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A luxury cruise ship is pulled free 3 days after running aground in Greenland

The Associated Press

The Ocean Explorer, a Bahamas-flagged Norwegian cruise ship with 206 passengers and crew, which had run aground in northwestern Greenland, is pictured on Tuesday SIRIUS/Joint Arctic Command/AP hide caption

The Ocean Explorer, a Bahamas-flagged Norwegian cruise ship with 206 passengers and crew, which had run aground in northwestern Greenland, is pictured on Tuesday

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The luxury cruise ship MV Ocean Explorer was successfully pulled free on Thursday, three days after running aground in Greenland with 206 people on board, authorities and the ship's owner said.

The ship was freed by a fisheries research vessel at high tide, said the cruise ship's owner, Copenhagen-based SunStone Ships, and the Joint Arctic Command, which coordinated the operation.

"There have not been any injuries to anybody onboard, no pollution of the environment and no breach of the hull," SunStone Ships said in a statement. The research vessel which pulled the cruise ship belongs to the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, a government agency, it said.

It said the cruise ship and its passengers will now travel to a port where the damage to the vessel's bottom can be assessed, and the passengers will be taken to a location from where they can be flown home. There was no immediate comment from the tour company that organized the trip, Australia-based Aurora Expeditions.

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The cruise ship ran aground Monday above the Arctic Circle in Alpefjord in Northeast Greenland National Park, the world's northernmost national park. The park is nearly the size of France and Spain combined, and approximately 80% is covered by an ice sheet. Alpefjord is about 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the closest settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit, which is nearly 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from the country's capital, Nuuk.

The Bahamas-flagged cruise ship has passengers from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. It has an inverted bow, shaped like the one on a submarine, 77 cabins, 151 passenger beds and 99 beds for crew, and several restaurants.

Earlier Thursday, Aurora Expeditions said three passengers had COVID-19.

"These passengers are currently in isolation. They are looked after by our onboard doctor, medical team and crew, and they are doing well," it said in a statement. Others on the MV Ocean Explorer are "safe and healthy," it said.

Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald quoted a retiree from Australia who is on the ship, Steven Fraser, as saying: "Everyone's in good spirits. It's a little bit frustrating, but we are in a beautiful part of the world."

Fraser told the newspaper that he had come down with COVID-19 on the ship.

Cmdr. Brian Jensen of the Joint Arctic Command told Greenland broadcaster KNR that the ship is likely to go to Iceland, the closest place with large ports.

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"Now it is exciting to find out what the condition of the ship is," Jensen was quoted as saying by KNR. "They are in the process of investigating whether the ship is intact and seaworthy and ready to sail on."

The ship's owner said several other vessels had rushed to the scene "and offered their assistance, which however, was not needed." It said it had also "arranged additional tug assistance in case it was needed, however, this has now been canceled."

Dozens of cruise ships sail along Greenland's coast every year so passengers can admire the picturesque mountainous landscape, waterways packed with icebergs of different sizes and glaciers jutting out into the sea.

Danish broadcaster DR said there were 400 cruises in Greenland in 2022 and 600 cruises in 2023.

The Danish Maritime Authority asked police in Greenland to investigate why the ship ran aground and whether any laws had been violated, a police statement said, adding that no one has been charged or arrested. An officer has been on board the ship to carry out "initial investigative steps, which, among other things, involve questioning the crew and other relevant persons on board," it said.

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The cruise liner began its current trip on Sept. 2 in Kirkenes in Arctic Norway and was due to return to Bergen, Norway, on Sept. 22, according to SunStone Ships.

The primary mission of the Joint Arctic Command is to ensure Danish sovereignty by monitoring the area around the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, including the Arctic Ocean in the north. Greenland is a semi-independent territory that is part of the Danish realm, as are the Faeroe Islands.

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A Luxury Cruise Ship, Stuck Off Greenland’s Coast for 3 Days, Is Pulled Free

The Ocean Explorer had been traveling toward Northeast Greenland National Park when it ran aground on Monday, officials said. The ship was pulled free on Thursday.

By Eduardo Medina

A luxury cruise ship that had been stuck for three days after running aground off the coast of Greenland was pulled free on Thursday morning, the authorities said.

The ship, the Ocean Explorer, had been carrying 206 passengers and crew members and was headed toward Alpefjord, in a remote corner of Greenland. The ship’s destination was the Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s northernmost national park, which is home to icebergs, glaciers and high mountains.

The Joint Arctic Command, which is part of Denmark’s defense forces, and SunStone Maritime Group , the coordinators of the rescue operation, said in statements on Thursday that the ship had been pulled free by a vessel named Tarajoq.

There were no reported injuries on board the ship, and there was no threat to the environment. The ship’s operator, Aurora Expeditions, a cruise company based in Australia, said in a statement on Thursday that “all onboard are safe” and that it appreciated “the patience and understanding of our passengers during this process.”

“We are waiting on the relevant authorities for advice regarding our next steps,” the company said.

The rescue came after an unsuccessful attempt on Wednesday, in which a fishing research vessel owned by the government of Greenland tried and failed to pull free the Ocean Explorer at high tide. Bad weather also slowed the government’s rescue operations, officials said.

Before the ship was freed, the Joint Arctic Command had said that “the crew and passengers are in a difficult situation, but after the circumstances, the atmosphere on the ship is good and everyone on board is fine.”

It was unclear what caused the ship to run aground near Greenland, which is part of Denmark but has autonomy over most domestic affairs. Officials said there were no indications that the ship had suffered serious damage to its foundation.

Cruises around Greenland have become increasingly popular with tourists seeking adventure and comfort aboard ships packed with amenities.The Ocean Explorer, built in 2021, was made to “travel to the world’s most remote destinations,” according to Aurora Expeditions’ website .

Prices for a 17-day expedition that tours Greenland start at more than $15,000 per person. The ship has a gym, a Jacuzzi and spacious suites that are 640 square feet, offering guests two large master bathrooms, one master bedroom and expansive views of the sea .

Photos of the stuck Ocean Explorer on Wednesday showed a blue-and-white ship floating in waters with frosted mountain peaks in the distance.

Extreme cold did not appear to be a major issue for stranded passengers on Wednesday: The temperature in the area was around 2.2 degrees Celsius, or about 36 degrees Fahrenheit, that night.

Jenny Gross contributed reporting.

