A tremendous territory shared by Canada, the U.S., Russia, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland is becoming a popular destination for those who are not afraid of a challenge. Arctic cruise takes us on thrilling expedition tours starring grassy hillocks, flourishing tundra, volcanoes, calderas, shore forests, and glaciers as well as vast snowy plains. 

The key difference between Antarctica and the Arctic is that the first is a continent surrounded by an ocean while the second is an ocean almost completely surrounded by continents and Greenland. The Arctic's ice is at the utmost only a few feet thick with salt water under it, which stays liquid at lower temperatures than fresh water.

Here where no human admires living, except of hardy native peoples, the Inuit, a great number of different terrestrial mammals (such as reindeer, wolf, musk ox, hare, lemming, fox) and marine mammals (whale, seal, polar bear, walrus) dwell.

Antarctica is the fifth largest and southernmost continent and it is one of the most astonishing destinations on earth. Its enormous ice sheet covers all but 2 to 3 percent of the continent. Antarctica is the epicenter of the South, and no matter where you go there your location is southern. Here, on the top of the world you’ll never see stars rising or setting – if you stand, they rotate around you as the Earth travel around.

The South Shetland Islands border the Antarctic Peninsula. Other islands in the Antarctic region include South Georgia, South Sandwich, South Orkney, Bouvet, Heard, Balleny, Scott, and Peter. Since seasonal or ageless sea ice is drifting along all coasts, safe harbors are available to ships only during  few Antarctic summer months (that is Nov-Feb for those who live in the Northern hemisphere). 

While traveling to the Pole, you’ll be fascinated by the thriving wildlife as you may come across walruses', seals and birds' rookeries. As for the polar bears, they may become too curious and, accordingly, too fearless that they might approach the icebreaker to scrutinize it from a very close distance.

When traveling to the coldest places on our planet, you should bear some essentials in mind. Take appropriate cold-weather clothes. Ascertain to take: a windproof and waterproof jacket and pants; warm sweaters; thermal underwear; thick socks; a warm hat with ear protection; thick gloves; and waterproof boots. There is no evident advantage of wearing jeans as when they get wet they provide poor protection from wind and cold. Make sure you shield yourself from the sun. The Arctic sun’s rays may be damaging, even when the sky is cloudy and the weather is cool, as they anyway get reflected by snow, ice or water.  Take sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. Another problem is the wind, dry and arctic. It can chap your skin, so do use moisturizing lotion to your skin to withstand the wind. You may also take eye drops. Tips for photographers are as following. Take a UV or skylight filter to cut down on glare. Consult your camera service shop on the effects of cold on your gear.  Local people as usual agree to be photographed, but anyway ask for permission. If you are prone to sea sickness, consult your tour agent as some arctic cruises sail difficult seas. Do not forget to grab such medicines and remedies as ginger, peppermint.  You’ll be surprised of seeing a great amount of pests. Bug repellent and minimum of scents will keep you from the insects.