With individual bookings routinely running anywhere from $8,000 to well over $20,000 per person, these are serious voyages that require considerable planning, specialized gear and a real commitment to navigating extreme, unpredictable polar environments. True expedition travel is defined by a focus on the landscape itself. These trips utilize rugged, ice-strengthened hulls to reach wild spaces completely inaccessible to traditional ships, operating under the guidance of marine biologists, ice pilots and polar researchers.
Right on cue, a new alternative is entering the polar sector to bridge that exact gap. Selar, a nature-powered polar expedition company, has officially expanded bookings for its highly anticipated inaugural 2027 calendar. Spearheaded by Sophie Galvagnon—the French-Swedish captain recognized as the first female commander of commercial polar expedition ships—Selar is ditching traditional engines for the silence of the wind and sun aboard its near-zero emission flagship, Captain Arctic.
For Galvagnon, founding the company was a direct response to the operational realities of high-north tourism. “The Arctic is becoming increasingly fragile, yet expedition tourism continues to grow,” lifestyle data reveals, making this conscious shift all the more vital. “The industry has largely been built around larger ships, fixed itineraries and fuel-intensive operations, ‘ticking boxes.’ We carry only 36 guests, that is key. We sail slower. We adapt to nature rather than forcing nature to adapt to us, creating experiences that reconnect people to the environment.”
Related: 6 Best Cruises for Active Seniors
Sailing Without a Script
Selar
While a trip without a fixed schedule might sound unpredictable, Galvagnon emphasizes that behind-the-scenes precision ensures total safety. “In the Arctic, weather and ice conditions constantly evolve, so rigid itineraries are often less safe and less intelligent than adaptive ones,” Galvagnon notes. “Captain Arctic is operated by highly experienced local polar professionals who know the field by heart. What guests experience is freedom, while what happens behind the scenes is actually extremely rigorous.”
As autumn approaches, the flagship heads west for Untamed Greenland (September 9-18, 2027), charting a course deep into the spectacular, iceberg-laden Scoresby Sund fjord alongside local Eastern Inuit communities. The year concludes back in Norway with two atmospheric late-season chapters: In Pursuit Of Northern Lights (October 24-30, 2027), which combines hiking and kayaking under the aurora's glow, and Dancing With Orcas (November 5-11, 2027), an adventure inviting brave travelers to snorkel directly alongside whales and orcas under a crisp winter sky.
Related: This Luxury, Adults-Only Cruise Line Just Dropped the Ultimate 2027 'Coolcation' Itineraries
Sailing Closer to the Ice
Selar
The destinations themselves were pulled straight from Galvagnon's personal history on the ice. “As a Franco-Swedish captain, I’ve spent a large part of my career navigating and living in these regions,” she shares. “What drew me to places like Svalbard or Greenland was the feeling they create, a unique sense of freedom. The silence, the light, the wildlife, the vastness... it’s one of the rare places left where you truly feel that nature is still stronger than us. The ship itself is not a floating entertainment platform, but a moving home base you return to after intense days of outdoor immersion.”
Related: Orient Express Debuts Its First-Ever Cruise Ship And Its a Dreamy, 54-Cabin Ode to European Glamour
Engineering a Cleaner Way to Sail
ScreenshotSelar
“The industry is clearly moving toward smaller ships and stronger expectations around environmental impact,” Galvagnon says. “Large industrial cruise companies often face complex transitions because of the scale of their fleets. We are in a very different position because we are sustainable from day one. We can experiment faster and adopt new technologies more naturally. Additionally, Captain Arctic operates only in the Arctic rather than crossing oceans at high speed every season, which reduces unnecessary emissions and creates a much stronger connection to local communities.”
For a generation of travelers looking for a vacation that delivers pure wonder without a heavy footprint, Selar is drawing a line in the ice. It’s an approach built for those who understand that the world’s most extraordinary, fragile places are best met quietly and entirely on their own terms.
Related: You Can Now Win a National Geographic Expedition to Alaska or the Galápagos Worth Up to $60,000
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