Eduardo Medina is a reporter covering breaking news. More about Eduardo Medina

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A fishing vessel in Greenland will try to free a cruise ship that ran aground with 206 people

A view of the Ocean Explorer, a Bahamas-flagged Norwegian cruise ship with 206 passengers and crew, which has run aground in northwestern Greenland, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. The 104.4-meter (343-foot) long and 18-meter (60 foot) wide Ocean Explorer ran aground on Monday in Alpefjord in the Northeast Greenland National Park. It’s the world’s largest and most northerly national park and is known for icebergs and the musk oxen that roam the coast. According to authorities no one on board was in danger and no damage has been reported. (SIRIUS/Joint Arctic Command via AP)

An aerial photo shows the Ocean Explorer, a Bahamas-flagged Norwegian cruise ship with 206 passengers and crew, which has run aground in northwestern Greenland, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. The 104.4-meter (343-foot) long and 18-meter (60 foot) wide Ocean Explorer ran aground on Monday in Alpefjord in the Northeast Greenland National Park. It’s the world’s largest and most northerly national park and is known for icebergs and the musk oxen that roam the coast. According to authorities no one on board was in danger and no damage has been reported. (Danish Air Force/Joint Arctic Command via AP)

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A fishing vessel owned by Greenland’s government will attempt to use a high tide to pull free a Bahamas-flagged luxury cruise ship carrying 206 people that ran aground in the world’s northernmost national park, authorities said.

Capt. Flemming Madsen of the Danish Joint Arctic Command told The Associated Press that the passengers and crew on the ship stranded in northwestern Greenland were doing fine and ”all I can say is that they got a lifetime experience.”

The scientific fishing vessel was scheduled to arrive later Wednesday and would attempt when the conditions were right to pull the 104.4-meter- (343-foot) long and 18-meter- (60-foot) wide MV Ocean Explorer free.

The cruise ship ran aground above the Arctic Circle Monday in Alpefjord, which is in the Northeast Greenland National Park. The park covers 972,000 square kilometers (603,973 square miles), almost as much land as France and Spain combined, and approximately 80% is permanently covered by an ice sheet , according to the Visit Greenland tourism board.

Alpefjord sits in a remote corner of Greenland, some 240 kilometers (149 miles) away from the closest settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit, which itself is nearly 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from the country’s capital, Nuuk.

The Ocean Explorer’s crew made two failed attempts to get the ship to float free on its own during high tide.

In a statement, Australia-based Aurora Expeditions, which operates the ship, said the passengers and crew members were safe and well and that there was “no immediate danger to themselves, the vessel, or the surrounding environment.”

“We are actively engaged in efforts to free the MV Ocean Explorer from its grounding. Our foremost commitment is to ensure the vessel’s recovery without compromising safety,” the statement said.

Dozens of cruise ships sail along Greenland’s coast every year so passengers can admire the picturesque mountainous landscape with fjords, musk oxen, and the waterways packed with icebergs of different sizes and glaciers jutting out into the sea.

Madsen, of Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, said the passengers on the Ocean Explorer were “a mix” of tourists from Australia, New Zealand, Britain, the United States and South Korea. Greenland is a semi-independent territory that is part of the Danish realm, as are the Faeroe Islands.

The people onboard “are in a difficult situation, but given the circumstances, the atmosphere on the ship is good, and everyone on board is doing well. There are no signs that the ship was seriously damaged by the grounding,” the Joint Arctic Command said Wednesday.

The weather in the region Wednesday featured sun, a clear blue sky and a temperature around 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the Danish Meteorological Institute.

The Ocean Explorer was built in 2021 and is owned by Copenhagen SunStone Ships, which is part of Denmark’s SunStone Group. It has an inverted bow, shaped like the one on a submarine. It has 77 cabins, 151 passenger beds and 99 beds for crew, and several restaurants, according to the Sunstone Group website.

The Joint Arctic Command said there were other ships in the vicinity of the stranded cruise liner and “if the need arises, personnel from the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol can be at the accident site within an hour and a half.”

On Tuesday, members of the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a Danish naval unit that conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, visited the passengers and explained the situation, “which calmed them down as some were anxious,” Madsen, who was the on-duty officer for the Joint Arctic Command, said.

The command, which was coordinating the operation to free the cruise ship, said the nearest Danish navy ship was about 1,200 nautical miles (more than 2,000 kilometers or 1,380 miles) away. It was heading to the site and could be expected to reach the grounded ship as soon as Friday.

The primary mission of the Joint Arctic Command is to ensure Danish sovereignty by monitoring the area around the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, including the Arctic Ocean in the north.

This version has been corrected to show the cruise ship is owned by a Danish group, not Norwegian.

Trawler's attempt fails to free grounded cruise ship in Greenland

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Luxury cruise ship freed after running aground in Greenland

Ocean Explorer pulled free by fishing trawler after being stuck in mud and silt since Monday

A luxury cruise ship that ran aground in a remote part of Greenland with 206 people onboard has been pulled free by a fishing trawler.

The Ocean Explorer cruise vessel had been stuck since Monday in mud and silt in the Alpefjord national park, 870 miles (1,400km) north-east of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.

“We have just successfully become free now … we are absolutely elated,” Gina Hill, an Australian passenger onboard the ship, told Reuters on Thursday. The Ocean Explorer leaned to the side during the operation and passengers were not allowed to go outside, Hill said.

The Danish military’s joint arctic command confirmed that the ship had been pulled free by the Tarajoq, a trawler and research vessel that made a failed attempted to do so on Wednesday.

The Ocean Explorer will be taken to a port to assess any damage, while the passengers will be flown home, said SunStone Maritime Group, which owns the cruise vessel. “There have not been any injuries to any person onboard, no pollution of the environment and no breach of the hull,” SunStone said in a statement.

Three people on board the ship have Covid-19, the Sydney-based charter group Aurora Expedition, which organised the cruise, confirmed on Thursday.

The company said in a statement the three passengers were in isolation and were “doing well”. They were being looked after by an onboard doctor and medical team.

Hill, on board with her husband, earlier said they felt a shudder, then what sounded like a scrape, when the ship ran aground.

She said the passengers were in good spirits and were being entertained by lectures and stories of expeditions by the crew.

“No one seems to be afraid, and they’re giving us updates quite regularly,” Hill said earlier this week.

Hill said after the crew alerted passengers that there were confirmed cases of Covid, some passengers had chosen to wear masks in the public areas, but others had not.

Many of the passengers on board are believed to be Australian, along with a mix of tourists from other countries including New Zealand, Britain, the United States and South Korea.

Greenland, a semi-sovereign territory of Denmark in the north Atlantic with a population of just 57,000, attracts tourists with its rugged landscape and a vast ice cap that covers much of the island.

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A stranded luxury cruise ship was stuck in Greenland for 3 days. It's finally been pulled free.

• The 206 passengers on a luxury cruise ship will be heading home soon.
• The MV Ocean Explorer ran aground in a isolated part of Greenland on Monday.
• Greenland police have been asked to investigate the incident, the AP reports.

The luxury cruise ship MV Ocean Explorer was pulled free in Greenland on Thursday, three days after running aground with 206 people on board, authorities and the ship's owner said.

