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AE Expeditions Polar Bear

Jewels of the Arctic, Greg Mortimer

Visit Svalbard and East Greenland on board the Greg Mortimer Arctic and Antarctic Cruises

Length

15 Days

Ship category

Premium

Ship type

Mid-Sized Ship

Capacity

126 Passengers

Jewels of the Arctic

20 Reviews

Trip highlights

Witness iconic Arctic wildlife

Search for polar bears and ringed seals

Push through pack ice

Quietly approach musk oxen and reindeer on tundra walks

The Polartours experience

Zodiac-cruise along vast glacial fronts

Visit Remote Inuit settlement

Your booking contributes to our Conservation Project

Learn from Polar experts

Explore Svalbard, a world of near-endless daylight, where polar bear sightings quicken your pulse, walrus haul out on sea ice and guillemot cries echo from towering cliffs. In East Greenland, sail deep into the world’s largest fjord, Scoresbysund, visit Ittoqqortoormiit, one of the world’s remotest Inuit settlements, cruise among iridescent icebergs sculpted into fantastic shapes, and walk across tundra blooming in brightly coloured flowers, while tasting delicious wild berries.

Your ship: Greg Mortimer

Polartours
Greg Mortimer deck plan
Polartours

The Greg Mortimer is a state-of-the-art expedition vessel designed to navigate the world's most remote and pristine environments. As the first passenger ship to feature the revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW®, it offers smoother and more efficient sailing, even through challenging polar waters.

Accommodating up to 132 passengers, the ship provides an intimate and comfortable setting for exploration. Its advanced design includes hydraulic viewing platforms and expansive observation decks, bringing you closer to the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Choose from a varie … Read more about Greg Mortimer

Cabins

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Balcony Stateroom Superior

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Junior Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Aurora Stateroom Triple

Type:

Triple

Max. occupancy:

3

More about this cabin

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Aurora Stateroom Twin

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Balcony Stateroom Cat. C

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Balcony Stateroom Cat. B

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Balcony Stateroom Cat. A

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

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Captain’s Suite

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

More about this cabin

Map

Itinerary

Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.

Sea-Kayaking-What-To-Wear-In-Antarctica

0 Days

5.0

(1)

Sea Kayaking

Embark on an exhilarating sea kayaking adventure in some of the world's most magnificent and biodiverse wilderness areas, including Antarctica and the Arctic. Take in the breathtaking scenery as you navigate through ice and icebergs of all shapes and sizes. In Antarctica, spend unforgettable moments with penguins, seals and whales, and keep an eye out for the occasional encounter with leopard seals or killer whales. In the Arctic, paddle through bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around huge icebergs. Led by experienced guides, you will join a small group of like-minded adventurers to explore the picturesque coastlines of these wild and remote destinations. Paddling offers an intimate and unique way to experience the beauty of these regions and make the most of your time there. Important: This activity is subject to weather conditions and logistics.

Price on request

Svalbard
Pyramiden
Svalbard

Your journey begins in Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost settlement. Having made your way to Longyearbyen, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your group hotel. Enjoy free time, and in the evening, dine at your leisure (dinner not included).

Day 2 - Svalbard Isfjorden
Embark your new home
Svalbard
Before and After Svalbard
Svalbard – Store norske leksikon

Skansbukta

Poolepynten

Disembark in Longyearbyen

Pyramiden

Nordfjorden

Cruising Isfjorden

Arrival at Longyearbyen

Brucebyen

Barentsburg

Festningen and Russekeila

Discover in the morning and embark your new home in the afternoon. Settle into your cabin before attending important safety briefings and enjoy the thrill of departure as we ‘throw the lines’ and set sail.

This evening, get to know your fellow expeditioners and our friendly Expedition Team and crew at the Captain’s Welcome Dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure.

NOTE: Sometimes our ship is unable to dock in Longyearbyen port due to space and capacity. In these instances, we reach the ship by Zodiac. Please ensure that you keep your wet-weather gear in your hand luggage to use in the Zodiacs, if the situation arises. Please ensure your cabin luggage tag is completed clearly showing your cabin number and name. Our crew will deliver your luggage directly to your cabin.

