Northwest Passage

We love the Arctic, but we know nature has its own plans sometimes and we have to adapt. Occasionally, we’ll have to find alternative routes that don’t feature on the daily itinerary, or we'll even have to turn back. If we’re forced to do so, we’ll simply head off on a different – alternative – adventure. That’s why it’s called an attempt, and it’s this unpredictability which makes it an expedition, not just a cruise.

Polar bears hunting on the ice, an Arctic fox venturing across the tundra, beluga whales breaking the surface of the waters; these are just some of the magnificent animals you might see on the voyage. Our wildlife experts will help you seek out the best sightings, and you can learn more from our extensive onboard programme of lectures and our Science Center.

Cruising through the passage, we’ll see an ever-changing maze of water channels between vast pristine panoramas. From breathtaking vistas of ice-capped mountains rising above the tundra, to seascapes of blue water afloat with delicately hued icebergs, you’ll see it all from the comfortable vantage point of the ship.

A marine route through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago had long been suspected by mariners and attempts to chart it began in earnest in the 16th century. At the time, sailors believed seawater couldn’t freeze and thought a route might exist close to the North Pole. This conviction persisted for several centuries and led to numerous Arctic expeditions, many of which ended in disaster.

Probably the most infamous attempt at the Northwest Passage was led by the intrepid British sea captain Sir John Franklin. His two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, with a combined crew of 129, set out in 1845 to chart the passage. The ill-fated mission ended in disaster when they became icebound for over a year. None of the crew ever returned, thought to have perished to hypothermia, starvation, and disease.

It took five centuries for navigators to finally chart a safe route through the Northwest Passage. Norwegian Roald Amundsen sailed the route in 1906, triumphantly doing so in his remodelled fishing boat Gjoa, with a crew of just six men. A key to the success of his three-year odyssey was to learn survival techniques from the local Inuit people, skills which would later prove invaluable in his quest to reach the South Pole.

The polar bears are extremely capable hunters, and experts at catching seals and sometimes whales. They are very patient and highly intelligent. They are also excellent swimmers and can swim in open oceans for hundreds of kilometres.

Polar bears are found throughout the Northwest Passage region and the best time to see them is usually in the fall, when they gather on the shorelines waiting for sea ice to form. It is the world’s largest carnivore species found on land with males weighing up to 700kgs (1,500 lbs) and over 3m (10 feet) in length.

There are few animals as unique and mysterious as narwhals. These whales have “unicorn” tusks that measure up to 3m (10 feet) in length, and it is still not fully known what they are for. In winter, they feed mostly on squid and flatfish at depths of up to 1,500 metres (5,000 feet) under dense pack ice. In summer, they move closer to shore, which is better for viewing them. They usually travel in groups from four to 20 animals.

These curious and playful creatures are sometimes called “Sea Canaries” due to their high-pitched squeaks, squeals, clucks and whistles. It is white, and the only marine mammal of this colour. Beluga draw many larger predators, and in places where you see them, you will most likely also find polar bears and orcas that are drawn to their pods.

These are historic animals of the far north, descended from the Pleistocene Era, and uniquely suited to thrive grazing across the tundra regions of the high Arctic. Their ancestors migrated to the region about 150,000 years ago, alongside the now-extinct mammoth. These large shaggy animals have distinctive curved horns and exude a quiet strength and determination. 

People have depended on caribou for food, clothing, and shelter since the Stone Age. As summer approaches, caribou herds head north in one of the world's great large-animal migrations. They may travel more than 950 km (600 miles) along well-trod annual routes. At the end of their journey, they spend the summer feeding on the abundant grasses and plants of the tundra.

These enormous marine mammals are famous for their lumbering and sometimes irritable nature, and they are distinct because of their enormous tusks. Walrus spend their time on the sea ice, where they can hunt for their favourite food, bivalve molluscs. In the ocean they are graceful and powerful swimmers, but on the ice or on land they can appear quite clumsy and disorganized.

Seals is an important symbol of cultural heritage of the people living in the Northwest Passage region. The territory boasts a population of over 2 million ringed seals, and they are a deeply important part of Inuit life – especially the traditional diet and clothing.

Seals have been a primary source of food and sealskin was a critical part of clothing and boots as well as the primary source of income for many families.

This Arctic whale is a massive, dark-coloured baleen whale that can grow to 20 metres (65 feet) in length and weigh up to 136 tonnes — second only to the blue whale in body mass. It is also one of the longest-living mammals in the world (150-200 years).

The kayak or ‘man’s boat’ originated in the Arctic region. Channel the Inuit kayakers of centuries past as you glide silently through still Arctic waters, with icebergs and glaciers towering in the distance.

The kayak or ‘man’s boat’ originated in the Arctic region. Channel the Inuit kayakers of centuries past as you glide silently through still Arctic waters, with icebergs and glaciers towering in the distance.

Some 60% of the world’s polar bears live in the Canadian Arctic – increasing your chances of spotting this impressive apex predator. Keep an eye out for the majestic minke, bowhead and beluga whales. At Pond Inlet, try to spot narwhal, which many believe inspired the legend of the mythological unicorn.

Add caribou and Arctic foxes to your list of wildlife to look out for. Avid birdwatchers might spot the kittiwakes and auklets of the Bering Strait or the gulls and guillemots of Prince Christian Sound. We are also always on the lookout for the elusive Ivory Gull and other species unique to the Arctic.

Our experienced guides will take the lead on optional hikes to areas of natural beauty. In Greenland, try the long hike through Paradise Valley and around Mt. Lille Malene. Or for the very fit climber, Isimiut’s Palaasip Qaqqa mountain path is well worth the scenery at the top. At Red Bay in Labrador, Canada, a hike up Tracey Hill will reward you with a fantastic view.

As wind, waves and sea ice allow, our Expedition Team experts will escort you safely ashore for a variety of highlights: Visit Beechey Island where you can pay your respects to the fallen maritime explorers of 1845’s ill-fated Franklin Expedition; explore Ulukhaktok, a hamlet rich in arts and crafts; or stop at Gjoa Haven, 'the finest little harbour in the world.'

With each exciting new discovery come questions — many of which will be answered at our informative onboard lectures. Topics range from tectonic activity, glaciology and local history, to culture, wildlife and photography. The knowledgeable Expedition Team aims to enhance your appreciation for your surroundings and to inform you of your upcoming landings.

The ship’s Science Center is a hub for information and education. You’ll have access to scientific equipment such as advanced geological microscopes, as well as an extensive library. Learn about the wildlife and ecosystems of the Arctic or be a part of live scientific research with the Citizen Science programme.