In a land noted for stark landscapes, frozen beauty and perpetual ice, one area stands supreme for its stunning array of majestic icebergs. On the western coast of Greenland lies Disko Bay, a place aptly referred to as the birthplace of icebergs. This is where the Greenland ice cap — covering almost 80 percent of the island — is in a constant state of change and movement. Inland glaciers form slow-flowing rivers of ice that spawn thousands of giant icebergs as they calve into the sea.

Besides the ice cap, glaciers, icebergs, polar seas and frozen tundra of land that once belonged geographically to North America, Greenland offers the Midnight Sun north of the Arctic Circle, Inuit villages and culture, whales and fluking whale tails, as well as eerie ghost towns harking to an abandoned past life.

My nine-day Poseidon Expeditions cruise was a bucket-list adventure of a lifetime — one I eagerly welcomed because of my insatiable spirit of adventure and immutable desire to explore less known areas of the world. However, I also confess to being wooed by the luxurious amenities and international cuisine on board the Sea Spirit.

The Sea Spirit is a luxury vessel retrofitted for polar exploration. With an ice-strengthened hull, a fleet of Zodiacs for exploring frigid waters and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smoother sailing, there is no better choice for exploring the Arctic and Antarctic.

Since I was booked on the Sea Spirit’s maiden voyage in May, I was one of the first to experience the $2.5 million suite refurbishment that began two years earlier.

© Karin Leperi

The star of Poseidon Expeditions’ polar-cruising fleet, the all-suite, 114-passenger Sea Spirit boasts spacious rooms, even by small ship standards. I was booked in a superior suite on the Club Deck, where cabins average 215 square feet. The room can be configured with either a king-sized bed or two twin beds. Other cabin features include en suite facilities and a walk-in closet or wardrobe. Each suite features completely new bath modules with new tile throughout, a stone vanity top with integrated fixtures and a glass divider panel separating the shower from the sink. A one-way viewing window overlooks an outside walkway.

Common areas are spacious and include a well-stocked library with a large collection of polar books and DVDs, a presentation lounge with all the latest technology to support expeditionary briefings and enrichment lectures, a gym, and an infirmary with a licensed medical doctor. An elevator provides access to all passenger decks.

When you consider the high cost of food and restocking in Greenland, the nightly four-course meal is even more amazing with a variety easily accommodating special diets. A full-service bar features daily drink specials and premium brands.

Activities are largely defined by the weather and cruising conditions, with adaptability and safety the operative words. Optional excursions include Zodiac excursions, hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing. Special events include the Polar Plunge, which invites those hardy enough to take the dip, and a special baptism ceremony conducted by King Neptune on board the Poseidon Expeditions MV Sea Spirit. Though I am a seasoned traveler, this was a momentous ceremony for me.

For those who quest for adventure to faraway places with a luxurious touch, there is no better choice than a polar cruise with Poseidon Expeditions.

Poseidon Expeditions, USA & Canada

245 Waterman St., Suite 502
Providence, RI 02906
tel 347 801 2610