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10 amazing things you’ll see and do on your Arctic cruise to Greenland

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Michelle Couch-Friedman

Consumer reporter and ombudsman

Taking an Arctic cruise under the Midnight Sun from Norway to Greenland is an experience you’ll never forget. 

Until recently, Greenland has managed to stay under the radar as a hotspot for travelers. But the World’s Largest Island is suddenly having a moment. With its towering glaciers and stunning fjords, unique landscapes, and abundant wildlife, it’s quickly gaining traction as a must-see destination. 

Here are ten amazing things to see and do on your Arctic cruise across the Greenland Sea from Longyearbyen, Svalbard to Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland, one of the most isolated and remote villages in the world. 

The itinerary of this Arctic cruise would take passengers from Svalbard to East Greenland and then to Iceland.
The Arctic cruise itinerary of Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer

1. Exploring Svalbard – The land of polar bears and the Midnight Sun

Norwegian Air lands in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, many glaciers are visible in the background
My first glimpse of Longyearbyen, Svalbard. (Photo/ Michelle Couch-Friedman)

It’s a four-hour flight north from Oslo to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Sea. That’s where my recent Arctic cruise to East Greenland aboard Aurora Expeditions Greg Mortimer began. The Greg Mortimer is a small, luxury expedition ship with just 79 staterooms.

If you’re in a window seat and arrive in Svalbard on a clear day, you’ll be treated to aerial views of the over 2,000 glaciers here.

Longyearbyen is where you will first become acquainted with the Midnight Sun, which I found surprisingly discombobulating. From late April until late August, the sun never sets. So don’t forget to pack your sleep mask for this trip. 

The Land of the Midnight Sun at 12:13 a.m. in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
The scene outside my window at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel in Longyearbyen at 12:13 a.m. Even with blackout curtains, I found sleeping difficult, knowing it was fully daylight outside. (Photo: Michelle Couch-Friedman)

If you’ve given yourself a day or two buffer before your Arctic cruise embarks (which I recommend that you do), visit the Svalbard Museum to learn the history of the area and how it came to be settled.

Longyearbyen has just one main street where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and a fully stocked grocery and supplies store to pick up last-minute items you may have forgotten.

Warning: This little town is quite walkable, but never forget that you’re in polar bear country. Walking anywhere outside of the safety zone requires a knowledgeable guide with a firearm for protection.

2. Meditate at the top of a vista in Spitsbergen National Park

An Arctic cruise with Aurora Expeditions is underway in Svalbard.
Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer sits quietly in the bay in Spitsbergen National Park, Svalbard, Norway (Photo: Michelle Couch-Friedman)

If your Arctic cruise embarks from Longyearbyen, you’ll likely spend a few days exploring some of the many islands that dot Norway’s most northern territory. Hiking to a vista in Spitsbergen National Park with your expedition leaders is an experience like no other. It feels as if you’ve made it to the top of the world with panoramic views that stretch from horizon to horizon.

In reality, at 81 degrees north where this photo was taken, you’re only about 600 miles from the actual top of the world. 

The colors of Svalbard on this Arctic cruise were amazing.
Hiking (and meditating) high above a fjord in Svalbard during our cruise above the Arctic Circle. (Photo: Michelle Couch-Friedman)

After the strenuous climb, our guides asked us to sit on the ground. They set a timer, and we sat in complete silence, listening only to the sounds of nature for five minutes before beginning the long trek back down to the ship.  

3. Close encounters of the iceberg kind

Zipping in zodiacs around majestic icebergs (Photo: Michelle Couch-Friedman)

If you’ve never seen an iceberg up close before, Svalbard is where you will. In fact, it’s impossible not to encounter icebergs in the Arctic Sea around Svalbard. These giant chunks of ice are the “offspring” of the thousands of glaciers in the area. As those glaciers inch their way toward the sea, large parts of the mass break off and float away, forming new icebergs.

The blue colors in the photo above indicate that this iceberg has existed for some time. New icebergs tend to be white or transparent. 

On an expedition cruise, you’ll be able to take a zodiac for a 360-degree zip around an iceberg to check it out from all angles. 

4. The wildlife in the land, sea and air on the way to Greenland

Two walruses observed on an Aurora Expeditions Arctic cruise.
These two walruses weren’t impressed with our zodiac. (Photo/Martha Dennis)

As the captain of our Aurora Expeditions cruise turned the Greg Mortimer west to Greenland, there was no shortage of wildlife to see. The most frequently encountered animal is the not-camera-shy Walrus. These “gentle giants” will likely make frequent appearances in your camera roll. Unlike polar bears, which are approaching extinction and can be quite elusive, walruses are plentiful, as are puffins, seals, and a myriad of birds. 

Tip: Keep your expectations low for polar bear spotting on your Arctic cruise. You’ll enjoy the adventure and (hopefully) eventual sighting much more if you accept that seeing a polar bear in the wild is somewhat rare… and, unfortunately, is only becoming more so. 

