fbpx

In the Heart of the Northwest Passage 2026 Luxury Expedition Cruise

In the Heart of the Northwest Passage 2026 Luxury Expedition Cruise

From AUD $35,268

Description

With PONANT, set off to discover Baffin Bay all the way to the mythical Northwest Passage during a 20-day expedition cruise aboard L’Austral. Leaving from Kangerlussuaq, explore the heart of this historic maritime route and set off for an unforgettable stay among the Arctic’s most beautiful landscapes.
First of all, you will explore the western coast of Greenland which will welcome you with its majestic icebergs in Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its colourful villages encircled by mountains and basalt formations. This is the ideal opportunity for meeting the local population and learning about Greenland Inuit culture.
Then set sail for the Nunavut province in Northern Canada, to approach the entrance of the Northwest Passage. Amundsen was the first to pave the way on this northern route between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, which long remained just a theory for navigators and scientists. On Beechey Island, retrace the steps of the Franklin expedition, before marvelling at the sublime canyon at Fury Beach.
Throughout your trip, you will enter grandiose fjords and sail at the edge of the ice floes, in the hope of glimpsing the polar bear, the lord of the Far North. After Bellot Strait, the narrow passage of Coningham Bay will provide the perfect spot for an encounter with majestic belugas. In Artic Bay, you will meet the inhabitants of an Inuit village and will be able to build unique relationships.
The exploration of nature and wildlife and, above all, the polar history linked to this mythical route are the common theme of this journey, which will let you experience magic and unforgettable moments. The raw beauty of the Arctic offers an unforgettable backdrop, while the team of on-board naturalists sharpens your adventurer’s soul. With a keen eye, you will scan the coastlines, fjords and glaciers in search of traces of life – a colony of walruses, a polar bear, beluga, northern fulmar, guillemot, Arctic tern, black-legged kittiwake… – and comprehend the historic places that bear witness to this iconic passage.

Trip Name
In the Heart of the Northwest Passage 2026 Luxury Expedition Cruise
Days
20
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 (200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 L’Austral is a sleek, French-designed expedition yacht combining modern elegance with an intimate atmosphere. With just 132 staterooms for 264 guests, she offers the refined feel of a private yacht, enhanced by attentive service and stylish interiors featuring fine materials, harmonious colours, and discreet touches of brightness. Built by Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, she is 466 ft long with a 59 ft beam, ice-class certified (1C), and equipped with the latest eco-design innovations, continually upgraded to improve environmental performance. Designed for both polar adventures and tropical voyages, L’Austral features six guest decks, elegant dining venues, and 11 Zodiacs for immersive exploration. Life on board blends relaxation and discovery, with refined gastronomy, welcoming social spaces, and an emphasis on responsible travel. From the subantarctic islands to sunlit coasts, she offers a chic and comfortable way to experience the world, always with PONANT’s signature style of elegance, intimacy, and connection to the sea.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 1 - 20 Northwest Passage Exploration
You will embark in Nuuk on 31 August 2026 and disembark in Nuuk on the 19 September 2026. As the capital of Greenland and a key regional hub, Nuuk offers port facilities fully suited to maritime operations, as well as excellent air connectivity, making your journey to and from the destination seamless. The first stop in Nooralaq, on Greenland’s eastern coast, allows for immediate immersion in the vast tundra landscapes and the region’s wild fjords. The journey then continues towards Disko Bay, where a longer exploration period is allocated, offering a more in-depth discovery of this emblematic region of western Greenland, renowned for its monumental glaciers, volcanic formations, and spectacular light.The expedition then extends deep into the Canadian Arctic, within the Nunavut Archipelago, with a gradual and thorough exploration of some of the most remote territories in the Northern Hemisphere. Calls at Pond Inlet, Philpots Island, and Devon Island provide several days dedicated to discovering these grandiose landscapes of glaciers, sheer cliffs, and vast tundra expanses. We would like to inform you that access to the Baffin fjords is regulated and currently restricted by the Inuit communities of Pond Inlet, who conduct their annual subsistence narwhal hunt there.Zodiac landings, supervised by our naturalist guides, allow for close access to the coastline and remarkable natural sites.Navigation continues towards the Somerset Island region, followed by the crossing of the spectacular Bellot Strait a legendary passage in the history of great Arctic expeditions then onwards to Prince of Wales Island and Beechey Island, a major site of polar heritage. These exploration area offer new opportunities for landings and onshore discoveries, ideal for observing Arctic wildlife and interpreting landscapes shaped by ice and time.Periods of navigation through Lancaster Sound and at sea complete this exploration harmoniously. They are particularly conducive to observing drifting ice and marine wildlife, especially marine mammals, while also allowing guests to fully enjoy the comfort of the ship and life on board.The return to Greenland includes calls at Svartenhavn, Qeqertarsuaq, and the Evighedsfjord, where majestic fjords and rugged reliefs provide a spectacular conclusion to this great Arctic crossing, before your final disembarkation in Nuuk.
Day 2 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $35,268Superior Stateroom
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $37,878Deluxe Stateroom
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $41,608Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $43,468Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $45,698Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $62,078Deluxe Suite
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $82,558Prestige Suite Deck 5
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $86,648Prestige Suite Deck 6
31-08-202619-09-2026AUD $115,408Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • Explore the Northwest Passage in the wake of the great explorers and meet Inuit communities.
    • Discover the landscapes (glaciers, fjords, majestic icebergs in Disko Bay, etc.) and the wildlife (opportunities to glimpse or observe cetaceans, polar bears, seabirds, etc.).
    • Activities: opportunities for outings and shore visits in a rubber dinghy with naturalist guides, kayaking, etc.

Map