From the 16th century onwards, the quest for the Northwest Passage was an unrelenting obsession for many adventurers and explorers. Since 1576, when Frobisher made the first attempt, ship after ship searched for the fabled northern route to the Orient and it was three hundred years later that Roald Amundsen triumphantly succeeded in 1906. Now you can join the luxurious Hanseatic Inspiration for this epic 29 night adventure and set sail to the Far North, well beyond the Arctic Circle, to this legendary, highly coveted maritime route. In winter, this “roof of the world” is transformed into a majestic white desert; whilst in summer, for a few short weeks, the temperature rises enough for the ice to melt. Life reappears, nature is reborn, the mythical route is finally free and we can embark on a great adventure.
For thousands of years before Europeans set foot here, indigenous people survived and prospered under some of the harshest conditions on Earth. These cultures remain vital and resilient today, closely linked with the land and local wildlife and during this expedition, you will have the opportunity to interact with these fascinating people, the original experts on Arctic survival.
Our journey begins in Alaska where we spend time in the Aleutian Islands, a fiery rim of volcanic islands that stretch into the Pacific, visiting uninhabited isles that played a pivotal role in World War II and now harbour an incredible variety of bird and marine mammal species. Look out for black and brown bears, watch the bison roam on Popof Island, visit the fishing village of Chignik and take in the historical significance and stunning natural beauty at Dutch Harbor. After the spectacular seal and bird colonies of St Paul Island we reach Gold-Rush-era Nome from where we voyage into the Canadian Arctic, making our way through this remote wilderness to the heart of the Northwest Passage. Follow in the wake of 19th century explorers into a world of towering mountains, deep fjords and glaciers tumbling into the sea – and abundant wildlife on every shore. We continue to Greenland cruising amidst icebergs of all hues, shapes and sizes and utilising the onboard Zodiacs, we will cruise along vast glacial fronts looking for narwhals, walrus and seals.
Only a select and small number of vessels have the attributes needed to make the journey through the Northwest Passage and we are delighted to be working with our associates at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises who have made some cabins available to us for this expedition aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration. Purpose built for expedition cruising, the Hanseatic Inspiration is perfect for navigating safely through this region and we will enjoy an exceptionally up-close experience of the fascinating Arctic with the highest ice class for passenger ships and the experienced expedition crew.
Expedition cruises such as this voyage vary from a ‘usual’ cruise as the itinerary is less defined. Although we set sail with a structured itinerary, it is the unscheduled events that often become the highlight of the journey. Expect the unexpected is the principal rule of such a voyage and embark with a sense of adventure as the weather, ice floes and sea conditions will dictate the route. If you enjoy seeing and learning about the wonders of nature, be it birds, mammals, marine life or geology, an expedition cruise offers the perfect environment. The places visited and the order in which this is achieved will vary depending on wildlife sightings and diversions; such as following a whale that may appear at any time.
Hanseatic Inspiration
Operated by our German associates, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the Hanseatic Inspiration is a five-star expedition ship launched in October 2019. With a maximum of just 230 passengers (199 passengers in Antarctica), this unique vessel offers an informal and relaxed atmosphere on board with more open deck space than any other expedition ship. There is a qualified expedition team of naturalists who will accompany you ashore and provide informative talks in the comfort of the well-designed HanseAtrium, and a crew of 175 offering the most exquisite and attentive service on board.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Seattle, USA.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to our airport hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2 Seattle to Seward, Alaska.
After breakfast in the hotel return to the airport for our scheduled flight to Anchorage. On arrival transfer to the Hanseatic Inspiration moored in Seward and embark. In 1906, Roald Amundsen navigated the entire Northwest Passage for the first time. Now we begin to tackle this pioneering feat ourselves as we sail this evening.
Day 3 At Sea.
Spend the day at sea as we prepare for our epic voyage. Our lecture programme commences as we learn about the journey ahead.
Day 4 Alaska Peninsula.
We start our journey on the coast of the Alaska Peninsula. As you cruise off Kak Island, the cliffs teeming with birds will stir up your anticipation of what lies ahead. Chignik means “strong wind” in the Alutiiq language. Gain an insight into life in this small fishing town, which has around 80 residents, as we land and take a stroll.
Days 5 & 6 Aleutian Islands.
