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Antarctica and Arctic Cruises

Travel to the Ends of the Earth

From Antarctica, a continent surrounded by ocean to the Arctic, an ocean surrounded by land -  you can visit the most enigmatic wildlife on earth to the most extreme lifestyles on earth from the comfort of an expedition ship.

By embarking on a Polar expedition cruise to the Arctic or Antarctic, each destination offers a journey to the ends of the Earth, where raw wilderness and breathtaking beauty reign supreme.

Both regions offer unparalleled encounters with pristine landscapes, extraordinary wildlife, and a sense of true remoteness—yet each has its own unique allure.

In the Arctic, you’ll sail past towering fjords and untouched glaciers, but even more meaningful will be the people you meet along the way. Norwegian and Greenlandic Inuit fishing communities invite you to spend time together as they share their music, culture, and history, letting you learn more about their traditional way of life.

In contrast, Antarctica is uninhabited by humans but enchants with vast icebergs, vast numbers of penguins, whales, and seals, and a silence so profound it feels otherworldly. What unites both Poles is the spirit of adventure: the chance to explore untouched frontiers guided by expert expedition teams.

No two destinations on our frozen planet are the same, so we encourage you to break out your Polar passport and start collecting memories from the many and varied locations.

Whether you’re drawn to the Arctic’s rugged contrasts or Antarctica’s icy majesty, Chimu can take you there. Please reach out with any questions or to start planning your next Polar expedition cruise. 

Penguins and Polar Bears
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12 Days

Antarctic Peninsula: Classic Voyage

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 15 Jan 2026 25 Jan 2026 09 Feb 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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12 Days

Greenland Explorer

Greenland & Iceland

Ship: Ocean Victory (Arctic)

Start: Reykjavík, Iceland

Finish: Copenhagen, Denmark

Departures: 15 Aug 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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10 Days

South Shetland Islands & Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctic Peninsula

Ship: M/V Ocean Victory

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 02 Jan 2026 11 Jan 2026 20 Jan 2026 29 Jan 2026 07 Feb 2026 16 Feb 2026 25 Feb 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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10 Days

Svalbard Circumnavigation: Ultimate Arctic Quest

Svalbard

Ship: Ocean Albatros

Start: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Finish: Longyearbyen, Svalbard

Departures: 28 Jun 2026 07 Jul 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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12 Days

Antarctic Peninsula & The Extreme Weddell Sea

Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea

Ship: M/V Ocean Albatros

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 12 Jan 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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29 Days

Traversing the Northwest Passage

Greenland, Canada, United States

Ship:Greg Mortimer

Start: Toronto, Canada

Finish: Anchorage, United States

Departures: 20 Aug 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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12 Days

Best of Antarctica: Whale Discovery

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 16 Feb 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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14 Days

Under the Northern Lights: Exploring Iceland & East Greenland

Greenland & Iceland

Ship:Ultramarine

Start: Reykjavík, Iceland

Finish: Reykjavík, Iceland

Departures: 19 Sep 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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11 Days

Best of Antarctica: Pristine Wilderness

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 16 Nov 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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17 Days

Geographic North Pole & East Greenland

Spitsbergen, Geographic North Pole, Greenland

Ship:Le Commandant Charcot

Start: Paris, France

Finish: Reykjavík, Iceland

Departures: 11 Sep 2026 13 Sep 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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11 Days

Best of Antarctica: Wildlife Explorer

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 06 Dec 2026 26 Dec 2026 26 Jan 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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12 Days

Best of Svalbard

Svalbard

Ship:Sea Spirit

Departures: 24 Jun 2026 04 Jul 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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14 Days

Journey to the Antarctic Circle

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Antarctic Circle

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 04 Feb 2027 26 Feb 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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11 Days

Best of Antarctica: Whale Journey

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 28 Feb 2026 09 Mar 2026 18 Mar 2026 10 Mar 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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20 Days

Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica 20 Day

Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 28 Dec 2025 25 Feb 2026 09 Jan 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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12 Days

Antarctic Peninsula: The Classic Voyage

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Albatros

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 22 Nov 2026 02 Dec 2026 12 Dec 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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13 Days

Best of Antarctica: In Depth

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Nova

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 25 Nov 2026 15 Dec 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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15 Days

Ultimate Antarctic Circle Crossing

Antarctic Circle, Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 27 Jan 2027 19 Feb 2027 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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11 Days

Whale Season In Antarctica 25/26

Antarctic Peninsula

Ship: M/S Seaventure

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 15 Mar 2026 More x

Penguins and Polar Bears
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11 Days

Exploring Antarctica's Spring

Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica

Ship: Ocean Albatros

Start: Ushuaia, Argentina

Finish: Ushuaia, Argentina

Departures: 04 Nov 2026 13 Nov 2026 More x

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Antarctic cruise season operates from late October through March, taking advantage of the Southern Hemisphere summer season. Each month of the season is slightly unique, but no matter when you go, you'll get to see huge colonies of penguins, sculptural iceberg formations, and icy mountainous landscapes. 

Yes, both the Arctic and Antarctica are easy to visit via an expedition cruise. Popular places to visit on an Arctic cruise include Greenland, Norway, Iceland, and the Canadian High Arctic. In Antarctica, cruises often visit the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and the sub-Antarctic Islands. 

Antarctica is a dream for wildlife enthusiasts. Some of the most common wildlife spotted on the Antarctic Peninsula include penguins (chinstrap, Adelie, and gentoo), seals (fur, leopard, Weddell, crabeater, and elephant), and whales. Antarctic whale species may include minke, humpback, fin, blue, and even orca. There are also many bird species to spot, including albatrosses and petrels. 

Arctic cruise season runs within the Northern Hemisphere summer, from May to September. The warmer weather means more accessibility through the ice and long days, perfect for exploring. 

Yes, many Polar enthusiasts visit both Antarctica and the Arctic, as each Pole offers a completely unique experience. Antarctica is best known for its spectacular wildlife, landscapes, and research bases, while the Arctic is home to Inuit communities, national parks, and icy tundra. 

Yes, Chimu's small ship expedition cruises to Antarctica are designed to help you maximise your time off the ship and onto the ice. Weather permitting, our expedition cruises offer two excursions per day, with plenty of time on land to hike, observe wildlife, and take photos. 

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