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.)
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.
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