The ship was freed by a fisheries research vessel at high tide, said the cruise ship's owner, Copenhagen-based SunStone Ships and the Arctic Command, which had been coordinating the operation.

It was done "based on a pull from the vessel (owned by the Greenland government) and vessel's own power. There have not been any injuries to anybody onboard, no pollution of the environment, and no breach of the hull." The name of the Greenland ship was Tarajoq and it belongs to the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, a government agency.

The MV Ocean Explorer ran aground above the Arctic Circle on Monday in Alpefjord, which is in the Northeast Greenland National Park, the world's northernmost national park. The park is nearly the size of France and Spain combined, and approximately 80% is permanently covered by an ice sheet. Alpefjord sits about 149 miles away from the closest settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit, which itself is nearly 870 miles from the country's capital, Nuuk.

The Bahamas-flagged cruise ship has passengers from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. It has an inverted bow, shaped like the one on a submarine, 77 cabins, 151 passenger beds and 99 beds for crew, and several restaurants.

The owner also had "arranged additional tug assistance in case it was needed, however, this has now been canceled."

Earlier Thursday, Australia-based Aurora Expeditions which has chartered the ship, said that three passengers had COVID-19.

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"These passengers are currently in isolation. They are looked after by our onboard doctor, medical team and crew, and they are doing well," Aurora Expeditions said in a statement. The others on the MV Ocean Explorer were "safe and healthy," it added.

Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald quoted a retiree from Australia, Steven Fraser, who is on the ship, saying: "Everyone's in good spirits. It's a little bit frustrating, but we are in a beautiful part of the world."

Fraser told the newspaper that he himself had come down with COVID-19 on the ship.

It added that "the vessel and its passengers will now be positioned to a port where the vessel's bottom damages can be assessed, and the passengers will be taken to a port from which they can be flown back home."

Dozens of cruise ships sail along Greenland's coast every year so passengers can admire the picturesque mountainous landscape, sometimes barren, with fjords, and the waterways packed with icebergs of different sizes and glaciers jutting out into the sea.

Danish broadcaster DR said that there were 400 cruises in Greenland in 2022, and 600 cruises in 2023.

Denmark's Danish Maritime Authority have asked police in Greenland to investigate why the ship ran aground and whether any laws had been violated, a police statement said, adding that no one has been charged or arrested. An officer had been on board the ship to carry out "initial investigative steps, which, among other things, involve questioning the crew and other relevant persons on board," it added.

The cruise liner began its latest trip on Sept. 2 in Kirkenes, in Arctic Norway, and was due to return to Bergen, Norway, on Sept. 22, according to SunStone Ships.

The primary mission of the Joint Arctic Command is to ensure Danish sovereignty by monitoring the area around the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, including the Arctic Ocean in the north. Greenland is a semi-independent territory that is part of the Danish realm, as are the Faeroe Islands.

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Cruises to Qaqortoq, Greenland

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Qaqortoq Cruise Port Guide

Qaqortoq, Greenland is a place teeming with thousands of years of Nordic history, soothing hot springs, and water activities like exploring on a sailboat. On a transatlantic cruise that stops in Greenland, you’ll find yourself far from the ordinary. Traveling in an Arctic climate requires a certain level of curiosity and adventure, but you never have to sacrifice comfort while you explore the region on one of our luxury cruise ships. 

Only about 3,000 people live in Qaqortoq, which means it’s a cozy, tight-knit community. Take a dip in the hot springs of Uunartoq for complete rejuvenation and restoration. Discover the ruins of an ancient Viking settlement at Hvalsey Church. Experience authentic cuisine from the area, or simply walk around the colorful streets. On your Greenland cruise, this quirky colonial town will welcome you with open arms.

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Top sights & attractions for cruises to qaqortoq, lake tasersuaq.

The majestic beauty of this artsy Greenland town is best experienced on foot. A hike around Lake Tasersuaq promises incredible views of Qaqortoq and the mountain just beyond.

Hvalsey Church

The last evidence of the Vikings in Greenland can be found at Hvalsey Church, where the best-preserved Nordic ruins in the area overlook the waterfront. The isolated, commanding ruins showcase thousands of years of Nordic history. Guided tours are popular, and it takes about 25-30 minutes via boat to reach the ruins of Hvalsey Church.

Qaqortoq Museum

The Qaqortoq Museum is an ideal stop for history buffs during a Greenland cruise. The museum is cleverly located within an old blacksmith workshop. Here, you’ll find artifacts of both the Inuit and Norse populations from thousands of years ago.

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Top things to do in qaqortoq, enjoy the arts.

Take a tour called the Qaqortoq Art Walk, where you’ll experience an interactive, open-air art exhibition featuring the work of nearly 20 Nordic artists. Each of the 24 sculptures carefully cradles the city of Qaqortoq. Called “Stone and Man,” it’s a can’t-miss experience for Nordic history buffs and art lovers.

Nature Walks

Qaqortoq is best experienced on foot, whether you’re taking a nature tour through the foothills or gallivanting through the center of town. Qaqortoq’s hillsides lead to stunning fjord views, dramatic landscapes, and rows of colorful colonial homes in red, orange, and green everywhere you look.

Top Food & Drink Spots Near the Qaqortoq Cruise Port

The food scene in Qaqortoq is minimal, so don’t expect to find chain restaurants lining every street corner downtown. Stop in for drinks and live music at Arctic Cafe. When you see a yellow VW peeking from the wall, you’ll know you’re in the right place. Restaurant Napparsivik is popular for morning or afternoon coffee, fresh meat and fish dishes, and regional eats. Inside the Hotel Qaqortoq, enjoy a drink at Mikisoq, a local pub.

Culture & History of the Qaqortoq Cruise Port

Surviving in the frigid climate was no small feat for early residents, who were Paleo-Eskimo populations, Norse Vikings, and later, the Dorset people. Most of Greenland is occupied by arctic ice caps, so most people who settle down to live in the country gather in coastal cities and towns. By the 20th century, Greenland had established strong trade ties with North America and Denmark. The economy relies on natural resources, from whaling to fishing.

Qaqortoq Port Facilities & Location

Once you arrive, there is a tourist office with helpful city maps and free internet. You can get your bearings here before heading out to explore. Local maps detail the area’s hiking trails and the most popular attractions you can choose from on a Greenland cruise to Qaqortoq.

Transportation in Qaqortoq

Qaqortoq is fairly walkable, and there’s a ferry service that connects the city to other parts of the country. You can head into the center of town after a short tender ride while on cruises to Iceland and Greenland.