5. Walk on an ice floe on your way to Greenland

Ice Floes are very unusual. You may only encounter them during an Arctic cruise.
What’s an ice floe? That’s what I wanted to know, too! (Photo: Michelle Couch-Friedman)

As our captain tried to maneuver through the endless icefields on the way to Greenland, our ship was unavoidably waylaid. Fog and solid ice up ahead stopped our forward movement completely on what was supposed to be a two-day journey from Norway to Greenland. As our cruise ship was the first of the season scheduled to visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote settlement in Greenland, we all knew there was a possibility that solid ice in the sea might make our visit impossible.

While the captain and his officers searched for ways to push through the frozen obstacles in our way, the expedition team looked for backup plans for our daily excursions.

Enter the ice floe adventure.

Walking on an ice floe during an Arctic cruise approaching Greenland.
Walking on an ice floe is likely something you will only do during an Arctic cruise. (Photo/Michelle Couch-Friedman)

The first time I was invited to walk on an ice floe, I had no idea what one was. I wasn’t sure I wanted to abandon my afternoon plans for our third consecutive sea day. I intended to sit at my desk in my comfy cabin, sip hot cocoa, and catch up on some emails, thanks to the surprisingly reliable Starlink (always available free of charge onboard the Greg Mortimer).

Returning to Aurora's Greg Mortimer after our adventure on an ice floe.
The Greg Mortimer viewed from our zodiac (Photo: Mike Shaughnessy ).

But our cruise director assured us walking on an ice floe was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Of course, after I heard that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I abandoned my work plans and headed straight to the mud room.

The expert expedition crew soon loaded all the passengers (72 in total) in small groups onto the zodiacs. Off we went to take a stroll on a sizable ice floe – somewhat like an iceberg but mostly flat with crystal blue water pools. 

An ice floe on an Arctic cruise with Aurora Expeditions.
Exploring an ice floe in the middle of the Greenland Sea (Photo: Martha Dennis)

6. Waking up to Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

We made it! Aurora Expeditions made it to Greenland on this cruise.

We made it! Our captain smashed through the ice, and we woke up to Greenland! (Photo: The view from my balcony)

Flexibility is key if you’re planning to take a cruise to Greenland. The harsh Arctic conditions on land and in the sea surrounding the island often force cruise ships – especially those not made for cutting through ice fields – to abort their plans. Many cruise passengers have had their Greenland dreams come to an end when the weather would not cooperate. 

After several days of failed attempts to reach Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote settlement in Greenland, some of us were beginning to suspect we weren’t going to make it either.

On the fourth sea day, I woke up very early and immediately noticed the ship wasn’t moving. I jumped out of bed and peeked through my balcony curtains. Surprise! Our skilled captain and his officers had smashed through the icefields and fog, and the Midnight Sun was shining bright on the shores of East Greenland. The brightly colored houses in the village were a sight for sore eyes.

7. Visiting the most remote village in Greenland

The tourism office in Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland.
The tourism and gift shop will open if your cruise ship makes it to Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland.

There is no port in Ittoqqortoormiit so you will transfer to land by zodiac. There are no restaurants, hotels, hospitals, or cars. This town is as isolated as it gets. There are also no roads, and the only way to access this village is by expedition ship, helicopter, or extended snowmobile ride. The town’s population currently hovers around 300. 

If you visit, you’ll be treated to friendly people, colorful homes, a beautiful old church, lots of dogs, and a weather station that launches a balloon twice a day that is used to forecast weather for Europe. If you arrive in the morning, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the first balloon’s 11 a.m. launch. 

Tip: The souvenir shop opens whenever a cruise ship arrives, but be careful what you buy. Some of the crafts for sale there are prohibited from being brought back to the U.S.  Also, there is a tiny grocery store in Ittoqqortoormiit, which you may want to visit, but you should not buy anything there. Supplies are only delivered to the village sporadically, and tourists shouldn’t deplete any of those items. 

The view from the shore to the ship. (Photo: Michelle Couch-Friedman).

8. Hiking over rough but surprising terrain

Beautiful scenery to see during a strenuous hike outside of Ittoqqortoormiit during our Arctic cruise.
A challenging hike to see waterfalls, flowers, snow, boulders, mosquitos, and Arctic Hares.

After three days (maybe four, I lost count) at sea on our way to Greenland, it was a pleasure to finally be on land. I joined the “strenuous” hike planned by our expedition team. Our leaders admitted they had never taken this particular hike before and it could be 5, 6 or even 8 miles up and over the mountain before us. Anyone who was intimidated by that murky description should turn back now, they said. 

Some did. But the majority of us didn’t. We were then treated to some of the most unusual landscapes I’ve ever seen in my travels. We also refilled our canteens from a waterfall flowing from a glacier and got our daily steps in many times over. 