The volcanic island chain of the Aleutian Islands stretches into the Pacific like a great arc. Over the next two days we will visit Popof Island, where bison roam the land and bald eagles rule the skies. Your gaze will instinctively be drawn upwards when you hear their call above Unalaska Island. The settlers in Dutch Harbor looked to the heavens for different reasons, as can been seen from the oldest Russian Orthodox church in North America with its white towers topped with onion domes.
Day 7 St Paul Island, Pribilof Islands.
Arrive today on St Paul Island, the largest of the five Pribilof Islands. A colony of northern fur seals might welcome you as you hike the island with the experts – a taste of the intensive encounters that await you with the diverse fauna of this remote region.
Day 8 At Sea.
As you cruise through the Bering Sea, keep a lookout for whales from the excellent vantage point offered by the many open deck spaces. Just like rich experiences have drawn you to this region, it was gold that was the magnet in Alaska in the early 1900s.
Day 9 Nome.
Originally populated by the Inupiat people the town of Nome grew in the late 19th century by the discovery of gold at Anvil Creek in 1898. By the early 1900s the population had grown to over 20,000 and today we can see the town is still shaped by these bygone times, with disused steam trains, tracks and gold dredges.
Days 10 to 12 Chukchi & Beaufort Seas, Canadian Arctic.
The excitement on board grows as you cruise through Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea and draw nearer to the lifelong dream and magnet for countless adventurers and explorers.
Days 13 to 26 Northwest Passage from the Beaufort Sea to Lancaster Sound.
For the next 14 days we will cruise through the Northwest Passage. Although the route is carefully planned, the weather and ice often determine the actual course, with the Captain and the crew adjusting the details each day. During our passage we hope to visit Herschel Island, a frozen paradise located in the Beaufort Sea just two kilometres off the coast of the Yukon, within the Ivvavik National Park. During a long mapping expedition in 1826, Sir John Franklin was the first European to lay eyes on these unique places and their inhabitants, the Inuvialuit, the Nordic cousins of the Inuit. It was during this trip that he named the island after one of his friends, John Herschel, a brilliant British astronomer and scientist. With a little luck, rough-legged buzzards will herald your arrival and the timid Arctic fox might even make an appearance. Franklin Bay is enveloped by the history of Franklin the explorer and the phenomenon of the Smoking Hills. The smoky effect is caused by layers of rocks within the hills that contain pyrite and have ignited themselves. A Zodiac ride offers unique perspectives of this mystical spectacle. On Victoria Island, named after the British queen, you might have the chance to see mighty musk oxen or possibly polar bears. We can also receive insights into the way of life and history of the Inuit. For centuries, the area around Cambridge Bay was the summer meeting point for the “Copper Eskimo” families – named after their copper tools. The wreck of Roald Amundsen’s research ship ‘Maud’ bore silent witness to his bravery from its resting place in the ice here for around 90 years before being taken back to Norway in 2018. A great voice echoes on Jenny Lind Island, which owes its name to a Swedish opera singer from the 19th century lovingly known as the “nightingale”.
You may find yourself surprised by four-legged residents such as Arctic hares, Arctic foxes and caribou. As the ship cruises in Victoria Strait, the dramatic scenery will reflect the moving history of this area. For a long time, the lost ships of the Franklin expedition, which tried and failed to find the Northwest Passage in 1845, were thought to be at the entrance to the strait. One of them, the ‘Terror’, was discovered in 2016 in Terror Bay, around 100 kilometres further south than expected. Find out about the fate and the unflinching courage of those who braved the forces of nature back then from the onboard experts. The ice conditions will decide whether your adventure continues by cruising in Peel Sound where Zodiac rides and landings are possible throughout the habitat of whales, seals and polar bears. Follow in the footsteps of past explorers on Beechey Island. A walk to the graves of members of the Franklin expedition will bring its historic significance to the fore. The world’s largest uninhabited island, Devon Island, welcomes you with its vast wilderness. An abandoned station of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police reinforces the impression of remote silence. As the ship then sets sail from Lancaster Sound for Greenland, we have completed the feat and are among the few people who can say they have conquered the Northwest Passage.
Day 27 At Sea.
A relaxing day at sea as we cross to Greenland.
Days 28 to 30 West Greenland.