Shopping Near the Qaqortoq Cruise Port

Shopping near the Qaqortoq cruise port is fairly minimal since the town has a population of 3,000 people. Qaqortoq Souvenir Shop is a popular place to shop for keepsakes like handmade goods and authentic souvenirs.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

The official currency of Greenland is the Danish krone (DKK), but you’ll find British pounds and U.S. dollars are accepted in some establishments. Credit and debit cards are less likely to be used in smaller shops, so be sure to ask when you arrive before trying to pay with a credit card. A service charge is typically included in your bill at restaurants.

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Cruise ship carrying 206 people runs aground in Greenland - and rescue will not arrive until Friday

The Danish military's Joint Arctic Command (JAC) said the closest Danish navy ship was around 1,200 nautical miles (more than 2,000km or 1,380 miles) away, adding it was heading to the site and would not reach the grounded ship until Friday at the earliest.

News reporter @samuelosborne93

Wednesday 13 September 2023 07:08, UK

A cruise ship with 206 passengers and crew on board has run aground in northwestern Greenland - and rescuers will not arrive until Friday at the earliest, authorities said.

The Ocean Explorer ran aground on Monday in Alpefjord in a national park 870 miles (1,400km) northeast of Greenland's capital Nuuk, the Danish military's Joint Arctic Command (JAC) said.

"A cruise ship in trouble in the national park is obviously a worry. The nearest help is far away, our units are far away, and the weather can be very unfavourable," JAC head of operations Commander Brian Jensen said in the statement.

He said the closest Danish navy ship was around 1,200 nautical miles (more than 1,380 miles or 2,000km) away - adding it was heading to the site and would not reach the grounded ship until Friday at the earliest.

"However, in this specific situation, we do not see any immediate danger to human life or the environment, which is reassuring," he added.

Authorities have been in contact with another cruise ship in the area and it has been asked to remain nearby to assist in case the situation changes.

The grounded cruise ship might also get free on its own when the tide is high, Greenland television KNR reported.

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But later on Tuesday, the JAC said on its Facebook page the ship was still stuck despite the tide.

"Regardless, the most important thing for us is that everyone gets to safety," Mr Jensen said.

A spokesperson for Australian cruise operator Aurora Expeditions said everyone on board was safe and well.

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The Ocean Explorer was completed in 2021 and can accommodate up to 134 passengers.

It offers trips to "some of the most wild and remote destinations on the planet", Aurora Expeditions said on its website.

Greenland is a semi-independent territory that is part of the Danish realm.

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7 Things You Should Know Before Taking a Greenland Cruise

From picking the right ship and itinerary to what to expect when it comes to weather and wildlife, cruising along the coast of greenland can be both wonderful and unpredictable. here’s what to know before you go..

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The ice in and around Greenland is beautiful and humbling, and it can have a very real impact on itineraries.

Courtesy of Annie Spratt/Unsplash

The chance to kayak between bobbing bits of electric-blue icebergs, experience traditional Greenlandic customs, spot the northern lights, hike along rugged fjords, and scan the horizon for whales—these are some of the reasons travel to Greenland has been growing steadily for the past two decades (not including during the pandemic).

Granted, it’s not an easy country to get around. Because Greenland is so vast and most of its communities aren’t connected by roads (locals get around by boat, bush plane, or sled dog team), one of the most convenient ways to see the country is on an expedition cruise.

Having just sailed with Scenic Cruises to Greenland , I’ve been asked myriad questions from curious travelers, ranging from “Is it really covered in ice?” to “What do you do on a cruise to Greenland?” With those inquiries (and others) in mind, here are some of the things that are useful to know before booking a cruise to Greenland.

Understand the basics

Greenland is one of the most sparsely populated places in the world. It is an 836,330-square-mile island—larger than Texas, California, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and Maine combined. However, only about 57,000 people live there (nearly 90 percent of whom are Indigenous), and most residents are concentrated in a handful of cities along the western coast.

The cruising season for Greenland is rather short— the bulk of all sailings are in July, August, and September, due to high concentrations of icebergs. And though roughly 80 percent of Greenland is covered by an ice sheet (the world’s largest, outside of Antarctica), in the summer, the fjords are awash in green moss and grasses and dotted with wildflowers like fireweed and buttercups.

Cruises that focus on the western coast of Greenland typically visit some of the colorful towns along the shore.

Courtesy of Nicola Abraham/Unsplash

Choose the right operator (and itinerary) for you

A number of cruise companies have started offering sailings to Greenland in recent years. The majority are small expedition brands, with space enough for 100 to 300 guests onboard, including such lines as Lindblad, Hurtigruten, Adventure Canada, Quark, and Scenic. Some larger cruise lines, like Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line, occasionally sail here, as well.

The embarkation and disembarkation ports, the duration of the sailing, and the ship’s icebreaking capabilities are among the factors that will dictate where travelers will be able to go. Some itineraries focus on the more populated western coast, where travelers can visit local communities, interact with residents, and shop for handicrafts. Others center around the rugged, wild eastern coast, where daily activities revolve around outdoor pursuits and maneuvering among the scenic ice. Longer journeys may tackle both.

If you’re on a sailing that spotlights the western coast, you’ll typically pull into port towns in the morning and will have the option to sign up for an organized day trip or to noodle around the area by yourself for the day. These are some of the highlights of a western sailing:

• Nuuk: The largest city, where roughly a third of all people in Greenland live, is a popular stop, as it offers a small clutch of museums, a performing arts center, restaurants and bars, handicraft stores, and supermarkets.
• Narsaq: Not far from Nuuk is this tiny sheep-herding and fishing community.
• Ilulissat: Here passengers can visit a UNESCO-protected ice fjord that is home to one of the most active glaciers in the world.

Sailings on the eastern coast of Greenland don’t typically pull into port. Instead, passengers load into 10-person inflatable dinghies known as Zodiacs to putter around floating bits of iceberg or to head to land for a hike. On the eastern side, spotting wildlife, including foxes, Arctic hares, seals, and shore birds, is more common. And because itineraries are more flexible, ships can stay put a little longer to watch nature unfold, like a glacier calving or pod of humpback whales bubble netting (where whales blow bubbles to confuse and trap fish for their podmates to eat). Decide which type of itinerary speaks most to you and opt for a sailing that aims to meet it.

Pick the right ship for your needs and wants

Another thing to consider is ship size. Smaller vessels can visit harder to reach places and offer guests a more intimate experience both on and off the ship. However, larger ships often have more onboard amenities, like spas, multiple dining rooms, and toys like helicopters and submarines that can showcase a different side of the destination. Deciding what are must-have amenities can help narrow your options.

Don’t be disappointed if you see a lot of puffins, but no polar bears—sure, you might see polar bears, too, but you might not.

