Halifax harbour by night.
9-day expedition cruise from Halifax to Boston, exploring the history, local communities and deliciously fresh seafood of North America's stunning Atlantic coast.
Discover the natural wonders of Acadia National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg, and the beaches of Cape Cod National Seashore.
Cruise through the beautiful wilds of Nova Scotia, stopping in some of New England's most charming towns, and on to lively Boston.
Cruise along the coast from Halifax in Nova Scotia, following the Lighthouse Route to Peggy’s Cove, the sandbars of Sable Island, and the National Park Reserve. From here, you’ll sail on to visit the UNESCO-listed former colonial settlement of Lunenburg.
Dine on succulent Maine lobster and get a taste of 'DownEast' culture as you sail into Eastport, Rockland and Bar Harbor – the gateway to the breathtaking Acadia National Park. Walk the sand dunes of scenic Cape Cod in Provincetown and the historic city streets of Boston.
Hotel
Onboard activities
Landing activities
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
Your expedition cruise to Boston begins with an overnight stay in historical Halifax. With its red-brick heritage buildings, landmark Citadel Hill National Historic Site and epic 2.5-mile seafront boardwalk, it's a wonderful starting point for any adventure.
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.
There's so much to see and do, why not arrive early and join our optional Pre-Programme to explore more.
This morning, your included excursion will take you along the winding coastal highway known as the Lighthouse Route. At journey's end you'll discover the unspoilt tiny fishing village of Peggy's Cove.
Remember to bring your camera as here you'll find one of the world's most photographed lighthouses – a beauty you'll want to capture for yourself.
Then it's time to head back to Halifax to board your comfortable hydrid-powered expedition ship, Ms Roald Amundsen. Settle in, meet your friendly Expedition Team, and enjoy your first delicious meal at sea as we head for Sable Island.
Your expedition cruise from Halifax makes its first stop at the crescent-shaped Sable Island – named after the French word for sand and now a National Park Reserve.
The island is best known for its magnificent protected horses, descended from horses originally released back in the 18th century. Over 550 of them roam free here.
The waters close to the island are historically challenging, but we'll try our best to take you ashore or at least close enough to see the horses from the ship’s deck – as well as harbour and grey seals.
The first thing you'll spot as you sail into Lunenburg will be the colourful buildings along the waterfront. This UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site has barely changed since the 1700s, when it was a British colonial settlement.
Take a walk around the Old Town and soak up the maritime atmosphere. Or if you'd rather explore on two wheels, you can rent a bike and enjoy one of the town's scenic cycling trails.
You can also take a visit to nearby Oak Island, as featured on the TV show 'The Curse of Oak Island', which is popular with treasure hunters.
Today you'll cross from Canadian waters into the USA to visit Eastport City on Moose Island. The deepest natural harbour on the eastern seaboard, archaeologists believe the native Passamaquoddy lived here for at least 10,000 years before the first Europeans appeared in 1604.
Explore the shops, restaurants and cafés of the downtown district and you'll feel the echoes of history all around.
Local lobster boats may also offer you a trip to see Old Sow. The whirlpool, believed to be the biggest in the Western Hemisphere, is named after the squealing noise it's said to make as it spins.
Rockland is a quiet mix of bohemian cafés, bijoux art galleries and lobster fishing. Today's included excursion is to Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and a nature walk.
Camden Hills State Park is also nearby for scenic hikes around Mount Battle. And art lovers will want to visit the Center for Maine Contemporary Art and the Farnsworth Art Museum, featuring work from Andrew Wyeth. We'll drop anchor in Castine Harbor tonight for you to discover the unique aquatic ecosystem of bioluminescent phytoplankton. You may even be able to get up close to this natural phenomenon on a kayak.
A special day awaits you as we sail into Maine's Bar Harbor. Full of Downeast character, take time to explore its exquisite seafood restaurants.
The best is still to come though as Bar Harbor is the gateway to the stunning Acadia National Park. Gently sloping mountains and green forests are home to a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, and 300 bird species.
A hop-on, hop-off bus service is included to help you explore the wonders all around, such as Thunder Hole and the Wild Gardens. Optional excursions are also available to hike local trails or go kayaking.
Follow in the footsteps of Jackson Pollock as we reach Provincetown, Massachusetts. The light, space and progressive atmosphere of this seaside town has been atttacting artists since the 1940s.
