IAN STALKER
Secret Atlas says it doesn’t take large numbers of passengers to the polar regions, nor does it want to.
The Britain-based company says expedition cruises are building a following, including in the booming polar travel market, but adds that, in a space crowded with increasingly larger ‘small ships’ carrying over 100 passengers, its expedition micro cruises offer something different and rare. With groups capped at just 12 guests in the Arctic, it is setting a “new benchmark in authentic expedition cruising, prioritizing intimacy, access, sustainability and meaningful experience and connection.”
“As the lines between small, smaller, and ‘micro’ become increasingly blurred, Secret Atlas is taking a stand to define and reclaim the concept of micro cruising,” says company co-founder Michele D’Agostino. “These unique voyages are fundamentally shaped by the size and design of the expedition vessel itself and the level of expertise operating these journeys.
“It all comes down to numbers. These [Secret Atlas] vessels accommodate intimate groups of just 12 guests in the Arctic, and up to 42 in the Antarctic and South Georgia. This is expedition cruising in its purest and most authentic form. Small ship polar cruising with Secret Atlas offers a more intimate, immersive, and sustainable way to explore the most remote and untouched corners of the Earth. With only 12 guests on board and 42 in Antarctica, travellers can avoid the crowds and gain deeper access to pristine wilderness areas that larger ships simply can’t reach. This means more time ashore, more meaningful wildlife encounters, and the rare opportunity to travel and become friends with leading expedition leaders, experienced guides, and professional photographers who tailor the experience to your interests. It’s personal, adventurous, and designed for travellers looking for something very different than what’s currently on the market. Micro cruises are the future of polar tourism.”
D’Agostino says Secret Atlas vessels blend the comfort of a boutique experience with the “robust capability of true expedition ships. They offer cozy accommodations, first-class amenities, and a safe, intimate space where luxury means freedom, and the time to truly immerse yourself in the surroundings, alongside like-minded adventurers.”
Passengers will find private en-suite cabins; spacious observation lounges, sauna, and hot tub; easy access to the deck with an open-door policy; a dining area serving “hearty, chef-prepared meals and made with local ingredients when possible”; “expert leadership by top expedition leaders, wildlife guides, pro photographers, renowned guest lecturers, and more”; two guides for every 12 guests and on photo tours two guides and one professional photographer for 12 guests; daily Zodiac excursions, including wildlife viewing for the likes of polar bears, whales, penguins, seabirds, seals and shore landings featuring guided hikes, nature walks, and visits to remote communities and historic sites; and lectures by staff and guest experts in such topics as polar history, marine wildlife, geology, glaciology.
Secret Atlas specializes in Arctic sailings to Svalbard and Greenland, and the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia in the Southern Hemisphere.
A September expedition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the remote Greenland settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit is currently underway. The exclusive Fly and Cruise voyage gives the 12 guests an opportunity to participate in a historic milestone for one of the most isolated communities on Earth, the company says.
Ittoqqortoormiit, home to approximately 350 people, was founded in 1925 by 80 Inuit families from Tasiilaq, and guided by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen. The small Arctic town is one of the most remote inhabited places on the planet. Secret Atlas guests have the opportunity to engage with the community, gaining insight into their Inuit culture and resilient way of life.
The 14-day Fly and Cruise expedition, titled “Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise,” runs onboard the classic, ice-strengthened expedition vessel, MV Freya, which provides a level of access and flexibility larger vessels can’t match. The itinerary isn’t fixed, allowing experienced expedition leaders to adapt based on wildlife sightings and local conditions, ensuring an intimate and authentic experience. The expedition will also be available in summer 2026, offering the same experience.
Secret Atlas says the voyage represents the “ultimate expedition to East Greenland. Guests will experience two natural wonders: the Scoresbysund fiord system – the world’s longest and largest, and Northeast Greenland National Park. The journey will take travellers through an Arctic landscape of towering icebergs, ancient glaciers, and remote communities. Led by some of the industry’s most experienced expedition leaders and guides, guests can explore the Arctic in both style and comfort aboard MV Freya, which features spacious cabins, home comforts, and multiple viewing decks.
“During the expedition, Secret Atlas guests will visit Ittoqqortoormiit and gain insight into this remote community’s culture and lifestyle. For those seeking more than just scenic beauty, the town offers something rare today, genuine authenticity. It’s a place where nature dictates daily life, and ancestral knowledge still leads the way. The remote town is a treasure trove of Inuit traditions. Locals continue to craft tupilaks, spirit figurines carved from bone or tusk, and rely on ancestral subsistence hunting, which remains central to their way of life,” Secret Atlas says.
The cruise includes an exclusive charter flight from Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Constable Point (CNP) in Scoresbysund; overnight hotel accommodation; dinner upon return to Iceland; meet & greet service at Keflavik; and extra luggage allowance on the charter flight.
Secret Altas offers both scheduled departures and private charters for clients.
“The polar regions are among the last great frontiers on Earth,” D’Agostino says. “Visiting the Arctic or Antarctica isn’t just a trip, it’s a truly transformative experience. Travelers witness awe-inspiring scenery among towering icebergs, encounter extraordinary wildlife in its natural habitat – from polar bears and whales to penguins and countless seabirds – and experience the raw, elemental beauty of the poles.
“At a time when climate change is visibly affecting these fragile environments, visiting responsibly with a small group allows for deeper understanding and appreciation. It’s an adventure that stays with you long after you return home.”
Meanwhile, D’Agostino says that small is good and micro is better when it comes to polar exploration.
“They are a team of expedition leaders, photographers, and polar experts who created the kind of travel experience they want and have personally experienced where intimacy, ethical and sustainable practices and educational and unforgettable experiences rule,” D’Agostino says of those responsible for the itineraries. “Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned polar traveler, Secret Atlas invites you to experience a different kind of voyage, one where guests are not just a passenger, but a vital part of the expedition team.”