Photo by Bailey Berg

Manage your nature viewing expectations

While it is possible to see showstoppers like polar bears and the northern lights while sailing in Greenland, there’s no guarantee. Polar bears, for instance, are mostly concentrated in northern and eastern Greenland, typically in areas only accessible to ships with icebreaking capabilities. So, if missing out on seeing polar bears would disappoint you, perhaps consider a trip to Svalbard instead, where there’s a higher concentration of the bears. And because Greenland sees the midnight sun, it’s often too bright to see aurora borealis displays until late-season sailings (generally September, but potentially August). However, there are cruises, mostly in Norway , that cater to travelers looking to see a solar show.

Know what to pack

Despite many cruise companies emphasizing the need for polar gear, you might find that Greenland is warmer than you thought. In July through September, the average minimum temperature is in the low 40 degrees, while the average high is in the mid to upper 50s. As a Coloradian, I could get away with wearing hiking trousers and a flannel shirt for most outings on our early August sailing, though my Georgia-based travel companion typically added long underwear and a puffy jacket.

While your base and mid-layers involve personal preferences, there are a couple of non-negotiable items you’ll need. Here’s a short list of essential packing items:

• A set of windproof and waterproof coats and pants: important for rides in Zodiacs, to protect from sea spray
• A good pair of tall, waterproof boots: You’ll likely need to do wet landings when going ashore in remote areas (meaning there’s a chance of getting splashed by the tide when the Zodiac brings you to the beach) and there’s also potential for walking in snow. Some operators provide boots for guests, so be sure to check ahead of time. If not, look into options like Xtratuf or Hunter.
• Sunglasses: particularly important in snow or ice-covered areas because the sun’s rays are reflected
• Sunscreen: the days can be long and quite sunny

Be prepared for unpredictable ice and weather

While Greenland has seen dramatic changes at the hands of climate change in recent years, with diminishing glaciers and warmer temperatures, there is still ample ice, which can greatly affect what you’re able to see and do on your sailing.

If there’s too much ice around the shore, there’s a chance you won’t be able to make landings. It could also affect Zodiac rides and kayaking excursions. Because the ice rolls as it melts and the larger part of the mass is underwater, it’s dangerous to get too close, so some expedition leaders may scrap water-based activities entirely, too, if there’s excess ice.

Similarly, due to the mixing of coastal breezes and ice, fog is frequent (and thick) in Greenland. Because there’s the risk of polar bears (the only type of bear that will actively hunt humans), cruise companies won’t make landings if it’s foggy (or raining so hard it affects visibility), so depending on the weather, you may end up spending a few days on the ship if you’re on the eastern side of the country. Ditto for situations where the wind is making the water too choppy to safely navigate Zodiacs. Really any weather event that could put guests in danger (from the elements or from polar bears) means more time on the ship.

Come with an open mind

Typically, cruise companies will work with local tour operators to arrange for cultural experiences with Greenlandic people for cruise passengers. That could include a traditional kaffeemik (an afternoon coffee and cake meet-up), a historical walking tour, a craft beer tasting with the local brewmaster, and beyond. You might have the opportunity to dine on local food. That can include meals that wouldn’t be uncommon in parts of the USA, like halibut, snow crab, herring, or lamb. It may also include proteins that visitors might find upsetting, such as polar bear, narwhal, and whale.

In Greenland, it is legal for Indigenous people to harvest a certain number of these animals on a yearly basis for subsistence purposes. It’s also an important part of their culture.

Greenland is a harsh environment where it’s too cold for most food to grow, so locals have long had to make do with what is available to them as a means of survival. You may find it helpful to remember that Greenlandic Inuit believe in wasting no part of the animals they harvest and taking only what is necessary. However, if you find this aspect of the experience disconcerting, this may not be the right cruise for you.

Greenland Cruises

Book early for 2025 /2026 sailings to Greenland and save up to 40% with the HX Price Promise*.

Greenland Expedition Cruises

Greenland will take your breath away. Surrounded by a vast network of glaciers and glittering fjords, you’ll cruise past calving icebergs in Disko Bay, hike along pristine beaches and green valleys, and see photogenic wildlife. Experience Greenland’s culture and traditions as you visit colourful settlements and join exciting activities with your Expedition Team. See our itineraries, activities and current offers.

Book early for 2025/2026 and save

Explore Greenland in 2025 /2026 on our small, well-equipped, hybrid expedition ships, where safety and sustainability come first. Sail in style and comfort so you’re relaxed, rested, and ready for adventure.

PLUS with our Price Promise, if you find the same cabin available for a lower price after you've booked, let us know and we'll give you back the difference.

Activities in Greenland

Greenland expeditions come with a great selection of activities. We take you to Greenland in the best months for outdoor adventures as the days are long and the weather is mild.

Your expert Expedition Team will help bring you closer to Greenland’s captivating wildlife and culture through lectures, guided hikes, landings, and kayaking.

Wildlife in Greenland

On our Greenland tours you can meet some of the hardiest wildlife on the planet, including – muskoxen, caribou, Arctic hares, Arctic foxes, reindeer, stoats and Arctic wolves.

Authentic activities

Explore Greenland’s fascinating coastline and islands by kayak, in the land where the kayak or ‘man boat’ was first made and used.

Cruises to Greenland

The Heart of Greenland | Disko Bay

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Jun 9, 24, Jun 24, 24 + 2 more departures

Price from $15,235

MS Fridtjof Nansen

Cruising Under the Midnight Sun

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The Ultimate Fjord Expedition

Price from $14,577

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Explore the Extraordinary! Through June 30, save up to 40% on must-see destinations

Magnificent whales

See humpback whales feeding among icebergs under the warm glow of the Midnight Sun.

If there’s anywhere that’s suited to off-the-beaten-track adventures, it’s the world’s largest island, Greenland. Discover a pristine natural environment, photogenic wildlife and the unique culture of the Greenlanders on a range of included and optional activities.

Nuuk - Cultural History Walk

Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of the most interesting places in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland! Join a sightseeing tour of the town before you visit the National Museum, which provides a glimpse into Greenland’s interesting past.

Boat Tour to Upernaviarsuk

Upernaviarsuk Agricultural Station Learn about agriculture in Greenland and the challenges that farmers face.

Boat trip to the ice fjord

Ilulissat is renowned for its breathtakingly beautiful ice fjord - best experienced by boat. Get close to nature and experience the ice that leaves visitors speechless in wonder.

* Please note that these are optional activities; an additional cost may apply.

Ice Age wildlife

See mammals that have roamed the Arctic since the last Ice Age, including musk oxen and caribou as you explore Greenland.

Greenland’s wildlife

As 80% of Greenland is covered by an inhospitable ice sheet, you’ll discover most wildlife around the ice-free periphery. In the coastal waters, rich in fish, look for humpback whales and seals. Little Auks, Snowy Owls and Greenland Gyrfalcons are among the birds you’ll be on the lookout for here.

