Passage to Greenland

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Maps
Ship Information
Highlights

Join us for this remarkable expedition cruise as we sail from Iceland, across the Denmark Strait to begin a voyage around the fjords and islands of southern Greenland, following in the wake of the great Norse settlers who risked life and limb some 900 years ago when they left the shores of Iceland. Coastal Greenland is marvellous to behold with great towering cliffs, walls of glacial ice, winding fjords, vast ice-sheets and flowing glaciers. It is one of the last great wilderness areas where man has made little difference to the landscape and tourists are still a rarity. For most visitors their first encounter with Greenland is a humbling experience as they witness nature in the raw and look out across a magnificent Arctic world.

Highlights of our cruise will be numerous and we will make good use of our fleet of Zodiacs as we explore small bays and view icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Our exploration of coastal Greenland begins on a high with Prins Christian Sund. Cruising through this region on Zodiacs is an unforgettable experience, the jagged coastline being home to a rich animal kingdom.

Dui Landmark
In addition to the onboard team, Du Landmark will also be joining this voyage. Dui was born in Iceland and studied photography and filmmaking in Paris. He has worked as a guide since 1987 and graduated from the Icelandic guide school in 1993. He speaks fluent English and French and is very knowledgeable on the nature, geology and history of both Iceland and Greenland. He has also worked as a film director and producer since 1994 on numerous TV programmes, documentaries and commercials for both Icelandic and foreign networks. Many of his films focus on birdlife, travel, hunting and fishing. These films are shot on location all around the world with many being shot in Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Passage to Greenland itinerary:

Day 1 - LONDON TO REYKJAVIK.

Fly by scheduled flight and transfer to the MS Caledonian Sky moored in the city. There will be the opportunity this afternoon to enjoy some time in Reykjavik as we sail at midnight.

Days 2 & 3 - AT SEA.

As we head towards Greenland, crossing the Denmark Strait, we relax onboard and attend lectures. The bridge and large deck areas onboard are ideal lookouts for spotting whales, dolphins and seabirds.

Day 4 - PRINS CHRISTIAN SUND & NANORTALIK, GREENLAND.

This morning we navigate the narrow waters of Prins Christian Sund Fjord with its amazing array of glaciers, icebergs and melting rivers of ice. This is a scenic highlight of the cruise. In the picturesque town of Nanortalik, we will visit the open air market and the local museum with Norse and Inuit relics. While in the Arctic Region, birds to watch for include kittiwake, fulmar, Arctic tern and eider.

Day 5 - BRATTAHLID.

Today we land at Brattahlid. This sheltered spot was chosen by Erik the Red, the first European to land on Greenland, as a Viking settlement toward the end of the 10th century. The settlement disappeared towards the end of the 15th century but today we have the opportunity to visit the remains of the colony and a reconstruction of the first church in the New World. Local guides will be on hand to discuss this fascinating site. In the afternoon we walk to the ruins at Igaliku, once the religious epicentre of the local Viking settlement.

Day 6 - HVALSEY & QAQORTOQ.

In Hvalsey, we see some of the best preserved Viking ruins (1300s) including the church where the last religious ceremony was performed in 1408 before the people mysteriously vanished from the area. The impressive ruins of a farmstead of the Vikings tell of a history that dates back 1000 years. Later we visit Qaqortoq with its wonderful historic buildings, and modern art – reliefs sculpted into granite walls which are a major attraction.

Day 7 - IVITTUUT.

After a morning cruising we arrive at Ivittuut, an abandoned mining town and an old Norse settlement.

Day 8 - PAAMIUT.

Be on deck as we approach Paamiut; the surrounding waters are well known feeding grounds for whales. There should be an excellent chance of viewing humpbacks and minkes in the area. Founded in 1742 with an approximate population of 3,500, the town is known as Greenland’s artist colony, producing high quality tupilags and other carvings.

Day 9 - NUUK.

In the morning explore Greenland’s capital, seeing the National Museum which houses some fascinating exhibitions including 15th century Qilakitsoq Mummies, a world class archaeological find. For the more energectic there may be a chance to walk up the 430-metre Quassussuaq and perhaps continue up the 780-metre ‘Uvkusissat’, stopping at the large aquamarine lake on the way.

Day 10 - SUKKERTOPPEN.

Today, we continue sailing up the western coast of Greenland enjoying the rugged landscapes. We will call into Sukkertoppen, a town of some 3000 inhabitants that was established in 1755. Explore on foot and weather permitting, take to the Zodiacs to see why the Greenlandic name of Maniitsoq translates to “place of rugged terrain”.

Day 11 - ILULISSAT.

Ilulissat means ‘iceberg’ in Greenlandic, and this town lives up to its name. The most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, Sermeq Kujalleq, feeds enormous bergs into the Ilulissat Icefjord. As a result this area is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

Day 12 - SISIMIUT.

Sisimiut is the second largest community in Greenland. Here we will find fishing trawlers, a shipyard and a busy fish processing factory. We recommend a visit to the arts and crafts workshop close to the pier where you may watch the local craftsmen create traditional jewellery and purchase local souvenirs. The area surrounding Sisimiut boasts a rich population of whales, reindeer and seals, making it a popular place for thousands of years.

Day 13 - KANGERLUSSUAQ TO COPENHAGEN.

During the night we sail up the lengthy Kangerlussuaq fjord. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the scheduled flight to Copenhagen. On arrival, transfer to a first class airport hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 14 - COPENHAGEN TO LONDON / MANCHESTER.

Enjoy a free morning to explore Copenhagen before an early afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to London or Manchester.

Caledonian Sky

The MS Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. There will be seven categories of suites and sixteen suites will have private balconies. For those familiar with the MS Island Sky she will feel like a second home, although there are some differences. The dining room, lounge, Lido Deck and bar are all similar. However, the ‘Club’ on the MS Caledonian Sky has been transported to the very top deck. Here, there is a library and bar which leads out on to a lovely forward deck. The ‘Club’ has wonderful views with ceiling to floor windows.

If you like the MS Island Sky, we are sure you will also approve of her sister. And, of course it is important that we offer the very best of facilities. However, equally as important are the staff on board whether they are the vessel’s crew or our own expedition staff. Noble Caledonia’s reputation has been built on providing the very best in all areas. Their crew of 74 not only offer an excellent service they are also noted for their kindness and attention to detail. A well run ship with a warm atmosphere is what we are known for, and it is because most of our crew have been with us for many years that we are able to engender such an atmosphere.

Your Suite
Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. The passenger accommodation is arranged over four decks and all suites have outside views. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring a country style wash basin, hot towel rack and vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower and/or bath tub.

Facilities in the suites also include walk-in or spacious wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool or desk, mini-fridge, flat screen television, telephone, programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries, air-conditioning and heating. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort.

Your space
The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. In addition there is the Club Lounge on the Panoramic Deck which features a bar. The onboard travel library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. Outside there is a rear Lido deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck with bar service and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. There is also a small gymnasium onboard and hairdressers with appointments made on request.

Your dining
With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the quality of cuisine will be of a consistent superior quality. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, our accomplished chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast, a buffet-style lunch and dinner are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board.

For your comfort, safety and security
The vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilisers to minimise the ship’s motion. The Captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship’s progress by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical information and estimated times of arrival and departure from port. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside decks only.

Gratuities
Unlike many other cruise vessels, onboard the MS Caledonian Sky you do not need to worry about tipping staff as we have included them in your holiday price. In addition we tip all their guides and drivers along the way, thereby taking away the hassle of always having to remember to have some small change with you.