Welcome to Canada! When you arrive at the Calgary International Airport, make your way to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the largest city in Alberta at your own pace. Calgary’s charm comes from its landscapes, urban centre and cowboy culture (Calgary earned the nickname ‘Cowtown’ due to the Calgary Stampede – its massive July rodeo festival that grew from the farming exhibitions once held here).

This morning, you'll catch your flight to the northern gateway of Qausuittuq (Resolute) in Nunavut, where you start your adventure in the middle of the legendary Northwest Passage. You’ll be transferred to your ship by Zodiac or helicopter, depending on the weather. Qausuittuq sits on the southern shores of Cornwallis Island, which means ‘the place with no dawn,’ refering to the 24-hour nights that occur here in winter. this remote northern region. Your ship will navigate through Tallurutiup-Imanga (Lancaster Sound) – this 320 km waterway and the surrounding lands are rich in wildlife and history, both Indigenous and European and your onboard crew will share some insights as your adventure officially begins.

Today, you'll head to the western end of Devon Island on the north side of Tallurutiup-Imanga. Head to Beechey Island to see the Beechey Island National Historic Sites – these sites are maintained by Parks Canada and tell the story of Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition to explore the Northwest Passage. Learn how Franklin and his crew of 128 men spent the winter here after their expedition ended in tragedy. What happened to Franklin and his men is the stuff of legend and there have been several search expeditions over the years, which have discovered bodies, personal belongings and handwritten notes that suggested starvation, deaths from hypothermia, scurvy and lead poisoning from the tinned food supplies. Visit the graves of three officers from the HMS Erebus and honour the memory of the Franklin crew who braved massive challenges to explore this part of the world.

Tallurutiup-Imanga became the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area (Lancaster Sound National Marine Conservation Area) in 2017 and at 109,000 sq km, it's the largest marine-protected area in Canada. Keep your binoculars ready today, especially when you’re out on deck, and keep watch for the various wildlife that inhabit these waters. You’ll then head into the Davis Strait, which separates Baffin Bay and the Labrador Sea and forms part of the historic Northwest Passage. If you’re lucky with clear skies tonight, prepare for the magical Northern Lights.

Today is an exciting day as you become one of the very few travellers to explore the Icy Arm Fjord, which cuts almost 80 km deep into northern Baffin Island. Accessible only by water in the summer months when the sea ice recedes, this rarely visited fjord is known for its unrivalled landscape of towering cliffs and glaciers. Icy Arm Fjord is the epitome of Arctic wilderness, and here, you might see polar bears, Arctic foxes, seals, walruses, guillemots, kittiwakes and other Arctic-dwelling birds. Today, the Ultramarine’s twin-engine helicopters are ready for the Heli Flightseeing excursions where you can view the remote Arctic terrain from a seat in the sky. It's also an excellent day for Zodiac cruises, offering sea-level intimacy with the surrounding lands and waters.

Cruise along the east coast of Baffin Island – the largest island in Canada and the fifth largest in the world! Today is a day at sea, so take the chance to explore your ship and make the most of the onboard amenities, including the fitness centre, spa and library. There will also be expert-led polar presentations about the geography, history and biology of the area.

Qikiqtarjuaq, fondly called Qik, is a small hamlet populated mostly by Inuit, north of the Arctic Circle. Known as the iceberg capital of Nunavut, Qikiqtarjuaq sits at the northern entrance to the mountainous Auyuittuq National Park, home to narwhals, bowhead whales, orca whales, polar bears, seals and migratory birds. Today, you’ll make some community visits here to learn about the local culture and maybe to purchase some local art and traditional handicrafts, like the parkas and boots available here.

Today, you’ll visit Cape Mercy – an isolated cove at the southern tip of Cumberland Sound in Nunavut. Cape Mercy was named by the British explorer John Davis, who sailed through this part of the Arctic in 1585. Today, this place offers travellers the chance to experience the isolation of the Arctic, with no sign of civilisation in sight! You can join a guided hike to a glacier-carved freshwater lake today, which is highly recommended – just make sure you bring your camera!

There's no shortage of fun activities onboard the Ultramarine today. While you’re at sea, you can relax and rejuvenate in the sauna, soaking up the luxury of the floor-to-ceiling windows, You could also book a soothing treatment in Tundra Spa, visit the fitness centre, practise yoga or deepen your Arctic knowledge by attending one of the presentations on geology, wildlife, history, glaciology or botany.

Today you’ll explore Torngat Mountains National Park via Zodiac, guided hikes and kayaking excursions – established in 2008, the park is home to Canada's highest mountains east of the Rockies, as well as scenic fjords, glacial formations and various wildlife. For students of Indigenous history, Torngat Mountain National Park is especially meaningful – the park sits at the northern edge of Nunatsiavut territory, which was recognised as the homeland of the Labrador Inuit in 2005, with its own constitution and administration. These lands have been home to the Nunatsiavut and their predecessors for over 7500 years and in Inuktitut, the park’s name means ‘place of the spirits,’ which reflects the spiritual significance of the region. Keep your eyes out for boreal woodland caribou, black bears, Labrador wolves, red and Arctic foxes, polar bears and peregrine falcons.

Over the next couple of days at sea, take note of the ever-changing landscapes throughout your 2500 nautical mile voyage. As you sail, you’ll see the tundra environment in the Arctic and the rocky, big-walled coast of Baffin Island turn into the wind-battered coastal forests of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Sail toward L'Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site on the northern tip of Newfoundland and consider the difference between modern ships and ancient exploration vessels. Today, you're comfortably sailing on the state-of-the-art Ultramarine – a beautifully designed ship with helicopters, quick-launch Zodiacs, a sauna and spa, dining areas surrounded by glass, high-tech presentation spaces, cabins with the best of amenities, and a wide array of exciting off-ship adventure options. This is an upgrade from the ancient wooden longboats that transported the Vikings an incredible 2180 km from Greenland to Newfoundland in 1000 AD! Today, you'll visit the archaeological remains of where they landed – this UNESCO World Heritage site is the only confirmed Norse settlement in North America. Take a guided tour to see where Norseman Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, is believed to have founded ‘Vinland’ (the East Coast area including what would later be known as Newfoundland) around 1000 AD. Explore the reconstructed sod huts and Norse ruins throughout the historic site – proof that Vikings discovered North America 500 years before Christopher Columbus's much-chronicled arrival.

Today is a day at sea, and you’ll be treated to a performance by your onboard guest artists. If you haven't already, seize the opportunity to inquire about the various musical traditions of Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly the origins of kitchen party music. Also, you can spend some time with the Expedition Team, who are all polar experts with vast expertise!

Experience the traditional culture of France during a visit to the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. This small archipelago, only 20 km from Newfoundland, is the only French territory on the North American continent. Disembark in the colourful port town of Saint-Pierre, where you can stroll along the seaside, sample French patisseries and enjoy the café scene. While Europeans have had a presence on the tiny archipelago since the early 17th-century, the islands are traditional territory of the Mi'kmaq – the Indigenous people who first appeared in Atlantic Canada 10,000 years ago.

Today your ship will arrive in St. John's for a morning disembarkation. After breakfast, your trip comes to an end, and you can make your way to St. John's International Airport. If you would like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.