Ready for an adventure? Sail to the North Pole on this new expedition cruise.
Just because you can't take the fictional Polar Express doesn't mean you can't get to the North Pole in style. Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent is launching a new expedition cruise that will give guests a chance to venture to Earth's northernmost point, A&K said Tuesday.
On North Pole Expedition Cruise: The Ultimate Frontier, passengers can visit the icy wilds via Ponant's swanky icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot, which the company will charter, sailing for more than two weeks.
"We have taken what not too long ago was a long, arduous expedition, and transformed it into a luxury adventure, featuring A&K's Expedition Team made up of the foremost Polar cruising experts, aboard ‘Le Commandant Charcot,’ one of the world's most advanced and eco-friendly polar expedition vessels," Stefanie Schmudde, A&K's vice president of product development and operations, said in a news release.
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When is A&K's North Pole expedition cruise?
The voyage will take place from July 10, 2024, through July 27, beginning in Oslo, Norway, according to the company's website.
Where will A&K's North Pole expedition cruise sail?
After taking a charter flight from Oslo, guests will board the ship in Longyearbyen in the Norwegian archipelago Svalbard. They will sail past the Sjuøyane islands and head for the marginal ice zone, where they can spot wildlife such as beluga whales.
As the ship nears the sailing's namesake destination, the company said, "Upon finding the most favorable path through the pack ice, the captain endeavors to position the GPS antennae of ‘Le Commandant Charcot’ directly on 90° North latitude, the coordinate marking the geographic North Pole."
Passengers will toast their arrival with champagne and celebrate on the ship's helideck. The next day, the captain will look for floating ice where guests can get off the ship with the expedition team for photos – and maybe even a polar plunge – before making their journey back.
During the trip, guests can take in lectures, workshops on seamanship and polar survival, cooking demonstrations and more programming. Guests may also be able to kayak in Artic channels or walk on the ice if the weather allows, according to the news release.
There are also onboard pools – both outdoor and indoor – and a salon and spa.
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How much does A&K's North Pole expedition cruise cost?
The voyage currently starts at $47,995 per person based on double occupancy, according to A&K's website. The trip includes hotel stays before and after the cruise, airport transfers, French-inspired cuisine, gratuities, Wi-Fi and more. The fare does not include flights.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Explore the North Pole on Abercrombie & Kent's new expedition cruise