Historic Wilderness
Connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Northwest Passage is a beautiful and challenging route. On our Hurtigruten voyage, we intend to sail in the wake of great explorers like Roald Amundsen, the first man to navigate the Northwest Passage, and rediscover these pristine waterways.
Starting in Vancouver before your flight to Nome, we head straight for the icy waters of Arctic Canada. You will be amazed by the vast expanses of pristine wilderness seen from the deck. We aim to visit several sites with traces of earlier expeditions, taking the chance to explore Gjoa haven, and to call at some of the world’s northernmost communities. Our expedition team will look for chances to explore legendary inlets and take you on exciting small boat cruises and landings.
True Expedition
Being at the top of the world means sailing in changing ice conditions. On this Northwest Passage expedition, like the voyages of the explorers before us, we will go where the ice allows. No matter where we sail or what we will see, we can promise a safe and thrilling expedition.
Greenland and Canada
Next, we head for Greenland, a true pearl in the Arctic. We will visit Inuit settlements and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ilulissat Icefjord, before crossing the Labrador Sea towards Canada, where our voyage ends in Halifax.
- Sail in the wake of the great explorers on this rarely-traveled expedition
- Learn about exploration history and incredible nature
- Spot magnificent wildlife, including good chances to see polar bears and walrus
- Visit traditional villages
- Hurtigruten expedition cruise in the cabin grade of your choice
- One hotel night in Vancouver before the voyage breakfast
- Transfer from hotel to airport in Vancouver
- Coach-class flight from Vancouver to Nome
- Transfer from airport to ship in Nome
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN ADVENTURE
- A rich program of included activities on all voyages designed to immerse you in the destinations you visit, including small boat cruising and onshore exploration with the expedition team
- Professional English-speaking expedition team - an international handpicked team of highly educated experts in various academic fields with profound knowledge of the regions we sail through
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant jacket
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and equipment needed for optional and included activities
ENGAGING ONBOARD ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATION
- In-depth lectures on science, history, biology, geography, geology or culture that provide context to your voyage and help you understand the destinations you will experience
- Explorer Science program, with educational and Citizen Science activities that let you learn about the sights you’ll see while contributing to research
- Introductory photo lecture, including camera adjustments and tips and tricks
- Photos and film/video footage from the voyage shared in the Expedition Logbook
- Casual opportunities to engage with the expedition team and other guests, including a welcome event, daily gatherings to recap the day and prepare for the day to come
- Opportunities to dine and interact with the expedition team and officers
- Destination-focused onboard library
- Port presentations providing destination insight
- A farewell event
PREMIUM ONBOARD COMFORT
- All meals including beverages (beer and wine, sodas and mineral water in all ship restaurants
- Coffee and tea included throughout the day
- Early riser and afternoon treat offered in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Fredheim restaurant meals included
- A la carte restaurant (only for suite guests)
- Gym, hot tubs and panoramic sauna
- Rejuvenating wellness areas with separate treatment rooms, infinity pool, outdoor gym, running track
- Free Wi-fi onboard for all guests. Be aware that we sail in remote areas with limited connection. Streaming is not supported.
- No gratuities expected
- International flights
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners
- Optional small-group adventures with our expedition team such as kayaking (availability pending weather conditions and safety)
- Travel protection plan
- Luggage handling
- Medical questionnaire mandatory
- Visa for U.S. and Canada
- This cruise is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs due to the possibility of using tender boats during embarkation or disembarkation.
For details please see our Entry Requirements
Hurtigruten offers unique expedition cruises to some of the purest and most remote waters of the world. As with all expeditions, nature prevails. Safety is always our top priority. We continuously evaluate our cruises to adapt to unexpected weather, ice and sea conditions, and exciting nature opportunities. That’s why we call it an expedition.Itinerary
Explore Vancouver - Vancouver - Hotel
Bustling Vancouver is surrounded by a picturesque range of mountains, making it a popular tourist destination all year round. Vancouver is a relatively young city with both cultural and nature attractions that appeal to every type of traveler.
The Expedition Begins - Vancouver / Nome - Flight & Embarkation
After breakfast, you will fly to the gold rush town of Nome, Alaska, where our epic voyage begins. The colorful local history of this Arctic frontier settlement is on display at the Carrie M. McLain Museum. Embarkation on MS Roald Amundsen.
Sailing Spectacular Seas - At sea - Bering Sea
We sail through the Bering Strait, before heading into the Chukchi Sea. Our expedition team will start their lecture program preparing you for the days ahead.
As we reach Point Barrow, the northernmost point of the USA, we enter the Beaufort Sea. We will keep a sharp eye open here for Bowhead and Grey whales and we might also start seeing sea ice.
We continue into Amundsen Gulf, where we hope to observe the remarkable Smoking Hills - an amazing sight of smoke billowing from cliffs on the east coast of Cape Bathurst. The phenomenon rises from erosion that has unearthed locally present lignite - a combination of shale and pyrite - that spontaneously ignites when exposed to air.
Heart of the Northwest Passage - Into the Northwest Passage
We intend to sail into the heart of the Northwest Passage. Since the late 15th century, the search for this fabled seaway through the Canadian Arctic was the holy grail for hardy explorers. There are records of almost 40 expeditions that sailed these waters. The first recorded attempt was the voyage of John Cabot in 1497. The most famous journeys here were James Cook’s failed attempt to sail the passage in 1776, and the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845. The first to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage by ship was Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen on an expedition that lasted from 1903 to 1906.
