Following the announcement of its new* Expedition ship setting sail this October in Antarctica, G Adventures is turbo-charging its expedition offering with plans to double its small-ship portfolio by July. The bold new product expansion kicks off with the much-anticipated relaunch of G Adventures’ Arctic polar programme, 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.
The news marks a huge leap forward for the adventure operator, as 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.
“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! We’ve been leading the way in small-ship expeditions for over 25 years and, in true G style, we’re not only going back – we’re going beyond – with the addition of completely new itineraries, packed with wildlife and natural history. These feature some of the most dramatic and beautiful coastlines around the Scottish coastline, resulting in our most comprehensive and varied expedition programme in G Adventures’ history.
“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. 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,” he adds.
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 Southbound. Each trip is brimming with incredible wildlife-viewing opportunities, including the chance to spot the elusive polar bear from afar, plus unforgettable encounters with breaching whales, walrus, arctic fox, lounging seals and thousands of puffins and seabird species. 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 include a marine biologist, ornithologist, geologist and historian; these charismatic authorities on all things expedition will help create an immersive ‘floating classroom’ environment where opportunities to learn go far beyond lecture sessions. Weather permitting, we aim to get our guests out on excursions daily (which is not possible with bigger ships) meaning that there are plenty of opportunities to get off the ship and take in the setting from sea level – one of the major benefits of small-ship expeditions. 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. Having undergone major renovations – including new engines – the more streamlined vessel is significantly more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, and will offer the same adventurous spirit and warm, community-driven atmosphere that have defined G Adventures’ polar journeys for over 15 years.
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:
Realm of the Polar Bear
Mesmerising natural wilderness sets the scene for this eight-day expedition through Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. With ice-covered fjords, majestic mountains and glittering glaciers, the setting is sublime. 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. Polar plunges and zodiac expeditions add to the thrill, while talks from experts give travellers an in-depth insight into the territory.
Priced from $8,699pp* for 8 days. Departures from 19 June 2026
Arctic Highlights Southbound
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. Exploring the vast fjord system in Northeast Greenland National Park, travellers will also visit the tiny settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit, where they will learn how this remote community lives. Daily lectures on board with specialists, covering everything from bird and whale watching to marine biology, educate travellers about the many incredible sites and species they will see along the way, including the famous Musk Ox.
Priced from $13,599pp* for 15 days. Departures from 3 August 2026
Antarctica Classic
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 scenery that’s nothing short of spectacular. 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.
Priced from $17,199pp* for 11 days. Departures from 22 November 2025
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. There are visits to the historical sites of past explorers, as well as Shackleton’s final resting place, the wildlife-rich island of South Georgia. Antarctica is beyond comprehension – this adventure allows travellers to experience it from the intimacy of a small vessel, with regular zodiac excursions and beach landings to take in that unforgettable scenery up close.
Priced from $33,199pp* for 21 days. Departures from 11 January 2026
