Secret Atlas, pioneers of small-group polar exploration, has announced a new Svalbard and Greenland Summer Expedition Micro Cruise for 2027, combining both incredible destinations into one trip. This two-week adventure will navigate two of the Arctic’s most coveted destinations in one journey aboard the ice-breaker expedition ship, MV Freya, offering a small group of just 12 guests a transformative experience.

As 2026 sets to be the year of purposeful and personalised travel, Expedition Micro Cruises to the remote polar regions are surging in popularity and emerging as a hot travel trend for next year. Leading this new wave of exploration is Secret Atlas, pioneers of small group adventure through Expedition Micro Cruises, offering highly exclusive voyages to the Arctic, Antarctica and South Georgia with a maximum of just 12 and 44 guests onboard each expedition.

Viking® (www.viking.com)  announced that its 2027–2028 ocean and expedition voyages are now open for booking. With destination-focused journeys on all seven continents, additional departures are now available across Viking’s award-winning ocean and expedition fleet, including the company’s most popular itineraries. The new sailing dates include voyages on Viking’s newest ocean ship, the Viking Lyra®, which is scheduled to join the fleet in 2028 and will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. As part of the announcement, Viking also unveiled a new expedition itinerary, Into the Antarctic Circle, which will offer travellers the rare opportunity to cross the 66°33′ line of latitude, which marks the Antarctic Circle, while exploring the “White Continent” – an honoured milestone among polar explorers.

The Arctic cruise season is well under way and so far, it’s not disappointed. Guests lucky enough to book one of only 12 spots on an Expedition Micro Cruise with Secret Atlas have already experienced the jaw-dropping hunting skills of local polar bear residents, the sound and song of more than 100 beluga whales and sailing around the narrow ice-packed fjords. Access to the Arctic is brief, with expedition vessels able to explore when the sea ice has receded enough from June to early September. With only a few months left, July to September are one of the better times to visit when it’s warmer and wildlife is at its most active.

As 2025 looks to be the year travellers seek experiences that go beyond traditional travel, Arctic Expedition Micro Cruises are surging in popularity offering the perfect mix of exploration, adventure and comfort.  Whether a solo traveller wanting to connect with like-minded guests, families looking to inspire young minds or intrepid explorers in search of new challenges, a small ship voyage to the polar regions is the ideal choice.

AdventureSmith Explorations is booking new itineraries on a brand new expedition ship that offer a rare, extended opportunity to explore seldom visited sites.