Cosmopolitan Vancouver

Enjoy British Columbia’s largest city

Our expedition cruise through the Northwest Passage starts in the beautiful city of Vancouver at the foot of the Rockies. Visit Gastown, the city's oldest neighbourhood, and climb Vancouver Lookout for views overlooking neon-lit Granville Street, West End beaches and the towering cedars of Stanley Park. 

Vancouver has a flavour all its own – and so does its global cuisine. Dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy as you soak up the city's buzzing atmosphere.

While you're here, you might want to join our Post-Programme to the beautiful mountain resort of Whistler. What better way to end your adventure.

No place like Nome

Fascinating history of gold prospectors and explorers

You'll start the day flying from Vancouver to Nome in Alaska. Nome was the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions, including an aircraft attempt to reach the North Pole in 1926. A fitting place to board our expedition ship – MS Roald Amundsen – and embark on our own epic adventure.

Prospectors first came to Nome in 1898, and people still hunt for gold here today. Wyatt Earp even opened a saloon here. You'll see evidence of the gold rush all around, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the century steam engines and old railroad tracks, lending the town a unique atmosphere.

Discoveries at sea

Science and wildlife watching at sea

As our expedition cruise sails from Nome, prepare for your adventures ahead with lectures from our Expedition Team on tectonic activity, glaciology, wildlife protection, and meeting local communities.

As we sail through the Bering Strait, look out for over 30 species of sea birds, including Black-legged Kittiwakes, auklets and murrelets. We'll cross the international date line and Chukchi Sea, before reaching the Beaufort Sea and Point Barrow, the northernmost point of the USA. You may spot bowhead and grey whales here.

From the Amundsen Gulf, we hope to reach Smoking Hills.

The Northwest Passage

Crossing a historical sea corridor through Canada's Arctic archipelago

Like pioneering explorers who've come before you, we won't have an exact itinerary as we attempt to sail our state-of-the-art, ice class ship from the Atlantic to the Pacific via the famed sea route, the Northwest Passage. Stops might include Smoking Hills, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Fort Ross, Dundas Harbour and Pond Inlet.

As we explore, we'll land at sites linked to early exploration history, visit Inuit communities, and look out for Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, whales, narwhals, seals and seabirds. 

You'll go expedition boat cruising between ice floes, and go ashore to experience the pristine wilderness first hand. Your Expedition Team will adapt activities to ice and weather conditions, giving you the best experience possible.

Smoking Hills is where lignite – eroded shale mixed with pyrite – spontaneously ignites when exposed to air, creating a photogenic phenomenon of smoke billowing from the cliffs.

From here, we'll sail through the Amundsen Gulf to Ulukhaktok, where you can pick up some prints, tapestries, and other crafts made by local artists. We'll then continue onto wildlife-rich Cambridge Bay where you might see Arctic char, muskoxen, and caribou.

Then onwards to Gjoa Haven, where Roald Amundsen learned polar survival tips from the Netsilik Inuit. If we are able, we'll take a walking tour to learn more. We'll continue east to Fort Ross, a former Hudson Bay Trading post.

We may stop at Beechey Island and pay our respects at the graves of three Franklin expedition team members. On Devon Island - the largest uninhabited island on Earth – we hope to visit Dundas Harbour and learn about its Thule heritage.

On the final stretch, we’ll try to reach Pond Inlet and the Inuit community of Mittimatalik on Baffin Island, rounding off what we hope will be an incredible 10 days of exhilarating exploration.

Crossing Baffin Bay

Relax at sea as we sail towards Greenland

Leaving Canada behind, your Northwest Passage cruise will cross Baffin Bay and Davis Strait on its way to Greenland.

Join your Expedition Team for more insightful lectures on the renowned route we're sailing. Topics may include historic explorers and expeditions, Greenlandic culture, local wildlife and geology.

Take time to enjoy all the facilties on board too. Lie back in the infinity pool, the hot tub or the sauna, or get your heart pumping in the indoor gym or on the running track. Then in the evening, head for the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar to share stories of your travels.