The final chapter in your adventure takes us along the west coast of Greenland. Small, but perfectly formed, Uummannaq nestles at the foot of a spectacular heartshaped mountain. The splendid Jakobshavn Glacier near Ilulissat is the “birthplace” of around 10% of Greenland’s icebergs. Marvel at the glistening ice masses that gather here with a hike to the ice fjord. This is followed by an amazing natural spectacle: in the glittering splendour of Disko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where mighty icebergs drift majestically through the water – an event that you can watch unfold around you from the deck and in a Zodiac. Sisimiut, Greenland’s second largest town is located 40 kilometres into the Arctic Circle and provides an atmospheric end to your expedition, with its beautiful church and houses dotted across several hills.
Day 31 Kangerlussuaq to London.
Disembark and join our specially chartered flight from Kangerlussuaq to Germany. Connect here with your onward flight to London and arrive this evening.
Dates and Prices
9 August to 8 September 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
1 Outside cabin Deck 4, 5 & 6 | £23995 | £23495 |
2 Panoramic cabin Deck 4 & 5 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
3 French balcony cabin Deck 6 | £25995 | £25495 |
4 Balcony cabin Deck 5 | £26995 | £26495 |
5 French balcony cabin Deck 7 | £26995 | £26495 |
6 Balcony cabin Deck 6 & 7 | £27995 | £27495 |
7 Balcony cabin Deck 6 | £28495 | £27995 |
8 Balcony cabin Deck 7 | £28995 | £28495 |
9 Junior suite with balcony 6 & 7 | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
10 Grand suite with veranda Deck 6 & 7 | Not Available | Not Available |
2 Panoramic cabin for sole use | £32495 | £31995 |
5 August to 4 September 2026 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
1 Outside cabin Deck 4, 5 & 6 | £24995 | £24495 |
2 Panoramic cabin Deck 4 & 5 | £25795 | £25295 |
3 French balcony cabin Deck 6 | £27295 | £26795 |
4 Balcony cabin Deck 5 | £28495 | £27995 |
5 French balcony cabin Deck 7 | £28495 | £27995 |
6 Balcony cabin Deck 6 & 7 | £29495 | £28995 |
7 Balcony cabin Deck 6 | £30495 | £29995 |
8 Balcony cabin Deck 7 | £31495 | £30995 |
9 Junior suite with balcony 6 & 7 | £36495 | £35995 |
10 Grand suite with veranda Deck 6 & 7 | Not Available | Not Available |
2 Panoramic cabin for sole use | Not Available | Not Available |
4 (Sole) Balcony cabin for Sole Use Deck 5 | £37495 | £36995 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHA090825
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel from London to Seattle, Seattle to Anchorage & Germany to London • Specially chartered air travel between Kangerlussuaq and Germany • Overnight hotel accommodation in Seattle with breakfast • 29 nights aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration on a full board basis • Mini-bar with soft drinks in your cabin restocked each day • Zodiac excursions • Expedition team including onboard lectures • Gratuities • Transfers • Landing fees • Port taxes • Airport taxes • Loan of waterproof boots and parka during cruise.
Not Included: Travel insurance, USA Esta.
Please note that all bookings (including those made by Commodore Club members) are subject to a 20% deposit and that the balance payment will be due 150 days before the date of departure. Please also note that between 149 and 70 days before the date of departure, cancellation charges shall be 40% of the total holiday price payable.
NB. Flight schedules are yet to be released at the time of going to print and the itinerary may change on their release. Details of the charter flight from Kangerlussuaq to Germany will be released approximately 6 months prior to departure. Itinerary subject to change based on weather and ice conditions.
Important Information: Please note that all bookings (including those made by Commodore Club members) are subject to a 20% deposit and that the balance payment will be due 150 days before the date of departure. Please also note that between 149 and 70 days before the date of departure, cancellation charges shall be 40% of the total holiday price payable.
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Deckplan
Hanseatic Inspiration
Operated by our German associates, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the Hanseatic Inspiration is a five-star expedition ship launched in October 2019. With a maximum of just 230 passengers (199 passengers in Antarctica), this unique vessel offers an informal and relaxed atmosphere on board with more open deck space than any other expedition ship. There is a qualified expedition team of naturalists who will accompany you ashore and provide informative talks in the comfort of the well-designed HanseAtrium, and a crew of 175 offering the most exquisite and attentive service on board.
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Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000