An Arctic yacht charter is defined by expedition sailing, remote northern passages, pack ice and fjord scenery and a blend of polar bear country, walrus colonies, arctic foxes and the midnight sun that no other charter destination can offer. From the glaciers and bird cliffs of Svalbard and the ice-filled fjords of Greenland to the historic whaling stations, abandoned settlements and the open tundra landscapes that stretch to the horizon in every direction, routes are shaped around your pace, whether that means active landings and wildlife hikes ashore or quiet ice-watching days from the deck under a sun that never fully sets.
Princess Yacht Charter curates each luxury expedition yacht charter in the Arctic around your timing and preferences, carefully matching vessel, crew and itinerary to your group so the experience is as considered as the destination demands.
The Arctic is one of the world’s most extraordinary cruising regions, where polar bears hunting on sea ice, walrus colonies hauled out on gravel beaches, beluga whales in glacial fjords and the midnight sun above the 80th parallel make every passage day a genuinely unrepeatable experience.
Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago that sits between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole, is the most accessible Arctic charter destination — reached by scheduled flight to Longyearbyen and offering remarkable wildlife density and dramatic glacial scenery within a compact cruising area. Greenland offers a wilder, more remote alternative for those seeking longer passages and fewer other vessels. The Arctic requires ice-rated vessels, specialist crews and thorough advance planning, which is why choosing the right charter partner is as important as choosing the destination.
Sample eight-day route from Longyearbyen
Unique Arctic wildlife
Remote cruising
Stunning landscapes
The Arctic charter season runs from June to September, the northern hemisphere summer, when the midnight sun provides continuous daylight, sea ice retreats to allow deeper penetration into the fjords and the wildlife — polar bears, walrus, whales and seabirds — is at its most active and accessible.
June and July offer the best chance of pack ice encounters and the most dramatic glacial scenery, when the contrast between white ice and dark water is at its strongest. August brings the richest wildlife viewing as the breeding season peaks. September sees the first autumn light return and the aurora borealis beginning to appear in the darker hours — a rare combination of polar experiences in a single charter.
June to September is the Arctic summer season. June and July offer the most dramatic ice and wildlife encounters. August is peak season for wildlife viewing. September brings the first aurora borealis sightings.
Ice-rated vessels with Arctic-experienced captains and crews are essential. The Princess team matches each group with the right expedition yacht for the planned route, whether that means Svalbard, Greenland or the High Arctic above 80 degrees north.
Longyearbyen in Svalbard is the most accessible starting point, with scheduled flights from Oslo year-round. Greenland and Jan Mayen require longer passages and more specialist planning. The Princess team handles all travel arrangements as part of the charter.
The Arctic season runs June to September and the Antarctic season November to March, making them natural companion expeditions for those who want to experience both poles within the same year.
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