Door-to-Door
Churchill - Nuuk
Jul 25 2025 - Aug 9 2025
15 Nights
Price from per person
£26,150
Our Northwest Passage Cruises take you deep into the legendary sea route. Led by our polar experts with years of polar experience, this is a chance to explore the untouched Canadian Arctic on a small ship expedition.
Northwest Passage expedition cruises offer a chance to see rare wildlife like Polar Bears, Belugas, Narwhals, Musk Oxen and Walruses. You’ll also visit historical sites and hear the stories of early expeditions, highlighting the significance of mainland North America, including Zenith Point near the Bellot Strait, which played a crucial role in polar exploration. This makes it perfect for history lovers.
The Northwest Passage has many itineraries to choose from. Follow in the footsteps of Roald Amundsen and do a complete traverse of the passage, or opt for a shorter cruise and explore a section, like Lancaster Sound and Baffin Island. The Canadian High Arctic, with its breathtaking landscapes, Inuit culture, glaciers, and marine wildlife viewing, is an adventure that is calling you.
Price from per person
Price from per person
Price from per person
Enjoy wildlife watching Arctic wildlife from the ship and Zodiacs with onboard naturalist guides. Look out for Narwhals and Beluga whales and spend time on deck searching for the king of the Arctic. Polar bears can often be seen crossing the ice floes deep within the icy waterways.
In 1906 Roald Amundsen first transited the passage by ship. You can now experience that thrill by traversing the Northwest Passage by expedition ship, following historical routes taken by early explorers.
Navigate icy channels on Zodiac cruises. Step ashore with our expert guide team in seldom visited places and encounter breathtaking landscapes, glaciers and mountains only seen by explorers.
Explore with guides and historians who will bring everything to life, from Franklin's failed attempt to traverse the Northwest Passage to the remains of ancient settlements. Also, visit the abandoned beachside outpost of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Dundas Harbour, a key site in Arctic history and Inuit communities.
A small expedition ship is perfect for Arctic exploration deep into the polar regions. All guests can enjoy Zodiac cruising together through the Arctic waters with the expedition team and naturalists.
Polar bears, musk ox grazing, narwhals crossing the ice floes, Beluga whales, seals, Arctic foxes and a variety of Arctic bird species are some of the local wildlife that is seen.
The sea route consists of fjords and deep channels where it is possible to encounter marine life.Â
The grand landscapes, give the Northwest Passage a sense of isolation and untouched beauty you won't find in more accessible areas.
Visit an active glacier, see floating icebergs, and vast ice fields above the Arctic Circle. The region is famous for its glacial valleys and rugged landscapes, which inspired the early explorers.
Meet the people at the end of the world. Visit local Inuit communities throughout the Northwest Passage and learn about their traditional way of life, art and customs.
Visit historical sites including Beechey Island, where all souls were lost 170 years ago, and the Davis Strait, where Roald Amundsen passed through on his ship Gjøa.
The fabled Northwest Passage is a very remote part of the Canadian Arctic wilderness. Because of its remoteness, there are no roads between settlements and very little infrastructure. The only way to visit this area is to fly in or join an expedition cruise. Many areas can only be reached by ship, so an expedition cruise is the best way to see this region. Small ships with Zodiacs and an expert guide team who know the area will ensure your safety and make your journey more enjoyable, offering the best way to see wildlife and scenic sites.
Many guests fly to the start of their Northwest Passage expedition, a hassle-free way to begin your journey. Common routes to the Northwest Passage are from Iceland, Greenland, or Alaska, and they are all served by international airlines. Most expeditions include a charter flight, so you don’t have to book separate flights.
Because of the sea ice, the Northwest Passage cruises only operate for a few months a year, from July to September. Expedition cruises exploring entire Northwest Passage occur in late summer, August to September when the sea ice is at its minimum and the best chance of passage.
The best time to cruise the Northwest Passage depends on your preferences. July and August are the best months for wildlife viewing in midsummer when you can see the midnight sun. Wildlife migrates south in September, but it’s the best month for the Northern lights.
