11-night Canada's Remote Arctic: Northwest Passage to Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg Islands Expedition

September 9, 2025

Quark Expeditions: Ultramarine

Roundtrip Calgary

Vacation Offer ID 1541375

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Overview

Ship Info

Activities & Services

Staterooms

Deckplans

Cruise Theme: Culinary Experience

<p>Our ground-breaking Tundra to Table experience offers guests a one-of-a-kind adventure into the culinary traditions of the Inuit in Greenland and Nunavut. Guests who participate in this on-ship Adventure Option will enjoy dishes from these Arctic regions prepared by Inuit chefs, and learn about local Inuit culture and culinary traditions.</p>

The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
The Signature Collection Sailings offer Exceptional Value and Exclusive Amenities.

Cruise Inclusions

Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
All Zodiac transfers and cruising as per the daily program
All shore landings as per the daily program
Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
Select beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
A photographic journal documenting the expedition
A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
An official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
All luggage handling aboard the ship
Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person

Available Add-Ons

Optional airfare; pre-/post-cruise hotel

Destination Guide
Suggested Shore Excursions

Destination	Arrival	Departure
Calgary Calgary 09/09/2025 Your Arctic expedition begins in Calgary. Explore this vibrant city on your own before you spend the night enjoying the comforts and amenities of your designated hotel.	09/09/2025	09/09/2025
Calgary Calgary 09/10/2025 This morning, board your charter flight to Resolute, Nunavut. Upon arrival, you may have a chance to check out this small hamlet on foot before being transferred to your ship via Zodiac or helicopter (depending on ship location and weather conditions).	09/10/2025	09/10/2025
Air Travel Air Travel 09/10/2025 This morning, board your charter flight to Resolute, Nunavut. Upon arrival, you may have a chance to check out this small hamlet on foot before being transferred to your ship via Zodiac or helicopter (depending on ship location and weather conditions).	09/10/2025	09/10/2025
Cruise Starts (Embarkation) Cruise Starts (Embarkation) 09/10/2025 This morning, board your charter flight to Resolute, Nunavut. Upon arrival, you may have a chance to check out this small hamlet on foot before being transferred to your ship via Zodiac or helicopter (depending on ship location and weather conditions).	09/10/2025	09/10/2025
Resolute Resolute 09/10/2025 This morning, board your charter flight to Resolute, Nunavut. Upon arrival, you may have a chance to check out this small hamlet on foot before being transferred to your ship via Zodiac or helicopter (depending on ship location and weather conditions).	09/10/2025	09/10/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/11/2025 Cruising around the remote islands of the Canadian High Arctic aboard Ultramarine, the newest ship in our fleet, you’ll navigate the same icy inlets, channels and bays that fascinated legendary explorers of long ago. Designed to give polar adventurers unprecedented access to the hardest- to-reach places on the planet—and equipped with two onboard twin- engine helicopters for unparalleled access to areas only Quark Expeditions can bring you—this one-of-a-kind ship will take you beyond the familiar in polar exploration. Throughout your journey, your Expedition Team will keep an eye toward immersing you in the best the Arctic has to offer, including reaching Canada’s most northerly islands: Axel Heiberg Island and the rarely visited Ellesmere Island, at the top of the world.	09/11/2025	09/11/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/12/2025 Remember that no two polar voyages are alike, since each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice conditions. While this voyage has no fixed itinerary, our objective is to visit as many of the incredible highlights the season has to offer, using our extensive expertise to give you the best experience. Each day, your highly skilled Expedition Team will read the conditions and choose the best course to set, but despite their knowledge of these areas, each visit brings something new to discover. That said, our expeditions will have some elements in common, including daily Zodiac cruising, land excursions, a robust education program, a community visit and wildlife viewing opportunities. And thanks to our onboard helicopters, you’ll also discover the ultimate polar expedition experience: While polar landscapes are spectacular from the sea and on land, the view from the air is uniquely stunning. Conditions permitting, you’ll enjoy an ultra-immersive flightseeing activity (short sightseeing flights around your ship and surrounding areas) unique to Ultramarine, giving you an awe-inspiring polar experience like no other.	