Articles Luxury Meets Wilderness: Chartering the Arctic

2 Jun 2025 | Adventure

With their rugged build and refined interiors, FREYA and VIKINGFJORD offer access to some of the most remote, pristine destinations on Earth, combining comfort and capability in polar environments. Whether navigating glaciers in Svalbard or anchoring in the fjords of East Greenland, these vessels promise a charter experience like no other.

Mariano Curiel is the owner and head of operations at Secret Atlas, the expedition company behind FREYA and VIKINGFJORD. With over two decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for the polar regions, Mariano plays a key role in shaping the immersive journeys offered aboard these exceptional charter yachts. Read on to discover what makes FREYA and VIKINGFJORD the perfect vessels for polar expeditions – and explore some of the once-in-a-lifetime sights you can expect to encounter on charter aboard these incredible yachts.

Mariano’s Background in Polar Exploration

Mariano drew early inspiration from fellow crew members, hoping one day to embark on an expedition that tested his skills and knowledge of remote environments. After over a decade at sea, he achieved this goal, becoming the first Argentinian man to cross Greenland on skis. “About ten years after I began working in Greenland, I realised that I now have the experience and technical skills to try to cross Greenland on skis. I coordinated with a friend from Sudan and we got ready and we started,” he says.

Reflecting on the start of his journey, Mariano recalls gazing upon Greenland’s icecap on the first day of this journey: “I felt very very tiny, and there was still 600 km to cross,” he says. The expedition coincided with a record year for ice melt in Greenland, further complicating the challenge. “We began going up the ice cap and all of this water was coming down. We crossed more than 200 rivers and streams of cold water and we were totally wet for five days at the beginning,” Mariano explains.

“It was a 28-day expedition. When I started my weight was 90 kilograms and when we finished I weighed 76,” he continues. Despite the hardship, Mariano speaks warmly of the experience and its peacefulness. “When we finished it felt amazing, we really accomplished something big and it was a life changing experience,” he explains. “It felt like a month-long meditation session because it’s you on your own, there is nothing around you and you don’t see a difference in the landscape at all for the whole day”, says Mariano.

By chartering FREYA or VIKINGFJORD, guests have the opportunity to experience the same sense of wonder and connection that first inspired Mariano. Immersed in the raw beauty of the polar regions, each journey offers space for reflection, discovery, and moments of stillness—echoing the life-changing encounters that shaped his passion for exploration.

Navigating the Arctic with Precision, Purpose and Comfort

The charter itineraries that are offered on board FREYA and VIKINGFJORD are unmatched due to their immense natural beauty and undisturbed wildlife. Because of this, these expeditions offer a rare glimpse into life without human intervention. FREYA and VIKINGFJORD are both beautifully decorated and boast 7 staterooms and accommodate up to 12 guests, providing charterers with an intimate and luxurious escape.

When asked about some of the major changes he has witnessed within the polar regions in recent years, Mariano noted an increased number of larger vessels sailing to these remote areas. “The biggest shifts are in the quantity and size of the ships that sail to the polar regions, we decide to stay small and prioritise the experience”, he says.

One of the key benefits of operating smaller yachts, he explains, is that the dedicated crew and expedition leaders can ensure guests leave with an unforgettable experience, something that’s not always possible on board a larger yacht or cruise ship. “There is now a bigger industry and a bigger market for polar expeditions which means that the focus can be shifted onto visiting the area quite generally,” Mariano says. He continues, “We still prioritise the place and the experience because we really want the people to leave with an incredible experience to take away with them.”

Smaller yachts are not only more efficient and better suited to visiting trickier areas in the polar regions, but they’re also ideal for those hoping to encounter some of the immense wildlife that the Arctic has to offer. Larger vessels are far less adaptable, often confined to a stricter itinerary and unable to easily access secluded bays. “The main difference between us and other polar expeditioners is that they have a set itinerary and a set product, which means that it is hard for them to provide a bespoke experience to their clients, especially if they have bigger ships,” Mariano explains.

The beauty of a polar charter on board FREYA or VIKINGFJORD lies in the flexibility that comes with a smaller, more versatile yacht. “If we have a group that says ‘I want to take pictures of polar bears and my wife wants to go skiing’ that is no problem. We know where to go and how to do it. From the food on board to the service and the experience out in the field, we have the skills to make it special,” he says. Smaller ships like FREYA and VIKINGFJORD also feature shallower drafts, allowing them to get closer to land and manoeuvre quickly—making it possible to seize the moment when an unpredictable sightseeing opportunity arises.

