The Northwest Passage is a famous and challenging sea route filled with history. It stretches about 900 miles from Baffin Island to the Beaufort Sea, passing through more than 36,000 islands and areas of thick sea ice in the Arctic. Because it’s so remote and hard to sail through, no one completed the journey until 1906, when explorer Roald Amundsen did it for the first time. According to Boat International, more people have climbed Mount Everest than have sailed through the Northwest Passage.

You can only travel the full route for about 4 to 6 weeks starting in mid-August, when the sea ice is at its lowest. Even then, the weather and ice can be hard to predict. Some parts still don’t have proper maps of the ocean floor. The area is also home to polar bears, the largest land predators on Earth. Travelers also need 30 to 40 permits per person from various government and local authorities.

All of this makes cruising the Northwest Passage a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. That’s why most people take this journey on a special expedition cruise ship. Even people who don’t usually like cruises are drawn to this unique trip.

Still thinking about it? Here’s one great reason to go

Experience Indigenous Culture with Respect

Adventure Canada, a top cruise company in the region, offers something special. Most expedition cruises start in Greenland and sail through the Canadian Arctic—both home to Inuit communities. While most cruise companies only hire one Inuit cultural guide (as required by law), Adventure Canada includes over a dozen Inuit team members on board. This gives travelers a deeper, more respectful experience of the local culture.

Tourism Concerns

Many popular travel spots are pushing back against cruise ship tourism. When large groups of tourists arrive for just a few hours, it can feel shallow and rushed—for both the visitors and the locals. Often, the local communities don’t get much money or benefit from these visits. This is also true for Inuit towns in the Arctic, which are usually hard to reach unless you’re on a cruise.

Cultural Learning Onboard

Before passengers even visit a community, Adventure Canada’s cultural experts help them understand what to expect. They talk about local myths, art, and traditions like hunting sea animals for food. They also lead hikes, share stories, and have one-on-one talks with anyone who wants to learn more.

It’s like having a traveling classroom. Passengers get a deeper, more meaningful experience, which is a good example of how travel can be more respectful and thoughtful.

History of the Area

For more than 400 years, European and American explorers tried to find a sea route through the Arctic to Asia. Many failed because of thick sea ice. One of the most famous failures was the British expedition led by Sir John Franklin in 1845. After their last letters were sent from Greenland, both ships—Erebus and Terror—disappeared with all 120 men on board.

Franklin’s wife, Lady Jane Franklin, pushed the government to search for the crew. Only three graves were found on Beechey Island. Later, a note was discovered saying some crew had died, including Franklin, and the rest were trying to head south. None of them survived. By 1854, all were declared dead.

Today, cruises that travel the Northwest Passage often stop at Beechey Island to visit the graves.

Adventure Experience

This kind of cruise is very different from a regular cruise. Weather and sea ice can change plans quickly, so the schedule is flexible. Expedition teams often go to new places by small boats called Zodiacs or take hikes in areas they’ve never visited before, adding to the adventure.

Because the Arctic is home to polar bears, safety is important. Trained bear guards with flares and rifles check the area before people go ashore. Sometimes, you’ll see bear tracks on the beach—sometimes even with Arctic fox tracks nearby.

And you might see more than just tracks. A trip through the Northwest Passage often includes at least one polar bear sighting. You could see a bear walking across a hill, waiting on sea ice to hunt, or jumping between ice chunks. Seeing one in the wild is an unforgettable experience.

The Takeaway

If you want a once-in-a-lifetime trip full of adventure, history, and culture, a journey through the Northwest Passage is a great choice — even if you don’t usually like cruise vacations.

Published: 4th August 2025

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