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Ellesmere Island & North Greenland
13-day High Arctic expedition from Resolute aboard Ocean Nova.
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
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The Ocean Nova is a sturdy but nimble expedition vessel, originally built in Denmark to sail through the ice-packed waters off Greenland. With its ice-strengthened hull, and after a full refit in 2006, she was converted to become the perfect Antarctic cruise ship. Since then, she has been upgraded and improved every year to maintain her excellent reputation.
For our air-cruises, Ocean Nova has capacity for only 67 passengers who will find themselves in comfortable outside cabins. The ship offers three categories of accommodation for Antarctic cruises: dedicated Single Cabins, Twin Cabins, … Read more about Ocean Nova
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Fitness Center
Bar
Lecture Theater
Zodiac Fleet
Observation Lounge
Private Flight to Antarctica
Medical Services
Library
-5% for children ≤ 10
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
Passage aboard the Ocean Nova
Applicable taxes and credit card fees
Complimentary expedition jacket
Special access permits, entry, and park fees
Expert expedition team
Guided activities
Sightseeing and community visits
All Zodiac excursions
Port fees
Pre-departure materials
Educational program
Interactive workshops
Evening entertainment
All shipboard meals
Wi-Fi access (basic service included)
Commercial and charter flights
Program enhancements/optional excursions
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
Possible fuel surcharges and administrative fees
Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation
Premium internet access available at an additional cost
Sea ice, weather, wildlife, permissions and the expedition leader’s safety assessment can substantially alter this High Arctic route.
Whales, walrus, seals, seabirds and polar bears may be encountered but are never guaranteed.
The voyage starts and ends in Qausuittuq (Resolute) with charter arrangements; pre- and post-trip hotels are not included.
Commercial and charter flights, gratuities and optional programs are not included.
Mandatory medical evacuation insurance is required by the operator and is not included in the voyage price.
After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.
Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.
Long-haul flights and the on-the-ground program generate 3.9 t CO₂e on this trip. Polartours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:
All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.
Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:
In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.
We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!
Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.
Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.
Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.
Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.
Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.
*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.
An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.
Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.
Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.
Price
Upon Request
Tallurutiup Imanga’s whales, ice and cliffs.
Qaanaaq and living Inughuit culture.
Tartupaluk between Canada and Greenland.
Beechey Island’s Franklin expedition history.
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
Polar Expedition Specialists: We focus exclusively on polar voyages, with advice rooted in real, firsthand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly funds our mission to protect and restore global rainforests.
Journey to the top of the world on a 13-day expedition from Qausuittuq (Resolute) aboard Ocean Nova. The route crosses Tallurutiup Imanga to Qaanaaq, then enters Kane Basin and the narrow channels where Ellesmere Island and Greenland nearly touch.
Two days in Kane Basin and two in Smith Sound create time for sea-ice observation, Zodiac cruising and High Arctic scenery. Tartupaluk’s shared Canada–Greenland stewardship, Aujuittuq’s community stories, Devon Island’s geology and Beechey Island’s exploration history add human depth to the route. Whales, walrus, seals, seabirds and polar bears may be seen but are never guaranteed.
Sea ice, weather, wildlife and permissions have unusual influence this far north. The expedition team may change routes, landings or the order of visits for safety and responsible community access.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
Beneath the lingering glow of the Arctic summer sun, Qausuittuq, “the place with no dawn,” welcomes you to the High Arctic. Set amid gravel flats and rolling moraine, this community carries stories of adaptation and renewal, from relocation in 1953 to its role today as a gateway for Arctic research and travel. Take time to orient yourself to the land and its stories before embarking aboard the Ocean Nova. The North awaits.
Step ashore on Devon Island, where glaciers meet the sea and archaeological traces reflect centuries of Inuit use and knowledge of this land.
Set against a backdrop of mountains and drifting sea ice, Qaanaaq is one of the world’s northernmost towns and a centre of Inughuit culture. Here, ancient skills and modern life flow together in rhythm with the sea ice. Traditions such as dog-sledding and hunting remain vital parts of community identity, reflecting deep connections to place. Meeting the people of Qaanaaq offers a glimpse of extraordinary adaptation and continuity—life shaped, still, by ice, animals, and seasons.
Sail into Kane Basin, where the shores of Ellesmere Island and Greenland almost meet. Towering glaciers, drifting sea ice, and Arctic light set the stage for an unforgettable journey through one of the North’s most dramatic waterways.
For generations, Inuit navigated these passages with exceptional skill, later followed by explorers heading toward the Pole. Over these two days, you’ll feel the spirit of exploration alive in the shifting light and every drifting floe.
Set foot on Tartupaluk—a place few will ever visit. Perched in the middle of the Nares Strait between Canada and Greenland, this small, rocky island has long been a crossroads for Inuit, who travelled these waters freely for generations. In modern times, it became the focus of a good-natured yet symbolically potent territorial dispute between Canada and Denmark. In 2022, a historic agreement resolved the issue, establishing shared stewardship between Canada and Greenland and affirming Inuit mobility rights. Standing on Tartupaluk, with Greenland to one side and Canada to the other, you’ll feel the quiet power of shared care for the North—and the enduring movement of Inuit across these waters.
Venture through Smith Sound, the dramatic channel linking Kane Basin to Baffin Bay and the southern entrance to Sarvarjuaq/Pikialasorsuaq (The North Water Polynya) — “The Great Upwelling.” Surrounded by shifting sea ice, this vast recurring area of open water is the largest Arctic polynya and the most biologically productive region north of the Arctic Circle.
Its nutrient-rich waters breathe life into the Arctic, drawing whales, seabirds, and seals.
Set amid stark mountains and sweeping tundra, Aujuittuq, “the place that never thaws”, is Canada’s northernmost community. Here, stories of relocation and adaptation shape daily life. Walking with local hosts, you’ll hear how knowledge of land, sea, and seasons continues to sustain the community—a living testament to strength and ingenuity at the top of the world.
Vast and elemental, Devon Island reveals a world shaped by ice and time. Here, broad valleys and exposed rock tell of ancient forces, while bursts of Arctic wildflowers bring unexpected colour to the tundra. Along the shore, traces of Inuit presence remind us that even in the quietest landscapes, human stories endure. Immense views, striking geological formations, and profound silence combine to make this one of the most atmospheric stops of the journey.
Come ashore on Beechey Island, where Arctic history feels close and tangible. This windswept National Historic Site holds the graves of three Franklin expedition members and another who died in the search that followed. Here, Inuit knowledge has been essential in revealing the fate of the lost ships. Along the shoreline, the stark landscape invites reflection on the intertwined narratives of exploration, survival, and knowledge that still shape our relationship with the North.
Disembark in Qausuittuq and board your charter flight to Ottawa. As the Arctic stretches out beneath you, reflect on the light, stories, and relationships that have shaped this journey—connections that continue long after the voyage ends.
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