Svalbard
Before and After Svalbard
Svalbard – Store norske leksikon

Skansbukta

Poolepynten

Disembark in Longyearbyen

Pyramiden

Nordfjorden

Cruising Isfjorden

Arrival at Longyearbyen

Brucebyen

Barentsburg

Festningen and Russekeila

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges, and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, you stretch your legs on walks across tundra carpeted in brightly coloured wildflowers. You visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice. Your Expedition Team is just as keen as you are to find them and they will be on constant watch to spot these inspiring creatures.

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you will have an opportunity to enjoy that activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you will hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating dip – a memory you will savour for years to come.

Greenland
Albatros Expedition Disko Bay
Albatros Expedition through north atlantic

Blomsterbukta

Daneborg and Clavering Island

Rypefjord & Terrassepynt

Ofjord & Bear Islands

Rodefjord and Rode island

Ella Island

Nansen fjord

Føhnfjord

Milneland

Vestfjord

Ittoqqortoormiit

Nordvestfjord

Jan Mayen

As you sail towards the coast of East Greenland, you may encounter whales feeding in the rich waters of the north. As we approach East Greenland, be prepared to encounter more pack ice and perhaps spot seals and a variety of seabirds, including the northern fulmar and Brünnich’s guillemot.

Greenland
Albatros Expedition Disko Bay
Albatros Expedition through north atlantic

Blomsterbukta

Daneborg and Clavering Island

Rypefjord & Terrassepynt

Ofjord & Bear Islands

Rodefjord and Rode island

Ella Island

Nansen fjord

Føhnfjord

Milneland

Vestfjord

Ittoqqortoormiit

Nordvestfjord

Jan Mayen

The strong, icy currents have isolated East Greenland from the Polar Basin, attracting large numbers of fish, seals and whales. Climatic conditions and the concentration of ice in the vicinity often create thick morning fog that only vanishes in presence of the midday sun. Our experts will inform and entertain us with fascinating discussions on plants, animals, ice and heroic tales of exploration.

Greenland
Albatros Expedition Disko Bay
Albatros Expedition through north atlantic

Blomsterbukta

Daneborg and Clavering Island

Rypefjord & Terrassepynt

Ofjord & Bear Islands

Rodefjord and Rode island

Ella Island

Nansen fjord

Føhnfjord

Milneland

Vestfjord

Ittoqqortoormiit

Nordvestfjord

Jan Mayen

In the coming days, a host of choices are available to us, and depending on ice and weather conditions, the east coast of Greenland is ours to explore. The experienced Expedition Team will design the itinerary on a day-to-day basis. This allows us to make use of the prevailing weather and ice conditions to encounter wildlife. The expedition generally attempts up to two landings or Zodiac excursions per day, including cruising along spectacular ice cliffs and following whales feeding near the surface.

Greenland
Albatros Expedition Disko Bay
Albatros Expedition through north atlantic

Blomsterbukta

Daneborg and Clavering Island

Rypefjord & Terrassepynt

Ofjord & Bear Islands

Rodefjord and Rode island

Ella Island

Nansen fjord

Føhnfjord

Milneland

Vestfjord

Ittoqqortoormiit

Nordvestfjord

Jan Mayen

Be prepared to experience ice – and lots of it! East Greenland contains some of the Arctic’s most unique scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by sharp ice-clad peaks soaring up to 2,000 metres (6,562 feet), and glaciers birthing gigantic icebergs that drift throughout the fjord system, combine to create breathtaking scenes.

Greenland
Albatros Expedition Disko Bay
Albatros Expedition through north atlantic

Blomsterbukta

Daneborg and Clavering Island

Rypefjord & Terrassepynt

Ofjord & Bear Islands

Rodefjord and Rode island

Ella Island

Nansen fjord

Føhnfjord

Milneland

Vestfjord

Ittoqqortoormiit

Nordvestfjord

Jan Mayen

The tundra landscape is home to musk oxen, arctic hare and reindeer. Throughout the area there are ancient Thule archaeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and the cabins of present-day Inuit hunters. A highlight is a visit to the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the most isolated and northernmost permanent settlement in the region, with approximately 450 inhabitants. The community has built an excellent museum and gift shop, which is home to an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs and provides the opportunity to meet the friendly locals.

