Crystal Cruises will become the first luxury cruise line to navigate the famed Northwest Passage in 2016, embarking on a 32-day coast-to-coast voyage from Anchorage to New York City.
The 900 mile itinerary sets sail August 16, 2016 from Anchorage/Seward and features almost a dozen port calls in Alaska, Canada and Greenland before arriving at New York.
Almost half the stops will be maiden calls for Crystal with first time visits including Nome, Alaska, Ulukhaktok, NW Territories, and Sisimiut, Greenland.
Crystal said the voyage had been almost two years in the planning.
"From reviewing operations with Canadian officials, and meeting with Inuit elders of the Arctic who have provided their backing, our team has spent almost two years diligently gathering the field experts, information, resources, and support to ensure an epic experience," the cruise line said.
The itinerary has factored in time for unplanned "calls of the wild" for polar bear-viewing, whale-watching, glacier-cruising, or scenic helicopter flights, advised by local specialist guides.
The onboard crew is boosted by a 14-person team of experts including scientists, wildlife experts and landscape photographers, who will conduct seminars and workshops for guests.
All-inclusive fares start at US$19,755 per person with discounts offered during an early booking period reserved exclusively for Crystal Society members.
