Friday, April 19, 2024

Northwest Passage Cruise & Expedition

northwest passage cruise

We paddle between 5 to 15 kilometres (2 to 4 hours) per outing, often taking a snack and a flask of hot chocolate to enjoy on our excursion. Sailing through the Northwest Passage has only recently become available to travelers, and the opportunity may not last forever. The cruise lines listed below currently offer the incredible chance to explore passages once blocked with ice on a discovery cruise like no other!

Cambridge Bay to Portland

The labyrinthine channels of the legendary Northwest Passage have enchanted explorers and adventurers for centuries and have been home to the local Inuit and their ancestors for many more. Get a glimpse into the world that captivated early explorers such as Franklin, Amundsen and Larsen, by exploring a portion of the fabled Northwest Passage. Experience landscapes and communities of West Greenland before entering the archipelago of islands and channels that make up Canada’s High Arctic region. In Antarctica, we have many opportunities to encounter penguins, seals and whales, and occasionally we may even spot leopard seals or orcas.

Follow early polar explorers on a journey through Canada's Northwest Passage - National Geographic

Follow early polar explorers on a journey through Canada's Northwest Passage.

Posted: Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Northwest Passage Landing Sites

northwest passage cruise

However, it wasn’t until the period of 1903–1906 when the Norwegian, Roald Amundsen, proved it with the first successful transit. The majority of cruises start or finish in West Greenland, and range from 10 to 17 days to cover the vast distance. The speed of your ship will make a big difference to your experience, and how much you can see. As the demands on vessels are high, cruises are limited, so we recommend booking 12 to 18 months ahead. 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. Today you’ll take an early flight from Seattle to Nome, Alaska, where your state-of-the art expedition ship awaits to take you on a journey through the famed Northwest Passage and beyond.

Northwest Passage: Departure Ports

Since the 15th century, explorers journeyed in search of a corridor connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, voyaging around Greenland and through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. These early seafarers were turned back time and again by treacherous weather conditions and thick sea ice. Now you can traverse this fabled passage on an Arctic voyage, before retiring to your oceanview suite. Kayakers in wild temperate regions will have a unique wildlife experience, with possible encounters with seals and basking sharks.

A guide to Arctic travel

northwest passage cruise

A fully-stabilized vessel with ice class PC5, Category A, she will enable adventurous guests to go where few have or can. With 119 cabins, she is one of the smallest ships in the fleet and spends her time between the Arctic in the summer (May-August), before heading south to Antarctica for the winter (November-March). Her small size, allows her to bring you closer to nature - and with key expedition features such as smaller expedition boats and Science Center, she is perfect for creating an unforgettable expedition experience.

Setting Out from Scenic Seattle

Here you’ll find an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs set against a backdrop of colorful 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. Nome was also the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions. Discover UNESCO-listed sites, spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and Inuit settlements, all while guided by your expert Expedition Team.

According to the International Hydrographic Organisation, the Northwest Passage is located between latitudes 60 and 74°N, between Cape Chidley in Ellesmere Island, passing Baffin Island, Coburg Island or Banks Island. The length of the shortest maritime route in the Passage, from east to west, is 1,400 kilometres. The Northwest Passage shortens the current maritime route between Europe and the Far East via the Suez Canal by 4,000 kilometres.

When to visit the Northwest Passage

In the cozy museum next door to the church, you will find an excellent reconstruction of an Inuit turf house as well as exhibits of local history and early life in Greenland. Created in the north of Banks Island, the Aulavik National Park is considered to be a polar desert. However, its tundra plains and various water points have encouraged a very rich fauna to develop.

Alaska to Greenland

Be the first to hear about our latest offers, exciting itineraries and inspirational articles. For help deciding which Northwest Passage cruise fits your interests, please get in touch with our Travel Experience Team. Financial security is paramount for our clients, so all bookings made through North Pole Cruises include 100% financial protection.

In the Arctic, prepare to  paddle under nesting bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around large iceberg. At a latitude of almost 75° degrees north, we are now truly in the High Arctic. Lancaster Sound - located between Devon Island and Baffin Island - forms the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage.

In the Arctic, we’ll paddle under nesting bird colonies, past massive glaciers and around large icebergs, however we maintain a safe distance from polar bears and walruses. Our guides carry rifles and flare guns in the Arctic to ensure your safety against polar bears. Sailing through the Northwest Passage on a state-of-the-art ice-class expedition ship is a captivating journey that blends natural wonders, culture and history. The passage, once an elusive route for explorers, now offers intrepid travelers a chance to witness breathtaking Arctic landscapes and learn about indigenous communities through first-hand experiences.

Your luggage will be delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. Officially certified proof of vaccination and booster will be required ahead of travel and we will require that it be emailed to Aurora no later than 15 days prior to departure. Named after the legendary Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen - the first man to traverse the Northwest Passage in 1903, and reach the Geographical South Pole in 1911. Watch and learn about our expedition highlights, day-to-day itineraries, and what makes small-ship expedition travel so special. You will also have the chance to explore some of the settlements along the way. Pond Inlet often features on the route as does Gjoa Haven, where Amundsen over-wintered.

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