Ice-hewn landscapes

Greenland’s topography includes tundra landscapes, immense glacial valleys and a vast ice sheet second in size only to Antarctica’s.

Expedition Team Greenland

The Expedition Team will share the fascinating geology behind the glacial landforms you’ll find in Greenland in lectures or as you explore them on walks and on landings. They’ll accompany you to a kaffemik – a traditional coffee morning or - take you kayaking in the icy waters.

Expedition Ships to Greenland

Travel safely and in comfort aboard our hybrid-powered expedition ships and ships modified for better sustainability. Our smaller ice-class ships allow you to experience more remote and unspoilt polar destinations, and these are the ships you’ll travel with to Greenland.

Purpose-built as an expedition cruise ship, MS Fram is an exceptional base camp for explorers.On board, comfort is a top priority, so after a day of exploration you can relax in a hot tub ,dine in your choice of two restaurants or at the outdoor BBQ and catch up with your fellow guests with a cocktail in hand as you watch the scenery glide past in the Explorer Lounge & Bar. In the Science Centre, at the heart of the ship, you’ll discover more about the places you sail to and listen to talks by the Expedition Team.  With key expedition features and technology, MS Fram is primed to bring you on a journey of discovery to our planet’s most alluring and unspoiled regions. 

The newest addition to our fleet will honor the heritage of her namesake – the Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen. Known for his innovations in Arctic expeditions, Nansen led the first crossing of Greenland on cross-country skis. He is perhaps most famous for his attempt to reach the geographical North Pole during the Fram Expedition (1893-1896). Interestingly, after Nansen's Fram expedition, the ship was passed on to another great explorer who secretly planned an expedition to the South Pole - Roald Amundsen.

MS Maud, previously MS Midnatsol, is named after one of the most famous polar vessels of all time, Roald Amundsen's 'Maud' from 1917. The original 'Maud' got her name from the first Queen of modern-day Norway. She also had her namesake in Hurtigruten Expedition’s 1925 flagship, DS Dronning Maud ('DS Queen Maud'). Today, MS Maud is equipped with advanced technology that makes her exceptionally well-suited for expedition cruises in Norway and the British Isles.

MS Spitsbergen

MS Spitsbergen is named after the crown jewel of Arctic Norway – the Svalbard archipelago and its biggest island, Spitsbergen. Hurtigruten has a long history of travelling to Spitsbergen, beginning in 1896 with the 'Sports Route'.

Helping local communities

On a Hurtigruten Expeditions cruise to Greenland you’ll be helping to improve the lives of Greenlandic children. The Hurtigruten Foundation supports the work of local charities and development projects wherever we travel.

Stories from Greenland

Travel Guide to Greenland

Greenland is truly a world apart – it’s beautiful, with glaciers and colossal blue icebergs, green meadows, hot springs and clean air. It's unlike any landscape you're likely to have seen before.

The coastal ice-free fringe of Greenland supports a range of mammals and birds living in the seas, fjords and protected areas, offering nature lovers a unique wildlife experience.

Greenland Sea - about

Dive in and Learn All About the Greenland Sea

How much do most people know about the Greenland Sea? Perhaps it’s obvious that because a lot of it is within the Arctic Circle it’s going to be cold and probably full of icebergs.

Get closer to nature with our small expedition boats

Our expedition ships venture where many cruise liners can’t. But we want to go further. We want to immerse you in the raw, untamed beauty of the natural world – and that’s where our small expedition boats come in.

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Cruise to Nuuk, Greenland

Nuuk shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in nuuk.

Step Back in Time

A panoramic view of Nuuk, Greenland

The spacious Greenland National Museum, located in colonial buildings at the old harbor, houses well-presented exhibitions, with pieces dating back 4,500 years. You won't want to miss the bronze sculpture depicting the Greenlandic tale of the Mother of the Sea, the geological room with the world's oldest rocks and the mummy room with three mummified 15th-century women and a child. This museum will have you never wanting to leave the past.

Typical architecture in Nuuk, Greenland

The design of the large Katuaq Cultural Centre, the city's architectural highlight, was inspired by icebergs, the waving Northern Lights and the play of light on ice and snow. Head here to check out a Greenlandic art exhibition, to attend a concert or to meet the locals in the pleasant cafe during your cruise to Nuuk. Witness an architectural feat at Katuaq.

Aging Architecture

For a glimpse of Greenland's history, head to the yellow-colored Hans Egede House, built in 1728 and located in old harbor. The oldest house in Greenland, this building is now the venue for government receptions. At the Egede House, you'll find a bit of history, amazing views and incredible, centuries-old architecture.

Local Cuisine

Most of the food in Greenland comes from the sea and is often smoked, dried or salted, and served with sauces. Stop into any local restaurant to feast on Greenland's national dish, suaasat, a thick soup made of meat, potatoes, onion and rice. If you're looking to indulge, try some panertut, dried fish or meat with butter and apples.

Imaneq Street is the place to go for traditionally made goods when you visit Nuuk with your cruise. Check out Qiviut to shop for garments knitted from muskox wool, an incredibly warm and soft material. You'll find a taste of native Inuit culture with Nuuk Couture, and you'll discover much more variety at the Nuuk Center, the country's first shopping mall, located next to the Katuaq Cultural Centre.

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The sea and seafaring has always been vital to us, and for you as a guest it makes for an optimal way to tour large parts of the country.

In premodern times, and especially during the latest wave of immigration from Canada to Greenland, the kayak and the larger umiaq were the most common and efficient means of transportation compared to arduous treks across the rugged Greenlandic mountain terrain.

Explorers, cartographers and adventurers looking to cross the ice cap or conquer the North Pole all came to Greenland from across the sea, and they met the locals and exchanged goods and experiences, while some even settled down and started a new life on the island.

“We saw a show on television from Compagnie du Ponant. We saw the ice and the nature, and we said that we have to do that!”

Package Tours

Whale Safari

Take a whale safari in Disko Bay and have a unique experience.

Secret Atlas

East Greenland & Scoresby Sund Micro Cruise

Explore Scoresby Sund in East Greenland on an Expedition Micro Cruise with just 12 guests on a modern expedition ship with expert guides.

Icefjord Cruise

Get closer to the impressive Greenlandic nature with Icefjord Cruise.

Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Experience the beautiful Eqi glacier that runs into the fjord north of Ilulissat.

PIONEERS AT SEA

Cruise guests in today’s Greenland might not plant the same explorer flag in their various destinations throughout Greenland, but the sense of being a pioneer in the wake of great adventurers who sailed these shores long ago still prevails. A cruise in Greenland is first and foremost a nature based experience, but on top of that it is an intimate meeting with our culture, society, and history which adds a dimension not often seen in other Polar cruises.

