Voyage To The Northwest Passage

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the glistening icebergs that crack and calve spectacularly off glaciers into the meltwater
• Learn about the history of the Inuit, Dorset and Thule people from our experts on board
• Cruise the nutrient-rich waters of Lancaster Sound, home to harp, ringed and bearded seals, bowhead whales, beluga and narwhals.
• Gaze up at the vertiginous cliffs of Prince Leopold Island filled with nesting birdlife
• Follow in the wake of early explorers who set out to discover the Northwest Passage

ITINERARY

DAY 1
KANGERLUSSUAQ
At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.

DAY 2
SISIMIUT
Just north of the Arctic Circle and the northernmost city in Greenland, Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset and then Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport and we have a chance to see abandoned settlements but it also has a cool, modern side. Watch out for humpback whales and walrus between Sisimiut and the Thule district in the north.

DAY 3
ILULISSAT, DISKO BAY
Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world to Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn or Jacobshaven, is home to as many sled-dogs as people.

DAY 4
QEQERTARSUAQ
Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, the largest island in Greenland, on the west coast and part of Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Lyngmark Glacier rises above the town and the area’s lush hills, basalt columns and black sand beaches reflect its volcanic origin. The area is very fertile and home to diverse species not found elsewhere in Greenland. Keep an eye out for its hot springs as we move through floating icebergs and whales.

DAY 5
DAY AT SEA
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

DAY 6
POND INLET, NU
The scenic views of snow-capped mountains and picturesque fjords have given Pond Inlet - or Mittimatalik - in northern Baffin Island the name of Canada’s ‘jewel of the north.’ The area is a prime breeding ground for narwhals, and bowhead whales, ringed and harp seals, and walrus also warrant a vigilant eye. Stop by the Nattinnak Centre to discover more about the region and its wildlife. The Inuit community here are renowned for their craft skills from printmaking and stone carving. Nearby, Qulalukat’s thousand-year-old Inuit sod houses merit a visit.

DAY 7
DUNDAS HARBOUR, DEVON ISLAND, NU
Dundas Harbour on Lancaster Sound is the eastern entrance of the Northwest Passage on the southeast coast of the world’s largest uninhabited island, Devon Island. Despite the harsh terrain, signs of life remain with the relics of a 1000 A.D. Thule settlement and a 1920s outpost from where Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) controlled illegal whaling. Nearby, Croker Bay is one of the deeper inlets into Devon Island, on the northern shores of iceberg-laden Lancaster Sound. The Devon ice cap feeds the monumental South Croker Bay Glacier that calves into the bay. Zodiac excursions take us past floating bergs dotted with seals and birds to get up close to stunning glacial waterfalls, and if safe to do so, you can step onto the glacier.

DAY 7
CROKER BAY
Croker Bay is a beautiful Arctic waterway located in the colorful Qikiqtaaluk Region. It lies off the southern coast of Devon Island in the eastern high Arctic. Croker Bay is one of the deeper inlets into Devon Island and is an arm of Lancaster Sound and Barrow Strait.

DAY 8
RADSTOCK BAY, NU
This area is most closely associated with the exploration of Canada’s High Arctic and the Northwest Passage. Much of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago was mapped while searching for the missing crew of British explorer Sir John Franklin’s fateful 1845-46 Northwest Passage Expedition. Radstock Bay sits below the mighty Caswall Tower mountain and hides many secrets, such as evidence of sledge tracks, camps and food tins that may help to reveal what happened.

DAY 8
BEECHEY ISLAND, NU
Beechey Island Sites are five locations across desolate Beechey Island, now designated as important historic sites. These include the sites where Sir John Franklin and his crew wintered.

DAY 9
PORT LEOPOLD, NU
Port Leopold is a place of raw natural beauty and rugged landscapes that evoke a sense of awe and wonder. The pristine wilderness and untouched terrain create a feeling of remoteness and isolation, while the Arctic wildlife that calls this place home adds a touch of wildness and unpredictability. The area's history as a former Hudson's Bay Company trading post also lends a sense of nostalgia and intrigue.

DAY 9
ELWIN BAY, NU
Crossing the Lancaster Sound to Somerset Island, you pass the most important bird sanctuary in the Canadian Arctic, the steep cliffs around flat-topped Prince Leopold Island are home to more than 500,000 nesting pairs of thick-billed murres, black guillemots, northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. Beluga whales come to moult in the shallow gravel beds. Sailing south to Elwin Bay, a breathtaking fjord in Prince Regent Inlet, keep an eye out for polar bears hunting for ringed seals that haul out onto the sea ice. Nearby at Port Leopold on Somerset Island, English explorer James Clark Ross wintered while searching for the missing Franklin expedition in 1848.

DAY 10
FORT ROSS, NU
Fort Ross on Somerset Island is the abandoned last trading post of the Hudson’s Bay Company. The timber building that remains, built in 1937, formed part of the most northerly established fur trading post covering the Bellot Strait, before being abandoned due to severe ice-choked conditions at sea. One of the straits along the Northwest passage, the narrow 16-mile long Bellot Strait with steep cliffs, is windy with strong tidal currents. Connecting Brentford Bay to icy Peel Sound, the strait separates Somerset Island in the north from the Murchison Promontory on Boothia Peninsula to the south, where Point Zenith, the northernmost continental point of the Americas is positioned. It was also here on the 1829 Second Arctic expedition of Sir John Ross, that his nephew Sir James Clark Ross located the Magnetic North Pole.

DAY 10
CRUISING BELLOT STRAIT, NU
The Bellot Strait is a narrow strait separating Somerset Island on the north from the Boothia Peninsula on the south. It is approximately 2.3 km wide and 25 km long. The inlet is named after the French explorer Joseph-René Bellot who died nearby in 1853 during an expedition to find Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition.

DAY 11
CRUISE PEEL SOUND, NU
Choked up by ice in winter, Peel Sound is a 125-mile long channel separating Prince of Wales Island to the west and Somerset Island to the east. The icebound arctic waters prevented several 19th-century explorers from achieving their goals - Sir John Franklin in 1846, Francis Leopold McClintock in 1858 and Allen Young in 1875. Take time to learn more about these early adventurers as you relax and spot polar bears on the pack ice.

DAY 11
CONNINGHAM BAY, NU

DAY 12
DAY AT SEA
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

DAY 13
SAM FORD FJORD
Sam Ford Fjord, NU is a breathtaking natural wonder that will leave you in awe. The towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters create a serene atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on any visitor. Think about kayaking among icebergs, hiking on the tundra, and observing local wildlife like polar bears, arctic foxes, and beluga whales. Overall, Sam Ford Fjord offers an unforgettable adventure for those seeking an authentic Arctic experience.

DAY 14
QIKIQTARJUAQ
Qikiqtarjuaqis is a remote and beautiful Baffin Island community surrounded by towering mountains and stunning glaciers. The town's Inuit culture and traditions are still alive, making it a unique and immersive experience for visitors. The rugged landscape and pristine wilderness offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, from kayaking to wildlife watching. But what truly sets Qikiqtarjuaq apart is the warmth and hospitality of its people, who welcome visitors with open arms and share their rich history and traditions with pride.

DAY 15
DAY AT SEA
Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

DAY 16-17
KANGERLUSSUAQ
At the head of one of the longest fjords in western Greenland, Kangerlussuaq has a history as a World War II airbase. Visit the 60-metre tall face of the Russell Glacier on the edge of the Greenland ice cap to hear and see it crack and break off into the meltwater. Other popular activities include kayaking on the fjords and wildlife tours of the glacial areas that attract muskoxen, reindeer, arctic foxes and gyrfalcons.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes