Northwest Passage—Through the Arctic Labyrinth (2027)
24-night the Arctic expedition · 1 departure · from $23,712 per guest
- 24 nightsDuration
- MS Fridtjof NansenShip
- Nuuk (Godthaab) to Seattle, WashingtonRoute
- Aug 11, 2027Next sailing
25-day all-inclusive Northwest Passage expedition cruise from New York to Seattle
Follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers as you set out from awe-inspiring Greenland and attempt to sail through the fabled Northwest Passage towards Alaska.
Discover UNESCO-listed sites, marvel at spectacular scenery, see Arctic wildlife, and explore the breathtaking Beaufort Sea.
Gain meaningful insight into Inuit culture and heritage as you visit settlements and learn from our onboard Cultural Ambassadors.
This voyage begins in New York (planned airport) with a flight to Nuuk. An option to fly via Copenhagen or Reykjavik is also available
Northwest Passage: the fabled journey through nature’s icy maze
Sailing through the Northwest Passage on a state-of-the-art ice-class expedition ship is a captivating journey that blends natural wonders, culture and history. The passage, once an elusive route for explorers, now offers intrepid travellers a chance to witness breathtaking Arctic landscapes as you journey across the top of the world. You’ll also be able to learn about Indigenous communities through the firsthand experiences and insights from Cultural Ambassadors on board. On this adventure, we’ll attempt a voyage all the way from Nuuk in Greenland to Nome in Alaska.
Breathtaking beauty of Arctic Canada
Our 25-day voyage takes us ‘above’ the North American continent to the frozen Far North. In Eastern Arctic Canada, specifically the waterways around Lancaster Sound, you’ll experience a pristine and remote wilderness that shows off nature’s raw beauty. As we pass into the Western Arctic, the region is marked by its proximity to Alaska. Look out for wildlife as we sail through the famed Beaufort Sea and Bering Strait, before ending our cruise in Alaska and flying to Seattle in the US Pacific Northwest.
In line with AECO
HX is a proud member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO). To protect the sensitive environments we explore, we carefully follow AECO standards on available landing sites and safe distances from wildlife, while still giving you an unforgettable expedition experience.
Upcoming departures
| Sails | Ship | Nights | From (per guest) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2027 | MS Fridtjof Nansen | 24 | $23,712 | Cabins & fares |
Day by day
As planned for the Aug 11, 2027 departure; other departures may differ.
Day 1Nuuk (Godthaab)
Flight from New York to Nuuk
Nuuk is Greenland’s colourful and compact capital. With a population of fewer than 20,000, it’s a striking mix of old and modern buildings. If you’re more a fan of the former, head down to the old part of town by the waterfront, where you’ll find Nuuk Cathedral and the statue of Hans Egede standing on a hill. In the water below, you’ll see the beautiful Mother of the Sea statue.
Your expedition ship awaits you in the harbour. After being welcomed aboard and collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, it's time to settle into your cabin and enjoy your first dinner aboard.
Day 2Evighedsfjorden
Discover the magical beauty of West Greenland
The first chapter of our journey encompasses the majestic coast of West Greenland.
Over the next three days you’ll experience some of the most iconic sites in all of Greenland. Our objectives include:
Evighedsfjord
As we head north, we plan to offer an exploration day in the magical and pristine Evighedsfjord near Maniitsoq. We'll determine on the day what adventures we can take part in.
The 'Fjord of Eternity' is fed by an ice cap that calves huge icebergs into its 2,300 ft deep waters. It's surrounded by mist-cloaked mountains with beautiful white ridges, punctuated by crystal blue ice caves.
Sisimiut
Sisimiut is Greenland’s second city, situated in a spectacular location just above the Arctic Circle. This area has history spanning more than 4,500 years, and old traditions are alive and well.
Learn more about ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the local museum or stretch your legs on a hike. If you're looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of the musk ox that’s said to be 10 times warmer than sheep’s wool.
Ilulissat
Nestled at the edge of the magnificent Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Ilulissat. Here you’ll find an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs set against a backdrop of colourful houses. In town you can visit a multitude of shops selling local crafts, and on the outskirts walking trails take you along the epic icefjord.
