Canadian Arctic and Northern Lights | SH Vega | IExpedition

Canadian Arctic and Northern Lights

  • Overview

    Visit parts of the legendary ice-filled route that challenged great explorers on this epic Northern Canadian Discovery voyage. Sail from Greenland through the iceberg capital of the world, and gaze in awe at the straits and fjords crammed with huge icebergs. Watch out for caribou and polar bears on the northern Canadian coast, listen to stories of the indigenous Inuit people and discover whaling sites in Newfoundland before arriving in Halifax.

    Expedition Highlights

    • 
Discover Ilulissat's history and Inuit culture through its church, museums and traditional kayak displays.

    • Experience Iqaluit, the capital of Canada’s Inuit province of Nunavut, with museums and artisans reflecting the Inuit culture.

    • Witness the ethereal beauty of the UNESCO-listed Icefjord and the icebergs in Disko Bay.

    • Discover unique rock formations in the World Heritage-listed Gros Morne National Park created by tectonic plates colliding.

    • Marvel at the spectacular scenery and fall colors of Torngat Mountains National Park.

    Duration: 16 days
    Passengers: 162 passengers
    Embarkation Point: Kangerlussuaq
    Disembarkation Point: Halifax, NS
    Physical rating: Soft Adventure
    Fly/Cruise: Cruise only
    Single Supplement: 2.0x twin rate or share options
  • Itinerary
    • Day 1 - Kangerlussuaq

      Once a WWII airbase at the head of Kangerlussuaq Fjord, Kangerlussuaq's history is told at the airport’s museum, showcasing Inuit artefacts. This ice-filled glacial area and tundra is a haven for wildlife, including reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hare, gyrfalcons and around 10,000 muskoxen.

    • Day 2 - At Sea

      Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

    • Day 3 - Qeqertarsuaq

      Qeqertarsuaq is the largest town on Disko Island, Greenland's largest island, on its west coast, part of Disko Bay, a UNESCO-listed site for its icebergs. The Lyngemark Glacier rises above the town. The area’s hills, basalt columns and black sand beaches reflect its volcanic origin. The area is fertile and home to species not found elsewhere in Greenland. Keep an eye out for its hot springs as we move through floating icebergs.

    • Day 4 - Ilulissat, Disko Bay

      Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world to Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat is home to many sled-dogs.

    • Day 5 - Sisimiut

      The northernmost city in Greenland, just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut remains ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, Dorset and then Thule people, dog sled remains a common form of transport. Abandoned settlements lie between Sisimiut and the Thule district to the north. The area is home to humpback whales, walrus, and Arctic foxes in their summer coat.

    • Day 6 - Nuuk

      Home to more than a third of Greenlanders, the capital of Nuuk has a thriving arts scene. Nuuk has a busy old Colonial Harbour with Nuuk Cathedral, colourful wooden houses and avant-garde architecture. It also serves as the gateway to Inuit experiences and natural adventures on the fjords among the icy seas and spectacular mountains.

    • Day 7 - At Sea

      Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

    • Day 8 - Iqaluit, Nu

      The native Inuit are an integral part of Iqaluit, a remote community at the head of Frobisher Bay. Once-considered the possible entrance of a Northwest Passage, the bay provides insight into Inuit history and culture including dog-sledding on handmade qamutik sleds led by qimmiiq - North America's oldest and rarest purebred canine. Inuit artworks are showcased at Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum while Inuit history is evident at Crystal II, an ancient Thule Inuit settlement outside of Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park.

    • Day 9 - Lady Franklin Island, Nu

      Most known for its huge vertical cliffs of Archean rocks, reputedly the oldest stones in Canada, Lady Franklin Island is an uninhabited isle off Hall Peninsula on Baffin Island. Black guillemots, ptarmigan and gulls all nest in this ice-filled area of the Davis Strait. Lumbering walrus haul out to the south at Monumental Island, which is also a well-known denning site for polar bears. Nearby, the Cumberland Sound is home to its own species of beluga whale.

    • Day 10 - Torngat Mountains National Park, Nl

      Staffed completely by Inuit, Torngat Mountains National Park takes its name from the Inuktitut word Tongait, meaning place of spirits. We have a rare chance to follow in the footsteps of Inuit as they share their stories of spirits and traditions in their homeland, where for centuries they have been fishing and hunting polar bears and caribou. This magical land made up of dramatically spectacular mountains and deep fjords nudging up to iceberg-filled waters is only accessible by boat.

