Have questions? We're here.

Northwest Passage Arctic Cruises & Tours

Travel made your way ™
Canada
Herd of Arctic reindeer
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Northwest Passage trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Talk with an expert
Join us on an expedition to the northernmost parts of the world on a cruise of the Northwest Passage. Enjoy the unique & comfortable accommodations aboard small cruise ships with hardened hulls that boldly push through the frigid waters connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. You can also board the research ships or the expedition ships for a different take on an Arctic cruise. No matter which small ship cruise you choose, you will have exclusive access to one of the most remote corners of the world, where the fascinating wildlife of the untamed wilderness can be seen & the colors of Aurora Borealis light up the night sky. Contact us to start planning your trip. 
Northwest Passage Cruises

10 Best Northwest Passage Cruises for 2025-2026

Northwest Passage Cruises
Midnight sun light, Ilulissat

Into the Northwest Passage

17 Days from $14,495
Board the ice-strengthened Ocean Endeavor expedition ship on this 17-day Arctic cruise from Kangerlussuaq, Greenland through the legendary Northwest Passage. You'll encounter wildlife like polar bears, caribou, walrus, and musk ox, meet Inuit villagers in their coastal fishing towns, navigate around icebergs in zodiacs and trek across glaciers!
EXPLORE
0
Kangerlussuatsiaq, Greenland

Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route

17 Days from $18,395
Embark on a 17-day cruise from Reykjavik to Calgary aboard Ultramarine, retracing the Franklin Expedition's path in the Northwest Passage. Explore the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland, discover Inuit communities, hike colorful tundra, and encounter diverse wildlife.
EXPLORE
0
A towering iceberg

Into the Northwest Passage

17 Days from $23,995
Set sail on this 17-day Into the Northwest Passage cruise aboard Exploris One. Explore Ilulissat Icefjord, Devon Island, and historic Beechey Island. Witness incredible wildlife, from polar bears and muskoxen to narwhals and belugas. Cruise among towering glaciers, sail through Bellot Strait and discover the fascinating history of Arctic explorers.
EXPLORE
0
Kayaking in the Northwest Passage

Northwest Passage: Epic High Arctic

17 Days from $21,795
Sail on this 17-day Arctic cruise aboard Ocean Explorer, starting in Calgary, and journey through Canada's High Arctic and Greenland. Explore stunning regions like Beechey Island, Radstock Bay, and Arctic Bay. Cruise through Smith Sound before arriving in Greenland, where you’ll visit Qaanaaq, Uummannaq, and the Ilulissat Icefjord.
EXPLORE
0
Musk Ox roaming the Northwest Passage

Canada’s Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage to Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands

12 Days from $13,295
Join a 12-day adventure cruise around the Canadian High Arctic aboard the Ultramarine. See the unique wonders and the breathtaking environment at the top of the world through adventure activities like helicopter flightseeing, wildlife tracking, and trekking.
EXPLORE
0
Kayaking in the Northwest Passage

The Northwest Passage (Westbound)

16 Days from $24,795
Join a 16-day Arctic expedition aboard the Greg Mortimer, starting with a flight to Nuuk. Explore stunning landscapes, Inuit communities, and the Northwest Passage, concluding your adventure in Cambridge Bay before flying to Calgary.
EXPLORE
0
Qikiqtarjuak community

Northwest Passage: The Legendary Arctic Sea Route

17 Days from $21,795
Join this 17-day adventure from Reykjavik to Calgary aboard Ocean Explorer, exploring the stunning landscapes of Greenland and Canada’s Arctic. Travel through Greenland’s breathtaking fjords, stop at remote towns like Nuuk and Maniitsoq, and witness spectacular wildlife in Canada’s High Arctic.
EXPLORE
0
Kayaking and Zodiac Cruising in Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland

Traversing the Northwest Passage

29 Days from $50,995
Join this 29-day expedition from Toronto to Anchorage aboard the Greg Mortimer. Navigate the Northwest Passage, explore historic sites, meet locals, and spot Arctic wildlife.
EXPLORE
0
Ilulissat Icefjord at sunset

Traversing the Northwest Passage

29 Days from $44,395
Join a 29-day expedition cruise on the Sylvia Earle through the Northwest Passage, inspired by Roald Amundsen's journey. Experience Arctic Canada's stunning landscapes, wildlife, and local cultures while navigating challenging pack ice.
EXPLORE
0
First views of Baffin Island