Day 3Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg)
Day 4Ilulissat (Jakobshavn)
Day 5Baffin Bay, Nunavut
Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science
Leaving Greenland behind, we spend two days at sea crossing Baffin Bay towards Nunavut.
Gain authentic insight into Inuit culture and heritage with our onboard Cultural Ambassadors. Their stories reveal the Inuit people’s profound connection to the land, shaped by generations of tradition and resilience.
Meanwhile, your Expedition Team leads lectures on topics such as Arctic wildlife and the history of exploration in the region. You can also take part in Citizen Science, such as the GLOBE Program, where you’ll observe clouds to help scientists study our climate.
Day 6Baffin Bay, Nunavut
Day 7Pond Inlet, Nunavut
Entering into the Northwest Passage
Following our crossing of Baffin Bay, we find ourselves in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. The main waterway of this area is Lancaster Sound (Tallurutiup Imanga), the eastern gates to the Northwest Passage.
This chapter of our exploration is likely to be action-packed, with excursions planned on each of the four days we hope to spend in and around this area. Remember, all our excursion plans are weather and ice dependent but, conditions permitting, our days will be filled with excitement and discovery.
Excursion stops and local highlights we hope to share with you include:
Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik)
Dundas Harbour
Croker Bay
Beechey Island (Iluvilik)
Prince Leopold Island (Appait)
Fort Ross
Day 8Dundas Harbour, Devon Island, Nunavut
Day 8Croker Bay, Nunavut
Day 9Beechey Island, Nunavut
Day 9Prince Leopold Island, Nunavut
Day 10Fort Ross, Nunavut
Day 11Coningham Bay, Nunavut
Navigate the dividing line between East and West
The ‘Rubicon’ of the Canadian Arctic, dividing East from West, is the infamous Bellot Strait. This narrow body of water separates the northernmost part of mainland North America from Somerset Island, one of the largest islands in the Canadian Arctic archipelago.
Bellot Strait is approximately 15 nautical miles long and just over half a mile wide at its narrowest point. Our ability to navigate this passage will be determined by ice and weather conditions.
Day 12Day at Sea
Day 13Gjoa Haven, Nunavut
Day 14Day at Sea
Day 15Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
Day 16Day at Sea
Day 17Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories
Day 18Day at Sea
Day 19Herschel Island, Yukon
Day 20Cruising Beaufort Sea
Science and wildlife watching at sea
As we navigate the Beaufort Sea and Bering Strait, these days at sea provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on your journey and make the most of your ship’s facilities.
Immerse yourself in the onboard Science and Education programme and contribute to real-world research through Citizen Science. Or simply take time to relax – enjoy a drink with fellow explorers, watch the world drift by from the hot tub, or soothe your body and mind in the sauna.
Keep an eye out for bowhead and grey whales as we cross the Beaufort Sea to Point Barrow, the northernmost point of the United States. If sea ice is present, we may also see congregations of pacific walrus on the ice floes.
In the Beaufort Sea, seasonal sea ice can fluctuate. If the sea ice levels are greater than the seasonal average, it will likely affect the speed we can sail through. Expecting the unexpected is all part of the expedition experience.
The highlights of this transit include:
The Beaufort Sea
The Bering Strait
The International Date Line
Wildlife watching
Day 21Cruising Beaufort Sea
Day 22Cruising Beaufort Sea
Day 23Cruising Beaufort Sea
Day 24Nome, Alaska
Learn about Alaska’s ‘golden’ past
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.
Wyatt Earp, the famous sheriff, opened a saloon here. Nome was also the end point of three of Roald Amundsen's great polar expeditions.
From here you’ll take a flight to Seattle for an overnight stay.
Day 25Seattle, Washington
End your adventure in the Emerald City
Waking up in your hotel in Seattle marks the end of your adventure through the Arctic labyrinth. After breakfast, and if you have time before your onward journey, why not explore the Emerald City and see what it has to offer.
Why not take a stroll through the nine-acre Olympic Sculpture Park for incredible views of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains, admiring the work of renowned artists as you go. For a feast of the senses, visit the famous Pike Place Market. Operating for over a century, this lively farmer’s market boasts everything from buskers and bars to salmon-throwing fishmongers.
Gallery
Questions about this trip?
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Email explore@polaradventure.com or call toll-free 1-888-611-7688.
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