Ultramarine
Elegant lines, contemporary styling, onboard helicopters, spacious balconied cabins and a wide range of adventure activities; this ship is Ultra by name and ultra by nature. …
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Choosing your Northwest Passage ship
Northwest Passage ships vary considerably in terms of size, comfort level and style, so choosing the right ship is a key decision when planning your trip. Here are some of the primary considerations to take into account:
- Ice is a significant factor in these waters and a ship with a high ice-class rating can make a difference to your experience and where you can reach
- Distances are vast in the Northwest Passage and time spent sailing can be considerable, so focus on comfort, the relative amenities of each ship, and the size of your cabin
- Generous outer decks are crucial as they ensure everyone has ample space, particularly when wildlife is sighted, and provide plenty of opportunity to get your steps count
- For those keen on the educational side - history, glaciology, ornithology and traditional culture to name a few - the staff to guest ratio of the expedition team is worthy of note
- With wildlife generally being fairly skittish in the Arctic, a quieter ship can help achieve closer sightings
- A key early question to answer is what size of ship? Does the greater intimacy of a smaller ship (130-200 guests) appeal, or the amenities and wider choice of a larger ship?
Swoop says
Choosing a ship for the Northwest Passage is not a straightforward process – the facilities of the ship might not be so important to you compared to the style of the team on board. We've sailed on as many ships as possible, so we can help with those crucial details.
Alex Mudd Head of Swoop Arctic
Our favourite Northwest Passage expedition ships
Ocean Victory
With exceptional onboard technology and superior-quality accommodation, Ocean Victory is one of the most modern small ships for the polar regions.
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Roald Amundsen
Potential could be this ship's middle name. Few can compete with it's ability to traverse the full Northwest Passage and carry out landings with specialist guides.
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National Geographic Resolution
Purpose-built for polar exploration, this slick European-designed ship combines an ice-strengthened hull with cutting-edge X-Bow technology.
Discover MoreWhat our customers think of the Northwest Passage
Faultless service, as always in our experience. We knew the ship and even the cabin beforehand, but great to have Swoop’s help in setting it up and talking us through the options for the choice of voyage and extras. Read the full review
Travelled: July 2018
Steve & Tina O'Shea - United Kingdom
Our most popular Northwest Passage voyages
Special Offers:Swoop has access to the widest range of offers and can help you find the right trip, cabin, & price.
A full transit of the Northwest Passage is a truly epic undertaking, travelling in the footsteps of legendary explorers Amundsen, Franklin and Larsen. This voyage is distinguished by the small, nimble and comfortably appointed expedition ship you'll travel on, with…
- 29 Days
- $50,995
The big ice and small towns of West Greenland provide a stunning start to this trip before you sail across the Davis Straight to Baffin Island and enter the Northwest Passage. Blend history, scenery and wildlife; pay your respects at…
- 17 Days
- $13,872
Spending time exploring Canada’s historic Northwest Passage and West Greenland, we like this voyage’s balance and variety as much as exploring little visited spots such as Thule, one of the northernmost towns in the world, and Smith Sound. Big ice,…
- 17 Days
- $20,521
Embark on an epic voyage through the fabled Northwest Passage, sailing from Nome to Nuuk. Alongside your expert Expedition Team, you will encounter spectacular wildlife, UNESCO-listed treasures, and vibrant Inuit settlements. From the thrill of remote exploration to the stunning,…
- 26 Days
- $24,377
Traversing west to east this voyage takes you to iconic sites such as Cambridge Bay, Lancaster and Smith Sounds and Ellesmere Island, before exploring the fjords and towns of West Greenland. Bears, narwhal, musk ox, beluga and northern lights are…
- 17 Days
- $13,872
Set sail on this in-depth, luxury 20-day cruise of west Greenland and the legendary Northwest Passage. Travelling deep into the icy labyrinth of the Northwest Passage, encounter Inuit culture, retrace Franklin’s footsteps and witness Arctic wildlife – musk ox, polar…
- 20 Days
- $26,566
Beginning in Cambridge Bay, this westbound-arching route encapsulates the best that the Northwest Passage and West Greenland have to offer. Thread your way through the icy labyrinth of staggering landscapes, dramatic history, remote Inuit settlements and charismatic Arctic wildlife, with…
- 16 Days
- $25,495
In the labyrinthine icy channels of the legendary Northwest Passage, explore the islands and channels that form Canada’s High Arctic region. Meet local indigenous people, encounter enigmatic Arctic wildlife – including walruses, beluga whales, polar bears, musk oxen and the elusive…
