Adventure Canada
Founded in 1987 and based near Toronto, Adventure Canada’s family line of ownership continues with the second generation expanding the firm’s reaches in Arctic Canada, its more temperate regions and eastward to Greenland, Iceland, Ireland and Scotland. In winter, there are a few warm weather options, for instance, in Costa Rica and Panama.
Here’s an expedition outfit, based in Canada, that concentrates on what it knows best — the country’s vast landscape and seascape explored and ideally, explored by expedition ship.
Adventure Canada’s Ocean Endeavour. * Photo: Ocean Endeavour
Adventure Canada Fleet
- Ocean Endeavour (built 1982 & 198 passengers) – Arctic, Atlantic Canada & Europe
- Panorama (b. 1993, redone in 2014 & 49 p) – Costa Rica & Panama Canal
Passenger Profile
Mostly Canadians & Americans.
Price
$$-$$$
Included Features on an Adventure Canada Cruise
- All sightseeing &shore trips
- Port fees
- 24-hour coffee, tea & snacks
- Expedition jacket to keep
- Rubber boots
- Extra cost: Some expedition itineraries require charter flights.
- Itineraries
Itineraries for Adventure Canada
Ocean Endeavour begins its season in early June, with European cruises around Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland that last for around 9 nights each.
By August, the ship sails 10- to 16- night itineraries in the Northwest Passage, Arctic and Newfoundland until the end of the season, in October.
In the Northwest Passage. *Photo: Adventure Canada
Sample Itinerary
For the 11-night High Arctic Explorer cruise, passengers embark at Qausuittuq (Resolute Bay), in Nunavut, Canada’s northernmost territory and explore the Tallurutiup Imana marine protected area to observe polar bears and sea birds.
Visit the graves of the Inuit doomed Franklin Expedition on Beechey Island and visit Inuit villages at Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet), crossing Baffin Bay to Greenland for a stop at Illulissat before the final call at Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.
Why Go?
From Scotland to the Northwest Passage, see nature at its most dramatic — fjords, glaciers, rugged topography, archeology, Viking history, remote Inuit villages and ways of life, sea animals and birds galore — while traveling with a smallish group of people many of whom will share your interests and enthusiasm.
The view from deck. * Photo: Adventure Canada
When to Go?
The departures begin in early June and last until the end of October.
Activities & Entertainment
On board, passengers attend talks, presentations and workshops related to regional culture and wildlife appreciation; photography tips; concerts; singalongs, dancing; yoga classes and tabletop games.
Off the ship, there are excursions in Zodiacs to see wildlife, explore inlets and fjords, sail up to glaciers, cruise to small islands, go ashore to meet the locals and see their lifestyle and culture, including the remains of Viking settlements, geysers, volcanoes and landscapes.
Ships
Ocean Endeavour
Ice-strengthened, with advanced navigation equipment and stabilizers, the 198-passenger Ocean Endeavour is ideal for Arctic expeditions. Of the ship’s 6 decks, only the lower three are serviced by one elevator.
One dining room serves international cuisine with a focus on regional cuisines. In addition to the standard three meals, passengers can have early breakfast, afternoon tea, late night snacks and round the clock coffee and tea.
There are a number of lounges on board including an observation platform with panoramic views and a library. Other facilities include a heated salt-water pool, sauna, gym and spa, gift shop, laundry and a medical clinic with doctor and paramedic.
In addition to 20 Zodiacs, the ship also has a mud room for expedition preparations.
Cabins
There are 10 cabin categories, with suites measuring between 270 to 310 sq. ft., with most cabins ranging from 100 to 210, sq. ft. Cabins for three (200 sq. ft.) and four (240 sq. ft.) are also available.
In cabin: en suite, TV, phone, intercom, hair dryer.
A cabin on Ocean Endeavour. * Photo: Adventure Canada
The decks of Ocean Endeavour. * Photo: Adventure Canada
Expert lectures are a bit part of the appeal of an Ocean Endeavour expedition. * Photo: Adventure Canada
Panorama
The 49-passenger Panorama is a three-masted motorsailer launched in 1993 and rebuilt in 2001, last renovated in 2014.
Upper deck cabins and lounge, and main deck cabin en-suite bathrooms and lounge have been refitted.
The 49-pax Panorama. * Photo: Adventure Canada
The interior lounge of the Panorama. * Photo: Adventure Canada
Along the Same Lines
One Ocean Expeditions, and Quark Expeditions have the most overlapping coverage of the Northern latitudes.
Contact for Adventure Canada
Adventure Canada, 14 Front Street South, Mississauga, Ontario L5H 2C4 Canada; 800-363-7566, adventurecanada.com; blog.adventurecanada.com.
Don’t miss a post about small-ship cruising, subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com for monthly updates & special offers!
© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.
HEIDI SARNA
I won this sold out trip for two. https://www.adventurecanada.com/expedition-cruise/greenland-and-arctic-canada-high-arctic-explorer/greenland-and-arctic-canada-high-arctic-explorer-2023-2 Willing to sell. HighArticExplorer@proton.me