New Regulations to Restrict Arctic Cruises

Svalbard, an archipelago nestled within the Arctic Circle, is famous for its stark, isolated landscapes of glaciers and frozen tundra, often called the realm of the polar bear. However, due to new regulations aimed at safeguarding the region from the increasing allure of expedition cruising, spotting one of these magnificent white creatures may become more challenging next year.

Starting January 1, 2025, only vessels with a capacity of 200 passengers or fewer will be allowed to disembark—and only at designated locations—within the national parks and other protected zones of Norway that host walruses, seals, reindeer, and various other wildlife.

The new regulation, one of several amendments introduced by Norway's government in February, is even more stringent than the rules governing cruises in Antarctica, where ships accommodating up to 500 passengers are permitted to land, with a maximum of 100 people allowed to disembark at a time.

This is part of an expanding set of recently implemented or proposed regulations for both the Arctic and Antarctic, designed to control visitor access and activities within these sensitive environments.

Similar to the global discussions on overtourism, the struggle to reconcile environmental issues with surging travel demand has been ongoing for years—and is certain to intensify as the number of expedition cruise ships being constructed and launched continues to rise.

Let’s explore the new and proposed regulations for polar tourism and their potential impacts.

New Regulations for Cruises in Svalbard

According to the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), last year saw 32 vessels carrying nearly 24,000 passengers visit Svalbard, up from 25 ships with just over 20,000 passengers in 2019.

While larger vessels will still have access to Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s sole cruise port and the world’s northernmost settlement, this location serves primarily as a starting point for deeper exploration of the wilderness on foot, in Zodiacs, and in kayaks.

Expedition vessels typically accommodate up to 200 passengers, and these smaller ships account for 70 to 80 percent of Svalbard sailings, based on industry estimates. However, with the rise of expedition cruising, some ships have grown in size, including luxury options entering the expedition market. For example, Seabourn and Silversea's new expedition vessels can carry between 200 and 300 passengers, while Scenic's latest ships exceed 200 passengers but limit their polar voyages to just 200.

In addition to capping passenger numbers for ships in protected regions, the new regulations in Norway will limit the total number of protected areas where vessels can anchor to 43. They will also prevent people and boats from approaching closer than 500 feet to walrus congregations and prohibit cruise ships from breaking fast ice, which is connected to the shore or seabed—a contentious practice used by some to provide closer encounters with polar bears or allow passengers to walk on ice.

The exact effects of these regulations on cruising in the region are yet to be determined. However, AECO stated that it “will not only restrict operations but also place significant pressure on the remaining areas available for shore landings.”

Howard Whelan, an experienced guide with the Australian firm Aurora Expeditions, which exclusively operates ships carrying fewer than 150 passengers, expressed his concern about the implications of concentrating all vessels in restricted areas instead of allowing them to distribute and explore more broadly throughout the archipelago. However, he praised the fast-ice regulation, stating that it significantly impacts polar bear and seal habitats.

AECO expressed disappointment that the rules were implemented “despite a comprehensive consultation process, in which a united industry collaborated to provide solutions aligned with the common objective of safeguarding Svalbard's vulnerable wildlife and wilderness.”

The organization now states that it is collaborating with operators to help them better comprehend the new regulations as they adjust their itineraries.

Hurtigruten, a Norwegian-based leader in expedition cruising, notes that while its two vessels that circle Svalbard have a maximum capacity of 200 passengers, it also operates larger ships in the region.

“Our team of expedition specialists is awaiting further updates from AECO, and we will collaborate to modify our itineraries as needed,” stated Karin Strand, vice president of expedition development at HX, the expedition division of Hurtigruten.

HX announced that it will reveal new itineraries for Svalbard in the coming weeks that comply with the updated regulations, and it is enhancing its collaboration with sister brand Hurtigruten Svalbard, the oldest and premier ground operator in the region.

Proposed regulations for Greenland and Iceland

Although the new regulations may drive more Arctic cruises towards Iceland and the remote eastern coast of Greenland, officials in those nations are also developing proposals that could impose restrictions on cruising.

One proposal under consideration is a tourism law aimed at establishing zoning in Greenland to identify areas where tourism is restricted or entirely banned, according to AECO.

Additionally, Greenland is contemplating the creation of cruise-specific zones that will delineate where cruise activities are either completely unrestricted, permitted under certain conditions, or completely prohibited.

In Iceland, the government is evaluating regulations for Zodiac landings close to the Dynjandi waterfall, the largest in the Westfjords and a favored spot for tourists arriving by land and sea. They have also recently implemented an accommodation tax for overnight stays, including those on cruise ships.

Antarctica is also considering additional restrictions

Antarctica remains one of the most sought-after destinations for expedition cruises, with over 100,000 visitors recorded last year, primarily aboard cruise ships. Addressing this surge will be a significant focus at next month’s annual meeting of consultative members of the Antarctic Treaty, which agreed last year to initiate a comprehensive tourism management plan.

Among the debated issues from last year were whether to halt any expansion of landing sites for cruise passengers and the potential prohibition of overnight camping and the use of helicopters and submersibles by cruise ships.

Discussions aimed at regulating tourism in Antarctica have persisted for years; however, implementing changes proves challenging due to the absence of a central governing body, with 56 nations participating in the treaty that oversees this expansive icy region.