Directors Choice
The Arctic
ARCTIC
Last July, we had the incredible opportunity to join a two-week Arctic expedition cruise with Abercrombie & Kent aboard the stunning Le Lyrial, one of the elegant small ships in the Ponant fleet. It was a journey that took us across the top of the world, from the icy fjords of Svalbard to the volcanic landscapes of Jan Mayen, the remote eastern coast of Greenland, and finally to the rugged beauty of Iceland.
We have been fortunate to experience some of the most extraordinary destinations on Earth, but nothing quite compares to the raw, untouched majesty of the Arctic. This was not just a voyage...... it was an awakening.
From the moment we stepped onto Le Lyrial in Longyearbyen, we knew this cruise would be something special. The ship is sleek, intimate, and effortlessly sophisticated. Our stateroom was modern and spacious, with a private balcony perfect for watching drifting icebergs and breaching whales.
The service onboard was impeccable - professional yet warm. Every detail was considered, from plush bathrobes to perfectly timed room service. The atmosphere strikes a delicate balance of luxurious yet unpretentious, designed for travelers who appreciate elegance as much as exploration.
Dining was a daily delight. Each meal felt like a curated culinary experience. Every dish celebrated regional ingredients and French finesse.
One of the defining features of an Abercrombie & Kent expedition is its world renowned team of expert guides and lecturers, and this voyage was no exception.
Our expedition leader and naturalist team included polar scientists, ornithologists, geologists, marine biologists, and historians who were all passionate, incredibly knowledgeable, genuinely engaging and accessible.
Each day brought new discoveries. We’d wake up to a revised itinerary based on weather and ice conditions - true expedition style. Morning Zodiac landings might take us ashore on a remote beach to explore glaciers, while afternoons could include cruising through iceberg-filled fjords or following a pod of humpbacks.
Onboard, lectures deepened our understanding of the environment around us. From glaciology and Arctic ecosystems to Norse history and indigenous cultures, the storytelling was immersive, thoughtful and engaging.
Nothing prepares you for the thrill of seeing a polar bear in the wild. Our first sighting (from a zodiak) was in the first few days of the cruise, on one of the smaller, more remote Svalbard islands. An enormous male, ambling along a the waters edge with the morning light illuminating his fur.
The silence on our zodiak was absolute, broken only by the click of camera shutters and quiet gasps of wonder. We later discovered he had a male companion who joined him for a little male bravado.
We saw polar bears again during our trip and were awoken at 04:00 as we cruised along the coast of Greenland to spot a mother and two cubs. This was absolutely worth the early morning call.
Over the course of two weeks, we encountered walrus hauled out on ice floes, arctic foxes darting across the tundra, and numerous whales - from humpbacks feeding off the coast of Greenland to minke whales slicing through the icy waters. Birders were in heaven too, with sightings of arctic turns, guillemots, and Steller's Eider.
Svalbard was a world of glaciers and silence. Towering ice cliffs calved into the sea as we cruised through glassy fjords. We hiked on ancient moraines, surrounded by ice and sky, with reindeer grazing in the distance.
Jan Mayen was a surreal stop. We were extremly fortunately as very few people ever visit this volcanic island in the Norwegian Sea, home to the mighty Beerenberg Volcano. We landed on its black sand beaches and were greeted by a colony of seabirds and a haunting, fog-draped landscape that felt truly otherworldly.
Greenland offered a dramatic change with deep fjords flanked by mountains, traditional Inuit villages, and icebergs the size of cathedrals. One of the most moving moments of the trip was visiting Ittoqqortoormiit, one of Greenland’s most remote settlements, where we learned about the modern challenges facing Arctic communities.
Finally, Iceland’s rugged East Fjords provided a fitting end to the voyage with lush, green and purple valleys framed by waterfalls, dramatic basalt cliffs, and charming fishing villages.
Travelling to the Arctic isn’t just about ticking off destinations. It’s about reconnecting with the planet in its most elemental form. It’s cold and quiet. Wild and humbling. It reminds you of your place in the world and the importance of protecting these fragile environments.
For those who value luxury, comfort, and meaningful experiences, an expedition like this is the perfect blend. Abercrombie & Kent and Ponant make polar travel feel seamless and safe, while still preserving the sense of adventure that makes these voyages so powerful.
If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing polar bears in the wild, sailing among icebergs, or standing on the deck as the midnight sun casts golden light across a frozen sea, then this is your moment.
Abercrombie & Kent’s Arctic expeditions aboard Le Lyrial offer an unparalleled way to explore the High North in style.
And as we have personally experienced it, we can assure you......this is a trip that will stay with you for a lifetime.
