DESTINATIONS ARCTIC CANADA


LEFT: Silversea exploring the region


RIGHT: Marine


life at the floe edge


BELOW: Caribou


migration,


Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge


Longer itineraries combine


central and eastern sections of the passage, and the western coast of Greenland is a frequent pairing too. Any voyage will showcase landscapes of extraor- dinary drama, with vast glaciers, soaring mountains and deep fjords. Wildlife sightings are a major draw, with the chance to see polar bears, whales, narwhals, walruses, belugas, caribou and musk ox, plus rare birdlife.


w SEA SELLS Clients are in the main from an older demographic, but will be adventurous types with


Any voyage will showcase landscapes with vast glaciers, soaring mountains and deep fjords


considerable spending power, with two-week cruises ranging between £7,000 and £10,000 depending on the cruise line. High fitness levels aren’t necessary, but passengers will


need to be able to climb in and out of the Zodiacs, which requires a certain amount of coordination and balance. Many may already have visited the Antarctic or Spitsbergen, but the Canadian Arctic offers something different, both in terms of territory and culture. Silversea’s expedition content specialist Christian Walter says: “Marine mammal observation tends to be easier in certain parts of Nunavut than in Svalbard, and the art produced by the different communities in Nunavut is outstanding – there is nothing comparable in the European Arctic.” Levels of luxury on board will


vary by cruise line, with Silversea providing the most indulgent experience, with sleek suites and four restaurants aboard Silver Cloud. Ponant’s L’Austral and Le Boreal also offer a high-end experience, and Hurtigruten passengers cruising on the new Roald Amundsen, which launches next year, will find a much smarter ship than the existing Fram. These ships carry upwards of 250 passengers, whereas One Ocean Expeditions vessels sail with a maximum of 92, offering a more boutique experience. Cabins are comfortable rather than luxurious, but the ships still feature saunas, heated Jacuzzis, a plunge pool, a fitness room


66 travelweekly.co.uk 18 October 2018


and a massage therapist. From next year, the operator’s new ship RCGS Resolute will cruise in the region. One Ocean is the marine travel partner of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and contributed to the discovery of Erebus, Terror and in August this year, Nova Zembla, a Scottish whaling ship that sank off Baffin Island in 1902.


w WHAT’S LEFT FOR LANDLUBBERS? While expedition cruising is the most established way to see the region, operators are beginning to offer land experiences too. Arctic specialist Magnetic North Travel has introduced a floe-edge experience for May and June 2019, based in Pond Inlet, Nunavut. Staying in a premium safari camp where the open sea meets the frozen sea, guests will search for polar bears and narwhals with Inuit guides. It’s particularly suited to travellers looking for a very immersive experience, and keen photographers. Best Served Scandinavia offers


stays at Arctic Haven Wilderness Lodge, an eco-lodge with gourmet cuisine on the shores of Nunavut’s Ennadai Lake. It’s a few degrees south of the Arctic Circle, but a perfect location to observe the spring and autumn migration of more than 350,000 caribou.


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