Plan the Best Greenland Cruise With These Top Travel Tips

If you’re planning an Arctic cruise to Greenland, you have so much to look forward to! This spectacular destination is best visited by cruise, due to its remote villages, vast size, and lack of roads. An expedition cruise to Greenland will introduce you to the people, culture, and traditions of this beautiful land, plus epic glaciers and iceberg formations that are unlike anywhere else.

Whether you’re looking forward to your upcoming Arctic expedition, or are considering one in the future, here are a few helpful tips to help you plan the best Greenland cruise!

What to know about charter flights and your Greenland expedition cruise

Many Greenland cruises require a charter flight from a European city, usually Copenhagen. From there, they fly directly to Greenland, where you’ll board your cruise. The charter flights, operated by Air Greenland, are well timed to align with your cruise. Your flight will bring you into your departure port, such as Kangerlussuaq, on the morning of embarkation, and will depart on the afternoon of the last day of your cruise.

The charter flight package is a mandatory addition to most cruises. Travelling on the charter flight ensures everyone on the cruise arrives and departs together, very important as individual flight delays could otherwise cause guests to miss the ship’s departure. Also, the remote nature of some Greenlandic towns mean they are not always regularly served by commercial air schedules, so your charter flight has been set up to maximise ease of travel into remote locations.

The flight time between Copenhagen and Denmark is approximately four hours, but you can expect a very modern and comfortable aircraft, complete with meal service, in-flight entertainment screens, and English-speaking crew.

The exact specifics of your charter flights will vary depending on your itinerary and departure date, but your Destination Specialist will provide all of the details at the time of booking.

The time difference between Greenland and Denmark is three hours

Many travellers don’t realise just how remote Greenland’s location is! Due to its unique position between Europe and North America, Greenland is three hours earlier than Central European Time, where Denmark is located.

For American travellers, Greenland is 3-4 hours (depending on Daylight Savings) ahead of New York City.

All this to say, you may feel a little tired during your first few days in Greenland as you adjust to the time change — but it’s totally ok to turn in early or take naps if needed, recharging for your exciting adventure ahead!

Consider visiting Copenhagen before your Greenland expedition

If you have the time, it’s a great idea to spend a few days in Copenhagen (or Reykjavík, if your cruise departs from Iceland), as both are phenomenal cities with so much to offer visitors.

Arriving early can also play a huge part in helping you adjust to the local time zone, especially if you’re travelling from Australia or New Zealand.

English is widely spoken in Copenhagen; it’s easy to explore on foot or via the extensive public transport network, plus the city is known for its array of Michelin-starred restaurants, art galleries, and museums.

Don’t miss Rosenborg Castle, a Renaissance palace home to the Danish crown jewels, the colourful harbourside canals of Nyhavn, or Tivoli Gardens, a 19th-century amusement park and pleasure garden that was the real-life inspiration to Walt Disney’s Disneyland.

When packing for your Greenland cruise, layers are essential

Most Greenland expeditions travel north of the Arctic Circle, where weather will likely be chilly, even in the summer months. However, anything is possible, from snow flurries and rain to bold sunshine, so it’s best to pack in layers.

You can read more about packing for the Polar regions, but we recommend starting with a thermal base layer, followed by a wool or fleece layer and waterproof trousers, plus warm socks, gloves, a beanie, and additional layers if you know you feel the cold.

Fully waterproof trousers are one of the most important packing items, as your cruise likely offers some wet landings. On a wet landing, your zodiac will pull up to a beach, and you’ll need to step out into the water, so waterproof trousers will keep you dry.

Depending on the cruise line, you will also be provided with tall waterproof muck boots and a waterproof parka that’s yours to keep or borrow.

Don’t forget your binoculars and bug net

A few more key packing tips for your Greenland cruise — don’t forget your binoculars! Although Greenland is more of a destination for culture, history, and icy landscapes than wildlife, there is always a chance of spotting a musk ox up on the hill, or seeing orcas or seals in the distance.

As wildlife is often far away, bringing binoculars helps you get a great look at the animals and sea life. Of course, if you're hoping for some Arctic wildlife photography opportunities, a telephoto lens is a must as well. 

If you’re visiting Greenland in the peak Northern Hemisphere summer months, you also might find it helpful to bring along a mosquito head net that you can place over a hat. Occasionally, mosquitoes or gnats can be a nuisance, so this will stop them from pestering your skin.

Insects are less prevalent during later August or September Greenland cruises, as the weather is cooler.

Prebook any important excursions to ensure you don’t miss out

Although your Greenland expedition includes daily activities, such as excursions into local villages, glacier tours, or zodiac cruises, some itineraries may offer additional optional add-ons.

As an example, some voyages offer Polar kayaking, and itineraries that visit the Ilulissat Icefjord offer scenic cruises or flights over the ice. Due to limited availability per sailing, we recommend securing your place as soon as you can.

Before your trip, consider bringing along some Danish kroner for souvenirs

Your cruise will likely visit some of the beautiful local communities dotted along the Greenland coastline, such as Sisimiut, Illulissat, and Uummannaq. Many towns will feature souvenir shopping opportunities, often with locals selling their homemade creations.

While many larger towns will have debit card or Apple Pay facilities, you may want to withdraw some Danish kroner (the currency used in both Denmark and Copenhagen) for any cash purchases in smaller villages. Your purchase can also help support local communities. Very small settlements in Greenland are often dependent on hunting and fishing, so the arrival of a cruise ship can provide them with another valuable income stream.

Be aware that many local Greenlandic products are made from animal skin, bone, or plant products, so before you make any purchases, look into the customs and entry requirements of your home country. Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, have very strict biosecurity requirements that ban the import of most animal skin or fur products. If entry is allowed, proper CITES permits may be required. 

Timing your Greenland cruise to see the Northern Lights

Will I see the Northern Lights on my Greenland cruise? We know it’s something many travellers want to know, and while any natural phenomena is never guaranteed, there is a strong chance of observing the Aurora when you visit the Arctic.

Although the Northern Lights can happen anytime, and their visibility is also dependent on the weather, August and September offer the best chance of spotting them. If the forecast indicates a high chance of seeing the lights, your expedition crew will let you know ahead of time — and if the lights are seen, it will be announced over the ship’s PA system so that everyone has a chance to head out on deck and have a look!

The Northern Lights often appear around midnight, but we promise, this experience is well worth getting out of bed for and is often a highlight for many Greenland visitors. With next to no light pollution in remote areas of Greenland, both the stars and the Northern Lights can often be seen in all their vibrant beauty.

Approach Greenlandic culture with an open mind

One last tip to make the most of your Greenland cruise: like any new place you may travel to, come to this spectacular Arctic destination with a willingness to learn.

Humans first arrived in Greenland around 2500 BC, and the rugged and unforgiving landscapes of the island are still home to approximately 56,000 people. 

On your visit, you may visit many small villages where hunting and fishing are still an important way of life. Seals in particular are an important food source during the long winters, when access to supply ships is limited by ice.

Each town you visit will provide the chance to learn about the local culture, such as Greenlandic sled dogs, hunting, and fishing, and you may see things that are different from your own hometown, such as animal skins drying outside or working sled dogs outside homes. Your expedition team or local tour guide will help you learn more about life in rural Greenland, so we encourage all visitors to approach their trip with curiosity and respect.

If you have questions about Greenland expedition cruising, or are ready to book your cruise, the team at Chimu Adventures is here to help. We can help you find not only the best Greenland cruise for your interests, but can also arrange your international flights, travel insurance, and any additional hotel stays.