Nuuk (Godthaab)

Welcome to the capital of Greenland Today begins with a flight from Reykjavík to Nuuk, Greenland’s colourful capital. It has a population of 18,000, and features a striking mix of old and new buildings.  If time allows, we’ll explore this fascinating city, comparing the old buildings – suc... Welcome to the capital of Greenland Today begins with a flight from Reykjavík to Nuuk, Greenland’s colourful capital. It has a population of 18,000, and features a striking mix of old and new buildings.  If time allows, we’ll explore this fascinating city, comparing the old buildings – such as Hans Egede House and Nuuk Cathedral – with the ultra-modern architecture of the Parliament of Greenland building. Your ship awaits you in Nuuk harbour. After collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, it's time to check out your cabin, meet the Expedition Team and explore the ship as we set sail on this epic voyage through the Northwest Passage.  Read More

Evighedsfjorden

Discover the magical beauty of West Greenland The first chapter of our journey encompasses the majestic coast of West Greenland.   Over the next three days you’ll experience some of the most iconic sites in all of Greenland. Our objectives include: Evighedsfjord As we head north, we plan t... Discover the magical beauty of West Greenland The first chapter of our journey encompasses the majestic coast of West Greenland.   Over the next three days you’ll experience some of the most iconic sites in all of Greenland. Our objectives include: Evighedsfjord As we head north, we plan to offer an exploration day in the magical and pristine Evighedsfjord near Maniitsoq. We'll determine on the day what adventures we can take part in.  The 'Fjord of Eternity' is fed by an ice cap that calves huge icebergs into its 2,300 ft deep waters. It's surrounded by mist-cloaked mountains with beautiful white ridges, punctuated by crystal blue ice caves.   Sisimiut Sisimiut is Greenland’s second city, situated in a spectacular location just above the Arctic Circle. This area has history spanning more than 4,500 years, and old traditions are alive and well.   Learn more about ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the local museum or stretch your legs on a hike.  If you're looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of the musk ox that’s said to be 10 times warmer than sheep’s wool.   Ilulissat Nestled at the edge of the magnificent Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Ilulissat. Here you’ll find an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs set against a backdrop of colourful houses. In town you can visit a multitude of shops selling local crafts, and on the outskirts walking trails take you along the epic icefjord. Read More

Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)

Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of ice in the winter. Yet it is also the southernmost town where there is enough snow and ice to drive a dogsled in winter and spring. In Sisimiut, travelling by sled has bee... Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of ice in the winter. Yet it is also the southernmost town where there is enough snow and ice to drive a dogsled in winter and spring. In Sisimiut, travelling by sled has been the primary means of winter transportation for centuries. In fact, the area has been inhabited for approximately 4,500 years. Modern Sisimiut is the largest business centre in the north of Greenland, and is one of the fastest growing Greenlandic cities. Commercial fishing is the lead economy in the town‘s thriving industrial base. Read More

Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)

Known as the birthplace of icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord produces nearly 20 million tons of ice each day. In fact, the word Ilulissat means “icebergs” in the Kalaallisut language. The town of Ilulissat is known for its long periods of calm and settled weather, but the climate tends to b... Known as the birthplace of icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord produces nearly 20 million tons of ice each day. In fact, the word Ilulissat means “icebergs” in the Kalaallisut language. The town of Ilulissat is known for its long periods of calm and settled weather, but the climate tends to be cold due to its proximity to the fjord. Approximately 4,500 people live in Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland after Nuuk and Sisimiut. Some people here estimate that there are nearly as many sled dogs as human beings living in the town that also boasts a local history museum located in the former home of Greenlandic folk hero and famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen. Read More

