A blend of Canadian cultures in Québec's premier city Your expedition begins with an overnight stay in Montréal, Québec's largest city. It’s a hub of Canadian history and culture, with a cosmopolitan feel and a year-round calendar of events. There’s plenty to see and do, from shopping, cuisine and culture to the Basilica of Notre Dame in the historic streets of Old Montréal. You’ll find a kaleidoscope of colour in the city’s Plateau district, and a lively atmosphere in the downtown social hub of Crescent Street. If you'd like to explore more, why not join our optional Pre-Programme Montréal Sightseeing & Savoir-Vivre Tour, to get a real taste of this unique city in all its glorious diversity.

Wildlife and conservation in this fish-rich bay A morning flight from Montréal brings you to wildlife-rich Cambridge Bay. It's home to fewer than 2000 residents, the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, an important centre for climate change research – and Arctic char, muskoxen and caribou. It's only fitting that your expedition starts here, where Arctic explorers like Roald Amundsen have also sheltered before attempting the legendary Northwest Passage. MS Fram will be ready and waiting. Collect your complimentary expedition jacket, meet your Expedition Team who will talk you through guidelines on protecting wildlife habitats and visiting Arctic communities in a responsible and respectful way.

Crossing a historical sea corridor through Canada's Arctic archipelago Like pioneering explorers who've come before you, we won't have an exact itinerary as we attempt to sail our state-of-the-art, ice class ship from the Atlantic to the Pacific via the famed sea route, the Northwest Passage. We plan to stop at Gjoa Haven, Fort Ross, Dundas Harbour and Pond Inlet if conditions are favourable. As we explore, we'll land at sites linked to early exploration history, visit Inuit communities, and look out for Arctic wildlife such as polar bears, whales, narwhals, seals and seabirds. You'll go expedition boat cruising between ice floes, and go ashore to experience the pristine wilderness first hand. Your Expedition Team will adapt activities to ice and weather conditions, giving you the best experience possible. At Gjoa Haven, Roald Amundsen learned polar survival tips from the Netsilik Inuit. If we are able, we'll take a walking tour to discover more. We'll continue east to Fort Ross, a former Hudson Bay Trading post. We may stop at Beechey Island and pay our respects at the graves of three Franklin expedition team members. On Devon Island - the largest uninhabited island on Earth – we hope to visit Dundas Harbour and learn about its Thule heritage. On the final stretch, we’ll try to reach Pond Inlet and the Inuit community of Mittimatalik on Baffin Island, rounding off what we hope will be an incredible 8 days of exhilarating exploration.

Relax and learn as we sail towards Greenland Leaving Canada behind, we'll cross the Davis Strait and Baffin Bay to Greenland. Join the Expedition Team for further insightful lectures on your adventures ahead. Topics may include local wildlife, geology, culture, and historic explorers. You can also pick up some photography tips on how to best capture the awe-inspiring scenery all around you. Get your pulse up in the gym, or relax in the sauna and one of the outdoor hot tubs. Or just sit back and enjoy the seascape pass you by from the panoramic windows of the Explorer Lounge and Bar.

The town where you can see and hear the ice flow Our expedition cruise reaches Disko Bay – a haven for walruses, whales and seals. You’re in for a unique experience. Nestled in magnificent Ilulissat Icefjorden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Ilulissat. Against a backdrop of colourful houses is an ever-changing gallery of passing icebergs. Marvel at these giants as they float past the town, taking on different hues of white, grey and blue. You won’t just see them, you’ll hear them too. As they bump into one another, the cracks, creaks and rumbles echo all around. Even amateur photographers will return to ship with the most enviable images.

Explore ancient traditions in Arctic Greenland We reach Sisimiut, Greenland’s second city. It sits in a spectacular location just 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This area has history spanning more than 4,500 years. Old traditions are alive and well here. You can learn more about the ancient Saqqaq artefacts in the local museum and Taseralik Cultural Centre. Pick up a special souvenir – a qiviut scarf, hat or mittens – made from a local fabric said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool. You can also stretch your legs on our optional hike up Palaasip Qaqqa. It’s a four to five hour climb of more than 1,640 ft., but the views from the peak are unparalleled.

