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For more than 300 years, explorers attempted to find a water route between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean through the treacherous Arctic Ocean before they found Northwest Passage in 1905. Now, even knowing that route, the Canadian Arctic remains one of the most untouched and undeveloped domains on the planet—making it an alluring challenge for adventurous souls.
Most of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago lies in the sparsely populated Canadian territory of Nunavut, where the unique topography is characterized by endless spans of treeless tundra, hugged by cold waters only accessible to those who dare to dock on their rocky shorelines. Small planes operated by Canadian North or Calm Air connect many remote fly-in communities to Iqaluit, Nunavut’s capital city, and the rest of Canada. However, travel by sea allows a visitor to see more of this region in a single trip. These cruises typically travel between Greenland and Nunavut, traversing through the Northwest Passage. After the cruise, small charter flights return passengers to a larger airport, like Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), where passengers can plan their connecting flights home.
Today, ships of all sizes cruise past some of the more than 36,000 islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Baffin Island, the largest island in Canada (and the fifth-largest island in the world), is home to Iqaluit, and the 2,300-square-mile Penny Ice Cap, a remnant of the last ice age. Thirteen different communities in the Canadian Arctic receive cruise passengers, departing from Iqaluit to Kinngait, known for its many sculptures and line drawing artists, and sailing through the Northwest Passage to Pond Inlet. Smaller ships, like those used by Adventure Canada or Quark Expeditions, can access more remote communities than large luxury liners that sometimes sail the region. Many ships also use zodiac expedition boats that allow passengers to visit uninhabited islands, enjoy guided hikes on the tundra, and get a closer look at glaciers and icebergs without risking damage to these natural wonders. (Don’t forget to bring your binoculars while aboard an Arctic cruise, as you may have the opportunity to spot local wildlife like polar bears, belugas, and narwhals, on the shore or in the water.)
Those who know the Canadian Arctic best are the Inuit, who have survived and thrived in this ice-laden place from time immemorial. The cruise ships visit remote Indigenous communities where guests can learn and shop from local Inuit artists, enjoy cultural experiences and visit small businesses, museums, and historical sites. If you plan to purchase a line drawing or soapstone carving, remember to withdraw Canadian cash as not all artists accept purchases by card. Onboard activities for expedition vessels include educational seminars from scientists, historians, wildlife experts, photographers, artists, and cultural ambassadors.
As cruising in this region resumes for the first time since 2019, not all welcome the return of visits on ocean liners. “There is a divide in the community about the return of cruise ships,” admits Theresa Dalueg, Community Economic Development Officer for Pond Inlet in Nunavut, one of the most popular cruise ports in the territory. “Tourism is an important source of income for many people in Nunavut. It provides opportunities for artists, performers, outfitters, small businesses, and tour guides to make a living and provide for their families. There is still some fear of welcoming visitors since the pandemic, but thankfully cruise companies are very understanding and are following guidelines set in place by the government.”