Cruises are the primary form of tourism in the Polar Regions and cruise ship tourism in both the Arctic and Antarctic is expanding rapidly. The industry has moved beyond its infancy, and is now entering a maturing phase with increased numbers and types of vessels, more demanding routes, and more regular and predictable patterns of activity. The increase in cruise activities, and the associated risks of accidents, as well as the potential and actual impacts of the large numbers of tourists in the polar regions bring with it management challenges for sustainable use of these regions.

This book discusses critically the issues around environmental and social sustainability of the cruise industry in Polar Regions. Authors from Canada, USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand are experts in their respective fields and take an innovative, critical and at times controversial approach to the subject.

'The book is an outstanding addition to the polar tourism literature. Posing some hard questions in relation to environmental and social sustainability, it provides clear answers and charts the way forward for developing tourism in these regions. This is essential reading for any serious researcher, academic or practitioner.'- Ross K. Dowling, Foundation Professor of Tourism, Edith Cowan University, Australia 'This is a very useful book for students and scholars of polar tourism, and will supplement and bring up to date what they might already have in their libraries.'- The Polar Times, American Polar Society 'Cruise Tourism in Polar Regions provides excellent and accessible information on Arctic and Antarctic tourism. It has brought together an impressive list of contributors and represents important and valuable work in the polar tourism sector.'- Lorne Kriwoken, The Polar Journal "The information that is provided on developments in the polar cruising industry is up to date and comprehensive. This is a strong point of this book: I am not aware of any other book that contains so much information on polar cruise tourism."- Kees Bastmeijer, Tilburg Law School, Tilburg University