Top Arctic Luxury Sailing Cruises & Packages 2025/2026

What travelers are saying

"I paid for the Nepal trip then saw news of monsoon rain, flooding, landslides, 200+ dead. I was told by Elder Treks that they would not cancel the trip. However I did not feel comfortable going especially when weather reports were for more rain. They would not credit me or even allow me to switch to another tour. Because they wouldn't even allow me to switch tours when my concerns were valid, I would not recommend, nor use Elder Treks again."

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."

What travelers are saying

"I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation. I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps. A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.? Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!! I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa. She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!! I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not. Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this."