TravelAge West
Search Sponsored by

Explore TravelAge West

Destinations

Back
  • Africa & Middle East
  • Asia & South Pacific
  • Caribbean
  • Central & South America
  • Europe
  • Hawaii
  • Mexico
  • USA & Canada

Travel Types

Back
  • Family
  • Adventure
  • Cruise
  • River Cruise
  • Tour Operators
  • Luxury
  • Hotels
  • Culinary
  • Romance
  • Wellness
  • Sustainability

Directories

Back
  • Hotels
  • Cruise
  • Job Seeker Center

Interactive

Back
  • Click & Win
  • Geo Quiz
  • Slideshows & Video

Professional Development

Back

Industry Insight

  • Business Features
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Opinion
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
  • Coronavirus and Travel
  • Need to Know Research

Education

  • Certifications
  • Digital Guides
  • Fams
  • Thought Leadership
  • Advertiser Spotlight
  • Webinars
  • Quick Q's

Events

  • Global Travel Marketplace
  • GTM West
  • WAVE Awards
  • Future Leaders in Travel Retreat

Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Search TravelAge West

Clear Field
Jason Leppert
Jason LeppertCruise Editor

Share

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Cruise

What to Know About Adventures by Disney’s Arctic Expedition Cruises

Jan 07, 2022
Disney  Expedition Cruise  Tours  
ABD Arctic Cruise_HERO
Travelers onboard an Adventure by Disney expedition cruise to the Arctic will spend time in Longyearbyen.
Credit: 2021 Tommy/stock.adobe.com

During a press conference in late 2021, Lisa Gatlin, senior manager of trip development for Adventures by Disney (ABD), shared highlights of the company’s future expedition cruises to the Arctic, comparing them to the brand’s sailings in Antarctica.

“For both destinations, we really focus on authentic stories of the region and those immersive experiences that offer a little something for everyone, whether its searching for wildlife to take the perfect picture on a nature walk or playing a game of ‘Family Fjord’ onboard the ship,” Gatlin said. “There’s just always something to do on the expedition cruises.”

She pointed out that although the two poles have similar climates and both showcase whales, Antarctica and its penguins are visited in our winter, whereas the Arctic and its polar bears are explored in our northern hemisphere’s summer. The timing of the Arctic cruises will allow for a grand solstice celebration during the inaugural season, with sailings departing on June 19, 2023, and July 10, 2023.

There will be two nine-night, Arctic Expedition Cruises chartered onboard Ponant’s Le Boreal. (Operating independent of National Geographic Expeditions, which is also part of the Disney Signature Experiences portfolio, ABD is partnering with Ponant for these expeditions while National Geographic teams up with Lindblad Expeditions and its branded National Geographic fleet.)

Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.

Legendary former Imagineer Joe Rohde will even be a special guest on the July sailing, where he will discuss his career and nature conservation, as well as host sketching sessions with guests.

Itineraries will begin with a welcome dinner and overnight stay in Oslo, Norway, before guests take a flight to Svalbard, Norway, to join the ship. Then, travelers will journey to Longyearbyen, where, unlike in Antarctica, there’s a year-round population of more than 1,000 people. There, they will discover glaciers in Kongsfjorden. Daily boat excursions will be on the lookout for bears, reindeer, arctic foxes and walruses.

RELATED: What’s New From Adventures by Disney for 2022

Demographically, Gatlin considers the trips ideal for older children and teens, but there are adults without children and solo travelers who book, too.

Passenger counts will be capped in polar regions at 200 on the chartered Ponant ship, which she describes as having a “comfortable, luxury feel.” All guests will have access the onboard theater, while other spaces will be dedicated just for teens or only for adults.

It will all be in service of an authentic and educational experience without a set schedule (beyond a morning and afternoon excursion). As nature dictates much of the specifics, the captain may announce a pod of whales as late as 11 p.m. in the evening.

The Details
Adventures by Disney

Tell Us What You Think! forum

Related Content

Adventures by Disney Unveils New Line of Expedition Cruises

Adventures by Disney Unveils New Line of Expedition Cruises

  • Most Read
  • Most Shared
  1. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? New Details Released
  2. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?
  3. Universal Studios Hollywood vs. Universal Orlando Guide
  4. 4 Maui Pools With Swim-Up Bars
  5. 7 Travel Trends to Expect This Summer
  1. When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? New Details Released
  2. Brace Yourself for Another Summer of Flight Cancellations and Delays
  3. 3 Tips for Planning the Best Family Vacation in the Caribbean
  4. A Guide to the 8 Hotels Near Universal Orlando Resort
  5. The Top Things to Do in Rwanda

From Our Partners

More Stories Like This

The Latest News From Atlas Ocean Voyages

The Latest News From Atlas Ocean Voyages

Top Trends in Expedition Cruising

Top Trends in Expedition Cruising

Viking Adds Arctic Expeditions and Winter Rhine River Cruise

Viking Adds Arctic Expeditions and Winter Rhine River Cruise

Five Additional Cruise Lines Are Implementing Starlink Internet

Five Additional Cruise Lines Are Implementing Starlink Internet

Margaritaville at Sea Enhances its Paradise Ship and Debuts Season Pass

Margaritaville at Sea Enhances its Paradise Ship and Debuts Season Pass

More World Cruises Unveiled For 2024, 2025 and 2026

More World Cruises Unveiled For 2024, 2025 and 2026

What to Expect Onboard Explora I

What to Expect Onboard Explora I

Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?

Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?

Disney Cruise Line Upgrades Disney Magic

Disney Cruise Line Upgrades Disney Magic

Princess Unveils Voyages from the West Coast and More Sphere Class Details

Princess Unveils Voyages from the West Coast and More Sphere Class Details

TravelAge West

About TravelAge West

  • About Us
  • Contributors
  • Sales Team
  • Contact Us
  • My Profile

Advertise

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write For US
  • Media Kit
  • Upload Ad Material
  • Digital Ad Specifications
  • Reprints
  • Subscribe to Print

Stay Connected to TravelAge West

Get Us in Your Inbox

I accept the T&C and Privacy Policy.


Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group

  • Travel Weekly
  • Travel Weekly Asia
  • Travel Weekly China
  • TravelPulse
  • TravelPulse Canada
  • TravelPulse Quebec
  • Meetings & Incentives
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • AGENTatHOME

Copyright © 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000

Load Carousel Here
Load Video Here