The Most Unusual Cruise of a Lifetime

THE MOST UNUSUAL CRUISE OF A LIFETIME

The Northwest Passage is a sea route connecting the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic Ocean, which is the shallowest of the five major oceans, along the northern coast of North American via waterways through the Canadian Arctic. This ice bound northern route was discovered in 1851 by the Irish explorer Robert McClure and many people have tried to get through the ice without success. I remember being told in school in England about Sir John Franklin in 1845 and the tremendous search that was done to find his expedition by the British Government. While searching for him, the McClure Arctic Expedition found his two ships and remains of the crew. Robert McClure got knighted by Queen Victoria for his successful trip solving the mystery of the lost expedition. The ships had been ice-locked in 1846 near King William Island, about half way through the passage and had been unable to break free. Many artifacts from the expedition were found over the next century and a half, including notes. Records showed that Sir John died in 1847 . In 1848 the expedition abandoned the ships and tried to escape south across the tundra by sledge, without success.

It is thought that passage may become clear enough of ice to permit safe commercial shipping for at least part of the year. This will cut a lot of time for shipping from Asia to Europe in the future by 4000 miles, and will perhaps be an alternative to the Panama Canal with an estimated $200,000 savings and four days in time. Researchers have estimated that the ice pack has dropped 40% since 1979, due to global warming. Scientists report that cloud cover has dropped by 16% in one year.

This passage has brought up an International Waters dispute. Canada feels the Northwest Passage is in their country which gives them the right to bar transit, yet several countries have said it is international waters so we will wait and see who wins the fight.

The largest ship to navigate the Northwest Passage was the cruise liner, Crystal Serenity of gross tonnage 69,000 starting in August 10, 2016 sailing from Vancouver to New York with 1,500 passengers and crew taking 28 days. The ship sold out in 48 hours, with a wait list, and cost $45,000 per person.

A voyage to the top of the world through majestic waterways, spectacular glaciers and towering fjords where nature is truly wild and landscapes are absolutely breathtaking. This trip was two years in the planning, with scientists, coast guard officials, and climate change experts all taking part in the itinerary. Food will be flown in, and it was a miracle put together by an outstanding team from several countries.

The Crystal Serenity will travel with its own icebreaker, and a British Royal Research icebreaker the Ernest Shackleton, named after the famous polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, which has two ice pilots on board, two helicopters, special damage control equipment. The Crystal ice pilot will be Marc Sheldon Rothwell, a retired Coast Guard officer who has twenty two arctic voyages to his credit. There will be two Canadian icebreakers, the Sir Wilfred Laurier and Terry Fox stationed in the Arctic waters also. The captain is Birger Vorland, a Norwegian with 38 years at sea.

There is one itinerary only for next year. August 15-September 16, 2017. 32 days for this historic route, Anchorage to New York City. There is a two for one marvelous price at present, $22,855 per person, not $45,710.

The route will be:

Seward to Dutch Harbor, Nome to Ulukhaktok, Cambridge Bay to Pond Inlet, Ilulissat Greenland to Sisimiut and Nuuk, Greenland, Bar Harbor, Main, Boston, Newport, New York.

Go on line and read in detail the activities and day to day itinerary. www.crystalcruises.com/voyage/details/northwest-passage-explorer-7320

You will cruise seas most people have never even heard of.

Do you feel like being an explorer? What a thrill to do it in luxury with Crystal, one of the best cruise lines in the world, and listen to the many lectures given by the experts on board. What an education, and a chance of a lifetime. Arrival and departure times will depend on tides, weather, ice, and wildlife opportunities. This is definitely different than booking a cruise for the Mediterranean. A true adventure to think about. No doubt you will see lots of polar bears.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel

160 Main Street

Los Altos

650-941-5810