SMALL EXPEDITION CRUISE

Why Choose a Small Arctic Cruise with FRAMTours Over a Big Ship?

Exploring the Arctic is unlike any other travel experience. It’s a remote, pristine environment, full of surprises—from wildlife sightings to shifting icebergs and the endless horizon of snow and sea. Choosing the right way to experience it makes all the difference, and here’s why FRAMTours’ mini Arctic cruises offer an adventure that large ships simply cannot match.

Medium ships carry far fewer passengers, typically 100–200 up to 400 people. Larger cruise ships are carry even a few thousands of passengers. 
Our cruises are not normal cruises. We do Expedition Cruises in the Arctic, and here’s what it means:

1. Intimacy and Personal Experience

1. Personalized attention: Usually our expedition carry between 12 and 16 passengers (depending on the area where we are heading). Crew and guides can engage with you directly, answer questions, and adapt activities to your interests.
2. Community feeling: You share the journey with fellow adventurers who are genuinely passionate about polar exploration.
3. Flexible itineraries: Small ships can make spontaneous changes—if a pod of whales appears or a polar bear is spotted, the ship can safely adjust its course to maximize your experience. However we are very strict about following the general guideline for protecting the wildlife in their own enviroment. In Svalbard, for example we have to follow new regulations. 

Large cruise ships, by contrast, follow rigid schedules and cannot easily change plans based on nature’s unpredictability.

2. Closer Access to Nature and Wildlife

In the Arctic, it’s not just about getting there—it’s about experiencing the environment up close.

• Shore landings and Zodiac excursions: Small vessels carry inflatable boats (Zodiacs) that let you approach icebergs, fjords, and wildlife habitats without disturbing them.
• Unique wildlife encounters: From walruses and Arctic foxes to polar bears and seals, small ships allow you to see animals in their natural environment, often at distances and angles inaccessible to large ships.
• Quiet and undisturbed observation: Wildlife responds to noise and human presence. Smaller groups have less impact, making encounters more genuine and memorable.

On a big cruise ship, wildlife is often observed from a deck hundreds of meters away, through telescopes or crowds of other tourists—less intimate, less immersive, and less rewarding.

3. Access to Remote and Exclusive Locations

The Arctic is vast and often inaccessible. FRAMTours’ small ships are designed to navigate narrow channels, shallow bays, and fragile ice regions, bringing you to places larger ships cannot reach:

• Hidden fjords and glaciers – up close views that are impossible from massive vessels.
• Small settlements and scientific stations – insight into local communities, Arctic history, and research operations.
• Uncrowded, pristine landing spots – ideal for photography, nature observation, and quiet reflection.

Big ships are limited by size and draft, often confined to major ports and common tourist stops.

4. Educational and Expert-Led Experience

FRAMTours prioritizes knowledgeable guides and expedition leaders who are Arctic specialists. Small ships allow for:

• In-depth presentations and workshops on wildlife, climate, and exploration history.
• One-on-one interactions with scientists and naturalists, answering your questions and enhancing your understanding.
• Hands-on learning during Zodiac excursions, glacier walks, and ice navigation.

On large ships, educational programs are generalized, crowded, and scheduled in lecture halls rather than integrated with the environment itself.

5. Flexibility and Adventure

The Arctic is unpredictable, and the best experiences happen when your itinerary can respond to nature:

• A pod of whales suddenly appears? The captain can slow down and follow.
• The ice shifts? Landings can be adapted safely.
• Weather changes? Plans are modified to ensure both safety and the best possible experience.

Large cruise ships operate like floating cities—they cannot adapt easily. The experience is more about comfort and entertainment than adventure.

6. Authenticity and Connection

A small cruise is about immersing yourself in the Arctic, not just observing it from a distance:

• Hear the crunch of ice underfoot.
• Feel the Arctic wind on your face as you approach a glacier by Zodiac.
• Enjoy quiet moments on deck with no crowds or noise pollution, letting the vastness of the Arctic truly sink in.

This is what sets FRAMTours apart: you don’t just visit the Arctic—you experience it.

7. Sustainability and Responsible Travel

Small ships have a lighter environmental footprint:

• Reduced emissions per passenger.
• Fewer disturbances to wildlife and local communities.
• FRAMTours focuses on sustainable and respectful exploration, ensuring these fragile environments remain intact for future generations.

Large ships often carry thousands of passengers, generating more waste, noise, and environmental impact—making them less ideal for responsible Arctic travel.

In Summary

Choosing a small Arctic cruise with FRAMTours isn’t just about travel—it’s about adventure, discovery, and connection. You gain:

• Intimate access to wildlife and landscapes
• Flexible, personalized itineraries
• Hands-on learning from Arctic experts
• Authentic, immersive experiences
• Sustainable, responsible travel practices

The Arctic is a world of extremes, beauty, and wonder. To truly experience it, you need more than comfort—you need a ship and a crew designed for adventure, and the freedom to explore it fully. That’s the FRAMTours difference.