In case you missed it, February 27 was International Polar Bear Day,
which recognizes the threat to polar bears from global warming.
While polar bears are a bucket list item for many travellers, only
cruise ships venturing to the far north of Canada, Greenland, Norway's
Svalbard Archipelago, and northeast Russia's Chukotka region offer the
chance to see them.
Alaska cruise itineraries don't venture far enough north for polar
bear viewing, but the latest expedition ships can navigate the sea ice
to provide close encounters with the region's spectacular wildlife.
Seabourn recently announced its 2024 expedition voyages, with
Seabourn Venture offering sailings through Norway, Greenland, Iceland,
and the Canadian Arctic from June to September 2024.
Hurtigruten also offers voyages "to where the polar bears roam" on
the Svalbard Express, a voyage along the Norwegian coast to the Svalbard
archipelago.
On land, Churchill, Canada, on the shore of Hudson Bay, provides the
best opportunity to view polar bears from specially modified vehicles.
Polar bears in Churchill have been known to wander through town,
which is why locals leave their cars unlocked, just in case someone
needs to make a quick getaway.