DAY 1 / ST. JOHN’S / EMBARKATION 

St. John’s is the oldest and most easterly city in North America, and it is said that this is where heritage lives. With its narrow streets and hidden alleyways, it is a city full of character and experience. We recommend you explore the history of this place, including the Basilica of St. John the Baptist’s striking twin clock towers, before you embarking on your adventure.

DAY 2 / ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON 

Though Paris is 4000 km away, the people living in St. Pierre and Miquelon are very proud of their French heritage. This is France’s oldest overseas territory and a part of the French Republic. Today, enjoy visiting a characteristically French place, where you’ll find nice bistros, cafés, wine, cheese, baguettes, chocolates, and pastries. You might even see people wearing berets.

DAY 3 / AT SEA 

Enjoy a day at sea. On board, there will be lectures on various topics. Or, you may choose to spend some time on deck enjoying the wildlife.

DAY 4 / GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK 

Gros Morne National Park is one of the highlights of any trip to Newfoundland. The park, with its deep valleys, steep cliffs, sandy beaches, and spectacular fjord system, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moose, caribou, foxes, black bears, ptarmigans and eagles are a very common sight here. A ride through this ancient landscape in the higher regions will be unforgettable.

DAY 5 / RED BAY 

Between 1550 and the early 17th century Red Bay was a centre for Basque whaling operations. At the most 2500 whalers on 50 ships from France and Spain came for the whale-hunting season. The discovery of vessels used for whale hunting made Red Bay one of the most exquisite underwater archaeological sites in America. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DAY 6 / L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS 

In L’Anse aux Meadows, you’ll see the first known evidence of the Vikings settling in North America. This is probably where Thorfinn Karlsefni and several others settled in 1010 AD. In 1960, two Norwegian archaeologists started excavating in this area and discovered the fascinating remains of the Viking camp. In 1979, L’Anse aux Meadows became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the recreated camp, you can see original artefacts from this internationally renowned archaeological find.

DAY 7 / BATTLE HARBOUR 

Located on the edge of the Labrador Sea, Battle Harbour is a nature lover’s paradise. For two centuries it was the economic and social centre of the southeast Labrador coast. Today, it is a wilderness adventure destination, where you can encounter whales, dolphins, seabirds, Arctic fox, icebergs, and spectacular island scenery on one of our hikes or boat tours.

DAY 8 / CRUISING THE COAST OF LABRADOR 

Spend three days sailing along the coast of Labrador and exploring this area. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking along countless miles of trails, with much wilderness to explore, whilst others will appreciate learning more about regional history, cultures, and traditions at the numerous historic sites you’ll visit.

DAY 9 / CRUISING THE COAST OF LABRADOR 

Today, we may visit picturesque Rigolet. With a population of only 300, Rigolet is also the southernmost Inuit community in the world.

DAY 10 / CRUISING THE COAST OF LABRADOR 

Today, choose from several offering outings: explore the beautiful waters in a speedboat, or try fishing, riding, or whale watching. You may also see Hopedale, which was originally an Inuit settlement named Agvituk, meaning “place of the whales,” and Hebron, a former Moravian mission that served as the northernmost settlement in Labrador.

DAY 11 – 14 / TORNGAT MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK 

The spectacular wilderness of the Torngat Mountains National Park comprises 9,700 square kilometres of the Northern Labrador Mountains natural region. The mountain peaks are dotted with remnants of glaciers. The park’s geographical features formed during the last ice age, with steep fjord systems rising up to 900 meters directly out of the sea—this is a truly wild landscape. Today, Inuit continue to use this area for hunting, fishing, and travelling throughout the year. According to Archaeological sites, Torngat, which means “place of spirits,” and the Torngat Mountains have been home to Inuit and their predecessors for 7000 years.

Polar bears hunt seals along the coast, and both the Torngat Mountains and George River caribou herds cross paths as they migrate to and from their calving grounds. Moose, foxes, wolves and Black bears are also native to the park.

DAY 15 / KUUJUAQ / DISEMBARKATION  

Your adventure ends in Kuujuaq. Disembarkation is followed by a transfer from ship to airport, and an economy flight from Kuujjuaq to Montreal.

• Hurtigruten Expedition voyage in cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis (daily buffet breakfast, buffet lunch,
  and set or buffet dinner)
• Wind- and water-resistant jacket
• Landings and activities on board and ashore
• Professional English-speaking Expedition Team that gives lectures as well as accompany landings and activities
• Complimentary use of Muck Boot rubber boots
• Complimentary tea and coffee

Note for the dates mentioned below:

June 26, 2017: voyage also includes transfer from ship to
airport in Kuujjuaq and economy flight from Kuujjuaq to
Montreal
July 9, 2017: voyage also includes one hotel night in
Montreal before the voyage, including breakfast, transfer
from hotel to airport in Montreal, economy flight from
Montreal to Kuujjuaq, and transfer from airport to ship
in Kuujjuuaq

Travel Documents / Visas

1. Passport

Canadian citizens must have a valid passport for entry to any of our Arctic destinations.

