How to Experience an Arctic Cruise Expedition for Less

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:40 PM ET, Fri February 16, 2024

Exploring the Arctic is a bucket list trip for many intrepid travelers and it's also one of the costliest.

The average Arctic cruise costs about $8,000 per person. Less expensive options may start around $5,000 and voyages can top out well over $15,000 per person.

Given its far-flung location, the Arctic will never be a budget destination. And that’s good news, considering the fragility of the destination and the importance of protecting it from overtourism.

But there are ways to cut costs if you hope to visit this stunning part of the world, say the experts at AdventureSmith Explorations, a small-ship adventure cruise operator.

Here are some of the ways to scale back the price tag on a trip to one of the most remote regions of the world.

Higher-tier cabins may offer bigger discounts: Don’t count out higher-tier cabins as you research an Arctic expedition. Instead, talk to a travel expert to find out whether there may be higher percentage discounts offered on suites and costlier accommodations on a ship.
Travel with others: Opting for a triple or quad cabin may offer the lowest per-person price, so consider rounding up friends or family to take the journey with you.
Cabin location impacts price: Carefully selecting where you stay on the ship can also translate into savings. "Cabins on the lowest deck with portholes are often among the most affordable," says Todd Smith, AdventureSmith Explorations founder and president.
Booking a Lower Deck Porthole cabin aboard AdventureSmith’s 128-guest Ocean Adventurer’s Introduction to Spitsbergen, for instance, can save travelers more than $700 versus a cabin on the Main Deck.
Look for dedicated solo cabins: Solo travel has increased exponentially in recent years. In fact, more than one-fourth of travelers (27 percent) said they plan to go solo on a trip in 2024, according to Solo Traveler.
That’s double the previous years. If you’re headed to the Arctic solo, look for options that offer dedicated solo cabins, rather than those that require solo travelers to pay the “single supplement” fee for a double cabin.
Carefully review what’s included: It’s important to always review the inclusions and exclusions for an expedition to understand the true price tag associated with your trip.

"Flights, plus hotel stays on the front and back end of a trip, can significantly add to the price of a trip," says Smith.
Itinerary choice matters: Another way to pare down total costs is by considering a simpler itinerary, particularly one that has the same embarkation and disembarkation point. You can also save by selecting a shorter itinerary, perhaps one that's just a week-long, according to Responsible Travel.
Book early: By booking a trip well in advance, you’re more likely to have the greatest selection of ships, cabins and routes. Additionally, advance booking may allow you to save with early booking deals that may be offered by expedition operators. Bargain flights may also be more abundant when booking well in advance.

AdventureSmith Explorations Arctic cruise

Know When to Visit

The time of year you visit the Arctic is another important consideration. For instance, according to Responsible Travel, the peak dates for visiting the destination are the summer months of July and August, when prices are most expensive.

“The weather is warmer, polar bears are more frequently seen close to the shoreline, and the water surface is largely ice-free, so you will often see whales breaching the waves,” according to Responsible Travel.

Those seeking to avoid crowds, meanwhile, may want to opt for the latter end of the cruise season, which is late September. This time of year may still be an expensive trip, but there are less ships around, according to Responsible Travel.