Crystal Announces Northwest Passage Sailing

Crystal Cruises is venturing into something unique it is introducing a new expedition-style voyage traversing the Arctic Ocean via the legendary Northwest Passage (500 miles north of the Arctic Circle).

For centuries explorers have tried to navigate the route, which would supply valuable trade opportunities, but have been held back by fierce conditions and thick ice. The trip was first completed successfully more than 100 years ago and is becoming increasingly viable as pack ice increasingly melts in the summer months as the world warms up.

Crystal will be manoeuvring through 900 miles of majestic waterways lined with spectacular glaciers, towering fjords, and vast unspoiled landscapes away from mainstream civilization and tourism, north of mainland Canada.  Beginning August 16, 2016 in Anchorage/Seward, Alaska, and the award-winning Crystal Serenity will sail for 32 days from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean/New York City.

New enrichment: A 14-person expedition team of experts in a variety of subjects — including a native Arctic guide, scientists, and accomplished wildlife and landscape photographers — will not only provide lectures on subjects such as the science and history of the area, but also offer hands-on seminars and workshops, host dinners with guests, guide wildlife watching from the ship, and accompany excursions, where appropriate.

The first call in the Canadian Arctic is planned for the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, a settlement of just a few hundred people on the shores of the Amundsen Gulf, just 1,400 miles from the North Pole.

I think is a once in a lifetime opportunity and would love to go and experience this amazing Cruise are any of you tempted to try, bookings start from the 02 July  for Crystal past passengers only and then from the 02 Sept to the general public.

I have sailed on the Crystal Serenity and she is a beautiful 6 star ship read my blog on what I thought of her.