Cruise port Expedition Ellesmere Island
Info for port Expedition Ellesmere Island on 24 Aug 2027
Port information & tips for Expedition Ellesmere Island
Ellesmere Island is the ultimate destination for Arctic explorers and, as Canada's northernmost island, lies in the heart of the High Arctic. The untouched wilderness impresses with monumental silence as well as gigantic glacial landscapes and offers an incomparable backdrop under the midnight sun thanks to its majestic mountain ranges. Highlights include Quttinirpaaq National Park, observing muskoxen and polar bears, and visits to Grise Fiord, the country's northernmost settlement. Since no classic terminals exist, ships anchor in protected waters such as Tanquary Fiord or off Grise Fiord. Landings are carried out safely by Zodiac directly on the natural shore, providing immediate access to the spectacular Arctic tundra and the authentic Inuit communities.
For an expedition to Ellesmere Island, travel from the DACH region typically takes the form of a Fly & Cruise package via Canada. Due to the extremely remote location and the necessity of charter flights, careful planning and arrival at least one day before embarkation are essential. There are no direct highway or rail connections to the embarkation point.
Airplane
The journey typically begins with a long-haul flight to a major Canadian gateway such as Ottawa (YOW) or Montreal (YUL), which offer direct connections from Europe. From there, charter flights or scheduled flights with regional airlines usually take you to smaller Arctic airports that serve as embarkation points for Ellesmere Island expeditions – a common starting point is, for example, Resolute Bay (YRB) in Nunavut. The flight time from Ottawa to Resolute Bay is approximately 4-5 hours.
Transfer & Shuttle
At remote embarkation points such as Resolute Bay, transfers from the airport to the ship or to the mooring location of the Zodiacs/tender boats are usually organized by the respective cruise line. Due to the infrastructure in these Arctic settlements, there are no public transfer services in the traditional sense. You will receive the exact details regarding the transfers with your travel documents.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Due to the long international flights and the often weather-dependent charter flights into the Arctic, an overnight stay in a major Canadian city like Ottawa or Montreal before the onward flight is highly recommended. This allows time delays caused by flight cancellations or delays to be buffered. There are also limited hotel capacities in Resolute Bay, which are often booked by the cruise lines for passengers should an overnight stay at the embarkation point be necessary.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements as well as the notices on board, as docking and departure times can change at short notice.
In port on 24 Aug 2027
