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Canada Cruises Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Cruising is one of the most dramatic ways to see Canada, and one of the only ways to reach her most remote destinations. Like the intrepid explorers who came before, landing on Canada’s shores, you will feel the same exhilaration, as though you are the first to be seeing the incredible and daunting expanses of Canada before you.

Explore such unique lands as Newfoundland & Labrador and the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland. Explore the stunningly beautiful waters around Vancouver Island and north to Alaska, and the picturesque coastal villages of the Maritimes.

Cruising the Canadian High Arctic

Cruises in the Canadian High Arctic are usually combined with cruises to Greenland as well, for a truly incredible experience in the far reaches of the world. Possibly even less trafficked today than Antarctica, this Arctic Archipelago is one of the last frontiers for travelers.

There are over 36,000 islands in the Canadian Arctic archipelago, and your journey’s route will depend somewhat on the time of year and the presence or non presence of icebergs and frozen waters.

Of course, the ugly side of the coin is that cruises are now able to access the waters of the High Arctic due to climate change. Ice and snow has continued to melt at an alarming rate. So let part of your journey be about awareness.

Technically international waters, sailing through the Northwest Passage provides beautiful views of the Arctic as experienced by brave sailors and intrepid explorers for generations. Among the fjords, mountains, and glaciers you’ll explore a land much unchanged from the age of exploration. You’ll meet local inuit people and learn their culture, history and customs, still very much alive today.

Similarly to an Antarctica trip, you’ll experience hushed snowy landscapes, and the feeling of being dwarfed by the landscape and secondary to the wildlife. Walruses will lazily sleep about as your ship drifts past, and majestic polar bears walk through the snow.

Top sights on an Arctic Cruise in Canada

Lancaster Sound - Explorers just entering the Northwest Passage and seeking to make it through this fabled trade route between west and east, would have started here, at Lancaster Sound. This is the largest channel through the web of islands and bays, though still small enough to pose an uneasy sense of wondering - what does it lead to? As you start through you’ll have this same thought - as many sailors through history must have as well, as they began their journey.

Beechey Island - This is the haunting final resting place for 250 ill fated sailors who embarked on a voyage in 1845 - ultimately perishing here from cold, hunger, and other mysterious factors. Archaeologists have speculated that rather than shipwreck, one of the main contributions to their demise was lead poisoning from the tin cups they used to store food. You can wander the island among makeshift headstones and take a guided history tour to learn more about those who lived and died here.

Prince Leopold Island - Nearly 1000 feet tall, these sheer cliffs are intensely foreboding and fascinating. As you gaze up from a zodiac, feeling dwarfed by their incredible shape and structure, it’s hard not to feel intimidated. Photographers, this is your moment! You many even see a polar bear or two.

Baffin Island - Actually the 5th largest island in the world, Baffin Island is home to some of Canada’s most fascinating native history, explorer history, wildlife, and winter landscapes. Visit here for incredible views and to learn about the unique topography and human history of this northern, oft unvisited part of Canada.

Ellesmere Island - For a true adventure head to one of the world’s most remote islands, at the northern end of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and a narrow channel away from Greenland. Explore Quttinirpaaq National Park to learn about the island’s unique climate, wildlife, and other geographical features.

Cruising the Canadian Maritimes and New England

Exploring the Canadian Maritimes is like going back in time. Small coastal towns, lighthouses, and fishing villages harken back to when this area had multiple nations vying over the fur trade, and establishing settlements. There’s Dutch influence, French Influence, and early British-American influence throughout these provinces and coastal lands. Additionally there is a rich native culture to learn about here, and many museums dedicated to showcasing native crafts, customs, and history.

Often cruises of the Eastern parts of Canada encompass a visit to Newfoundland and Labrador as well, an oft forgotten about area of Canada for tourists, making it the perfect destination for those looking to get a bit off the beaten track.

A vibrant clash of cultures since the 18th century, Canada’s East coast saw rapid growth due to a rich and successful timber industry. The fur trade also affected their growth, as well as the tensions between many nationalities looking to stake claims and establish trading outposts.

Halifax, Nova Scotia is the main port of call for cruises around the Maritimes. Here you’ll enjoy tours of the downtown area with its mix of modern and historical architecture, harbor walks, maritime and military history walks, and views of picturesque lighthouses.

Elsewhere in Nova Scotia you’ll find a legacy of fishing villages and family businesses, with crab and lobster shacks just off the piers. This is also where one of the most widely used symbols of the maritimes can be found - a very popular destination for photographers - Peggy’s Point Lighthouse.

