We had traveled to the Bottom of the World ten years ago when we sailed to Antarctica and so it was just a matter of time before we set off to visit the Top of the World as well. The two Polar Regions are totally opposite. Antarctica is a continent surrounded by an ocean; the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by continents. Antarctica is the land of …

Ever since Christopher Columbus discovered that his route to the Orient was blocked by a new and unexpected continent, the quest for a Northwest Passage – a sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific around the New World’s northern extremities – has been the dream of explorers and adventurers. Drake, Cook and Hudson were among …

Our crossing from Norway to Greenland took three days, our route taking us along the southern edges the massive ice sheet which covers the polar sea. The ship even made a non-scheduled detour into the polar sea ice, launching the Zodiacs for an exciting excursion into the ice filled sea. We spent much of our time on deck during the crossing …

The ship entered Reykjavik harbor in the early morning hours on the final day of our two week cruise. The sparkling waterfront with its brightly colored houses offered a warm welcome as did our Icelandic friends, who met us at the dock to whisk us off for a week long tour of their charming island. But that would have to be the subject for another …