"You’re travelling all the way to these remote areas, so focus on the place and truly embrace the experience. It’s important to go with an open mind and no expectations – just relax and go with the flow. It will blow your mind.”

Mariano Curiel - Owner & Head of Operations at Secret Atlas

Animal Encounters on Polar Expeditions

One of the most thrilling aspects of an Arctic expedition is the chance to see wildlife in its natural habitat—up close and personal. From polar bears and whales to Arctic foxes and musk oxen, these are animals that most people only encounter on screens or in zoos.

Speaking of one of his most memorable animal encounters while on a yacht expedition, Mariano says: “Once we were sailing in the Arctic and there was a whale in the water, it was very playful and as we turned the boat I saw this big eye looking right into my eyes”. He continues, “It sounds crazy but there was a message there, she was telling me something. There is something so surreal about having eye contact with an animal of that size”. Mariano also remembers an animal encounter that he had with a polar bear, describing it as equally surreal. “I had a similar experience in the north with a polar bear, again we locked eyes which was intense and amazing, but I definitely felt like I was food, it was not a friendly connection.”

While observing these animals in the wild is a remarkable experience, the expedition leaders prioritise safety on board and have a variety of protocols in place to ensure the protection of their guests and crew, all while striving to create lasting memories and an unforgettable charter. “When there are polar bears around, we’re very aware of that and view it as a risk, but we’re also prepared and the yachts are incredibly safe,” says Mariano. He continues, “We always allow guests to look at them from the boats and if we do come across any dangerous wildlife on land, we have our protocols in place, so it isn’t something that people need to worry about”.

These are the kinds of unforgettable moments that await those who choose to embark on a polar expedition aboard FREYA or VIKINGFJORD. With expert guidance, flexible itineraries and an emphasis on both safety and experience, charterers have the rare opportunity to encounter extraordinary wildlife in some of the most pristine and remote corners of the planet.

Takeaways from Polar Expeditions

The crews and expedition leaders aboard FREYA and VIKINGFJORD take immense pride in ensuring their guests make the most of every moment on charter. Exploring this part of the world is unlike any other experience, with vast polar regions that remain largely untouched and teeming with wildlife. While all the destinations accessible aboard FREYA and VIKINGFJORD are undeniably spectacular, Greenland holds particular significance for Mariano Curiel. “My first impression of Greenland was amazing. I once had a very deep conversation with a local lady from Kuummiut. We crossed paths in the street and started chatting – it was incredibly insightful to see how locals maintain such a strong connection with nature. She spoke about her grandparents, the history, and the everyday lives of local people and hunters. It was fascinating.”

When asked what he hopes guests take away from a polar charter, Mariano shares: “After you leave the port, there’s this feeling that everything is beyond normal – that’s the effect of the polar regions we operate in. You leave the worries of the world behind and enter a space that feels somewhere between the Earth and the Moon. It’s so far removed from what we’ve known – and I felt the same way the first time I travelled to Antarctica.”

Offering advice to those preparing for a polar expedition, Mariano suggests: “You’re travelling all the way to these remote areas, so focus on the place and truly embrace the experience. It’s important to go with an open mind and no expectations – just relax and go with the flow. It will blow your mind.”

Reflecting on decades of experience, Mariano Curiel’s stories are a powerful reminder of how the polar regions can transform those who journey there. Whether locking eyes with a whale beneath Arctic waters or standing before the vast stillness of Greenland’s ice cap, each moment becomes etched in memory—a testament to the unmatched magic of these remote areas.

These are not ordinary voyages. They are life-changing expeditions that offer a rare and deeply personal connection with nature. With a focus on intimate group sizes, unmatched expertise and a commitment to authentic exploration, FREYA and VIKINGFJORD deliver polar yacht charters that go far beyond the expected.

To begin planning your own Arctic or Antarctic experience aboard FREYA or VIKINGFJORD, contact Ocean Independence today. Let the journey of a lifetime begin.

Enquire now

Scoresbysund. Greenland. 09.21.07. Adventure tourist at Northwest Fjord in the far reaches of Scoresbysund in eastern Greenland.

Need help or advice?

The yachting journey can be complex with many decisions to be made. Get in touch with Ocean Independence, and one of our specialist consultants will help you make the right choices.