With the exception of the northernmost parts of Greenland, which are still hard to access because of sea ice, just about any inhabited place in Greenland can be reached in the peak season from June to October. It’s important to emphasize the need to respect the environment and local communities when traveling to Greenland.

A VARIETY OF CRUISES FOR ALL TASTES

For a great all round experience of Greenland begin or end your cruise in Kangerlussuaq, at the bottom of a long, narrow fjord close to the Ice Cap which is an essential place to visit from Kangerlussuaq.

When you embark in Kangerlussuaq your cruise will almost certainly involve a trip north to the Disko Bay area, typically arriving in Ilulissat and cruising along the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Ilulissat Icefjord , before heading wither heading south to Kangerlussuaq or across the Davis Strait to Canada or back towards Iceland with further Greenlandic destinations on the itinerary.

You might also be arriving on a larger cruise on your way across the Atlantic and in that case you normally only have one or two stops in Greenland unless you’re traveling aboard a dedicated expedition cruise ship or a schooner, both of which usually travel through fjords and explore nature and wildlife off the beaten path on fairly open itineraries.

Regardless of the ship type and irrespectively of your choice of season, be it early in summer when whales are abundant or on the edge of autumn when the northern lights come out, a cruise in Greenland is the perfect way to experience the country.

Most cruise ships visit Greenland from mid-July to mid-August

Greenland’s coastline is more than 44,000 kilometers or longer than the 40,000 kilometers around the Equator

Most expedition cruises go to East Greenland while a number of actual Greenland cruises begin near the international airport in Kangerlussuaq on the west coast

Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in South Greenland, and at times also the capital Nuuk, are frequented by larger ships on transatlantic crossings

Many Greenlandic stores, hotels, and restaurants accept VISA and MasterCard but it is advisable to always carry cash, as some places might not accept your preferred credit card, including Amex, UnionPay, and other less common forms of payment in Greenland.

FROM MIDNIGHT SUN TO NORTHERN LIGHTS

North of the Arctic Circle you can experience the  midnight sun , roughly until the end of July in Ilulissat, while you will find nights with no darkness even after the sun dips below the horizon south of the Arctic Circle. Walk around the upper deck of the ship and breathe in the fresh Arctic air in the magical soft midnight light while you cruise through calm waters sheltered by bays and fjords. This is like a balm for the soul.

On journeys with daily arrivals in towns and settlements you will often have the option of going on local tours both in town and with  smaller boats  in the area. Or you might find that someone local has set up a kayak performance, a show with dancers in the national costume, or a talk with greenlanders who recall life in a land from when the kayak and the umiaq were essential and everyday means of transportion.

HAVE A TASTE OF GREENLAND AND BRING HOME THE MEMORIES

Even with every meal included in your cruise it would be a shame to miss out on a taste Greenland. Larger towns all have restaurants or hotels with lunch menus, and often with a commanding view of the sea. And if you are in the presence of a guide with local knowledge you should consider buying fresh fish or meat from “Brættet”, the local Arctic fresh foods market, to bring back for the onboard chef to prepare.

Having your crew fishing little pieces of ice out of the sea before crushing them down to ice cubes for whiskey or other drinks is usually popular among seafarers looking for that bit of an extra feel good experience. Free floating pieces from ice cap are often more than 4,000 years old and it goes well with Martini and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

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By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

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Luxury cruise ship stranded in Greenland with Covid-positive passengers is finally pulled free

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The luxury cruise ship MV Ocean Explorer was successfully pulled free on Thursday, three days after running aground in Greenland with 206 people on board, authorities and the ship’s owner said.

The ship was freed by a fisheries research vessel at high tide, said the cruise ship’s owner, Copenhagen-based SunStone Ships, and the Joint Arctic Command, which coordinated the operation.

“There have not been any injuries to anybody onboard, no pollution of the environment and no breach of the hull,” SunStone Ships said in a statement. The research vessel which pulled the cruise ship belongs to the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, a government agency, it said.

It said the cruise ship and its passengers will now travel to a port where the damage to the vessel’s bottom can be assessed, and the passengers will be taken to a location from where they can be flown home. There was no immediate comment from the tour company that organized the trip, Australia-based Aurora Expeditions.

The cruise ship ran aground Monday above the Arctic Circle  in Alpefjord  in Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s northernmost national park. The park is nearly the size of France and Spain combined, and approximately 80% is covered by  an ice sheet . Alpefjord is about 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the closest settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit, which is nearly 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from the country’s capital, Nuuk.

The Bahamas-flagged cruise ship has passengers from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. It has an inverted bow, shaped like the one on a submarine, 77 cabins, 151 passenger beds and 99 beds for crew, and several restaurants.

Earlier Thursday, Aurora Expeditions said three passengers had Covid-19.

“These passengers are currently in isolation. They are looked after by our onboard doctor, medical team and crew, and they are doing well,” it said in a statement. Others on the MV Ocean Explorer are “safe and healthy,” it said.

Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald quoted a retiree from Australia who is on the ship, Steven Fraser, as saying: “Everyone’s in good spirits. It’s a little bit frustrating, but we are in a beautiful part of the world.”

Fraser told the newspaper that he had come down with Covid-19 on the ship.

Cmdr. Brian Jensen of the Joint Arctic Command told Greenland broadcaster KNR that the ship is likely to go to Iceland, the closest place with large ports.

“Now it is exciting to find out what the condition of the ship is,“ Jensen was quoted as saying by KNR. “They are in the process of investigating whether the ship is intact and seaworthy and ready to sail on.”

The ship’s owner said several other vessels had rushed to the scene “and offered their assistance, which however, was not needed.” It said it had also “arranged additional tug assistance in case it was needed, however, this has now been canceled.”

Dozens of cruise ships sail along Greenland’s coast every year so passengers can admire the picturesque mountainous landscape, waterways packed with icebergs of different sizes and glaciers jutting out into the sea.

Danish broadcaster DR said there were 400 cruises in Greenland in 2022 and 600 cruises in 2023.

The Danish Maritime Authority asked police in Greenland to investigate why the ship ran aground and whether any laws had been violated, a police statement said, adding that no one has been charged or arrested. An officer has been on board the ship to carry out “initial investigative steps, which, among other things, involve questioning the crew and other relevant persons on board,” it said.

The cruise liner began its current trip on Sept. 2 in Kirkenes in Arctic Norway and was due to return to Bergen, Norway, on Sept. 22, according to SunStone Ships.

The primary mission of the Joint Arctic Command is to ensure Danish sovereignty by monitoring the area around the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, including the Arctic Ocean in the north. Greenland is a semi-independent territory that is part of the Danish realm, as are the Faeroe Islands.

The Associated Press

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Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.

Umbraphiles feeling the post-eclipse blues should start checking the expiration date on their passports.

