Back to the Arctic: G Adventures to Double Polar Expedition Offering
by Bruce Parkinson
G Adventures is returning to the Arctic.
Following the announcement of its new-to-G Expedition ship setting sail this October in Antarctica, G Adventures is bolstering its expedition offering with plans to double its small-ship portfolio by July.
That means the relaunch of G’s Arctic polar program, its first operations in the region since 2019, with further expeditions across the Arctic circle and the Scottish Isles set to launch in the coming weeks.
“This is huge news for us,” says G Adventures founder, Bruce Poon Tip. “Our travellers and agent partners have been asking when we will return to the Arctic and I’m delighted to say the time is now!”
G says it continues to break down the barriers of traditional polar cruising by offering affordable, adventurous, and educational small-ship expeditions to travellers in some of the most remote regions of the world.
“Our Expedition product has always been a huge selling opportunity for agents, as more travellers seek the advice of travel experts when journeying to these remote parts of the world,” Poon Tip added.
“My advice to agents would be to ‘get on board’ — there’s a lot more pie to go around with this new product coming to market, and our teams are poised and ready to work hand-in-hand with agents to help them get a slice of that pie.”
Four exciting new Arctic itineraries, offering ten departures, are now available to book – including the eight-day Realm of the Polar Bear and 15-day Arctic Highlights. Each trip is brimming with wildlife-viewing opportunities, and travellers can expect educational sessions with on-board experts, polar plunges in the Arctic waters and the surreal calm of the Arctic tundra and midnight sun.
Five additional trips through Scotland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Labrador will be announced in the coming weeks, providing travellers with new destinations to explore, allowing them to follow in the footsteps of the Vikings.
On-board experts will include a marine biologist, ornithologist, geologist and historian, creating an immersive ‘floating classroom’ environment where opportunities to learn go far beyond lecture sessions. Weather permitting, the aim is to get guests out on excursions daily (which is not possible with bigger ships), meaning there are plenty of opportunities to get off the ship and take in the setting from sea level. Back on board, travellers can kick back in the restaurant, bar and comfortable cabins, or soak in the setting from the sun deck or jacuzzi.
The new product follows news of G Adventures new ship, which will offer 128 travellers the opportunity to explore the world’s most southern region of Antarctica from October 2025, before journeying north to Europe and the Arctic next spring.
The four new Arctic expeditions are available to book now, with departures starting in June 2026. Five Antarctica itineraries aboard the newly chartered vessel, Expedition, are live, with trips starting in October 2025. Trips across both regions include:
This eight-day expedition through Norway’s Svalbard archipelago reveals ice-covered fjords, majestic mountains and glittering glaciers. Travellers will voyage through ice floes, have the chance to spot polar bears from afar, and see Svalbard’s unique reindeer, breaching whales and the region’s arctic foxes.
From the awe-inspiring landscapes and compelling history of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, to the majestic waters of the Greenland Sea – home to blue whales and humpbacks – this two week Expedition has it all. Daily lectures on board with specialists will cover everything from bird and whale watching to marine biology.
A true adventure of immense scale and visual splendour, this 11-day journey through the South Shetland islands and Antarctic peninsula takes in shuffling penguins, huge whales and spectacular scenery. Daily lectures from experts and frequent zodiac expeditions across the water are part of the exhilarating itinerary, as are polar plunges into the frigid Antarctic Ocean.
Spirit of Shackleton
This 21-day voyage aboard the new Expedition small ship illuminates Ernest Shackleton’s legend and recounts his courageous exploration of Antarctica. Travellers will witness vast penguin rookeries and seal colonies on this awe-inspiring voyage to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