As a next step please contact our Travel Experience Team who will give you advice about different routes, ships and itineraries and help you find the best price for your cruise.
The cost of a Northwest Passage cruise depends on the cruise length and ship. Prices for Northwest Passage start from £7,660 ($9,756) for an 11-night expedition to Ellesmere Island on Ultramarine.
Some Northwest Passage cruises have no supplement, which is perfect for solo travellers. Our Travel Experience Team can help you with the best solo traveller offers. Just get in touch with your requirements, and we’ll find the best no-single supplement Northwest Passage cruise for you.
Yes, you can see polar bears although sightings are never guarenteed. Polar bears are common in the area and can be seen hunting on ice floes or searching the coastline for food in the summer. While sightings can never be guaranteed, polar bears are frequently seen. For the best chances of seeing polar bears, we recommend a longer expedition, which gives more opportunities to see these magnificent creatures.
Weather conditions in the Northwest Passage during a cruise can be unpredictable, and you need to be prepared for different temperatures and conditions. Here’s a general idea of what you might expect during in July, August and September:
Temperature: Daytime temperatures are 32°F to 50°F (0°C to 10°C), with warmer temperatures towards the end of the month.
Daylight: July has long days with the possibility of 24 hours of daylight, especially towards the end of the month.
Weather: The weather can be variable, but you can expect a mix of clear days, overcast skies, and fog. Precipitation is low.
Temperature: The same as July, daytime temperatures 32°F to 50°F (0°C to 10°C). However, temperatures are warmer at the start of the month.
Daylight: Days start to get shorter, but there’s still plenty of daylight. However, 24 hours of sunlight is less likely.
Weather: Same as July, with clear days, overcast skies, and potential fog. Precipitation low.
Temperature: Temperatures start to cool, and daytime highs are 23°F to 41°F (-5°C to 5°C). Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing.
Daylight: Days get shorter, and daylight hours may significantly reduce by the end of September.
Weather: Colder temperatures may bring snow, especially towards the end of the month. Ice conditions will get more challenging as the season progresses.
Make sure to pack warm, waterproof, insulated, and layered clothing. We’ll provide a complete packing list and what’s included when you book.
When you book, you can expect comfortable cabin accommodation, meals, guides, guest lecturers, Zodiac cruise excursions and charter flights. See your chosen itinerary’s tour page for full details of what’s included.
Financial security is our top priority for our clients. All bookings made with North Pole Cruises come with 100% financial protection and supplier failure insurance free of charge, so you are fully protected when booking.
When you book your chosen itinerary, the payment options will be shown. Our payment terms are designed to be flexible for you. You can secure your cabin with a 30% deposit at the time of booking, and the balance is due 90 days before departure, so you have plenty of time to plan and prepare for your trip.
We know everyone has their preferred way of paying. That’s why we offer the option to pay by credit card or bank transfer, whichever is easiest for you.
Each Northwest Passage cruise ship has Zodiacs and a team of experienced guides to ensure your safety and enhance your adventure with daily shore landings. We offer optional activities on some of our voyages if you want a more personal adventure. Whether you like kayaking, flightseeing or trekking, there’s something for everyone. When you book with us, we understand that your interests are unique. That’s why we take the time to talk to you about your preferences and suggest options based on the activities you want to do. Plus, some activities are available at an additional cost, depending on your chosen ship.
Wildlife in the Canadian High Arctic is scattered over a vast area. For the best wildlife watching, we recommend a small ship and a longer itinerary, like a full passage. All Northwest Passage cruises have expert guides and naturalists on board.
For more information on how to choose your expedition, please contact our Travel Experience Team.
Northwest Passage expedition cruises range from 12 days to explore the entrance up to 28 days to traverse the entire passage for a deep exploration.
Aim to book your expedition at least 12 months in advance to secure your preferred activities, ship, and cabin. However, we sometimes have last-minute availability on some cruises for late bookers.
Contact us to find out about late availability.
To book your Northwest Passage cruise, contact our Travel Experience Team. They can help with your itinerary and provide availability and pricing details for your chosen voyage.
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