Luxury

A small number of partner companies of WILDFOOT such as Silversea, Ponant and Hapag Lloyd offer such luxury Arctic holidays. Silversea operate their specialist expedition ship, the Silver Explorer and the crew and standards on board match the so-called ‘six star’ standards of service they pride themselves on on board their larger cruise ships. This includes in-suite butler service, complimentary beverages and silver service. On a Silversea luxury Arctic cruise, there are expert lecturers and guides, zodiac landings and the small ship camaraderie, so the expedition experience is not compromised.

Compagnie du Ponant is a French small ship operator, with three purpose built expedition ships, L’Austral, Le Boreal and Le Soleal. Luxury Arctic holidays on these ships provide a private yacht type of ambiance with gastronomic French cuisine and the highest standards of service. Again, your luxury Arctic cruise includes guides and zodiac landings. Language on board is French and English and Ponant is one of the best options if you wish to take children with you.

Although many expedition ships are quite basic and there are travellers who seek this type of experience, there are also many who prefer to take one of the luxury Arctic holidays of offer from recognised up-market operators, who combine all the aspects of a bona fide expedition with the comforts and standards of service of a top cruise ship.

Well known in shipping and cruise circles, Hapag Lloyd is an established German cruise line with two specialist expedition ships, the Bremen and the Hanseatic. The Hanseatic operates a number of itineraries for luxury Arctic holidays throughout the summer. These include Greenland, Iceland and northern Norway. Five star service and excellent and varied food combined with true expedition experiences. German and English are the languages on board and we always receive excellent feedback from customers who take a luxury Arctic cruise on either of these ships.

Compagnie du Ponant is a French small ship operator, with three sister luxury expedition ships, L’Austral, Le Borea and Le Soleal. Le Soleal only came into operation in 2013 and each ship provides a private yacht type of ambiance with gastronomic French cuisine and the highest standards of service.

Le Boreal

A superb mega-yacht with 132 cabins, she is the fruit of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel.

L'Austral

A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L’Austral her distinctive shape.

Le Soleal & Le Lyrial

Le Soleal & Le Lyrial are the latest additions to the Ponant luxury expedition fleet, entering service for the 2013/14 Arctic season. They match perfectly the style of its sister ships with added refinements to create the most relaxing environment whilst at sea and in between Polar adventures. These are purpose built expedition vessels and at the cutting edge of luxury polar exploration cruises.