom
Gym on board
Expedition Parka
Observation Deck
Zodiac Fleet
Kayaks on board
Observation Lounge
Hot Tub
All meals
Interconnecting cabins
Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices
Sauna
Medical Services
TV in room
Library
English guides
Internet/Wifi
Restaurant
Ocean Explorer has two main dining venues. The Main Dining Room on Deck 5 seats 144 guests, while the Observation Bistro seats up to 44 and serves lighter fare and grab-and-go snacks.
Breakfast and lunch are normally buffet-style and dinner is plated. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are labelled, and most special dietary requests can be accommodated when declared on the expedition forms. Kosher food cannot be prepared.
From
Until
Info
Availability
Price
2
Sep
2027
• 16 days
• Discounts apply if the total is paid in full within 7 days
From
USD 21,598
USD 26,390
2
Sep
2027
17
Sep
2027
•
Discounts apply if the total is paid in full within 7 days
USD 21,598
USD 26,390
23
Aug
2028
• 16 days
• Discounts apply if the total is paid in full within 7 days
From
USD 20,559
USD 25,690
23
Aug
2028
7
Sep
2028
•
Discounts apply if the total is paid in full within 7 days
USD 20,559
USD 25,690
Preferred date unavailable?
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
Leadership throughout your voyage by experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily programme
All shore landings as per the daily programme
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout the voyage; dietary requirements should be shared as early as possible
Complimentary select beer, wines and cocktails during bar service hours and dinner
Complimentary coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by the Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
Complimentary Wi-Fi on one device for basic browsing, email, social media and voice applications; premium packages are available, and polar connectivity depends on geography, climate and other factors
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
All luggage handling aboard the ship
Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax
Charter Flight & Hotel Package: one pre-expedition hotel night in the airport area near Keflavik with breakfast; charter flight from Reykjavik to Nuuk; group transfer from the ship to Kangerlussuaq airport; charter flight from Kangerlussuaq to Reykjavik; one post-expedition airport hotel night near Keflavik with breakfast
International airfare
Arrival transfers in Reykjavik
Passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance - strongly recommended
Excess-baggage fees on international and domestic flights
Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising and any other gear not mentioned above
Laundry, bar, spa and other personal charges unless specified
Phone charges, which may vary by location
Additional overnight accommodation
Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities
The package begins and ends in Reykjavik and includes charter flights to Nuuk and from Kangerlussuaq, plus the stated hotel nights.
Passenger embarkation is in Nuuk; passenger disembarkation is in Kangerlussuaq.
Ice, weather, local permissions and wildlife determine the exact order and feasibility of landings, community visits and Zodiac outings.
Community visits are hosted experiences in people's home towns; schedules and activities may change according to local arrangements.
Wildlife sightings, including whales, seals, seabirds and musk oxen, are possible but never guaranteed.
After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.
Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.
This trip generates 7.68 t CO₂e. Polartours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:
All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.
Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:
In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.
We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!
Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.
Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.
Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.
Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.
Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.
*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.
An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.
Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.
Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.
4.8
(17)
Price
From
USD 20,559
No dates selected
From
17 Reviews
The ice-filled reaches of Smith Sound
Qaanaaq in Greenland's far north
Uummannaq's heart-shaped mountain
Ilulissat's UNESCO-listed icefjord
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
Polar Expedition Specialists: We focus exclusively on polar voyages, with advice rooted in real, firsthand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly funds our mission to protect and restore global rainforests.
Travel far beyond Greenland's better-known southern coast on a 16-day expedition aboard Ocean Explorer. From Reykjavik, fly to Nuuk and follow the west coast north through Disko Bay, Upernavik and Qaanaaq before returning via Uummannaq, Eqip Sermia and Ilulissat. Community visits, tundra walks, Zodiac exploration and long hours on deck bring you close to a region shaped equally by ice and human resilience.
This is an expedition rather than a chain of guaranteed port calls. Ice, weather, wildlife and local permissions guide each day, especially in the far north. That flexibility is part of the appeal: the route has a clear direction and purpose, while the captain and expedition team retain the freedom to choose the best option that can be carried out safely.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
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Arrive in Iceland and make your own way to the included group hotel in the airport area near Keflavik. If you would like to visit Reykjavik, allow about one hour each way between the airport area and the city. Breakfast and tomorrow's charter flight to Nuuk are included in the Charter Flight & Hotel Package; follow your final documents for exact meeting and transfer times.
