The Northwest Passage - In The Wake Of The Great Explorers (Eastbound)

Enjoy British Columbia's largest city  

Our expedition cruise through the Northwest Passage starts in the beautiful city of Vancouver at the foot of the Rockies. Visit Gastown, the city's oldest neighbourhood, and climb the Vancouver Lookout for views overlooking Granville Street, West End beaches and the towering cedars of Stanley Park.  

Vancouver has a flavour all its own – and so does its global cuisine. Dine out in Chinatown, Punjabi Market or Little Italy as you soak up the city's buzzing atmosphere. 

Before you fly up to Nome the next day, enjoy a relaxing night at a centrally located hotel in Vancouver, including breakfast.  

While you're in Vancouver, you might also want to join our optional Pre-Programme. Enjoy a multiple day scenic journey into the Canadian wilderness aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train.  

Fascinating history of gold prospectors and explorers  

You'll start the day flying from Vancouver to Nome in Alaska. 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. 

You'll be in good company as you explore the town. Wyatt Earp, the famous sheriff, opened a saloon here. Nome was also the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions, including an aircraft attempt to reach the North Pole in 1926. A fitting place to board our expedition ship – MS Roald Amundsen – and embark on your own epic adventure.  

Science and wildlife watching at sea 

As our expedition cruise sails from Nome, prepare for your adventures ahead with lectures from our Expedition Team on topics such as tectonic activity, glaciology, wildlife protection, and meeting local communities. 

As we sail through the Bering Strait, look out for over 30 species of seabirds, including Black-legged Kittiwakes, auklets and murrelets. We'll cross the international date line and Chukchi Sea before reaching the Beaufort Sea and Point Barrow, the northernmost point of the United States. Keep an eye out for bowhead and grey whales here. 

Crossing a historical sea corridor through Canada's Arctic archipelago 

Like pioneering explorers who've come before you, we won't have an exact itinerary as we attempt to sail our state-of-the-art, ice-class ship from the Atlantic to the Pacific via the famed sea route: the Northwest Passage. Stops might include Smoking Hills, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Fort Ross, Dundas Harbour and Pond Inlet. 

As we explore, we'll land at sites linked to early exploration history, visit Inuit communities, and look out for Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, whales, narwhals, seals and seabirds.  

You'll go small expedition boat cruising between ice floes and go ashore to experience the pristine wilderness first hand. Your Expedition Team will adapt activities to ice and weather conditions, giving you the best experience possible.  

Smoking Hills is where lignite – eroded shale mixed with pyrite – spontaneously ignites when exposed to air, creating a photogenic phenomenon of smoke billowing from the cliffs. 

From here, we'll sail through the Amundsen Gulf to Ulukhaktok, where you can pick up some prints, tapestries, and other crafts made by local artists. We'll then continue onto wildlife-rich Cambridge Bay where you might catch sight of musk oxen, and caribou. 

We'll travel onwards to Gjoa Haven, where Roald Amundsen learned polar survival tips from the Netsilik Inuit people. If we are able to land here, we'll take a walking tour to learn more. We'll continue east to Fort Ross, a former Hudson Bay Trading post. 

We may stop at Beechey Island and pay our respects at the graves of three Franklin expedition team members. On Devon Island – the largest uninhabited island on Earth – we hope to visit Dundas Harbour and learn about its Thule heritage.  

On the final stretch, we'll try to reach Pond Inlet and the Inuit community of Mittimatalik on Baffin Island, rounding off an incredible 10 days of exhilarating exploration.

Relax at sea as we sail towards Greenland 

Leaving Canada behind, your Northwest Passage expedition cruise will cross Baffin Bay and the Davis Strait on its way to Greenland. 

Join your Expedition Team for more insightful lectures on the renowned route we're sailing. Topics may include historic explorers and expeditions, Greenlandic culture, local wildlife and geology. 

Take time to enjoy all the facilities on board. Lie back in the infinity pool, hot tub or sauna or get your heart pumping in the indoor gym or on the running track. Then in the evening, head for the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar to share stories of your travels. 

The town where you can see and hear the ice flow 

Our expedition cruise reaches Disko Bay – a haven for whales and seals. You're in for a unique experience. Nestled in magnificent Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Ilulissat. Against a backdrop of colourful houses is an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs.  

Marvel at giant icebergs floating past in the deep blue waters, as they take on different hues of white, grey and blue. With the help of the ship's photographer, even amateur photographers will be able to capture the nuances of these sculptures of nature. 

Discover ancient traditions in Arctic Greenland 

We reach spectacularly situated Sisimiut, just 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where you'll experience the Midnight Sun at the height of summer.  

Old traditions are alive and well here, and you can learn more about the ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the local museum. If you're looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox, said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool.  

One of the best things you'll experience on your expedition cruise to Greenland with us is meeting the local communities in the places we explore – authentic interactions that make for fantastic memories. 

Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science  

Leaving Greenland behind, our expedition cruise continues to Canada across the Labrador Sea. We'll enter the Davis Strait, named after English explorer John Davis, who led expeditions here in the 16th century. The Expedition Team will continue their onboard lectures on topics such as the wildlife of Northern Labrador, Inuit culture and the history of Arctic exploration.  

The strait is known for its abundance of seals, whales and cod. Why not take part in one of our Citizen Science programme projects, helping photograph and track whales, or observe the clouds to help scientists study our climate by contributing to the GLOBE Program. 

Explore this extraordinary former whaling settlement 

Look out for humpback and minke whales as we approach Red Bay – the very creatures that drew whalers to this harbour in the 17th century.  

The ice-cold waters around Red Bay hide a number of wrecked chalupas – or small whaling boats – and galleons, making it one of the world's most important underwater archaeological sites.  

Visit the local museum to see a 26 ft. chalupa and look for whale bones in the protected Red Bay National Historic Site. Why not search for pirate captain Kidd's buried treasure around Tracey Hill; you may not find gold doubloons, but you will be rewarded with a fantastic view. 

Step back in time in this charming Newfoundland city 

We'll follow in Captain James Cook's footsteps as we sail into the Bay of Islands towards the traditional city of Corner Brook. Discover the area's fascinating history and collection of artifacts at the Corner Brook Museum. 

Take in great views from Crow Hill or take a guided hike along the Corner Brook Stream trail. You can also opt for a visit to Gros Morne National Park and the picturesque Lobster Cove Head lighthouse, which also features a scenic drive. 

Before we depart, we'll enjoy a performance by local folk music performers and storytellers.  

Reflecting on your expedition cruise 

As your Northwest Passage expedition cruise draws to a close, take time to unwind aboard your comfortable ship and imagine the challenges the great explorers before you would have faced.  

Soak in the hot tub, work out in the gym, make use of the Science Center, or just relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.  

Join the Expedition Team to recap the highlights of this incredible once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Spend time in the Science Center wrapping up your Citizen Science observations or pick out your favourite images with our onboard photographer.  

Disembark in the cosmopolitan capital of Nova Scotia  

Your expedition cruise through the Northwest Passage ends in Halifax. This historic port is a fitting end to such a wonderful adventure. As you find your land legs, why not discover its red-brick heritage buildings, landmark Citadel Hill National Historic Site and epic 2.5 mile seafront boardwalk. 

Why not take a leisurely stroll on Halifax Common – Canada's oldest park, dating back to 1763 – or visit one of the city's many art galleries or museums, including the Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. 

Want to stay longer? Book our Post-Programme to visit the historic community of Peggy's Cove and the Halifax Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the burial place of 121 passengers of the Titanic.