Many luxury travelers simply can’t wait to head out for amazing, “bucket list” adventures to the ends of the Earth – the Arctic region or Antarctica. But what if they also desire the ultimate in luxury in their accommodations, dining, enrichment and onboard service? The good news is that they can have it all. Here are our Top 10 Reasons to Experience Polar Regions on a Luxury Small-Ship Cruise.

1. Purpose-Built, Ultra-Luxury 

This definitely isn’t your grandfather’s luxury experience on an old, foreign ice breaker, or worse yet, a wooden sailing ship of a famed 19th or early 20th century explorer. In contrast, today’s luxury travelers can sail to the Arctic or Antarctica in pampered comfort aboard a new, custom-built, ultra-luxury cruise ship. A small PC6, polar-class expedition vessel can deliver the pinnacle of luxury accommodations, personalized service and incredible public spaces. Plus, these expedition ships are purpose-built with the latest maritime technology, hardware and design. So, luxury travelers can safely explore the most remote locations across the globe and in an eco-friendly way.

2. Uncanny, Natural Landscapes

Gazing out at northerly Arctic landscapes or spectacular Antarctic scenery, luxury travelers often remark that the uncanny, natural beauty “simply takes my breath away.” At times, the landscapes are quite dramatic, such as when guests gaze at “cathedral-sized” icebergs or snowy peaks. It’s less intense but still gorgeous too when viewing bucolic tundra or ice floes. At the ends of the planet, Mother Nature’s majesty is front and center, and often with no hint of civilization. It’s unlike anything else on Earth.

3. Meaningful Connections

Smaller, more intimate ships mean a high crew-to-guest ratio, almost one staff member for every guest. And with intimate dining and gathering spaces, guests become easily acquainted with crew members – fostering a “family feel” to the cruise experience. In fact, it’s lovely on a future cruise to see how guests and crew members – who’ve interacted and connected on a past cruise – are so happy to see each other. 

An added plus? Travelers who’ve trekked up a snowy slope or enjoyed a wildlife adventure with fellow guests then typical attend an evening “recap” about the day’s activities. Often, “the explorers” develop a camaraderie because they’ve shared exceptional, one-of-a-kind travel experiences.

4. Up-Close, Incredible Wildlife 

In the Arctic, the pinnacle experience for many guests is spotting polar bears in the wild. It’s something truly extraordinary to watch a “white giant” amble across the landscape or even tend to a polar-bear toddler on an ice floe. In the Antarctic, the big draw is penguins. For example, Paulet Island is home to 100,000 or so pairs of breeding Adelie Penguins. Guests who’ve been to Antarctica and viewed cute penguins waddling along snowy slopes or pebbly beaches simply can’t stop talking about the experience. In both polar regions, guest will also likely spot birds, seals, sea lions and majestic whales.  

5. Expert Guides

On an ultra-luxury polar cruise, guests benefit from an experienced expedition team. Typically, the team consists of esteemed outdoor adventurers, academics, scientists and general naturalists. With a goal of “destination immersion,” they both share and stoke the guest’s passion for exploring and learning about the world's most remote regions. During enlightening onboard lectures and expedition briefings, these experts will offer insight into the bio-diversity, ecosystems, physical science, wildlife, history and cultures of the places visited. Guests also can chat with these experts in casual conversations on board. They also help guide expeditions ashore so curious guests get the most out of their polar adventure. 

6. Award Winning Cuisine

Yes, guests will travel to the ends of the Earth, but on a small-ship luxury cruise, they’ll also enjoy savory onboard dining experiences. In fact, guests might find eight different dining options. So, whether guests love sushi, are hankering for a juicy burger with all the fixings, desire a vegan entrée or can’t wait to order fresh seafood or prime rib in an intimate, elegant setting, they’ll often find those experience. High tea and 24-hour room service also await. 

7. An Undersea Dive   

In Jules Verne style, some ultra-luxury small expedition ships also offer guests undersea adventures. For example, Seabourn’s expedition ships carry two, high-technology, battery-powered submersibles. Environmentally friendly and piloted by one highly trained expert, each of these two clear acrylic spheres can transport six guests each to depths of up to 984 feet beneath the ocean’s surface. It’s awe-inspiring. Guests will likely “ooh” and “aah” at the underwater world as, varying by “dive,” they can view sunken wrecks, reefs or marine wildlife. 

8. Zodiac Adventures

In polar regions, guests travel from ship to land via modern Zodiacs. Along the way, these small craft also provide fabulous opportunities for up-close views of icebergs, polar terrain or wildlife such as sea lions, seals, whales or penguins. Simply put, Zodiacs can create an up-close and personal eco-experience and awaken the guest’s explorer mindset! 

9. Unexpected Discoveries 

Getting to a polar region typically means traveling to a few marquee destinations that serve as polar “gateways.” But along an Arctic itinerary route, guests will also discover less-visited ports and tiny outposts where people have a unique lifestyle of fishing or subsistence living off the land. In Antarctica, the Earth’s most remote spots are simply devoid of any civilization. So, every day that guests explore they’ll discover something unexpected in nature. 

10.  Active Plus Luxurious 

On a polar expedition cruise, guests can enjoy a fitness center workout early in the morning before heading out for a Zodiac beach landing and glacial walk. Then it’s back to the ship for a luscious lunch. In the afternoon, one spouse might enjoy a pampering spa treatment, while the other tackles an exciting kayaking expedition up close to icebergs. 

From a “bucket list” perspective, there’s nothing akin to a journey to the end of the Earth – from wildlife encounters to stunning natural beauty. But luxury travelers also are pampered and cocooned in comfort within their ultra-luxury small ship. And that potent combination of adventure and luxury can truly deliver the vacation of a lifetime.