Our cruise partners require that your passport be valid for 6 months after the end date of your trip.

Citizens of other countries should consult with their travel agent or our office.

2. Visa

No visa is required for citizens of Canada to enter any of our Arctic destinations.

Packing List

A handy checklist of what to bring on your trip can be downloaded here.

Insurance

You MUST have travel insurance to participate in any Arctic program. Options on coverage are available from your travel agent or here.

Smoking

Not permitted anywhere indoors. There are designated areas on the outside decks.

Weather

The weather in the Arctic regions of the North Atlantic can vary greatly depending on fronts that can move fairly rapidly in conjunction with ocean currents. We advise to be on the safe and bring adequate warm cloting.

Summer days often do not exceed 10C, although it is possible for temperatures to reach into the high teens under the strong sun in protected areas like Greenlandic fjords.

It is typically quite dry in the summer months but can be very windy, particularly when crossing open stretches of sea. The wind combined with the cool temperatures could make it feel colder than it actually is. As is so often suggested, dressing in layers is the best way to stay warm and yet account for the changing temperatures.

Arrival / Departure

Upon booking, we will provide detail instructions on where to check-in for your Arctic expedition depending upon your embarkation point.  We strongly suggest arriving at least one day prior to avoid any chance of missing the sailing since there is no easy way to join the ship after it has departed.

On your return, if you are flying back home the same day as the ship arrives (assuming you are not on a program where the charter flight is part of the program), we strongly recommend that you stay over at least one night were possible. Although very rare, weather conditions could delay the exact return time and we cannot assume any responsibility for missed flights due to any delays.

Money

The currency of Norway is the Norwegian Kronor (NOK).

The currency of Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK).

The currency of Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK).

Onboard, you will be issued a cruise card which you can use to charge all purchases during your voyage. You must provide a Visa, American Express, Diners or MasterCard that is valid for at least 3 months after your trip date.

The final bill will be charged to your account in Norwegian Kronor (NOK).

ATM’s accepting most international debit and credit cards can be found in abundance in Norway and Iceland. However, after you leave these cities for the trip, it is extremely unlikely you will see another ATM until your voyage ends. We regret, there is no currency exchange facility onboard the ship.

For small purchases in Iceland and Greenland, you should have some of the local currency as USD may not be accepted.

Gratuities (Tipping)

Gratuities suggested by the cruise line are:

USD 12.00 per guest per day to be divided amongst the entire crew.

Laundry

Laundry service is available for a small fee. Regrettably, dry cleaning is not available.

Excursions

All regular shore landings as noted in the itinerary are included in your voyage. Some additional excursions may be available on board at an extra cost. Please check with us or consult the purser onboard for additional information.

Many shore landings will start a zodiac boat ride to shore where you will land and be assisted onto shore via some portable steps. The ground is sometimes covered with small rocks / gravel.

Activity Level / Strenuousness

Light to Moderate – Participation in the shore landings requires the ability to board (with assistance) a zodiac boat from the main ship and on to shore. There are generally no long distances to walk on the Arctic programs.

Food

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your cruise fare.

Should you have the opportunity to sample Greenlandic fare, you should jump at the chance. Much of the food here comes either from the sea like the infamous Greenlandic halibut, but also truly ‘free range’ meat from animals like the reindeer, muskox, and local lamb.

When in Iceland, you’ll find that the food is somewhat more “Europeanized”. However, local dishes such as “Hangikjöt” (smoked lamb) or “Skyr” (kind of like yoghurt but not), are well worth trying. If you are really brave, look for “Svið” which is boiled sheep’s head. They say it’s delicious.

Language

In all the stops along the way, you will find that the local people speak at least some, if not fluent, English. You may find run into a real native Greenlander who doesn’t understand you, but then you’d be lucky.

Medical Facilities

There is an English-speaking physician and nurse on board at all times. The ship has a small medical facility with the necessary equipment and drugs to handle small emergencies. In the event of a serious emergency, the nearest hospital will be contacted. Medical consultations as well as medicines will be charged to the passenger affected. If you depend on medication, remember to bring sufficient supplies to last through any unforeseen delays. We also recommend that you keep your medication in your hand luggage properly labelled and with clear instructions for its use. If you depend on vital drugs, please inform the ship’s doctor upon arrival.  Illness on board can lead to quarantine and orders from the ship’s physician and captain, must be followed.

Phone & Internet

There is a phone in each cabin. Call rates are very high as a satellite connection is the only one possible.

Wi-Fi is available in certain areas of the ship at a modest charge. As it is a satellite connection, internet speed will be very slow and we suggest it be used for urgent matters only.

Health / Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations required to travel to Arctic destinations. However, we suggest you consult your physician with any specific personal requirements for this program.

You must also have travel insurance to participate on this voyage.

Safety & Security

Our ships are equipped with the latest in emergency communication, life boats and other equipment to deal with any kind of problematic event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office for more details.

The destinations involved do not currently have any security threats.

Suggested Reading

This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland

Arctic: A Guide to Coastal Wildlife

Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga

Baffin Island: Field Research and High Arctic