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When Ultra-Luxury Cruise Ships Meet Polar Adventures

Journey to the Ends of the Earth for a Rare Experience in Luxury

DETROIT (March 7, 2023) - Don't overlook these 7 ultra-luxury cruise lines offering polar expedition ships that enable cruisers to experience unique adventures in unparalleled luxury. What better way to appreciate nature's rugged majesty, with up-close-and-personal encounters with rare wildlife, than in a setting offering exceptional ship accommodations and delectable cuisine!

We're talking about abundant fine dining options, from morning buffets to crepes and tea and specialty dinners of worldly cuisines. Your cruising experts at CruiseCompete know that every cruiser has their own expectation for various comforts and amenities, and have compiled a list of 7 ultra-luxury and luxury expedition cruise lines below.

Any of these luxurious lines will ensure that your polar cruise experience will be as pleasurable as it will be unforgettable.

Reasons travelers visit a polar region via ultra-luxury ships:

  1. Combining a unique geographical adventure travel experience in a venue of ultimate comfort.

  2. Viewing fascinating, memorable wildlife offering amazing photographic opportunities of majestic frozen landscapes, icy fjords, towering glaciers and remarkable flat free masses of floating ice that you can view from the comfort of your ship.

  3. An opportunity to follow in the footsteps of famous polar explorers such as Robert Peary and Roald Amundsen - but in blissful comfort, not a dogsled.

  4. Fulfillment of (and bragging rights for!) iconic cruises that most travelers have only dreamed about. Undertaken in ultimate luxury, no less.

7 Luxury and Ultra-Luxury Lines to Consider for Your Polar cruise:

  1. Seabourn (Category: Ultra-Luxury)

Seabourn's newest expedition ships, Seabourn Venture & Seabourn Pursuit, offer an experience that combines elegance and exploration. These state-of-the-art expedition ships offer an array of adventure options that include custom submarines and zodiacs, as well as 8 exciting venues to grab a bite and explore new culinary options. Some of the dining attractions include The Colonnade (an indoor/outdoor alternative that features a live kitchen with huge buffet spreads of regional foods for breakfast/lunch and bistro-style dinners every night, curated by Chef Keller.); relaxed pool-side dining in The Patio, and the main restaurant conveniently named "The Restaurant," along with numerous other dining venues.

Must Try: Pan-Roasted Sea Bream Fillet with braised veggies and Beurre Blanc for Mains and Chocolate Pot De Creme for dessert at The Colonnade

Seabourn Ships to sail: Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn Venture


  1. Scenic Luxury Cruises (Category: Ultra-Luxury)

Scenic impresses us with their 6-star ultra-luxury Discovery Yachts and its award-winning service staff. The Scenic Eclipse yachts offer up to 10 unique dining experiences unlike any other you'll experience. This list includes the main restaurant ("Elements", on deck 4) serving Italian, seafood and steak; The Chef's Table, a private, invite-only venue (serving an 11-course meal); and Lumiere, a contemporary French fine dining and champagne bar. And don't overlook Azure Bar & Cafe - a classic cafe and Yacht Club grill restaurant. You will also experience local cuisines with culinary masterclasses at Scenic Epicure, and the Scenic vessels also feature an extensive Asian cuisine deck with options including Koko's Asian Fusion restaurant & sake bar and Sushi Koko's parlor, with traditional Japanese benchtop seating.

Must-Try: The intimate Night Market Koko's with its classic teppanyaki grill - plating dishes from Asia & Middle East (pre-bookings are suggested)

Scenic Luxury Cruises Ships to sail: Scenic Eclipse I, Scenic Eclipse II

  1. Silversea (Category: Ultra-Luxury)

Silversea's food culture is heavily influenced by its destinations, featuring dishes and cuisines that warm the soul. You can explore regional specialties with stunning views at the Main Restaurant, or experience the ultimate French dining at La Dame; cook your own meats on your table at The Grill; or enjoy authentic Italian recipes at La Terrazza, where every bite lingers on the tastebuds with the sip of perfect wine pairings.

Must try: The Grill features cooking with a volcanic lava rock heated to 400EsC where guests can grill their meat, fish or veggies or dish out a soup bowl.

Silversea Ships to sail: Silver Cloud, Silver Endeavor, Silver Explorer

  1. Atlas Ocean Voyages (Category: Luxury)

Atlas Ocean Voyages expedition ships World Navigator and World Traveler reflect a relaxed luxury with a touch of intimate and yacht-style cruising. The dining options are lavish, with multiple cuisines and restaurants to experience. The main restaurants - Porto on World Navigator and Lisboa on World Traveler - pay homage to authentic Portuguese heritage. Both carry a specialty menu named "Alma" ("soul" in Portuguese) with dishes like Bacaloa having the essence of a grandmother's simple cooking. The 7Aft Grill is a casual poolside lunch spot that turns into an open-air chophouse by night, while The Dome Observation Lounge is popular for its traditional high tea. Paula's Pantry serves pastries, signature coffees and small bites.

Must Try: Seared tuna carpaccio with teriyaki sauce, a favorite among the patrons at Porto.

Atlas Ocean Voyages Ships to sail: World Traveler, World Navigator


  1. Viking Expedition (Category: Luxury)

The Nordic cruise line flaunts its 'Best Dining at Sea' tag with its six specialty dining options at no extra charge. The restaurants on Vikings expedition ships are thoughtfully , starting with World Cafe- which features international dishes with live cooking; Aquavit Terrace - where guests can sip mulled wine or ship-matured aquavit over glacier views; Manfredi's serving Italian flavors; or the elegant Main Dining venue with its classic dishes. The ever-available heart-shaped waffles fill the air at Mamsen's, which also serves traditional Norwegian food.

Must Try: Ertesuppe, a pea soup served at midnight complemented by Spekemat og flatbrod-an array of cured meats and flatbread.

Viking Ships to sail: Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris

  1. Swan Hellenic (Category: Ultra - Luxury)

Swan Hellenic boasts three 5-star Scandi-design cruise ships sailing the most remote polar caps in luxury- SH Minerva, SH Vega and SH Diana. Guests have the option to dine in the casual 24-hour Club Lounge that encourages conversations over Piemonte's popular pizza, or afternoon tea and a wide variety of desserts. As well there is the Pool Bar and Grill, and the large Swan Dining Room that serves global and regional flavors with menus changing between the buffet breakfast and lunch to the formal dinners with white tablecloths and napkins. The Swan's menus are crafted by famous Italian Chef Andrea Ribaldone and Korean Chef Sang Keun Oh, whose culinary masterpieces will cater to all appetites.

Must Try: Lunch al fresco at the Pool Bar and Grill when paired with the right outdoor weather.

Swan Hellenic Ships to Sail: SH Minerva, SH Vega, SH Diana

  1. PONANT - (Category: Luxury)

PONANT's latest launch, Le Commandant Charcot, is an eco-friendly icebreaker - the first to be powered by natural gas. This ship with a league of adventure and exploration activities gives fine dining a new twist, with three unique restaurants on board: Sila (the sky) a casual restaurant on deck 9, Inneq (the fire) an open-air bar with sweet & savory dishes, and Nuna (the earth), the main restaurant that can seat all guests together. Chef Alain Ducasse and his array of food artists serve their contemporary French art directly to your table.

Must Try: Langoustines with pepper, tender fennels, light broth for main course and top it with Voiles Ponant chocolat-praline for dessert.

PONANT Ships to Sail: Le Commandant Charcot

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