Epic Northwest Passage the BEST of the ARCTIC August 17 - 30, 2019 (13 Nights Including One Pre-Trip Night in Ottawa)
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LUCKY #7 Epic Northwest Passage THE BEST OF THE ARCTIC August 17 - 30, 2019 (13 nights including one pre-trip night in Ottawa) Seven years after we first brought the alumni community our “Big Idea”, we have enhanced and refined this idea and taken it to the next level. Since 2011, we have taken close to 500 alumni association travellers to explore Canada’s North in the company of some of the very best minds from Canadian universities. In partnership with B.C.-based One Ocean Expeditions, we have enjoyed the mobile wilderness lodge taking us to the most remote places in our country. Now, we are introducing an expansion and enhancement: a new vessel that takes polar cruising to a whole new level. The RCGS Resolute is joining the One Ocean Expeditions fleet in November, 2018 and we will be the first to offer her for a charter in the Canadian Arctic in August, 2019. TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 What’s What’s NEW? UNCOMPROMISED? Outer decks with 360 degree viewing platforms – Built in the same shipyard as the Ioffe and Vavilov perfect for wildlife watching, photography, birding and appreciating the expansive Arctic views Lloyds 1AS ice classification Forward and aft observation lounges and bars Exceptional maneuverability Wellness Centre with massage therapy, Finnish Sauna, steam room, well-equipped gym Operational safety Well-appointed theatre style presentation room Open bridge Mobile laboratory Experienced crew and staff All cabins with private bathrooms! Same immersive experience Six different cabin categories with expansive panoramic windows 22 square metre cabin size Berths can be configured as two twin beds or one queen size bed High quality cabinetry Spacious bathrooms Two dining rooms – bistro for light options and full dining room Outdoor seating Soft drinks, house wine/beer/spirits included + premium options available Forward Observation Lounge Jacuzzi Bistro Dining Room Bistro (exterior) Presentation Room TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 PRIVATE Spacious and well appointed, Twin Private cabins are situated on Deck 4 and have the option for either a queen or two single configured beds. Features include a comfortable lounge adjacent to the large picture window, writing desk and chair, ample storage and private washroom facilities with shower. A flatscreen entertainment system is also included. These cabins provide easy access to the main dining room on the ship as well as the gift shop. SUPERIOR Located forward on Deck 5 the Superior cabins have the option for either a queen or two single beds. Features include a comfortable lounge adjacent to the large picture window, writing desk and chair, ample storage and private washroom facilities with shower. A flat screen entertainment system is also included. These cabins provide easy access to the forward stairs leading up to the bridge on Deck 6 and the forward observation lounge located on Deck 7. SUPERIOR PLUS Superior Plus cabins are located midships on Deck 5. They are spacious and well appointed with the option for either a queen or two single beds. A comfortable lounge is placed by the large picture window, writing desk and chair, ample floor to ceiling cabinet storage and private washroom facilities with shower. A flat screen entertainment system is also included. Centrally located on the ship, these cabins provide easy access to the aft observation lounge featuring 180 degree views and the ship’s dining areas. TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 SHACKLETON SUITE The Shackleton Suites are situated on Deck 6. Suites include the comfort of a sectional lounge, writing desk, substantial floor to ceiling cabinetry, and washroom facilities with shower. A flat screen entertainment system is also included. Sleeping quarters feature the option for either a queen or two single beds with upgraded linen/ pillows. These Suites provide easy access to the ship’s bridge, the bistro and outdoor observation spaces. The forward panoramic observation lounge and recreation facilities are also located nearby on Deck 7. ONE OCEAN SUITE The One Ocean Suites are situated on Deck 6 and offer an indulgent amount of space. Sleeping quarters feature a queen size bed with upgraded linen/pillows. Included is a comfortable sectional lounge with matching club chairs, a large desk, expansive floor to ceiling cabinetry, and spacious washroom facilities with both a shower and bathtub. A flat screen entertainment system is also included. These suites provide easy access to the ship’s bridge, the bistro and outdoor observation spaces. The panoramic observation lounge and recreation facilities are located nearby on Deck 7. TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 