Baffin Bay, Nunavut

Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science Leaving Greenland behind, we spend two days at sea crossing Baffin Bay towards Nunavut.  Gain authentic insight into Inuit culture and heritage with our onboard Cultural Ambassadors. Their stories reveal the Inuit people’s profound con... Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science Leaving Greenland behind, we spend two days at sea crossing Baffin Bay towards Nunavut.  Gain authentic insight into Inuit culture and heritage with our onboard Cultural Ambassadors. Their stories reveal the Inuit people’s profound connection to the land, shaped by generations of tradition and resilience. Meanwhile, your Expedition Team leads lectures on topics such as Arctic wildlife and the history of exploration in the region. You can also take part in Citizen Science, such as the GLOBE Program, where you’ll observe clouds to help scientists study our climate.  Read More

Baffin Bay, Nunavut

Pond Inlet, Nunavut

Entering into the Northwest Passage Following our crossing of Baffin Bay, we find ourselves in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. The main waterway of this area is Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga), the eastern gates to the Northwest Passage. This chapter of our exploration is likely to be ac... Entering into the Northwest Passage Following our crossing of Baffin Bay, we find ourselves in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. The main waterway of this area is Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga), the eastern gates to the Northwest Passage. This chapter of our exploration is likely to be action-packed, with excursions planned on each of the four days we hope to spend in and around this area. Remember, all our excursion plans are weather and ice dependent but, conditions permitting, our days will be filled with excitement and discovery. Excursion stops and local highlights we hope to share with you include: Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) Dundas Harbour Croker Bay Beechey Island (Iluvilik) Prince Leopold Island (Appait) Fort Ross  Read More

Dundas Harbour, Devon Island, Nunavut

Dundas Harbour is located in the southeast of Devon Island, Canada’s 6th largest island. It is a forlorn but starkly beautiful spot. The island was first sighted by Europeans in 1616 by the English explorers Robert Bylot and William Baffin. But it did not appear on maps until after explore... Dundas Harbour is located in the southeast of Devon Island, Canada’s 6th largest island. It is a forlorn but starkly beautiful spot. The island was first sighted by Europeans in 1616 by the English explorers Robert Bylot and William Baffin. But it did not appear on maps until after explorer William Edward Parry’s exploration in the 1820’s. Parry named it after Devon, England. In the local Inuktitut language, the place is called Talluruti, which translates as “a woman’s chin with tattoos on it.” This refers to the deep crevasses and streaks on Devon Island, which from a distance resemble traditional facial tattoos. On land there are remains of a Thule settlement dating back to 1000 A.D., including tent rings, middens and a gravesite. There are also much more recent remains a Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost. The first post was established in 1924 to monitor and control illegal activities, such as foreign whaling, in the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage. But conditions were so isolated and severe that the post was abandoned in 1933. It was reopened in 1945, but again closed, this time permanently, in 1951. Today, Devon Island is the largest uninhabited island in the world. Read More

Croker Bay, Nunavut

Beechey Island, Nunavut

Beechey Island is a small island off the southwest coast of Devon Island, separated by a narrow waterway called the Barrow Strait. Captain William Edward Parry was the first European to visit the island in 1819. His lieutenant, Frederick William Beechey, named the island after his father,... Beechey Island is a small island off the southwest coast of Devon Island, separated by a narrow waterway called the Barrow Strait. Captain William Edward Parry was the first European to visit the island in 1819. His lieutenant, Frederick William Beechey, named the island after his father, the artist William Beechey (1753–1839). Beechey Island played a significant role in the history of Arctic Exploration. During the winter of 1845-46, Sir John Franklin and his men camped on the island as part of their ill-fated quest to find the Northwest Passage. Mummified remains of three of Franklin’s crew were discovered, giving a better understanding of what happened before the disappearance of the expedition. In 1850 Edward Belcher used the island as a base while surveying the area. Later, in 1903, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen stopped at the island at the beginning of his successful voyage in search for the Northwest Passage. Subsequently, Beechey Island has been declared a "Territorial Historic Site" since 1975 by the Northwest Territories government Read More