The next total solar eclipse is set to happen on Aug. 12, 2026, over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small part of Portugal, according to NASA . 

In North America, only a partial eclipse will be visible, so if April’s event made you an eclipse chaser and you want to see totality, you’ll need to head overseas.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Here’s what you’ll need to know before packing your bags:

Do you need a passport or visa for the best destination?

The path of totality for the 2026 eclipse mostly goes through places Americans can travel visa-free with their passport, so long as they’re planning to stay for less than 90 days.

Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Greenland all allow visa-free tourist travel for U.S. passport holders.

Spain, Portugal and Iceland are also members of the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel in much of Europe, meaning if you decide to make a multi-country trip out of your eclipse adventure, you won’t need to clear customs if you’re coming from much of the rest of Europe, either.

One major change for travelers to Europe from the U.S., however, is that electronic preauthorization will become a requirement beginning in mid-2025. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) requirement will apply to all four open countries in the path of totality. 

Depending on the state of the Ukraine war, travel to Russia may or may not be an option for most Americans by 2026, so it’s unclear what the paperwork requirements will be by then.

Is it better to see it from the beach?

Beaches can be a great place to see the eclipse because there are few natural obstacles blocking observers’ views of the sky. The 2026 path of totality passes over beaches on Spain’s northern and southeastern coasts, as well as over islands in the Mediterranean Sea including Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. The eclipse will also pass over coastal areas in Greenland and Iceland, according to the National Solar Observatory . 

Cruising Altitude: What it was like to see the eclipse from a plane

Will there be eclipse cruises or flights?

Almost certainly, although most operators have not announced specific plans yet. 

Cruise lines will also offer more viewing opportunities. Princess Cruises “has created a bespoke itinerary aboard Sky Princess to position the ship near Spain on that date,” according to a spokesperson for the line. The cruise will open for bookings on Princess’s website on May 23.

Cunard Line has sailings on its Queen Mary 2 , Queen Victoria and Queen Anne vessels that will put passengers in prime spots to watch .

'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Holland America Line is also planning multiple sailings around the event, though details are still to be announced. “Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, previously told USA TODAY in an email.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.

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Jan Mayen Island (Arctic Norway)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Arctic - Antarctica

Local Time 2024-04-18 23:15

Port Jan Mayen Island cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Jan Mayen Island, Arctic Norway. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Jan Mayen Island is one of Arctic Norway's territories. The island has length of approx 55 km (34 mi) and covers a total area of approx 373 km2 (144 mi2). The island is partly covered by glaciers - around its highest elevation point - Beerenberg volcano (2277 m / 7470 ft). The island is generally uninhabited, with under 50 non-permanent residents.

Jan Mayen is located approx 600 km (370 mi) northeast of Iceland, approx 500 km (310 mi) east of Greenland and approx 1000 km (620 mi) west of North Cape Norway .

The island has two separate parts: bigger (Nord-Jan) and smaller (Sor-Jan) linked by an isthmus (a narrow piece of land) with width of 2,5 km (1,6 mi). The terrain is mountainous, with the highest point being the stratovolcano Beerenberg (located in the north).

The linking isthmus is where are the island's two largest lakes - named Nordlaguna (North Lagoon) and Sorlaguna (South Lagoon). The only inhabitants on Jan Mayen are the stationed personnel working for the Norwegian Army or the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.

Transport to Jan Mayen Island is provided via Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft operated by RNoAF (Royal Norwegian Air Force). These planes land on the gravel runway of Jan Mayen airfield. The aircraft fly from Bodo  (Main Air Station, 2 hours away) 8 times per year. Cargo ships visit the island during summer, bringing heavy goods. The ships are anchored as the island has no harbours.

As no commercial airline flies to the island, the only way to get there by air is via a privately chartered airplane.

Since 2010, Jan Mayen Island is designated as a nature reserve (under Norway's jurisdiction) to ensure the preservation of this pristine Arctic island, as well as the marine life in the surrounding waters.

The island is also identified as IBA (Important Bird Area) by BirdLife International as a breeding ground for many seabirds, including little auks, thick-billed and black guillemots, Arctic fulmars.

Jan Mayen Island cruise terminal

Cruise ships to Jan Mayen Island anchor near Boat Bay (Batvika).

Landings on the island can be done only by boat (cruise ship tender boat or Zodiaks / large capacity inflatable boats). Landings are permitted only at small part of Jan Mayen, named Boat Bay (Batvika). Admission for landings has to be obtained in advance.

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Subscriber only, travel | 8 new ships coming to norwegian cruise line, sister brands plus dock at great stirrup cay.

The parent company to Norwegian Cruise Line announced Monday a major order for eight new ships among its three brands as well as the construction of a pier to allow its cruise ships to dock instead of tender to its private Bahamas island for the first time.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it was planning to bring on four new ships for NCL, two new ships for upper premium brand Oceania Cruises and two ships for luxury brand Regent Seven Seas, all to be built at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and debut during a 10-year run from 2026-2036.

The NCL ships would be the largest ever built for the line at around 200,000 gross tons and capacity of about 5,000 guests. They won’t arrive until after the final delivery of its Prima-Plus class ships expected between 2025-2028, the larger sister ships to the Norwegian Prima and Viva that debuted in the last couple of years. The four ships from the unnamed class of vessel would arrive in 2030, 2032, 2034 and 2036.

The new class for Oceania Cruises, which in 2023 debuted its first new ship in more than a decade — the Oceania Allura — will also be the largest ever built for the line at 86,000 gross tons and a capacity of 1,450 guests. They’re expected in 2027 and 2029.

And the Regent Seven Seas fleet’s new vessels will also be larger coming in at 77,000 gross tons with a capacity of 850 guests. They’re expected in 2026 and 2029. Regent just debuted the third of its Explorer class ships in December 2023.

“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth,” said NCLH president and CEO Harry Sommer in a press release. “It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale, strengthen our commitment to innovation and enhance our ability to offer our guests new products and experiences, all while providing opportunities to enhance the efficiency of our fleet.”

No other details about the ships were released. Financing is already in place to fund 80% of the cost for the four ships among the Oceania and Regent orders, but financing for the four NCL ships is not finalized.

The eight ships expects to add 25,000 more to the three cruise lines’ passenger capacity.

In addition, the line is set to construct a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the popular Bahamas private destination visited by all three brands. The move follows the introduction of a dock that can support two Oasis-class vessels at neighboring Perfect Day at Coco Cay for Royal Caribbean while other private Bahamas destinations including Disney’s Castaway Cay and its new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point feature tenderless docks for easy access.

“We are likewise excited with the addition of a new pier at Great Stirrup Cay to support our increased capacity in the Caribbean and multiple ships to call on the island, enhancing our guest experience and bringing seamless and reliable access to our private island year-round,” Sommer said.

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