Stakeholder Cruises

Building understanding, trust, and long‑term partnerships across the Arctic

Since the Stakeholder Cruise program was formalized at AECO’s Annual General Meeting, it have become one of AECO’s most important outreach activities—offering insight into how guidelines, tools, and standards are implemented in practice, and creating meaningful arenas for dialogue across regions.

An Expanding and Impactful Program

In 2025, the Stakeholder Cruise initiative continued to grow in both scale and relevance. Working closely with our members, AECO engaged more than 240 stakeholders across the Arctic. Participants included representatives from:

• Local communities and local organizations
• Municipal and regional authorities
• Tourism boards and DMO representatives
• Preparedness agencies and emergency responders
• National ministries, coast guards and political decision‑makers

Why Stakeholder Cruises Matter

Firsthand experience is one of the most effective tools for building knowledge about expedition cruising. Stakeholders sailing with AECO members gain a deeper understanding of:

• Safety standards and operational routines
• Environmental practices and AECO guidelines
• Community engagement approaches
• Expedition team competence and field practices
• The resources expedition vessels can offer, including in preparedness contexts

These experiences broaden perspectives, open new areas for collaboration, and help bridge knowledge gaps that can influence regulatory processes, local management, and destination development.

For operators, hosting stakeholders provides invaluable insights into local priorities and expectations—strengthening relationships, informing planning, and improving guest experiences.

A Regional Approach

The 2025 season demonstrated the flexibility and scalability of the Stakeholder Cruise progra,, with tailored activities in each region:

Canada
A strong focus on on‑board visits and meeting local communities during port calls. Multiple operators welcomed residents, community leaders, and local authorities on board to build long‑term relationships, enhance cultural exchange, and strengthen local understanding of expedition cruise practices.

Iceland
A dedicated Stakeholder Cruise deepened collaboration between the industry and local communities. A reception in Reykjavík brought together the Coast Guard, tourism authorities, embassies, and local partners, followed by community engagements throughout the itinerary.

Greenland
A targeted program highlighted the safety and health capacities of expedition vessels to preparedness agencies and authorities, supporting AECO’s ongoing collaboration on SAR and emergency response.

Svalbard
A combined program focusing on expedition cruising and joint Arctic destination development. Participants from across Greenland, Iceland, Nunavut, and Svalbard strengthened cross‑regional dialogue and advanced collaboration through initiatives such as the Joint Arctic Destination Arena (JADA).

What Operators and Stakeholders Say

Operators consistently report that hosting a Stakeholder Cruise provides deep, lasting value—offering new insights, closer community connections, and a stronger understanding of local perspectives.

Stakeholders highlight the experience as:

• “Educational and eye‑opening”
• “A platform for real dialogue”
• “A new understanding of the industry’s professionalism and contributions”
• “A foundation for better cooperation going forward”

These testimonials underscore the program’s importance in building a shared vision for the future of Arctic expedition cruising.

Member Participation: An Investment in the Future

Stakeholder Cruises depend on the involvement of AECO’s members. Contributing cabins, hosting visits, or supporting tailored experiences is an investment in:

• Stronger community relationships
• Better mutual understanding
• Shared problem‑solving
• Knowledge‑based dialogue on regulations and management
• Long‑term sustainability of expedition cruising in the Arctic

AECO encourages all members to take part. The value, for both hosts and participants, continues to exceed expectations.

2025 Season in Short:

240+ stakeholders engaged	7 operators involved	25+ destinations participated	4 regional tailored programs
Dozens of on‑board visits enabling dialogue, cultural exchange, and knowledge‑sharing.	Positive feedback with many describing the experience as an “eye‑opener” or “game‑changer.”	Growing demand from authorities, communities, and preparedness actors to participate in future seasons.

The reports contain a wide range of valuable knowledge, insights, and practical recommendations. We encourage our members to explore this information thoroughly. The Secretariat utilize on these findings for our work with community engagement and government relations, and to enhance the stakeholder cruises scheduled for 2026.

The invitations to participate in the 2026 initiative will be out soon. Please keep an eye out for further updates and log in below to read all our latest reports.