8/15/21
- A legendary voyage that attempts to cross the Arctic through the famous Northwest Passage
- Meet local Inuit during visits to remote yet welcoming communities in Canada and Greenland
- Spot magnificent Arctic wildlife, with opportunities to see polar bears, whales, and walrus
- Beautiful, pristine, and rarely-seen landscape made up of mountains, icebergs, and fjords
Hotels
- Overnight in Vancouver before the expedition cruise including breakfast
Flights
- Coach-class flight from Vancouver to Nome
Transfers
- Transfer from the hotel in Vancouver to the airport before the expedition cruise
- Transfer from the airport to the ship in Nome before the expedition cruise
Expedition Cruise
- Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurants Aune and Fredheim
- À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations on board
- English-speaking Expedition Team who organize and accompany activities on board and ashore
- Range of included excursions
Onboard Activities
- Experts on the Expedition Team deliver in-depth lectures on a variety of topics
- Use of the ship’s Science Center, which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
- Citizen Science program allows guests to assist with current scientific research
- Professional onboard photographer gives top tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Use of the ship’s hot tubs, infinity pool, sauna with floor-to-ceiling window, outdoor and indoor gyms, and outdoor running track
- Informal gatherings with the crew such as daily recaps and preparation for the day to come
Landing Activities
- Escorted landings with small explorer boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
- Expedition photographers help with your camera settings before landings
- International flights
- Travel protection
- Luggage handling
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
- Optional treatments in the onboard wellness and spa area
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Medical declaration form is mandatory
- Please ensure you meet all visa entry requirements
- No gratuities expected
Itinerary
Modern City, Stunning Setting - Vancouver, Canada
Your journey begins with an overnight stay in Vancouver, giving you the opportunity to get a taste of the Canadian city’s rich culture, great restaurants, and undeniable natural beauty. To experience more of the region before your voyage begins, join an optional Pre-program travelling on the scenic Rocky Mountaineer train.
There’s No Place Like Nome - Nome, Alaska
We fly to Nome to board MS Roald Amundsen. Set at the tip of the Seward Peninsula, overlooking the Bering Sea, Nome is perhaps the most famous gold rush town in Alaskan history. There are artifacts of the gold rush era to be seen everywhere, including abandoned dredges, turn-of-the-century steam engines, and old railroad tracks.
Seeing the Sights While Sailing the Seas - At Sea
Days at sea are spent at your leisure aboard the ship. Relax while gazing out at the view, learn more from the knowledgeable Expedition Team in our lecture series, or chat with your fellow explorers.
We sail through the Bering Strait before heading into the Chukchi Sea. As we reach Point Barrow, the northernmost point of the United States, we enter the Beaufort Sea. We will keep a sharp eye open here for bowhead and gray whales, and we might also start seeing sea ice.
We continue into the Amundsen Gulf, where we hope to observe the remarkable Smoking Hills - an amazing sight, with smoke billowing from the cliffs on the east coast of Cape Bathurst. Lignite – a combination of eroded shale and pyrite – spontaneously ignites when exposed to air, creating this photogenic phenomenon.
Heading into the Heart of the Northwest Passage - Northwest Passage
Almost 40 expeditions tried to navigate this seaway as far back as 1497. James Cook attempted it in 1776 and many are familiar with the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845. The first explorer to conquer the Northwest Passage by ship was Norwegian Roald Amundsen on an expedition that lasted from 1903 to 1906. Now, in our modern era, we aim to follow the wake of their ships and sail through the Northwest Passage, too.
During our journey, we will land at sites that are linked to early exploration history, visit Inuit communities, and hope to spot Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, whales, seals, and large colonies of seabirds. There will also be opportunities for small-boat cruising between ice floes, and in true expedition style, we will go ashore and experience the pristine wilderness firsthand.
The ship captain and Expedition Leader will continuously assess the current weather and sea conditions, adapt activities accordingly, and adjust the itinerary to where the sea ice allows us to go. Like all good explorers, we respect and work with nature, not against it.
Here are some of the places in the region that we plan to explore together, subject to favorable conditions:
Ulukhaktok
Many in the 500-strong community are involved in the local artists’ co-op, producing prints, tapestries, and other crafts. This is also the location of the the world's northernmost golf course, which plays host to a tournament each summer.
Cambridge Bay
Located on Victoria Island, this is the largest stop for vessels traversing the Northwest Passage. It is also called ‘Iqaluktuuttiaq', or ‘A Good Fishing Place’ due to the Ekalluk River, which attracts giant char, musk oxen, and caribou.
Gjøa Haven
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen wintered at this hamlet in 1903 on his Gjøa expedition. There is an informative walking tour, Heritage Centre, and Hamlet Centre dedicated to the history and culture of the area.
Fort Ross
An abandoned Hudson’s Bay Trading post located at the southern end of Sommerset Island, the storehouse here is still used as a shelter by occasional travellers, with bunk beds and shelves of canned goods.
Beechey Island
This is the final resting place for three members of the lost Franklin expedition, which sailed into the Northwest Passage in 1845 but never returned. It is customary for explorers to stop and pay their respects, as Roald Amundsen did in 1903.
Devon Island
Welcome to the largest uninhabited island on Earth. The only signs of human life are at the long abandoned settlement of Dundas Harbour along with several archaeological sites from the Thule period.
Pond Inlet
Picturesque Pond Inlet, called 'Mittimatalik' in Inuktitut, is a traditional Inuit community on Baffin Island. It overlooks the Eclipse Sound and the mountains of Bylot Island and is known as a great place to see large pods of narwhal.
Crossing the Davis Strait - Labrador Sea - At sea
This strait was named after English explorer John Davis, who searched for a route through the Northwest Passage between 1585 and 1587. Wind down and watch the waves aboard the ship, or enjoy a lecture from the Expedition Team as we head north toward Greenland.
Where Icebergs are Born - Ilulissat - Full Day
This small town is set in the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the mouth of the fjord you can see enormous icebergs that have run aground. These ice masses originate from the Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world. Join one of our many optional excursions here.
`The People Living in a Place of Fox Dens’ - Sisimiut - Half Day
Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland, located 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is a modern, growing settlement with a history that goes back 4,500 years. For example, its name means `The People Living in a Place of Fox Dens.´ There are a variety of optional excursions to discover the area.
Across the Labrador Sea - Labrador Sea - At sea
It is time to say goodbye to Greenland, and head out on another stretch of open sea. We will cross the southern part of the Labrador Sea, this time toward Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
A Classic Canadian City - Corner Brook - Half Day
Located at the mouth of the Bay of Islands and Humber River, Corner Brook is the second largest city in the province and local to the core. Explore the city center or enjoy its many walking trails along the Humber River, decorated at this time of year with vibrant autumn leaves.
Relaxing Day - At Sea
The adventure is drawing to a close. Spend time with the other guests and the Expedition Team reviewing the many exciting experiences you shared during our voyage together.
The End of the Passage - Halifax
Your journey exploring the Northwest Passage comes to an end in Halifax, capital of Nova Scotia. There are red-brick heritage buildings, parks, a landmark citadel, some world-class museums, and a 2.5 mile seafront boardwalk. If you can, we recommend spending an extra day or two here on one of our Post-programs before you head home.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.