Early September, 49 degrees, and sunlight glinting off a remote and rugged settlement along Greenland’s coastline—and yet all I can think of is Christmas: stockings hung at the fireplace, a tree heavy with ornaments, snowy landscapes aglow with twinkle lights.

The Kangaamiut Oqaluffiat Church choir is singing the most beautiful a cappella rendition of “Silent Night” I’ve ever heard. What a gift for the 196 adventurers sailing aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator, and what a magical way to begin our 11-day expedition to Greenland and Iceland.

The choir’s mini concert wasn’t the only surprise that afternoon. The village’s hospitality extended further with coffee, tea and cake served in the Community House followed by a traditional mask dance presented just outside. About 300 of the 57,000 people living in Greenland make their home in Kangaamiut, and a small group of them were in attendance to welcome us to their country. Such is the personal nature of small-ship cruising.

The Atlas Ocean Voyage team arranged quite a few such immersive activities throughout the cruise. From the first evening’s Arctic Circle Crossing Party (where all guests received a certificate attesting to this bucket-list Arctic badge of honor) to a traditional drumdancing and singing presentation by Varna Marianne Nielsen, a well-known Greenlandic Inuk multidisciplinary artist, composer and children’s book author based in Nuuk, Atlas excels at creating moments that feel personal, unexpected and authentic.

A sailing of special moments

At the top of many of my fellow passengers’ list was facing down the polar plunge; that is, jumping into the chilly Arctic waters of Prince Christian Sound, one of Greenland’s most scenic waterways with a panorama of mountains, waterfalls and glaciers. I opted instead for a plunge into the World Navigator’s hot tub, bubbling happily away beneath blue skies while hearing the splashes and whoops of delight from three decks below.

Another special treat was a hands-on photography tips workshop presented by crew member Junior. Inspiring and empowering, it taught me how to operate features on my phone camera that had, until this point, been ignored. So, yes, there were lots of videos using the slow-motion and time lapse settings to capture waterfalls and street scenes, strolling shoppers and polar plungers. I also took panoramic shots of the glaciers from the zodiac and cemeteries on walking tours and countless images of Greenland’s starkly dramatic coastal landscapes punctuated with houses painted, in true Greenlandic style, in yellow, pink, purple and every other color in the rainbow.

We spent a fascinating dinner with the World Navigator’s godmother, Karen Lundgren, the 13th woman in the world to conquer the Seven Summits (the highest mountains on each of the seven continents). It was amazing to learn that the idea to undertake the challenge came originally from Lundgren’s boyfriend’s son, Jordan Romero, who wrote about the experience in his 2014 book, "No Summit out of Sight: The True Story of the Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits."

During our stop in Nuuk, the crew brought Greenland to the World Navigator by way of a Greenlandic smorgasbord. Plated up during this culinary presentation were ceviche, scallops and salmon—and that was just the first course. The dried cod came out next, a surprising hit for its savory and slightly salty chewiness. I passed on the fatty whale but loved the reindeer sausage, served along with a sweet and sour shrimp salad, lumpfish caviar and a spicy lamb with a black pepper, onion and rosemary crust. And for dessert? Delicious Greenland cake. What an unforgettable taste of local culture and true adventure for the palate.

One afternoon while sipping an apple peel wellness shot at Paula’s Pantry—a fan-fave nosh spot and home of the cookie jar, filled daily with crisply baked cookies—the spa director offered me a free neck and shoulder massage. Who could say no? That complimentary taste meant I immediately booked a facial and neck and shoulder massage. It was so calming and invigorating that I booked a second treatment later in the cruise. Those two hours of pure bliss remain among the absolute highlights of my voyage.

Finally, the Northern Lights. Yes! We saw them. They weren’t as pronounced as I’ve seen in pictures, but the Northern Lights all the same, and it was a thrill. I realize this was brought about compliments of Mother Nature, but Atlas made the experience so memorable, with cruise director Adam Illsley announcing their appearance around midnight and inviting everyone to gather on deck to witness this shimmering Arctic spectacle.

An expedition of elegance and exploration

With its glossy European vibe and Portuguese roots, the World Navigator strikes a stylish balance between classic maritime charm and contemporary sophistication. Interiors shine with gleaming wood paneling, black-and-white marble floors and polished chrome accents. Suites continue the Old World-meets-modern-expedition motif, blending the timeless elegance of muted earth tones like beige and maroon with striking contemporary artwork and thoughtful touches including bedside power outlets and light switches.

For me, the highlight of the Atlas suite is the spa-inspired bathroom. Exceptionally spacious, it is a calming oasis after a day of exploring, with walk-in shower featuring a built-in bench and rainfall head and adjustable body jets, and L’Occitane bath products. Towels are the big, thirsty variety and storage is plentiful.

The culinary experience is equally refined, with inventive menus, regional tastes and beautifully prepared meals that reflect destinations visited. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style with diners also free to order from a set menu. One of the standout lunches for me is the Atlas burger—juicy and made to order exactly as I like it, with melty cheese and plenty of crunchy pickles, finished with the letter “A” branding the grilled bun.

Dinners begin with a selection of appetizers like veal tongue carpaccio and wild mushroom and crispy chicken skin salad. Soups (always something I look forward to) range from potato cream and Jerusalem artichoke velouté to French onion and roasted tomato. Main courses tempt with organic cashew miso-glazed salmon, pink roasted venison loin, Duroc pork tenderloin (delicious!) and a vegetarian option like curry. I love a cheese selection for dessert, and one was offered nightly, including a baked stilton accompanied by figs, balsamic reduction and pecan nuts. For the sweet tooth: flaky cream-filled puff pastries, ice creams and seasonal fruit plates.

Atlas’s stellar lecture series brought the Arctic to life through presentations by expert naturalists and historians on topics about whale populations, regional geology and the cultural traditions of Inuit communities, with the conversation typically continuing through the evening cocktail hour. Port talks offered practical guidance and fascinating context for the landscapes and villages awaiting us each morning.

Amidst the grand glaciers, towering fjords and boundless horizons, the Arctic invites you to step away from daily life and reconnect with the extraordinary. As World Navigator godmother Karen Lundgren mentioned over dinner, one of the true gifts of the experience is simply pausing to listen—to the sounds of nature and to the silence.

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Plan your travels

Atlas Ocean Voyages offers sailings to Africa, Antarctica, the Arctic, Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and South America. Cruise fare includes dining; all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks; room service and 24-hour room bar service; gratuities; a limited amount of Internet; onboard entertainment, movies and lectures; the use of kayaks and paddleboards on some sailings; use of the thermal spa; and more.

Polar expeditions also include a parka with vest to keep and boots to use onboard; landings and zodiac excursions; charter jet service to Ushuaia, Argentina (Antarctica) and Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (Arctic); and reusable aluminum water bottle.

Accommodations include a variety of amenities: stocked in-room minibar, 24-hour room service including spirits, wine and beer, Nespresso coffee and Kusmi teas, still and sparkling water, marble spa bath with L’occitane bath products, walk-in mosaic glass shower with rain head and body jets, plush terry bathrobes and slippers, queen bed with Portuguese cotton linens; wall-mounted television with infotainment system, use of binoculars and more.

For more information about traveling with Atlas Ocean Voyages, call 877-321-2363 or visit www.atlasoceanvoyages.com.

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