For a unique Arctic cruise experience, spend a night in a glass igloo atop a cruise ship
Cantilevered over the ship’s edge, the National Geographic Endurance’s glass igloos let passengers enjoy an incredible night amid the fjords
It was a cool, clear night as the National Geographic Endurance sailed out of Storefjord, one of the many beautiful fjords along the eastern coast of Greenland.
We were just a few days into “Iceland’s Wild West Coast to East Greenland”, a voyage offered by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, but I was eager to leave my stateroom behind.
While other guests were getting cosy in their beds after the day’s adventures, I headed up to the top deck with a small overnight bag. I was going to spend the night in an igloo.
Built in 2021, the National Geographic Endurance has many of the amenities and spaces you would expect to find on a modern, purpose-built expedition ship: a cosy library, an X-shaped bow that can easily slice through sea ice, a garage full of flat-bottomed Zodiacs, and inflatable kayaks for exploring.
But the vessel – along with sister ship National Geographic Resolution – also has an unexpected feature: a pair of geodesic glass igloos that guests can reserve for an overnight stay during their sailing.
I had heard and read plenty about the igloos in the months leading up to my trip. So, when I had the opportunity to spend the night in one, I gleefully jumped at the chance.