UNESCO-listed Ilulissat

The town where you can see and hear the ice flow

Our expedition cruise reaches Disko Bay – a haven for walruses, whales and seals. You’re in for a unique experience. Nestled in magnificent Ilulissat Icefjorden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Ilulissat. Against a backdrop of colourful houses is an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs. Marvel at these giants as they float past the town, taking on different hues of white, grey and blue. You won’t just see them, you’ll hear them too. As they bump into one another, the cracks, creaks and rumbles echo all around. Even amateur photographers will return to ship with the most enviable images.

Spectacular Sisimiut

Enjoy a warm welcome in Arctic Greenland

We reach Sisimiut, Greenland’s second city. It sits in a spectacular location just 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This area has history spanning more than 4,500 years.

Old traditions are alive and well here. You can learn more about the ancient Saqqaq artefacts in the local museum and Taseralik Cultural Centre. Pick up a special souvenir – a qiviut scarf, hat or mittens – made from a local fabric said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool.

One of the best things you'll experience on your expedition cruise in Greenland with us is meeting the local communities – real interactions that make for fantastic memories.

Crossing the Labrador Sea

Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science

Leaving Greenland behind, our expedition cruise continues to Canada across the Labrador Sea. We'll enter the Davis Strait, named after English explorer John Davis, who led expeditions here in the 16th century. The Expedition Team will continue their onboard lectures on topics from the wildlife of Northern Labrador to Inuit culture and the history of Arctic exploration.

The strait is known for its abundance of seals, whales and cod. You can take part in one of our Citizen Science programmes, helping photograph and track whales or contributing to the GLOBE Observer project.

The history of Red Bay

Explore this extraordinary former whaling settlement

Look out for humpback or minke whales as we approach Red Bay – the very creatures that drew whalers to this harbour in the 17th century.

The ice-cold waters around Red Bay hide a number of wrecked chalupas – or small whaling boats – and galleons, making it one of the world's most important underwater archaeological sites. 

Visit the local museum to see a 26 ft. chalupa and look for whale bones in the protected National Historic Site. Search for pirate captain Kidd's buried treasure around Tracey Hill; you may not find gold doubloons, but you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.

Classic Corner Brook

Step back in time in this charming Newfoundland city

We'll follow in Captain James Cook's footsteps as we sail into the Bay of Islands towards the traditional city of Corner Brook. Discover the area's fascinating history and collection of artefacts at Corner Brook Museum.

Join an optional excursion for great views from Crow Hill, or take a guided hike along the Corner Brook Stream trail. You can also opt for the thrill of zip-lining high over the scenic Humber Valley, admiring views of Marble Mountain and Steady Brook Falls.

Before we depart, we'll enjoy a performance from a local folk and traditional trio as today's included activity.

Final day at sea

Reflecting on your epic expedition

As your Northwest Passage expedition cruise draws to a close, take time to unwind onboard your comfortable ship and imagine the challenges the great explorers before you would have faced.

Soak your limbs in the hot tub, work out in the gym, make use of the Science Center, take a swim or just relax in the Explorer Lounge.

Join the Expedition Team to recap the highlights of this incredible once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Spend time in the Science Center wrapping up your Citizen Science observations or pick out your favourite images with our onboard photographer.

Arriving in Halifax

Disembark in the cosmopolitan capital of Nova Scotia

Your expedition cruise through the Northwest Passage ends in Halifax. This historic port is a fitting end to such a wonderful adventure. As you find your land legs, why not discover its red-brick heritage buildings, landmark Citadel Hill National Historic Site and epic 2.5 mile seafront boardwalk.

Take a leisurely stroll on Halifax Common – Canada’s oldest park, dating back to 1763 – and visit one of the city's many art galleries or museums, including the Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Want to stay longer? Book our Post-Programme to visit the historic community of Peggy's Cove and Halifax Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the burial place of 121 passengers of the Titanic.