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Sisimiut lies just north of the Arctic Circle and combines contemporary Greenlandic life with long-established Arctic traditions. A locally guided town walk includes admission to the museum and a taste of local Greenlandic food. You may also explore the busy harbour, colourful homes and surrounding tundra; any additional encounters or optional activities depend on local arrangements and conditions.
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Sail into Disko Bay and step ashore at Qeqertarsuaq on volcanic Disko Island. Basalt landscapes, broad views and the possibility of a tundra walk create a striking contrast to the ice offshore. Weather and landing conditions determine the day's precise plan, but the island's geology and vast setting make it a memorable introduction to western Greenland.
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Continue north through a coastline scattered with islands and small settlements toward Upernavik. The expedition team may combine a community visit, a walk or Zodiac exploration according to weather and local arrangements. This is a day to see how life is shaped by distance, sea ice and the narrow band of land between mountains and water.
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Spend a day at sea as Ocean Explorer pushes deeper into Greenland's far north. Watch the coast and ice from the outer decks, join talks that prepare you for the High Arctic ahead and keep binoculars ready for seabirds or marine mammals. The long passage is part of the experience, revealing the distances that define this remote region.
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Cape Alexander
Today the expedition reaches its northernmost point around Cape Alexander and Smith Sound, the narrow waterway between Greenland and Canada. Drifting sea ice can change conditions from one day to the next, so the expedition team adapts the plan accordingly. A Zodiac cruise may bring you closer to the ice-filled landscape, and shore landings may be possible where conditions allow. Keep watch for migratory birds and other High Arctic wildlife; sightings are never guaranteed.
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Visit Qaanaaq, one of the world's northernmost towns and the cultural heart of Greenland's far north. Time with local hosts offers a respectful window into present-day life, Inughuit heritage and the practical knowledge required in this environment. The visit depends on community arrangements, and our role is to arrive as attentive guests rather than spectators.
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Turn south and keep watch as the ship retraces the immense coast through changing light and ice. The expedition team uses time at sea for wildlife observation and deeper context on Greenland's ecology, history and communities. Musk oxen live in Greenland, while whales, seals and seabirds may be seen from the ship; all wildlife encounters remain unpredictable.
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Continue south through High Arctic waters, where weather and ice continually reshape the view. Large bergs, open leads and distant mountain profiles reward time on deck, while presentations connect the landscape to the Greenland Ice Sheet and the people who travel along this coast. There is no fixed port call today, and that spaciousness is part of the journey.
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Come ashore in Uummannaq, dramatically set beneath its distinctive heart-shaped mountain. Explore the settlement with local context and see how houses, harbour and surrounding ice share the same narrow coastal space. Subject to permissions and conditions, the visit focuses on the community itself rather than treating it as scenery.
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Eqi Glacier
Approach Eqip Sermia, a powerful tidewater glacier north of Ilulissat. From the safest available position, watch its fractured ice front and listen for the sounds of a living glacier while the expedition team explains the forces shaping this coast. Distance, swell and calving risk govern the approach, so the exact viewpoint is decided on the day.
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Ilulissat & Disko Bay
Discover Ilulissat and its extraordinary icefjord, where ice from Sermeq Kujalleq moves toward Disko Bay in a continuous procession. A walk or local exploration reveals both the UNESCO-listed landscape and a town whose life is closely tied to the fjord. Conditions and local arrangements shape the programme, but the scale of the ice is unmistakable.
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Visit the small settlement of Itilleq near the Arctic Circle, where colourful homes sit between rocky hills and the sea. Depending on local arrangements, you may join or cheer on the longstanding friendly football match with residents, crew and fellow guests. You may also be invited to a kaffemik with coffee and cake. Neither activity is guaranteed; approach the visit with curiosity, respect and an awareness that this is someone's home.
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Kangerlussuaq
Disembark Ocean Explorer in Kangerlussuaq, the expedition's passenger port at the head of a long fjord. Transfer to the included charter flight back to Reykjavik and settle into the included hotel after arrival. The change from Greenland's coast to Iceland closes the voyage gradually rather than ending it at the gangway.
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After breakfast at the included airport hotel near Keflavik, make your own way to the airport for your flight home or continue your independently arranged stay in Iceland. The expedition package ends in the airport area, not in central Reykjavik; follow your final travel documents for the exact departure arrangements.