During our hike, we saw the biggest rabbit I’ve ever seen — but he wasn’t really a rabbit, I’m told. This animal is an Arctic Hare. This guy (or gal, I’m not sure) sat patiently for ten minutes and allowed us to snap pictures. As we continued our hike, he realized his photo shoot was over, so he turned and hopped away.

An Arctic Hare on our hike, rough terrain on our hike in East Greenland
This Arctic Hare was as curious about us as we were about him/her. (Photo: Michelle Couch-Friedman)

9. Take a polar plunge

Take the polar plunge into the Arctic Greenland Sea, Michelle Couch-Friedman takes a polar plunge off the back of Aurora Expeditions's Greg Mortimer into the Greenland Sea
A polar plunge into the Greenland Sea is a must-do on an Arctic cruise (at least, I think so!). Photo: Jamie Lafferty

Last year, I took a polar plunge in Antarctica, also with Aurora Expeditions. So when the crew on this Arctic cruise announced we were going to plunge into the Greenland Sea, I initially was all for it. Then I worried about the polar bears that might be roaming (Polar bears actually are great swimmers). I definitely didn’t want to become a morsel of food for a predator laying in wait under the sea.

After being assured by the crew that polar bear activity could be detected and that we wouldn’t be jumping into the mouth of a predator, I agreed to plunge.

Plunging into the Greenland Sea is a shock to the body.
Plunging into the Greenland Sea during our Arctic cruise. (Photo: Bruce Bryan)

If you’ve never done a polar plunge, I highly recommend it. It does feel like 1000 needles upon impact, but after you pull yourself out of the icy water, you’ll feel super exhilarated. Next, you’ll be handed a warm towel and a shot of vodka. After that, take yourself to a jacuzzi or the sauna onboard your ship and feel the stress in your body disappear.

Aurora has two Jacuzzis and a sauna onboard the Greg Mortimer. You might even like to visit the spa and have a massage afterward. This ship has a masseuse onboard, and I enjoyed a visit after my plunge (Spa costs are additional and can be found in a handout in your cabin).

10. Leaving the Arctic Circle and disembarking in Iceland

Our Arctic cruise ends in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Our last evening on this Arctic cruise was in Reykjavik, Iceland. The ship docked, and we spent the evening in town.

Most expedition cruise ships that take this route will end in Reykjavik, Iceland. From East Greenland to Reykjavik is another two days at sea. You may see polar bears on ice floes, whales, and stunning mountainscapes as you sail into Reykjavik for disembarkation.

Of course, Iceland is an entirely different adventure. Many travelers choose to spend a week or so after an Arctic cruise exploring Iceland. I’ve spent time in Iceland before, and I highly recommend it. But I needed to get home, so I only spent one last enjoyable night on my Arctic cruise in Iceland.

As I flew back to New York, our pilot announced that we were being treated to something special. He explained that typically Greenland is shrouded in clouds, but today, there were no clouds in sight. Open our window shades, he urged, and see Greenland from above. 

A last look at Greenland from above, Glaciers, Greenland
Our United Airlines pilot told us to lift our window shades to see an amazing view of Greenland from above.

What a way to bid adieu to this beautiful and mysterious land. (Michelle Couch-Friedman)

*Before you go: What about a domestic road trip? Check this out!


Vantage Explorations traveler alert

If you have cruise credit to spend with Aurora Expeditions as a result of the bankruptcy of Vantage Deluxe World Travel, now might be the time for you to spend it. Until Dec. 5, 2024, Aurora is offering an additional $3,000 discount for Vantage Explorations customers. Here is everything you need to know about optimizing your credits and discounts on your Aurora Expeditions adventure.

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Michelle Couch-Friedman

Michelle Couch-Friedman is the founder and CEO of Consumer Rescue. She is a consumer advocate, reporter, travel writer, mediator, and licensed psychotherapist. Michelle is also the travel ombudsman columnist for The Points Guy, a contributing author at Fodor's Travel and is the former executive director of the nonprofit Elliott Advocacy. During her six years managing that organization, she resolved thousands of cases for troubled travelers and other consumers. You can read hundreds of 5-star reviews Michelle earned during her service to the nonprofit on Great Nonprofits. Michelle is a public speaker, and her expert guidance has been cited in the Washington Post, MarketWatch, Consumer Reports, Travel & Leisure, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Popular Science, CNN, CNBC, Boston Globe, CBS News, National Geographic, Travel Weekly, Reader's Digest and more. You might even catch Michelle on TV reporting on a situation. :) Professionally, Michelle is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the American Society of Journalists and Authors (asja). Today, she continues to spend as much time as possible fiercely defending consumers and traveling the world with her family. Contact her at Michelle Couch-Friedman or on Linkedin, Twitter or Facebook.
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DChamp56D

Wow, what a wonderful trip and story! Thanks for sharing the great photos and story with us!

Tim

As one that only likes to travel light and not check a bag–and have never been on a cruise–did you have to pack your parka and other warm clothing needs, or does the ship provide them or rent them to you?

I enjoyed this article and really like the pictures.