Experience Greenlandic culture, old and new, in Nuuk Your Northwest Passage expedition cruise continues on to Greenland’s capital Nuuk, with a population of 18,000, and a striking mix of old and new buildings. Compare the city's old architecture – Hans Egede's House and Nuuk Cathedral – with the ultra-modern style of Greenland's Parliament. Visit Katuaq Cultural Centre to discover more about Greenlandic traditions. Visit the National Museum to see six Qilakitsoq mummies. They make for a fascinating insight into life here 500 years ago. Join us for an optional nature walk around beautiful Mount Lille Malene and explore the pristine nature around Nuuk.

Discover the glacial beauty of the west coast fjords Experience your first sight of Greenland’s sublime west coast fjords as we reach Kvanefjorden in Sermersooq, meaning 'Place of Much Ice'. Have your camera ready for glistening icebergs and semi-submerged glacial ice – pure white with undertones of crystalline blue. These sculpted ice blocks are some of Arctic nature’s finest creations. Few people venture into this remote fjord, making it even more special to spend the day exploring here. The Expedition Team will select places to head ashore to enjoy the beautiful scenery on nature walks, or head out in boats to scout for wildlife.

Watch for wildlife and get involved in Citizen Science Leaving Greenland behind, our expedition cruise continues to Canada across the Labrador Sea. We'll enter the Davis Strait, named after English explorer John Davis, who led expeditions here in the 16th century. The Expedition Team will continue their onboard lectures on topics from the wildlife of Northern Labrador to Inuit culture and the history of Arctic exploration. The strait is known for its abundance of seals, whales and cod. You can take part in one of our Citizen Science programmes, helping photograph and track whales or contributing to the GLOBE Observer project.

Explore this extraordinary former whaling settlement Look out for humpback or minke whales as we approach Red Bay – the very creatures that drew whalers to this harbour in the 17th century. The ice-cold waters around Red Bay hide a number of wrecked chalupas – or small whaling boats – and galleons, making it one of the world's most important underwater archaeological sites. Visit the local museum to see a 26 ft. chalupa and look for whale bones in the protected National Historic Site. Search for pirate captain Kidd's buried treasure around Tracey Hill; you may not find gold doubloons, but you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.

Step back in time in this charming Newfoundland city We'll follow in Captain James Cook's footsteps as we sail into the Bay of Islands towards the traditional city of Corner Brook. Discover the area's fascinating history and collection of artefacts at Corner Brook Museum. Join an optional excursion for great views from Crow Hill, or take a guided hike along the Corner Brook Stream trail. You can also opt for the thrill of zip-lining high over the scenic Humber Valley, admiring views of Marble Mountain and Steady Brook Falls. Before we depart, we'll enjoy a performance from a local folk and traditional trio as today's included activity.

Reflecting on your epic expedition As your Northwest Passage expedition cruise draws to a close, take time to unwind onboard your comfortable ship and imagine the challenges the great explorers before you would have faced. Soak your limbs in the hot tub, work out in the gym, make use of the Science Center, or just relax in the Explorer Lounge. Join the Expedition Team to recap the highlights of this incredible once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Spend time in the Science Center wrapping up your Citizen Science observations or pick out your favourite images with our onboard photographer.

Disembark in the cosmopolitan capital of Nova Scotia Your expedition cruise through the Northwest Passage ends in Halifax. This historic port is a fitting end to such a wonderful adventure. As you find your land legs, why not discover its red-brick heritage buildings, landmark Citadel Hill National Historic Site and epic 2.5 mile seafront boardwalk. Take a leisurely stroll on Halifax Common – Canada’s oldest park, dating back to 1763 – and visit one of the city's many art galleries or museums, including the Titanic exhibit at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Want to stay longer? Book our Post-Programme to visit the historic community of Peggy's Cove and Halifax Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the burial place of 121 passengers of the Titanic.

Itineraries are subject to change.