Northwest Passage to Newfoundland: Glaciers, Mountains, and Wildlife

16 Days from $13,195
Embark on a 16-day expedition cruise aboard the Ultramarine, covering 2,500 nautical miles from the Northwest Passage to Newfoundland and Labrador. Explore remote areas, including Beechey Island, Icy Arm Fjord, Qikiiqtarjuaq, Cape Mercy, Torngat Mountains, L’Anse aux Meadows, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and St. John’s.
EXPLORE
0
Northwest Passage Cruises

6 Northwest Passage Cruise Deals

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
The Northwest Passage (Eastbound) $24,795 16 Sep 07, 2025 Join a 16-day cruise on the Greg Mortimer, exploring the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, starting in Calgary and flying to Cambridge Bay. Enjoy wildlife sightings and Inuit heritage before concluding your journey in Nuuk and flying to Toronto.
0
Out of the Northwest Passage $14,495 17 Sep 01, 2025 The Northwest Passage remains one of the world’s last true frontiers. Embark on the Ocean Endeavour for a 17-day Arctic cruise to the far reaches of the north. The crown jewel of Arctic expedition travel, a trip through the Northwest Passage leaves one forever changed.
0
Out of the Northwest Passage $23,995 17 Sep 11, 2026 Embark on a 17-day Out of the Northwest Passage from Nunavut to Greenland aboard the Exploris One. Sail through legendary waterways like Bellot Strait and Lancaster Sound. Hike tundra landscapes, Zodiac cruise among towering icebergs, and learn from expert guides about Arctic exploration and Indigenous traditions.
0
High Arctic Archipelago: Canada and Greenland $47,143 24 Aug 26, 2025 Embark on a 24-day expedition aboard the National Geographic Endurance from Reykjavik to Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. Explore Greenland's west coast and navigate the historic Northwest Passage, encountering diverse wildlife and ancient Inuit settlements, offering a profound exploration of the Arctic's untamed wilderness and captivating history.
0
Grand Greenland - Farthest North to Thule and Kane Basin $20,994 21 Jul 29, 2025 Discover the beauty of Greenland and Iceland on this 21-day Grand Greenland – Farthest North to Thule and Kane Basin cruise aboard MS Fridtjof Nansen. Visit UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, explore Uummannaq Fjord, and sail through remote Arctic regions. Witness polar wildlife, including whales, walruses, and polar bears.
0
Canadian Northwest Passage & Northern Lights $18,580 18 Aug 29, 2025 Discover the Canadian Arctic on this 18-day expedition cruise roundtrip Kangerlussuaq aboard the SH Vega. This cruise takes you to a region of great historical importance, witnessing breathtaking mountainous icebergs, picturesque fjords, and much more in the ice-bound Canadian Arctic.
0
Northwest Passage Cruises

Top 3 Luxury Northwest Passage Cruises

Icebergs in Greenland

In the heart of the Northwest Passage

20 Days from $23,470
Embark on a 20-day cruise from Kangerlussuaq aboard the L'Austral, exploring Baffin Bay and the Northwest Passage. Discover stunning Arctic landscapes, rich wildlife, and Inuit culture along the way.
EXPLORE
0
Sled dogs on Baffin Island, Canada

In the heart of the Northwest Passage

20 Days from $23,320
Embark on a 20-day expedition to and from Kangerlussuaq aboard the Le Boreal. Explore the Baffin Bay and the Northwest Passage, featuring Greenland's icebergs, coastal villages, and Inuit culture in Arctic Bay.
EXPLORE
0
Kayaking

Transarctic, the Quest for the two North Poles

21 Days from $56,120
Join Le Commandant Charcot on this 21-day transarctic quest for the two North Poles from Longyearbyen to Nome. Cross these ice-covered landscapes of the Arctic by sea and explore the research projects that are part of the scientific mission taking place on board.
EXPLORE
0
Northwest Passage Cruise Ships

Top-Rated Northwest Passage Expedition & Cruise Ships

National Geographic Resolution ship

National Geographic Resolution

from $13,972
New in 2021, The National Geographic Resolution is a next-generation 126-passager expedition ship purpose-built for polar exploration in comfort with an extremely smooth ride even on the world's roughest, most demanding seas. National Geographic is legendary for immersive trips focusing on the ecology of the polar regions.
0
Ultramarine

Ultramarine

from $6,595
The Ultramarine is designed with an ice rating of 1A+, PC6, making it one of the most capable polar exploring vessels on the planet. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size.
0

Le Commandant Charcot

from $3,680
The polar explorer ship Le Commandant Charcot travels to remote regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. This expedition ship is unique because of its revolutionary and environmentally friendly design.
0
Greg Mortimer