Greenland
Albatros Expedition Disko Bay
Albatros Expedition through north atlantic

Blomsterbukta

Daneborg and Clavering Island

Rypefjord & Terrassepynt

Ofjord & Bear Islands

Rodefjord and Rode island

Ella Island

Nansen fjord

Føhnfjord

Milneland

Vestfjord

Ittoqqortoormiit

Nordvestfjord

Jan Mayen

Explore Scoresbysund, the world’s largest fjord and a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers flow into this fjord, which is the birthplace of hundreds of majestic Greenland icebergs. It is a spectacular place that simply needs to be seen to be believed. North of Scoresbysund lie Kong Oskar and Kaiser Franz Josef fjords, two of the most significant fjord systems in Greenland, each one encompassing several smaller fjords and sounds. Thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and the surrounding mountains offering protection from strong winds, the area is rich in wildlife. You may spot everything from musk ox and arctic foxes to mountain hares, and even reindeer, near the fjord. Look skyward and you could catch a glimpse of birds, including the glaucous gull, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, common raven and common eider.

Ittoqqortoormiit (Greenland)
Greenland
Nordvestfjord. East Greenland

Blomsterbukta

Ittoqqortoormiit

Milneland

Føhnfjord

The expedition will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord, a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration, located within the Northeast Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord, we marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains, before heading south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions.

Greenland
Greenland and Baffin Bay
Greenland

Blomsterbukta

Ittoqqortoormiit

Milneland

Føhnfjord

Hike across tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3,000 years ago by Inuit. Spot musk ox, arctic hare and reindeer grazing. The maze of calm, interconnecting waterways in this area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking. See ring seals, perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive narwhal, and maybe even a polar bear hunting on pack ice.

Quark Expeditions_ Essential Greenland Arctic
Aurora Expedition Antarctica
Quark Expeditions_ Essential Greenland Arctic

Arrival at Reykjavik

Crossing the Denmark Strait to Iceland, search for whale blows and photograph the many seabirds that trail our ship in the ever-present arctic winds.

Quark Expeditions_ Essential Greenland Arctic
Greg Mortimer
Quark Expeditions_ Essential Greenland Arctic

Arrival at Reykjavik

During the early morning, we cruise into Reykjavik and disembark at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your Expedition Team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys, Transfer to your downtown hotel or to Keflavik airport.

NOTE: We do not recommend booking flights departing prior to 12.00 pm on the day of disembarkation, as we may experience delays at the conclusion of the voyage.

Dates & Prices

From

Until

Info

Availability

Price

27

Jun

2026

11

Jul

2026

From

EUR 15,259

EUR 18,310

27

Jun

2026

11

Jul

2026

Available

EUR 15,259

EUR 18,310

10

Jul

2026

24

Jul

2026

From

EUR 15,259

EUR 18,310

10

Jul

2026

24

Jul

2026

Available

EUR 15,259

EUR 18,310

Preferred date unavailable? Contact us

Info

Single Cabin Supplement

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.

What's included

Transfer from airport to hotel on arrival Day 1.

One night’s hotel accommodation including breakfast, in Longyearbyen on Day 1.

Sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen, prior to embarkation, on Day 2.

Transfer from pier to hotel or airport in Reykjavik on Day 15.

Onboard accommodation during voyage, including daily cabin service.

All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage.

Beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner.

Captain’s Welcome and Farewell receptions including four-course dinner, house cocktails, house beer and wine, non-alcoholic beverages.

Free Wi-Fi on board.

All shore excursions and Zodiac cruises.

Educational lectures and guiding services provided by Expedition Team.

Complimentary access to onboard expedition doctor and medical clinic (initial consultation).

One 3-in-1 waterproof, polar expedition jacket.

Complimentary use of Muck Boots during the voyage.

Comprehensive pre-departure information.

Port surcharges, permits and landing fees.

Gratuities for ship’s crew.

