Hapag-Lloyd's Northwest Passage Adventure

This August, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering a rare Northwest Passage itinerary on the only 5-star expedition vessel in the world, the MS Hanseatic. The cruise will be guaranteed bilingual, departing Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, on August 16 for a 24-night voyage cruising north of the Arctic Circle and ending in Nome, Alaska, on September 9. It is one of the most famous sea routes in the world and has been both a myth and challenge for centuries.

The Hanseatic premiered the Northwest Passage for Hapag-Lloyd in 1994. Since then, both the line's expedition ships, Hanseatic and Bremen, have successfully cruised through the Passage 12 times. In summer 2009,  both ships met there for the first time, travelling in opposite directions.

This year's Hanseatic journey starts in Greenland and crosses Disko Bay, where guests can observe the bizarrely-shaped icebergs. The ship will then cross the Canadian Arctic, the heart of the Northwest Passage. Thanks to its shallow draught, Hanseatic is able to sail close to the coast, giving guests box seats for viewing the rugged and icy panoramas of the shores. Guests will be thrilled to encounter caribou, polar bears, musk oxen, bald eagles, and whales, while taking full advantage of the many Zodiac landings to explore the impressive glacial coasts along the route.

Other planned highlights (weather permitting): a visit to a former whaling base on Herschel Island; a landing in Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island, including a visit to the wreck of the Maud, in which Roald Amundsen conquered the Northwest Passage; zodiac landings in Peel Sound, the Franklin Strait and Larsen Sound; and a stop in Barrow, Alaska, the most northern city in the world.

The voyage-only fares lead-in at £13,210 per person, based on double occupancy for an outside cabin. 

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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