Ice conditions vary from year to year – one of the reasons this voyage is still one of a kind. Subject to favorable conditions, we hope to show you some of the following places:
Ulukhaktok, a settlement on Victoria Island in the Canadian Arctic archipelago. Due to its remote location, the 460 people living here have had little to do with the rest of the world and remain traditional in many aspects of their daily life.
Cambridge Bay, located on Victoria Island, is called “Iqaluktuuttiaq” in Inuinnaqtun, meaning a “good fishing place.” The settlement is near the Ekalluk River, which is famous for giant char. The area is rich in archaeological history and blessed with abundant fish, seals, geese, muskoxen and caribou.
Gjøa Haven, which honors Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen, who overwintered here in 1903/04 and 1904/05 during the Gjøa expedition. He was in contact with the local Netsilik Inuit people, from whom he learned a great deal about survival and travel in polar regions.
Fort Ross, a trading post established in 1937. There are two small huts here that are maintained by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Beechey Island, closely linked to the exploration history of the Northwest Passage. The most notorious voyage was the British expedition led by Sir John Franklin. Two ships sailed into the passage in 1845, but neither the vessels or any of the 129 crew were ever seen again. It is known that the Franklin Expedition over-wintered on Beechey Island in 1845-1846.
Dundas Harbour, an abandoned settlement on the south coast of Devon Island, with an old Royal Canadian Mounted Police camp and several archaeological sites. Come ashore to see the ruins of some of these buildings, along with an impressive Thule site.
Pond Inlet, a traditional Inuit community, located on the northern tip of Baffin Island, near the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage. Also called 'Mittimatalik' in Inuktitut, the picturesque hamlet is surrounded by mountain ranges, several dozen glaciers, scenic fjords and inlets, ice caves, geological hoodoos and drifting icebergs.
We continue our journey sailing through amazing waters with unique nature and hopefully enough ice for excellent wildlife spotting.
Crossing the Davis Strait - At sea
We cross the Davis Strait, named for the English explorer John Davis, who led three expeditions in the area between 1585 and 1587. Davis was the first to draw attention to the area’s seal hunting and whaling possibilities, and that Newfoundland cod fisheries extended this far north.
Birth of Icebergs - Ilulissat - Full Day
Ilulissat lies amidst the stunning scenery of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Outside town, at the mouth of the fjord, you often see giant icebergs that originate from nearby Jakobshavn Glacier, one of the most productive glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Included activity:
Walk to the Icefjords (2 hrs)
Hear the ice cracking in the distance? Take a closer look at the beautiful icebergs of Ilulissat Icefjord. Getting a close-up view of these frozen giants will slow your world down and leave you humbled. Join us on a walk to enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Modern Settlement with Ancient Traditions - Sisimiut - Half Day
Some 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. Come ashore to explore this colorful town, visit the small museum, hike in the hills and shop for local handicrafts.
Included activity:
Kayak Demo and Museum visit (1 - 2 hrs)
Enjoy a traditional kayaking demonstration and the Sisimit museum. The Inuit invented the ‘qajaq’ in Greenland. Experience the Greenlander kayak roll first hand. Sisimut museum features local cultural history and exhibits different periods of the city’s history and its surroundings.
Capital of Greenland - Nuuk - Full Day
The capital of Greenland is the political and social center of the nation, and the oldest town in Greenland, founded by the Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede in 1728. The city’s location is lovely, set at the mouth of one of the largest and most spectacular fjord systems in the world.
Included activity:
Shuttle & Museum visit (1 - 2 hrs)
Visit the National Museum of Greenland. Discover exhibitions covering Greenland's history during the past 4,500 years - from the first Arctic Stone Age cultures to the Norse settlements, the arrival of the Thule culture and the gradual transition to modern day Greenland.
Musk Oxen and a Norse Settlement - Ivittuut - Full Day
Ivittuut is a stronghold for musk oxen. The settlement was built on top of the so-called Norse Middle settlement where Vikings settled 1,000 years ago. Archaeologists believe it was the last settlement established by the Vikings in Greenland, and the first to be abandoned in the area.
Labrador Sea - At sea
It is time to say goodbye to Greenland. We head across another stretch of open ocean, this time the southern part of the Labrador Sea, heading towards Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
Red Bay, Labrador - Red Bay - Half Day
Red Bay, Labrador, a coastal community with a population of less than 200, is a classic outpost of Atlantic Canada,. In 2013, Red Bay Basque Whaling Station was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander around the former whaling town and learn about its interesting history.
Included activity:
Red Bay Highlights Access (1 - 3 hrs)
Want to get a feel for Red Bay’s local culture and history? Visit both the Red Bay World Heritage Site Interpretation Center, and the Community Center Whaling Exhibit. Feel like stretching your legs? This complimentary pass includes a boat ride to Saddle Island where you can explore the remnants of whale blubber ovens used more four centuries ago.
Corner Brook - Corner Brook - Full Day
Corner Brook is located on the west coast of Newfoundland and has approximately 20,000 inhabitants. The area was first surveyed by Captain James Cook in 1767. Explore the charming town center or enjoy its many walking trails amidst vibrant autumn leaves.
Relaxing day - At sea
Every great adventure must come to an end. Enjoy your remaining time with the expedition team as we recap our expedition cruise and reflect on our shared experiences.
Halifax - Halifax - Disembarkation
The British established Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1749. Enjoy views from atop the Citadel, on a hill overlooking the city. This colorful gateway town is both hip and historic and well worth an extra day or two before you head back 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.