- 16 Days
- $25,495
This comprehensive westbound voyage stands out for its compelling combination of West Greenland, the east coast of Baffin Island and the historic Northwest Passage. Jaw-dropping scenery, towering icebergs, thrilling wildlife encounters, Inuit community visits and fascinating history pervade this epic…
- 17 Days
- $20,521
Embark on one of the world’s most iconic journeys – a full transit through the fabled Northwest Passage from Alaska to Greenland, following in the footsteps of the intrepid early explorers. What makes this particular voyage even more special is…
- 23 Days
- $57,728
This is a fabulous introduction to the best of the Canadian High Arctic, incorporating an in-depth exploration of Baffin Island and the mythical Northwest Passage – with time also in West Greenland. From dramatic glacier-carved scenery and wildlife encounters, to…
- 20 Days
- $17,751
Follow in the footsteps of legendary explorers on a magnificent voyage from Greenland, attempting to transit the fabled Northwest Passage toward Alaska. Alongside your expert Expedition Team, you will discover UNESCO-listed sites, abundant wildlife, and vibrant Inuit settlements. This journey…
- 26 Days
- $19,050
Comfort & Adventure ships
These spacious expedition vessels offer a wider range of cabin options – with top-tier accommodation often featuring private balconies – and place more emphasis on hotel-style service. You’ll still enjoy daily landings and plenty of adventure along the way.
Ultramarine
Elegant lines, contemporary styling, onboard helicopters, spacious balconied cabins and a wide range of adventure activities; this ship is Ultra by name and ultra by nature. …
Discover MoreOcean Victory
With exceptional onboard technology and superior-quality accommodation, Ocean Victory is one of the most modern small ships for the polar regions.
Discover MoreRoald Amundsen
Potential could be this ship's middle name. Few can compete with it's ability to traverse the full Northwest Passage and carry out landings with specialist guides.
Discover MoreFridtjof Nansen
A state-of-the-art, hybrid-powered vessel, equipped to traverse the Northwest Passage. With a science centre, sauna, and restaurants, this isn’t a mere cruiser.
Discover MoreSylvia Earle
This state-of-the-art ship honours the highly accomplished marine biologist and oceanographer, Sylvia Earle. Sister ship to the Greg Mortimer, she similarly boasts stylish lines …
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Swoop says
Kayaking is a popular optional add-on only offered by certain ships. If adventure options are your priority, double check your preferred ship offers them.
Luxury and fine dining
Right at the pinnacle of luxury, these super-yacht-style ships offer impeccable service and all the high-end amenities you’d expect. Yet despite the elegance, you’ll still be bundling up for daily off-ship adventures as you explore the icy reaches of the north.
National Geographic Resolution
Purpose-built for polar exploration, this slick European-designed ship combines an ice-strengthened hull with cutting-edge X-Bow technology.
Discover MoreLe Boreal, Le Soleal, L'Austral & Le Lyrial
Purpose built expedition ships with state of the art luxury and five-star service for their 264 guests traveling in serious comfort.
Discover MorePlanning your Northwest Passage trip
When to visit the Northwest Passage
There’s very good reason why the Northwest Passage is only open to visitors from July to September: it's the only time average temperatures are above freezing, and the ice has …
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Getting to The Northwest Passage
The Northwest Passage, a beautiful and sparsely populated labyrinth of islands stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Vast distances and limited transport means joining…
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Northwest Passage Cruises
This labyrinthine waterway was long sought by early adventurers as a sea route linking the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Canada's Arctic archipelago is therefore no …
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Northwest Passage Wildlife
The Northwest Passage is best known for its dramatic history, but its waterways and islands are also home to the 'Arctic Big Five'. You'll have the chance to see polar bears, musk …
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Navigating the ice of the Northwest Passage
Zodiac cruising in icy Greenlandic waters
Imposing Arctic cliffs are observed from the ship
Passengers set off in zodiacs in Karrat Fjord
Loading zodiacs in the Northwest Passage
Observing the pack ice from the top deck
Northwest Passage Ships: FAQ
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Does a higher ice class increase the chances of completing the Northwest Passage?
Yes it will, however, with the sadly increasing summer temperatures in the Arctic and resultant melting of the ice, successfully transiting the Northwest Passage is now all but guaranteed, in a way that it wasn’t 20 years ago.
