ocean adventurer northwest passage cruise

Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin

  • Overview
    Cruising through the maze-like, icy channels of the legendary Northwest Passage is like sailing deep into the history of the High Arctic. On this immersive 17-day expedition through the fabled sea route, you’ll explore the same landscapes and waters that have enchanted adventurers for hundreds of years, tracing their footsteps. Pay your respects at the final resting place of three of Sir John Franklin’s lost crew. Visit traditional Inuit communities, and bone up on ancient cultures at remote historical sites. Learn about the whaling heyday of the 1800s and, if you’re lucky, spot present-day whales frolicking in their natural surroundings. On this active adventure, Zodiac, kayaking and hiking excursions make it easier than ever to encounter the unique wildlife that call this mysterious realm of dramatic fjords, glaciers and mountains home.
    Duration: 17 days
    Passengers: 132 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Ottawa, Canada
    Disembarkation Point: Ottawa, Canada
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Mandatory extra flight
    Single Supplement: 1.7x - 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Arrive in Ottawa, Canada

      Your arctic adventure begins in Ottawa. Explore the Canadian capital on your own, before spending the night at your well-appointed hotel.

    • Day 2 - Fly to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland and Embark

      After breakfast, board your charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, a small seaside community that’s your gateway to Greenland. Enjoy your first Zodiac ride as you’re transferred from shore to ship. Out on deck, take in your new surroundings before you set sail on your arctic adventure.

    • Day 3/4 - Exploring West Greenland

      Locals call Maniitsoq the Venice of Greenland, as it’s situated in an archipelago intersected by natural canals. Soaring, snow-capped mountains surround the small, rocky town, whose name means “the uneven place.” Playful humpback whales spend summer in the waters around here.

      The Greenlandic capital of Nuuk is a haven for history and culture lovers. Stroll down to the waterfront to see the Hans Egede Church and Hans Egede statue, named for the missionary who established the settlement in 1728. Marvel at the famous remains of 500-year-old fully dressed mummies, discovered under a rock outcrop in 1972 by two brothers out hunting, at the Greenland National Museum. The Nuuk Art Museum and Katuaq Culture Centre are also worth visiting.

    • Day 5 - At Sea

      Say goodbye to Greenland’s shores as you traverse the Davis Strait in pursuit of the Canadian Arctic. Presentations by on-board experts will prepare you for the adventures that lie ahead.

    • Day 6/15 - Canada's High Arctic

      Visit towering fjords, historical sites and traditional Inuit communities as you follow the footsteps of famous explorers from long ago in the Canadian High Arctic.

      The picturesque Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung, nicknamed the Switzerland of the Arctic, is nestled beneath the jagged peaks of Mount Duval. An artist’s hub, Pang is renowned for its traditional Inuit arts and crafts, especially lithographs and intricate tapestries. At the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts & Crafts, watch craftspeople in the tapestry studio and pick up a limited-edition print. A must for visitors, a colorful Pang hat will keep you warm during the remainder of your arctic voyage. You’ll also visit nearby Kekerten, an uninhabited island that was a major whaling destination in the 1800s.

      At the southern tip of the Cumberland Sound, Cape Mercy was named by British explorer John Davis (yes, he of the Davis Strait), who sailed through it in 1585. The site of an old Distant Early Warning Line installation, it’s an ideal spot to go ashore for a hike.

      As icebergs travel down the Davis Strait, they’re naturally trapped at Qikiqtarjuak (formerly known as Broughton Island), the iceberg capital of the world. The icy waters here are sometimes also home to narwhals, beluga and right whales, and ring and harp seals. A hike up to the hilltop inukshuk (a stone figure made by the Inuit) rewards with spectacular views of the community.

      Cruising farther north along the east coast of Baffin Island, we’ll approach Isabella Bay, an important summer and fall feeding area for a large population of bowhead whales.

      Stacked side by side, the dozens of soaring cliffs of Sam Ford Fjord make for a majestic site as you sail by. One of the most isolated places on the planet, the big-wall playground attracts climbers eager to scale the sheer rock faces that shoot straight out of the sea.

      At the northern tip of Baffin Island, near the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage, is the picturesque hamlet of Pond Inlet. Spend some time exploring this traditional Inuit community that’s surrounded by scenic mountains, fjords, glaciers and icebergs.

      The area around Lancaster Sound affords several hiking opportunities. At Dundas Harbour, on Devon Island, you’ll visit an abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At nearby Croker Bay, cruise in a Zodiac (at a safe distance) along the face of an actively calving glacier. Your Expedition Team will also keep its eyes peeled for the muskoxen and walrus that are known to visit the bay. A hike to a nearby archaeological site is another possible excursion. Farther west, some of the best ancient Thule remains in the Arctic are at Radstock Bay, beside the soaring Caswell Towers, a polar bear observation site. Exploring the area, you’ll gain insight into how these pre-Inuit people lived.

      At the western end of Devon Island, the windswept Beechey Island might be small, but it’s steeped in history. Named after famed British explorer Frederick William Beechey, it’s a Canadian National Historic Site. You’ll visit the small marked graves of three crew members who died during Sir John Franklin’s tragic 1845–46 expedition. Roald Amundsen landed here in 1903, during the first successful voyage by ship through the Northwest Passage.

      Sailing down the east coast of Somerset Island, you may have a chance of spotting beluga whales and narwhals, as they feed on the large numbers of arctic char that enter Creswell Bay in late summer. An Important Bird Area, the bay also attracts such species as black-bellied plovers, king eiders and white-rumped sandpipers. You’ll also have time to explore Fort Ross, where the Hudson’s Bay Company established a now-abandoned trading post in 1937. At the midpoint of the Bellot Strait, a narrow channel that separates Somerset Island from mainland North America, you’ll reach the northernmost area of the continental landmass, Zenith Point.