New Brunswick is the largest of the three Maritime provinces. Due to its size, there are many influences here, providing keys to early Canadian history. From the native cultures, to the exploration age when French and British explorers first landed. From there, thriving timber and mining industries influenced the population growth and economy.

Today, New Brunswick is known for beautiful coastline, particularly the Bay of Fundy. The outdoors coupled with the second largest town in the Maritimes, where you can shop, enjoy delicious meals, and visit museums, make this province a perfectly balanced trip for travelers to Canada.

Fans of the wildly popular book and film series Anne of Green Gables, will immediately recognize the name Prince Edward Island. This tiny island off the coast of Nova Scotia has been a tourist destination for kindred spirits of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s spunky red haired heroine for decades.

You can visit the Green Gables house, several museums dedicated to the series, and you’ll definitely feel the spirit of Anne all through the island. Those uninterested in the book series can still get a lot out of a visit to the area, including gorgeous photo ops, fresh seafood, and a multitude of outdoor activities.

Cruising Newfoundland & Labrador

Be honest. When was the last time you thought about visiting Newfoundland? Well despite being left out of many Canadian travels, Newfoundland and neighboring Labrador really should move high on your list. And cruising is one of the easiest and best ways to visit.

Precisely because it’s often forgotten about, this province is the perfect destination for those really looking to get away from it all and experience something new. And once you get there, you’ll discover a friendly people, charming towns, a rich arts scene, and fascinating history - including an archaeological site reputed to be where famed Viking explorer Leif Erikson settled.

These easternmost lands of Canada were the first major land sight to behold for some European explorers seeking the New World. Many towns maintain strong ties to their European ancestors, particularly Scottish and Irish. You’ll feel as though you’ve traveled overseas to the motherland with traditional food and customs from these countries alive and well. Because a large portion of those who landed here made their way south to the modern day Maritime provinces, where trading posts were more prominent, the ports in Newfoundland sparsely populated for many years.

Today, this area is a vibrant hidden gem of outdoors adventures and arts and culture.

Some of the top sights in Newfoundland & Labrador include:

Bonavista- Believed to be the landing point of Italian explorer, Giovanni Caboto, upon one of the very first exploratory missions to the New World, in 1497, Bonavista is a classic stop when exploring Newfoundland. The lighthouse on the spot is now a museum welcoming visitors year round.

Gros Morne National Park - Among its other virtues, there is an UNESCO World Heritage sight within Gros Morne National Park - the rare exposed mantle rocks that made up “Tablelands”. Guided tours are recommended to fully appreciate the significance of this natural area. Gros Morne is the perfect park for hiking, camping, and kayaking among untamed natural beauty.

Cape Spear - the easternmost point of North America, Cape Spear is a classic stop along a cruise of Canada’s east coast, complete with beautiful lighthouse and the feeling of being frozen in time. Take a tour of the lighthouse for a glimpse into 19th century life and the explorers who helped shape Canada’s history.

Codroy Valley - for a taste of Scotland in North America. This beautiful area is home to a small but stalwart Scottish community, with very strong ties to the motherland. Scottish customs and culture is very much alive here. The Grand Codroy River nearby offers wonderful hiking and photogenic views.

Skerwink Trail - this roughly 3 mile trail has been named as one of the Top 35 best walks in North America by Travel & Leisure. Get stunning coastal views and even glimpse a Humpback Whale or two in the summer months.

Cruising Canada’s West Coast

A cruise through the Western part of Canada generally also includes Alaska, though you may also choose to remain in British Columbia where you can focus around Victoria and Vancouver Island.

Canada’s West Coast offers a more rugged, mountainous terrain, as well as unique coastal rainforests than the east or the north, and has a strong railway and gold mining history.

The Inside Passage

The most popular route you’ll take when exploring Canada’s west coast on a cruise is the Inside Passage. The inside passage winds its way through inland passages and byways passing multiple hidden villages and settlements not often visited by travelers.

For those interested in the native aboriginal culture of Canada, this is going to a large part of your trip along the Inside Passage. Totem poles and local settlements line the shorelines, and you’ll learn a lot about the history, culture, and customs.

The wildlife viewing in this area is almost unparalleled. Have your camera ready for whales, moose, and grizzly bears, as well as one of the densest populations of wild bald eagles anywhere in the world.

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Canada Cruises Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

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