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Which ship or itinerary offers the best chances of seeing polar bears?
There are three main variables - alongside luck, which none of us can control - to bear in mind when it comes to giving yourself the best chance of seeing polar bears:
1. Length of trip: Put simply, the longer your trip the greater your chances of wildlife encounters
2. The Itinerary: While polar bears are very nomad, there are well-known polar bear ‘hotspots’ (e.g. Coningham Bay, Lancaster Sound, Croker Bay and Bellot Strait)
3. Calibre and size of the expedition team: You want a big and very experienced team, as that means there will always be lots of sets of eyes on watch for wildlife. And, secondly, from experience, they’ll also know where to look, which will further improve your chance of successful sightings
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Should I choose a smaller or larger expedition ship?
This is a key question, and in the Northwest Passage there are several ways to think about it:
Firstly, you should consider what's most important to you, as there are trade-offs. A smaller ship typically lends itself to a more intimate experience, where you’ll get to know a greater proportion of your fellow passengers, and getting on and off the ship will be speedier.
However, the anonymity of a larger ship, alongside normally more on-ship amenities and a wider choice of dining locations (particularly on a longer voyage) can be attractive. There’s no right or wrong answer, it's simply down to personal choice.
The other way to look at it – given the relatively limited number of Northwest Passage itineraries and ships – is to focus on choosing the right trip first, as depending on which you choose, there may only be one or two ships from which to choose.
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Do any of the ships have a spa, gym, or sauna?
Yes, the majority of them have all of these, plus in a number of cases some also offer hot tubs.
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Is it worth paying for a balcony?
As a team, we at Swoop Arctic are big fans of having a balcony, and here’s why:
- It gives you your very own personal and peaceful outside space where you can relax
- The Arctic in summer is warmer than you probably think, and you will use it if you have one (even if you think you won’t!)
- Balconies are the perfect platform for taking in the ever rolling vistas you’re passing through and wildlife spotting (it's universally recognised that smokers typically spot the most wildlife, as they spend the most time outside)
- They're a great place to ‘be outside’ while the warmth of your cabin is only a few steps away if you start to get chilly
- If wildlife is sighted and announced over the ship’s intercom, you’ve got direct and immediate access to see what's going on, without having to scramble onto a public outer deck
- A relaxing sundowner on your balcony – or even breakfast out there, if you’re on a ship which can deliver room service – is a hard one to argue against for most of us
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Do many of the ships have stabilisers and are they effective?
All of the ships which operate in the Northwest Passage are modern expedition ships and have active stabilisers which through reducing side-to-side ‘roll’ by over 85% can be said to be highly effective.
A number of ships are also X-Bow designed, which allows them to cut through the water in a very efficient and smooth way.
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Is paying more for a luxury expedition ship worth it?
It's a good question, but ultimately a very personal one, if comfort, service, access to amenities, gourmet food and an all-inclusive price are important to you, and worth paying more for.
Interestingly, when it comes to certain Arctic ships which are considered Luxury, for a relatively modest additional investment you can get a lot for your money.
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Will a smaller ship provide better wildlife viewing and landings?
This is a tricky question to answer as there’s always a slice of luck involved when it comes to wildlife sightings. However, in our experience, smaller ships have a higher chance of better wildlife sightings because:
- Relative to a larger ship it's quiet through the water and less likely to disturb the skittish Arctic wildlife.
- The scale of larger ships can make wildlife sightings harder: you're higher up and therefore further from the wildlife (although elevation can also be an advantage, depending on how far away the wildlife is), and it takes longer to access the outer viewing decks.
- Choosing a larger ship doesn’t necessarily come with correspondingly larger outer decks which are capable of accommodating everyone when wildlife is spotted; smaller ships typically give everyone ample space so there’s no jockeying for a good view when that polar bear finals shows.
When it comes to landings, this is where having fewer guests on board carries a distinct advantage as it means:
- Getting everyone off the ship at the beginning of a shore excursion takes much less time, and avoids precious time wasted (and frustrations) waiting to get ashore.
- And less time spent ferrying everyone to and then back from a landing translates into having more time to spend on land, which in our book can mean a more satisfying overall experience by not feeling rushed and having the time you need.
- Fewer people, combined with a high guide-to-guest ratio, also means that the group sizes once you get on land will be smaller, and you’ll have more opportunity for 1-2-1 time with the experts.
Ready to Book Your Arctic Adventure?
1. Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3. Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
