Arctic cruise port emerges

Cruise activity in the Arctic has in recent years increased markedly. This applies to both populated and remote regions not the least due to increased traffic from expedition cruises. Expedition cruises are typically relatively small, specially equipped vessels which can navigate more constrained maritime environments than conventional large cruise ships. Consequently, expedition ships frequently visit remote fjords and land as well as sparsely populated communities across the Arctic.

There is a growing trend of expedition vessels visiting previously unfrequented destinations, bringing with them a range of impacts on the host areas. While research on Arctic cruise has grown, this research makes use of the rare opportunity to observe the development of a new Arctic cruise port from the initial stage of preparations through to beyond the first and last visit of the season.
The research site is Raufarhöfn on Melrakkaslétta northeast Iceland where in the summer of 2025, an expedition cruise ship scheduled five calls of visit to the village.

The research applies mixed-methods qualitative approach. Interviews are conducted with key stakeholders involved in preparation and service of the cruise ship and its passengers. The interviews are conducted first prior to the first cruise call and again following the final call of the season. The research furthermore includes conversations with the residents in Raufarhöfn as well as participatory observation where the researcher engages in the reception of the cruise and its passengers to port.

Findings are expected to be available in early 2026.

Project manager: Þórný Barðadóttir [thorny @ rmf.is].