Enjoy a unique perspective on 'P-town' in the included trolley tour, and take time to enjoy its many galleries and restaurants.
Take a short walk to the Cape Code National Seashore to explore its protected dunes – optional dune buggy excursions are also available. And the offshore Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is the place for avid whale watchers to head, attracting 17 species of cetacean.
Your expedition cruise from Halifax reaches its final stop: historic Boston. Here, you can visit the site of the famous Tea Party and walk the Freedom Trail to discover the city's revolutionary role in shaping modern-day America.
Try the city's culinary classics too - steaming bowls of seafood chowder and fried clams. And if you're looking for a friendly bar, then you'll want to head to Cheers, the bar that inspired the eponymous TV show.
Boston is brimming with history and culture. Why not explore more of the city and its surroundings with our optional Post-Programmes.
Take a closer look at our ships typically used on this expedition
It's a mixture of adventure activities for individuals of all ages
Onboard Science Programme
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our expedition ships serve as the perfect platform for scientific research; with access to remote regions of the world and onboard experts, we can provide invaluable data to the scientific community - with help from our guests!
We invite our guests to participate in science activities, developing a greater understanding of the region in which they travel, becoming true ambassadors, and returning home to champion the protection of our planet's most fragile ecosystems.
Delivery of our own lecture programme.
Interacting with guests in our Science Centers to reinforce the lecture programme with practical hands-on guest experiences.
Citizen science programme involving guests in programmes for third-party organisations.
Carrying scientific equipment for sample collection on behalf of research institutes.
Hosting scientific personnel on board to conduct collaborative science programmes.
Seabird Distribution with the Antarctic Site Inventory — Surveys throughout the Antarctic Peninsula help scientists understand how seabirds are using different habitats and provide valuable information about their life cycles.
Cloud Observations with the Globe Program — By observing and recording cloud cover timed to NASA satellite fly-overs, guests can help scientists understand how surface and air temperature are affected by cloud cover, and how clouds will respond to a changing climate.
Happywhale — We assist in tracking individual whales throughout our world’s oceans by harnessing the power of whale watching enthusiasts - our guests - expanding our scientific knowledge of their behaviour and distribution.
Sea Leopard Project — A non-profit study aimed at a better understanding of the behaviour, ecology, and population dynamics of leopard seals on the Antarctic Peninsula to promote their conservation and safe human-seal interactions.
Fjord Phyto — Study phytoplankton to better understand how they respond to water temperature changes in the polar regions, providing a key to help mitigate future environmental impacts.
Join the Expedition Team here for a range of lectures, photography workshops, and Citizen Science Projects. The area also features scientific and educational equipment, such as microscopes and interactive maps.
In-depth talks on history, climate change, sustainability, wildlife, Earth science, culture, and other topics specific to the destination you are visiting are held here. Learning more about each subject is certain to enhance your expedition experience.
Our Science Programme has one goal: To increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
What the Science Programme is about
Learning from the experts on board
Facilities, equipment and activities
Citizen Science research projects- and how you can contribute
Speaker: Verena Meraldi
Young Explorers Programme
Welcome all young explorers
Young Explorer is a complimentary, year-round programme on selected Hurtigruten ships for curious and active youth aged 6-12 years of age.
The children will learn about other cultures, the importance of nature in our daily lives, and the impact humans have on our delicate and beautiful planet. The Young Explorers’ Programme makes it easier to meet other children on board, bond over common activities and form lasting friendships.
There will be daily onboard activities related to different Young Explorers’ topics. Through the Young Explorers’ Programme, children will get a deeper understanding of nature, climate and culture. Depending on seasons and destinations, they will also be introduced to topics like wildlife, local food, environmental protection and famous explorers. This will give the children a sense of what it is like to be a real explorer in beautiful, untouched surroundings.
All children aged 6 to 12 years are welcome to participate in the Young Explorers’ Programme. At the beginning of the voyage, you will receive more practical details of the programme. Parents/guardians do not participate in Young Explorers’ activities, but depending on the size and variation of the group some parents may be asked to join on an informal basis. The Young Explorer activities will only be offered in English.
It is free of charge to join the Young Explorer Programme. To reserve, please contact our booking office at [email protected] or call +441224980439.
Learn more about what you can experience when going with us
Practical information you need to know
North America
History, Seafood and Nature Reserves