Greg Mortimer

from $11,295
With only 132 passengers on board, Greg Mortimer reimagines Arctic expedition, tropical, and European cruises for the future. Modern, comfortable, and designed with guests in mind, this ship represents a significant increase in sailing capability.
0
Ocean Albatros

Ocean Albatros

from $4,595
Featuring a capacity of 175 passengers, the Ocean Albatros offers a unique adventure sailing to exciting destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, and more. Experience shore landings, excursions, lectures, and whale safaris on every expedition.
0

Ocean Endeavour

from $5,395
Updated as recently as 2014, the 200-passenger ice class Ocean Endeavor explores the most remote areas in comfort and style. With several decks and lounges, 20 zodiacs, and even a swimming pool, sauna, and hot tub, this is the perfect ship for Arctic exploration.
0
Silver Cloud

Silver Wind

from $13,100
Discover Silver Wind's tranquility, sophistication, and genuine elegance. This multi-million dollar refit transforms her into one of the most technologically advanced ships at sea. Admire the stunning beauty of Europe & the Polar regions aboard this 274 passenger ship.
0
L'Austral

L'Austral

Experience sophisticated design, innovative sailing technology, and the finest expedition staff from aboard the comfortable and sophisticated 199-passenger L' Austral.
0

MS Fram

from $20,606
The MS Fram was built in 2007 and offers numerous lounges in which to relax, a well-equipped gym, and several Jacuzzis on deck.
0
All Northwest Passage Articles

Northwest Passage Travel Tips & Guide

Musk Ox roaming the Northwest Passage

Top 10 Northwest Passage Cruise Activities - Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Embark on a Northwest Passage cruise and discover the top 10 things to do and see on this extraordinary journey!
0
Exploring the Northwest Passage sea ice

Top 10 Northwest Passage Cruise Ports

Explore the top 10 cruise ports in the Northwest Passage, including Kangerlussuaq, Iluslissat, Sisimiut, Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Upernavik, Pond Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Nome, Utqiagvik, Tuktoyaktuk, and Resolute.
0

    Unmissable Highlights of Northwest Passage Cruises

    As your ship breaks through the icy waters at the top of the world, you will feel like the explorers of yesteryear, setting forth to connect the two sides of the world via the Northwest Passage. On your cruise, don't miss:
    • Arctic Flora and Fauna: Witness the incredible wildlife of the Arctic, including the great migrations of beluga and narwhal whales, kittiwakes, other Arctic birds, seals, and polar bears. Snowmobiles offer a thrilling way to see this diverse wildlife up close.
    • Baffin Island: Located at the mouth of the Northwest Passage, Baffin Island offers stunning landscapes where you can trek across glaciers and hike the trails at Qikiqtarjuaq, providing spectacular views and opportunities for wildlife spotting.
    • Karrat Fjord: One of Greenland's most impressive fjords, Karrat Fjord is characterized by its towering stone cliffs and abundant wildlife, making it a photographer's paradise and a nature lover's dream.
    • Somerset Island: Deep within the Arctic Circle, Somerset Island is home to caribou, musk oxen, and thousands of birds. This remote location offers pristine landscapes and a true sense of Arctic wilderness.
    • Beechey Island: Visit the solemn gravesites of Franklin's lost crew, a poignant reminder of the early explorers' hardships. The nearby Caswell Tower provides a great vantage point for spotting polar bears and taking in the breathtaking Arctic scenery.
    • Lancaster Sound: Known as the wildlife superhighway of the Arctic, Lancaster Sound is rich with marine life, including whales, seals, and various seabirds. It's also a key area for Inuit culture and history.
    • Pond Inlet: Often referred to as the "jewel of the North," Pond Inlet offers stunning vistas of glaciers, fjords, and mountains. It’s a fantastic spot for cultural encounters with the local Inuit community.
    • Disko Bay: Located on Greenland's west coast, Disko Bay is famed for its massive icebergs and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ilulissat Icefjord. Witness the awe-inspiring calving glaciers and the serene beauty of the Arctic landscape.
    • Cambridge Bay: An important stop for historical and cultural experiences, Cambridge Bay is a hub for Arctic research. Explore local Inuit traditions and history through visits to cultural sites and museums.
    • King William Island: Known for its historical significance, this island was a crucial location during the Franklin expedition. It's a fascinating place for history buffs and those interested in Arctic exploration.
    Northwest Passage Geography: Major Ports & Islands

    The Northwest Passage is a traditional sea route passing through the Arctic Circle connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Ocean along the northern coasts of Greenland, Canada and Alaska.