What's not included

International or domestic flights not mentioned in the itinerary, unless specified in the itinerary.

Transfers – unless specified in the itinerary.

Airport arrival or departure taxes.

Passport, visa, reciprocity and vaccination fees and charges.

Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges.

Hotel accommodation and meals unless specified in the itinerary.

Optional excursions and optional activity surcharges.

All items of a personal nature including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (outside of dinner service), laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, phone charges.

Reviews

Rashidah A

Greg Mortimer Antarctica and Arctic Cruises

Premium

It was an excellent trip indeed and very well organized. From the moment Ms Natalya Getman contacted me until I left the ship for the cruise, I felt a 5-star service had been provided for me. She helped me with all the paperwork and answered all my queries; friendly and professional. The Ocean Explorer is a destination all on its own. The incredible adventure to the North Pole on an amazingly powerful icebreaker was of course a once in a lifetime experience. Watching the ship cutting through the ice was truly amazing. Witnessing 8 lovely polar bears, several groups of walruses, and thousands of guillemots on the expedition were just awesome. Various zodiac explorations also provided me with a lifetime experience of witnessing the beautiful icebergs and glaciers' calving. Of course, the staff was exceptional and value-added; knowledgeable, and helpful. It was truly a stunning trip and fully recommended.

Daniela Z

Greg Mortimer Antarctica and Arctic Cruises

Premium

Polartours will seek to get answers to all questions from the operators. My trip was with Aurora, who providevery detailed pre-trip information. The trip itself was perfectly organised and absolutely amazing, can highly recommend them.

Deanna Rieden

Greg Mortimer Antarctica and Arctic Cruises

Premium

This was the trip of a lifetime. Our final continent. Once we arrived in Punta Arenas, we were met at the airport by Paula from Aurora who took us to hotel. My baggage was lost by airline and she gave me a coat to wear immediately. Shout out to Paula and Michael for tracking my Luggage. Once we transferred to Antarctica we were met by ship crew with drinks and smiles. The week was packed with excursions and amazing information presented by scientists in different aspects of expertise. The ship staff was friendly, personable making the trip an amazing adventure. The fly and cruise is the way to go!

FAQ

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.

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:

  • Land excursions (including hiking trails, visitor centers, time relaxing on beaches, observing animals, etc.)
  • Bird Watching
  • Snorkeling (from ship or beaches)
  • Dinghy rides
  • Kayaking
  • Diving (on ships with diving itineraries)
  • Naturalist presentations. These usually take place every evening - on board the bigger ships also with help of projectors, microscopes etc.

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:

  • Determine your budget and desired level of comfort: Are you looking for luxury or more budget-friendly options? On our website you can set the price range.
  • Consider ship size: Large ships offer more amenities and facilities, but they can also feel crowded and impersonal. Smaller ships offer a more personal experience, but may not have as many amenities.
  • Look at the cabins: Although you probably won’t spend much time in your cabin, look at the photos and read the descriptions to make sure you're happy with the one you choose.
  • Consider the activities on board: Are you interested in kayaking, camping, diving or a photography workshop? Or maybe you want to take part in a Citizen Science Program? These activities can enhance your overall experience. See what our ships have to offer.
  • Read customer reviews: Learn about other travelers' experiences by reading reviews.
  • Ask your Polar Specialist: Feel free to contact your Polar Specialist. They are happy to share their knowledge and are always ready to help.

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.

If you are prone to motion sickness then here are a few hints to help you.

Firstly, book a cabin in the middle of the ship. The middle of the ship will move less, both in roll and in pitch. Secondly, chose a larger ship. Bigger vessels typically are more stable, and some of them are even equipped with "stabilizers", fins under water that remove the rolling in the swells. Thirdly, take medical advice on anti-seasickness medication. Some traditional remedies are said to be very effective, such as taking ginger or using commercially-available acupressure wristbands.

Watch this informative video about life onboard an expedition ship and seasickness from our expert guide and Polartours Brand Ambassador, Kevin.

Life Onboard & Seasickness
Jewels of the Arctic

5.0

(20)

Premium

From

EUR 15,259



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