Prince Leopold Island, Nunavut

Fort Ross, Nunavut

Coningham Bay, Nunavut

Navigate the dividing line between East and West The ‘Rubicon’ of the Canadian Arctic, dividing East from West, is the infamous Bellot Strait. This narrow body of water separates the northernmost part of mainland North America from Somerset Island, one of the largest islands in the Canadia... Navigate the dividing line between East and West The ‘Rubicon’ of the Canadian Arctic, dividing East from West, is the infamous Bellot Strait. This narrow body of water separates the northernmost part of mainland North America from Somerset Island, one of the largest islands in the Canadian Arctic archipelago.  Bellot Strait is approximately 15 nautical miles long and just over half a mile wide at its narrowest point. Our ability to navigate this passage will be determined by ice and weather conditions.   Read More

Exploring the Northwest Passage

Spendeight days exploring the Western section of the fabled Northewest Passage Over the next eight days in this section of our voyage we’ll transit through three distinct regions - Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon – and two traditional Inuit Territories – Inuvialuit and Nunavut. D... Spendeight days exploring the Western section of the fabled Northewest Passage Over the next eight days in this section of our voyage we’ll transit through three distinct regions - Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon – and two traditional Inuit Territories – Inuvialuit and Nunavut. During our time here, we anticipate up to five days of shore excursions and four transit days. Excursion stops and local highlights we hope to be able to visit include: Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuk) Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq) Coronation Gulf Ulukhaktok Smoking Hills Herschel Island  Read More

Gjoa Haven, Nunavut

Exploring the Northwest Passage

Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Exploring the Northwest Passage

Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories

Exploring the Northwest Passage

Herschel Island, Yukon

Cruising Beaufort Sea

Science and wildlife watching at sea As we navigate the Beaufort Sea and Bering Strait, these days at sea provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on your journey and make the most of your ship’s facilities. Immerse yourself in the onboard Science and Education programme and contribute t... Science and wildlife watching at sea As we navigate the Beaufort Sea and Bering Strait, these days at sea provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on your journey and make the most of your ship’s facilities. Immerse yourself in the onboard Science and Education programme and contribute to real-world research through Citizen Science. Or simply take time to relax – enjoy a drink with fellow explorers, watch the world drift by from the hot tub, or soothe your body and mind in the sauna.Keep an eye out for bowhead and grey whales as we cross the Beaufort Sea to Point Barrow, the northernmost point of the United States. If sea ice is present, we may also see congregations of pacific walrus on the ice floes.    In the Beaufort Sea, seasonal sea ice can fluctuate. If the sea ice levels are greater than the seasonal average, it will likely affect the speed we can sail through. Expecting the unexpected is all part of the expedition experience.   The highlights of this transit include:  The Beaufort Sea The Bering Strait The International Date Line Wildlife watching  Read More

Cruising Beaufort Sea

Cruising Beaufort Sea

Cruising Beaufort Sea

Nome, Alaska

Learn about Alaska’s ‘golden’ past Prospectors first came to Nome in 1898, and people still hunt for gold here today. You'll see evidence of the Gold Rush era all around, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the century steam engines and old railroad tracks, lending the town a unique and i... Learn about Alaska’s ‘golden’ past Prospectors first came to Nome in 1898, and people still hunt for gold here today. You'll see evidence of the Gold Rush era all around, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the century steam engines and old railroad tracks, lending the town a unique and intriguing atmosphere. Wyatt Earp, the famous sheriff, opened a saloon here. Nome was also the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions.  From here you’ll take a flight to Seattle for an overnight stay.  Read More

Seattle, Washington

End your adventure in the Emerald City Waking up in your hotel in Seattle marks the end of your adventure through the Arctic labyrinth. After breakfast, and if you have time before your onward journey, why not explore the Emerald City and see what it has to offer.  Why not take a stroll th... End your adventure in the Emerald City Waking up in your hotel in Seattle marks the end of your adventure through the Arctic labyrinth. After breakfast, and if you have time before your onward journey, why not explore the Emerald City and see what it has to offer.  Why not take a stroll through the nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park for incredible views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains, admiring the work of renowned artists as you go. For a feast of the senses, visit the famous Pike Place Market. Operating for over a century, this lively farmer’s market boasts everything from buskers and bars to salmon-throwing fishmongers.  Read More