    Greenland - Kangerlussuaq, a small town known for its airport, is Greenland’s major international transport hub and the start and finish point of many Northwestern Passage cruises and others that cruise to Iceland.

    Canada - Resolute is a small Inuit town in the Nunavut Territory and home of the Resolute Bay Airport (YRB) where adventurers can access Baffin Island, Devon Island, Beechey Island, and Ellesmere Islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. On continental Canada, Kugluktuk (Coppermine) and the Kugluktuk Airport (YCO) is another Inuit town used to access the Northwest Passage.

    Alaska - Nome is home to the Nome Airport (OME) and port for some excellent Arctic cruises.

     
    Sight-seeing in the arctic.

    Northwest Passage Cruise: When to Go?

    Though the austere Arctic landscape is often imagined to be a cold white wasteland, the brief months of summer see the flora blossoming and the fauna emerging from their long winter dormancy. Find out the best time to visit the Arctic based on your interests and expectations.
    0
    Polar bear balances on the ice in the Arctic

    Wildlife Guide to Polar Regions

    Which polar region is home to penguins? Or how about those elusive narwhals? Before your travels, it will be helpful to learn more about the different species that inhabit the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. You may be surprised to learn the differences!
    0
    How to get to the Northwest Passage
    Depending on where your itinerary starts, you'll need to book a flight to the closest airport. We can help you arrange flights and trasnportation. Here's a guide to get started:
    • Greenland – The Kangerlussuaq Airport is one of only two airports in Greenland and the best for our Northwest Passage itineraries.
    • Nunavut & Edmonton – If you're flying into this far-north territory of Canada, make sure to plan an extra day of travel before in case extreme weather conditions affect your flight.
    • Ottawa – This international airport offers a good gateway to Passage expeditions.
    Cruises through the Northwest Passage often include itineraries that visit Norway, Iceland, and Greenland, and even occasionally go as far as Russia. 
    All Arctic Videos

    Arctic Travel Videos

    Northwest Passage Travel FAQs

    At the very top of Canada's Arctic territory, you find the legendary Northwest Passage. It is considerably more isolated than the more developed parts of Canada and therefore some of the expectations you might have for the rest of the country aren't true here. On the other hand, it is Canadian territory, so many of the general FAQs can be found at the bottom of our Canada page.

    Do I need a visa to travel to the Northwest Passage?
    No, but you do need to pay a small fee for an electronic travel authorization.

    Is tipping customary in the Northwest Passage?
    The crew, captain, and guide will appreciate your tips as a way of thanking them for their friendly and courteous care, but tips are never required. Our Northwest Passage excursions seldom visit places where tipping is expected.

    What is the internet access like in the Northwest Passage?
    You will probably not have access to the internet in the Northwest Passage because of its extreme isolation from the rest of civilization. It is possible that you will have some internet access when you are in the ports at the beginning and end of your trip.

    Can I use my cell phone while in the Northwest Passage?
    For most of your journey, other than the beginning and end, you will likely be far out of range of cell towers and therefore will probably not get any cell coverage.

    Do I need a power adapter/ converter?
    You will find the same 110V, 3-prong sockets throughout all of North America. You will need a Type B adapter and power converter if you have appliances that have a different plug or power rating.

    What are the toilets like in the Northwest Passage?
    Cruise ships have standard flushing toilets.
     
    Can I drink the water in the Northwest Passage?
    You will always have access to clean drinking water on your cruise ship or at your lodge.

    Should I purchase travel insurance for my trip?
    Definitely! We always encourage travelers to purchase travel insurance just in case. Check out this page for more information and exclusive discounts.

    Northwest Passage Travel Reviews & Stories

    Torngat Mountains National Park

    Newfoundland and Wild Labrador
    0
    Sunset while kayaking at floe edge

    Mary Explores the Arctic!
    0

    Top Northwest Passage Travel Destinations

    Northwest Passage Trips by Departure Date

    Top Experiences in Northwest Passage

    Northwest Passage Trips by Duration

    Northwest Passage Trips by Activity

    More Reasons

    Why Travel With Adventure Life

    All News

    Recognized By

    Jess Heuermann Adventure Life employee profile
    Jess H
    Plan My Trip
    We love travel, talk with an expert 1.800.344.6118
    GOT IT!
    We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Continue browsing the site if you're ok with this. For more info, please see our privacy policy.