The Ship Less Travelled
Episode 1-04Go North – Arctic Adventures by Small Ship!
🇬🇧
Lorraine McCowatt
Bespoke Cruise Holidays
United Kingdom
🇨🇦
Dave Wentworth
Destination Whatever
Canada / USA
Dreaming of vast tundra, glittering glaciers, polar bears, and the ethereal magic of the midnight sun? In this episode, we set a course for the Arctic and explore why small ships are the key to unlocking the polar regions in ways that larger vessels simply cannot match.
🧭 Why Venture North on a Small Ship? We explore the remarkable advantages of small ship travel in the Arctic. Their nimble size allows them to glide into remote fjords, hidden coves, and ice-filled bays where larger vessels cannot follow. It is not merely about going further — it is about going deeper, slower, and with far greater care for the places you visit.
Small ships are more than vessels; they are stewards of the landscapes they traverse. Built with sustainability at their heart, they tread lightly and uphold the principles of responsible travel — working alongside local communities, respecting wildlife, and actively contributing to the preservation of fragile Arctic ecosystems.
🌿 Responsible Travel: Culture, Cuisine & Connection. What truly distinguishes these voyages is not only the scenery — it is the stories, the flavours, and the people. We explore how small ships support Inuit communities and cultural guardians, engaging local guides, artisans, performers, and storytellers who share their rich and ancient traditions with guests.
One initiative we discuss with particular enthusiasm is Tundra to Table, a programme that brings the local culinary landscape on board. Arctic char, muskox, and other locally harvested ingredients are prepared by Inuit chefs, offering guests an authentic taste of the place itself. This is not cruise ship buffet fare — it is genuine, sustainable, and deeply satisfying cuisine that honours the people, the land, and the sea.
☀️ When to Go? Let the Midnight Sun Guide You. Imagine the Arctic is nothing but snowstorms and frostbite? We gently dispel a few myths and explain why small ship cruising in this region can be comfortable, enriching, and genuinely luxurious. Whether your interest lies in polar wildlife, birdwatching, or photography, there is a perfect moment for every inclination — and if witnessing the midnight sun is on your wish list, we will tell you precisely when and where to be to experience it in all its surreal, luminous glory.
📽️ Do pour yourself something warm, settle in, and press play. Let us go north together.