Hong Kong Arctic Cruise Operator Comparison: Analysing Differences in Routes, Destinations & Itinerary Design

In recent years, more and more Hong Kong travellers have added the "Arctic expedition cruise" to their bucket list. When choosing an Arctic cruise itinerary, however, beyond the number of travel days, it is even more important to understand the following factors:

• The polar regions covered by the route
• Landing and Zodiac cruising opportunities
• Departure and meeting arrangements

At present, the Arctic cruise products commonly found in the Hong Kong market come from several travel agencies, including DeWonder, Jetour, Kingdom Holidays, GTravel and Best Journey Holiday. Different products each have their own characteristics in terms of route design and itinerary focus. This article compiles the major Arctic cruise routes and product positioning for 2026, helping travellers gain a clearer understanding of different polar routes and expedition styles.

Before comparing different travel agencies, let's first look at a few things polar expedition cruises have in common.

Please note that the number of landings on polar routes is usually indicated as the maximum estimate. The actual number of landings and locations must be decided by the captain and expedition leader based on the day's weather and sea conditions. 👉 Further Reading:Arctic Cruise Activities

The Arctic is not a single destination but is made up of different polar regions. Different routes bring different natural landscapes and wildlife-viewing highlights.

Among these: The Svalbard Route

• Currently the easiest Arctic route for observing polar bears
• The itinerary is largely centred on Norway's Svalbard archipelago

The Greenland Route

• Renowned for its iceberg fjord scenery
• Tundra landings are possible in summer
• While immersing yourself in Inuit culture and life in Arctic towns

👉 Further Reading：Discover Svalbard 👉 Further Reading：Greenland's Inuit Culture

Mostly overseas meeting points, for example:

• Reykjavík, Iceland
• Helsinki, Finland

Travellers can arrange their own flights or have the travel agency book them. 👉 Further reading：Arctic Greenland Cruise Itinerary Recommendations: Explore Reykjavík, Iceland before or after your voyage 👉 Further reading：Svalbard Cruise Itinerary Recommendations: Nordic × Arctic in one trip! Explore Helsinki before or after your voyage

• The widest selection of routes in the Hong Kong market
• Covering Svalbard, Greenland and Canada's Northwest Passage
• Including rare Canadian Arctic routes (such as Pond Inlet)
• Some voyages feature an Iceland + Greenland total solar eclipse theme

The itineraries focus on cruise expeditions and polar ecology, with fewer traditional land sightseeing arrangements. In addition, they are more friendly to solo travellers, offering shared-room arrangements with no single supplement.

Depart from Hong Kong → transfer at Copenhagen → dedicated charter flight → board the ship at Longyearbyen. This arrangement reduces transfer and travel time.

Featuring high-intensity polar exploration. The itinerary indicates up to a Max of 16 landings or Zodiac cruises (weather permitting). The route concentrates on the Svalbard archipelago, primarily observing:

• Polar bears
• Narwhals
• Arctic foxes

👉 Further reading: Arctic Wildlife Guide 👉 Further reading: Polar Bear Watching Guide

Hong Kong → Oslo, Norway → board the ship at Longyearbyen. The itinerary includes Oslo city sightseeing, for example:

• The Fram Museum
• The Ski Museum

Tour Highlights All-in-One package pricing, with the tour fare already including:

• Airport tax
• Fuel surcharge
• Port tax
• Full-journey service charge

Dining arrangements also include a Chinese-style dinner, ideal for families and older travellers.

Departs with a Hong Kong tour leader accompanying the group.

Aboard the six-star Silversea cruise ship Silver Wind. The route focuses on the west coast of Greenland, exploring three major towns:

• Nuuk
• Sisimiut
• Ilulissat

Compared with a purely nature-focused route, this itinerary combines polar landscapes with an exploration of Inuit culture.

Departs from Hong Kong, flying to:

• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Oslo, Norway

Some routes include special natural or astronomical sights, such as:

• The 2026 total solar eclipse voyage
• Norway's North Cape (the northernmost point of Europe)
• Bear Island cruising

More upscale onshore accommodation is also arranged, such as:

• THE THIEF hotel in Oslo
• An Icelandic wellness resort

When choosing an Arctic cruise itinerary, we recommend prioritising:

• The polar regions covered by the route
• Landings and Zodiac cruising arrangements
• Ship size and passenger capacity
• Departure and meeting arrangements

Different routes each have their own character in terms of natural scenery, wildlife and cultural experiences. Understanding these differences is often more important than simply comparing the number of days in an itinerary.

DeWonder has partnered with Quark Expeditions and Swan Hellenic to craft a professional In-Depth Arctic Tour. Through our small-group arrangements, you can not only observe wildlife more closely on cruise and Zodiac explorations, but also, with the commentary of expert guides, gain a deeper understanding of and photograph the polar ecosystem while taking in unique natural landscapes. From the aurora and wildlife to Inuit culture, we have accompanied countless travellers to the ends of the earth.

• Departing from Reykjavik, Iceland, cross the Denmark Strait and venture deep into the fjords of Northeast Greenland
• Daily Zodiac landings to explore glaciers, Arctic villages and wildlife
• September is the best time to see the Northern Lights — enjoy both the aurora and wildlife exploration in one trip

• A once-in-a-decade astronomical spectacle: witness a total solar eclipse firsthand atop an Arctic glacier
• The itinerary combines fjord exploration, wildlife observation and science lectures
• Ideal for travellers who love photography and astronomy

• Gather in Helsinki, Finland, then take a charter flight to Longyearbyen to board the ship
• The region with the world's highest density of polar bears; explore glaciers and wildlife under the summer's midnight sun
• A flexible route design, adjusted in real time based on animal sightings and sea conditions

• Departing from Reykjavik, Iceland, cross Baffin Bay and the Davis Strait to explore Greenland's fjords and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
• Daily Zodiac landings for close-up views of icebergs, glaciers and wildlife such as polar bears and walruses
• Venture deep into Inuit communities and polar towns to experience Indigenous culture and life in the polar regions

👉 View the Year-Round Arctic Departure Schedule 👉 Join a free online seminar and enjoy an exclusive offer! 👉 Further reading: Arctic Travel Guide