    • Day 16 - Disembarkation in Resolute, Canada

      After disembarking in Resolute, you’ll be transferred to your charter flight to Ottawa, where you’ll spend the night at your included hotel.

    • Day 17 - Depart Ottawa

      Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend the day exploring Canada’s capital city.

    Please consider that our voyages are expeditionary in nature. This means, that there are no concrete itineraries, your captain and expedition leader will utilise their vast experience to chart the best course for your expedition depending on the climatic and environmental conditions. Mentioned highlights and wildlife cannot be guaranteed.

  • Adventure Activities

    Transfer Package (Mandatory): NWP

    MANDATORY TRANSFER PACKAGE INCLUDES: NWP

    - One night’s pre-expedition airport hotel accommodation in Toronto
    - Group transfer from the Toronto hotel to the airport
    - Charter flight to or from Toronto to Resolute
    - Group transfer from the Resolute airport to the ship on embarkation day
    - Group transfer from the ship to the Kangerlussuaq airport on disembarkation day
    - Charter flight to or from Kangerlussuaq to Toronto
    - One night’s post-expedition airport hotel accommodation in Toronto

    USD$ 2,788 per person

    Kayaking

    Kayaking is probably one of the most intimate and inspiring ways you can explore the rugged coastlines and calm bays of the Polar regions.

    Kayaking in the Polar Regions is highly weather-dependent, however we guarantee at least one outing throughout your voyage, but your kayak guides will take you out as many times as possible throughout your voyage.

    USD$ 649 per person

    Hiking

    There are options on most excursions for shorter walks, often to take advantage of excellent lookouts, that don’t require hiking boots and other equipment. Hiking participation is optional and your Expedition Team will advise you of what you can expect prior to each excursion.

    Included

    Northwest passage

    There is a sea passage through the Arctic regions of North America, that has been alluring explorers and fortune seekers for centuries. Connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Northwest Passage, that has claimed the curiosity, hearts and lives of so many, is now a journey into the past to discover the courage, misery and pure determination of some of history’s greatest explorers. By weaving your way through explorer over-wintering sites, ceremonial grounds, and ship graveyards this remarkable journey will bring to life the endeavors of those who came before us.

    Explore Greenland

    Vast swaths of beautiful, unfenced wilderness give you unique freedom to wander at will, whether on foot, by ski or by dogsled.

  • Inclusions

    Expedition Gear

    Comfortable expedition boots and a high quality expedition parka, specifically designed for the polar regions.

    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - Greenland passenger tax
    - 000 per person
    - Emergency evacuation insurance up to USD$500,000
    - Service taxes and port charges
    - Comprehensive pre-departure information
    - Photographic journal of your expedition
    - All shore excursions and lectures in the itinerary
    - All shipboard accommodation and meals

    Not included in your Expedition

    - Arrival & Departure transfers
    - Phone & Internet charges
    - Bar charges
    - Laundry charges
    - Government arrival & departure taxes
    - Passport & Visa expenses
    - Gratuities
    - Additional overnight accommodation
    - Mandatory waterproof gear not provided
    - Baggage / cancellation / interruption and medical travel insurance
    - International airfare
    - Mandatory transfer package
  • Map
    Map coming soon
  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    OCEAN ADVENTURER

    The new and improved Ocean Adventurer is designed to carry 132 travelers in comfort to the most remote corners of the world. Originally built in Yugoslavia in 1976, this nimble, ice-strengthened ship has become a passenger favourite over the years and underwent refurbishments in 1999 and 2002 with the most significant being in 2017. With the latest rounds of refurbishments guests will enjoy: A refreshed, contemporary new look and feel throughout the ship. - The addition of six new twin cabins and three new suites. - All existing cabins will be furnished with all new soft furnishings and brand new bathrooms. - Main common areas such as the Lounge and Dining Room will be remodeled as well as the Bar. - Major technical enhancements – include two new Rolls Royce engines, which will significantly increase fuel efficiency and minimized carbon footprint.

    Features & Facilities
    • Recently refurbished
    • superior accommodation
    • Lounge/Dining Room
    • Bar
    • Gym
    • Internet/Wifi
    • Library
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating: 4
    Guests #: 132
    Crew #: 87
    Ice Class: 1A
    Speed: 14
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 100m
    Width: 16
    Draft:
    Tonnage: 4376
    Registry: Bahamas
    Elec Outlets: 220V / 2 Round Pin
Check Voyage Dates, Pricing and Availability
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Ready to book your expedition?

We understand that the trip of a lifetime takes planning, so we make the financial commitments easy to manage.

  • Confirm your booking today with just USD$ 1,000 per passenger.
  • Pay your 25% deposit 5 day later.
  • Final payment due 120 days prior to departure.

Triple

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Triple cabin with private facilities
USD$ 8,704pp
USD$ 8,704pp

Lower Deck Twin

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Two lower berths with private facilities
USD$ 11,356pp
USD$ 10,194pp
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Main Deck Twin Porthole

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Two lower berths with private facilities and porthole
USD$ 12,512pp
USD$ 11,261pp
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Main Deck Twin Window

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Two lower berths with private facilities and window
USD$ 13,736pp
USD$ 12,363pp
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Superior

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Two lower berths with private facilities and window
USD$ 15,096pp
USD$ 12,832pp
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Deluxe

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Two lower berths with private facilities and window
USD$ 16,660pp
USD$ 14,161pp
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Suite

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Two lower berths with private facilities and window
USD$ 18,224pp
USD$ 15,491pp
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Owner's Suite

26 Aug 2018 - 11 Sep 2018
Two lower berths with private facilities and window
USD$ 20,060pp
USD$ 17,051pp
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