    • Day 11 - Hebron, NL

      The remote Arctic outpost of Hebron, an Inuit community, provides insight into Inuit traditions and Arctic life. The Hebron National Historic Site showcases Arctic landscapes, including fjords, icebergs and wildlife, while shedding light on Inuit heritage through abandoned mission buildings. In 1959, during an Easter service, Moravian church officials abruptly closed the mission, relocating 58 families to other coastal Labrador towns.

    • Day 12 - At Sea

      Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

    • Day 13 - L'anse Aux Meadows, Nl

      The 1,000-year-old Norse settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows (Meadows Cove) on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland is the first and only authenticated Viking site in the Americas, believed to have been occupied by Leif Erikson, the first European to explore the east coast of Canada in around 1021. Discover some of the 800 original Norse artefacts and eight sod houses found here on a tour of the recreated village, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    • Day 14 - Bonne Bay, NL

      Bonne Bay, Newfoundland’s only true fjord, is part of Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Waterfalls and rocky pinnacles dot the cliffs, while majestic whales breach the surface of the fjord and playful dolphins frolic in the waves. Woody Point is a small town on its south side, known for its heritage wooden buildings, with the John William Roberts House, a testament to the town's shipbuilding past.

    • Day 15 - At Sea

      Spend your day at sea enjoying your boutique 5-star ship. Treat yourself to a spa day, attend an expert-led onboard lecture or enjoy the ocean views from the deck or the comfort of our Observation Lounge.

    • Day 16 - Halifax, NS

      Founded as a naval base in 1749, Halifax’s seafaring history is well-grounded with the Canadian Museum of Immigration, where one million Europeans landed up until 1971, and the Noon Gun that has fired from the Citadel fortress since 1857. When the Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 pm, April 14, 1912, ships set sail from here. Many victims are buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, while the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic displays rescued artefacts.

    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
  • Inclusions
    Inclusions / Exclusions

    Included in your Expedition

    - All meals onboard
    - Return regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (where specified)
    - Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
    - Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
    - Standard WiFi
    - Onboard gratuities and port taxes
    - Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
    - One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
    - 24-hour room service
    - Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day

    Not included in your Expedition

    - You will need to purchase your own visas where required, travel insurance, flights, domestic transfers, and any hotel requirements pre or post-cruise unless otherwise stated within the itinerary description.
    - Premium wines and spirits, plus purchases from the ship’s boutique and any spa treatments are not included.
    - Additional activities such as kayaking, private tours, special arrangements, plus private Zodiac tours, cost extra.
  • Map
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  • Gallery
  • Vessel

    Our brand new ship - SH Vega, named after the first ship to cross the Arctic Northeast Passage, has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort.

    SH Vega incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible.

    Making her maiden voyage in July 2022, our 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the sights and scenery of your voyage.

    Features & Facilities
    Key Facts
    Luxury star rating:
    Guests #: 152
    Crew #: 120
    Ice Class:
    Speed: 15
    Refurbished:
    Technical Specs
    Year built:
    Length: 113m
    Width: 24
    Draft: 5
    Tonnage:
    Registry: Panama
    Elec Outlets:
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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.

Oceanview D4

15 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Located on Deck 4 at the centre of the ship. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
USD$ 14,918pp
USD$ 14,918pp

Oceanview M4

15 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Located on Deck 4 at the centre of the ship. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
USD$ 15,737pp
USD$ 15,737pp

Balcony D5

15 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Balcony stateroom is a guest favorite. Located on Deck 5, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.
USD$ 19,454pp
USD$ 19,454pp

Balcony M5

15 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Balcony stateroom is a guest favorite. Located on Deck 5, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.
USD$ 20,399pp
USD$ 20,399pp

Balcony D6

15 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Balcony stateroom is a guest favorite. Located on Deck 6, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.
USD$ 21,344pp
USD$ 21,344pp

Suite

15 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Located on Deck 5 and 6 at the centre of the ship, our spacious Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are a favorite with discerning guests, and those that prefer a little more space and comfort.
USD$ 27,203pp
USD$ 27,203pp

Premium Suite

15 Sep 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
Located on Deck 6 at the aft, our Premium Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are the most luxurious accommodation on board. A favorite for those who want nothing but the best.
USD$ 30,038pp
USD$ 30,038pp