Specifications: Speed (Max): 15 knots Launched: 1993 Cruise Speed: 14 knots Shipyard: Rauma, Finland Passengers: 146 Length: 122.8 metres Zodiac Boats: 14 Zodiacs onboard Beam: 18 metres Electrical Supply: 220 Volts/European Pin Draught: 4.97 metres Hull Classification: Ice Strengthened Gross Tonnage: 8378 Ice Class: Lloyds 1AS TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 This remarkable voyage explores the expedition more than 170 years ago in particular will stark, icy landscapes and colourful fishing villages of West provide a vivid narrative to our travels. This region is Greenland before crossing the Davis Strait to the stunning also the home of the polar bear, muskox, bowhead whale fjords of Baffin Island. From there, we continue into the and walrus, which form a major draw to this region and remote Northwest Passage. which we will search for in earnest. All the while, we will be surrounded by the Earth’s own great works, laid bare We follow in the footsteps of the early Arctic explorers in the form or fascinating geology and glacial history for such as Franklin, Amundsen and Larsen, exploring the us to understand. archipelago of islands and channels that create Canada’s High Arctic region. The history of exploration is something Some say that Canada’s Arctic is our country’s best part. we will appreciate as we visit some defining sites, hear Join us to discover these fantastic landscapes and their stories depicting contemporary life and learn about the many layers of meaning, along with a rare chance to consequences of those adventures. John Franklin’s ill-fated visit Greenland too! Expedition Itinerary This trip commences in Ottawa where we spend one night prior Tuesday, August 20: Ilulissat and the Jacobshavn before flying by chartered aircraft to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland Icefjord and embarking on our vessel by zodiac. At the conclusion of the If one word could sum up today’s experience it would be ‘ice’. expedition, we fly from Cambridge back to Edmonton (Alberta) Truly one of the wonders of the world, the Jacobshavn Icefjord via a charter flight. – a UNESCO World Heritage site – spews gigantic tabular icebergs out into Disko Bay. The glacier that creates these Saturday, August 17: Meet in Ottawa stunning monoliths advances at over 40 metres per day, creating Participants meet at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel for a briefing something in the order of 50 km3 of ice annually. Ilulissat was and welcome dinner. the hometown of Knud Rasmussen, one of Greenland’s most famous early explorers. The town is home to a pretty harbour Sunday, August 18: Fly to Kangerlussuaq with colourful fishing boats and houses. We depart Ottawa this morning on our charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, situated on the west coast of Greenland. Upon arrival into Kangerlussuaq we enjoy a short tour before boarding the ship in the afternoon. After settling in to our cabins and exploring the vessel, we meet our expedition team and fellow passengers. Excitement is in the air as we cast off and enjoy a welcome cocktail while cruising along Søndre Strømfjord, bound for the fabled Northwest Passage! Monday, August 19: Sisimiut Today we’ll discover the fjord behind the town of Sisimiut before going ashore to explore this beautiful location in the afternoon. Characterized by colourful local houses, the town features a towering granite peak as backdrop. We hope to meet a few of the traditional Greenlandic kayakers and to see a demonstration of ‘Eskimo rolling’ by one of the former Greenland kayak champions. A small museum Sisimiut, Greenland is another interesting diversion here. TOLL-FREE 1-800-387-1483 / 416-633-5666 | [email protected] | WWW.WORLDWIDEQUEST.COM | 491 KING ST. E. TORONTO, ON M5A 1L9 Wednesday, August 21 – Thursday, August 22: Baffin Bay Inuit games Leaving the rugged coastline of Greenland, we will cross Baffin Bay. Our exact path is highly dependent on the extent of ‘middle ice’. We probe northwards seeking out the edges of this ice and plan to follow the line of ice until we reach the coast of Baffin Island. Our time at sea will be determined by the extent of the ice and the wildlife we encounter. As we transit Baffin Bay, we are always on the lookout for fin, sperm, sei and humpback whales as well as the numerous species of Arctic seals and seabirds that inhabit these waters. Our university study leaders and ship staff will deliver fascinating presentations on board focusing on the wildlife, history, geology and culture of the Arctic. Monday, August 26: Beechey Island and Prince Leopold Friday, August 23: Pond Inlet Island Nearing the far north of Baffin Island we enter a broad channel - Beechey Island holds great historic importance on our journey home to the remote Inuit community of Pond Inlet.