When most people think of cruises, they picture turquoise waters and warm climates, but one traveler proved why Arctic cruises can be just as memorable. After all, you would never casually see one of the world’s top predators while lounging in the tropical sun!
Travel enthusiast @matt_martin98 got people talking for more than one reason after posting a video on September 9 from the coast of Greenland. A curious polar bear had followed the ship for several hours, offering passengers like Matt a breathtaking yet heartbreaking glimpse into her daily life. Take a look for yourself.
Wow! I’m surprised that this gorgeous polar bear is so comfortable with the ship and all its passengers; it seems like Matt is too. I can only imagine how awe-inspiring it would be to see one of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat!
Related: Video of Resilient 3-Footed Polar Bear Has People Inspired
Naturally, commenters are just as amazed by the stunning wildlife encounter. Kyra wrote that she “would burst into tears, because this is so incredible!” I would be capturing every second of the once-in-a-lifetime moment just like Matt, because no amount of time with a polar bear would be enough.
As incredible as it is to be this close to one of nature’s most formidable creatures, it’s also harrowing to see firsthand what’s happening to their environment. This may be a cute and breathtaking moment, but it’s also left viewers incredibly distraught.
Protecting Polar Bears
“Not me crying because seeing him struggle with the not frozen ice,” another commenter wrote. “It must be so exhausting for them these days, and it’s all our fault.”
This is both heartbreaking and true. Global warming has contributed to a drastic loss of sea ice, which means that polar bears have fewer and fewer places to go. You can even see it in this short video, so just imagine how many bears are struggling every day.
Videos like this are wake-up calls to be more mindful of humanity’s effects on climate change. Just because our immediate surroundings aren’t affected doesn’t mean that the world as a whole isn’t impacted.
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Sep 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.