09/12/2025	09/12/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/13/2025 While this waterway is known to European cultures as the Northwest Passage, this area has nurtured and sustained the Inuit and their predecessors who have called these shores home for almost 5,000 years. Moving through these remote landscapes you will be traveling through the ancestral homelands of this ancient culture, illuminated in person by Inuit guides onboard and ashore. Nunavut is an Inuktitut word meaning “our land” and the Nunavummiut (the people of Nunavut) are renowned for their incredible resourcefulness, hospitality, good humor, and a deep knowledge of the land and animals that has allowed them to thrive in the far north for millennia.	09/13/2025	09/13/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/14/2025 Ultimately, your Expedition Team will keep its eye northward, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the lucky few polar adventurers who have transited through the famous Hell Gate to reach the top of the world, the spectacular Ellesmere Island. If conditions are right, the soaring, ominous snow-capped peaks of this polar desert will come into focus as we approach. The northernmost island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Ellesmere is one of the most remote places on the planet, a land of deep fjords, jagged mountains and massive ice shelves. If we’re fortunate enough to reach here, you will be among the few polar explorers to do so. One of the goals of this expedition is to introduce guests to the unique glaciology of Axel Heiberg Island, Canada’s second-most northernly island, one-third of which is covered in glaciers. A glacier that spreads out as a wide lobe as it leaves a narrow mountain valley to enter a wider valley or a plain. Axel Heiberg is home to the most dramatic and impressive Piedmont glaciers in the world. The Piedmont glacier spreads out as a wide lobe as it makes it way out of a narrow mountain valley into a wider valley or a plain. Birders will want to have their binoculars and cameras at the ready, as the island also affords opportunities for sightings of snow buntings, ptarmigans, jaegers and arctic terns, among others.	09/14/2025	09/14/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/15/2025 Wildlife sightings are almost guaranteed, as many of the areas we hope to explore are home to a surprising number of birds and mammals that thrive in this challenging environment. You may see polar bears, muskoxen and several bird species, such as gyrfalcons and dovekies (little auks). If you’re lucky, you may even spot the elusive narwhal or arctic wolf, though sightings of these iconic creatures in the wild are rare, even in these areas where we have the highest chances of encountering them.	09/15/2025	09/15/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/16/2025 Coburg Island, for instance, is a wildlife reserve for such birds as snowy owls and peregrine falcons, while the impressive vertical cliffs of Prince Leopold Island are dotted with nesting seabirds like northern fulmars and black guillemots. The sheltered shores and steep cliffs of Arctic Bay, a hamlet located off of Admiralty Inlet, provide an ideal nesting habitat for various High Arctic birds such as snow geese, thick-billed murres (Bru?nnich’s guillemots) and kittiwakes. The region has been inhabited by Inuit and Thule cultures for almost 5,000 years. This community is an ideal spot to go ashore and learn more about the Inuit culture, sampling the local cuisine and mingling with artists, perhaps picking up carvings or other handicrafts as a memento of your polar adventure.	09/16/2025	09/16/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/17/2025 Devon Island is another possible locale for wildlife encounters, as walrus, polar bears and muskoxen inhabit the area, which is also the location of the remains of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost, established at Dundas Harbour in 1924 to curb foreign whaling and other activities. Nearby is a small cemetery, one of Canada’s most northerly, still maintained by the RCMP to this day. Another exciting excursion your Expedition Team might offer, conditions permitting, is the opportunity to fly up to explore the Devon ice cap, one of the largest in the Canadian Arctic. History buffs will also be intrigued by the chance to visit an abandoned Hudson’s Bay Company trading post at Fort Ross, at the southern end of Somerset Island, and pay their respects to the ill-fated Franklin expedition of 1845–46 at the gravesite of three crew members on Beechey Island, one of Canada’s most significant Arctic exploration sites.	09/17/2025	09/17/2025
Canadian High Arctic Exploration Canadian High Arctic Exploration 09/18/2025 You may have the opportunity to cruise in a Zodiac along the face of an active glacier near Croker Bay and possibly even witness the wonders of calving ice, at a safe distance. Listen closely for the steady crackle and deep roars as slabs of ice break off and crash into the water below. You’ll also want to be on the lookout for the walrus that are often seen in the area. There is no shortage of natural beauty, wildlife and history in Canada’s High Arctic. Each day, you’ll discover something new and inspiring, whether it is admiration of the tundra flora to survive the extremely rugged environment, a rare bird species soaring overhead, a polar bear on the hunt in its natural habitat, or the ancient remains of a Thule dwelling, predecessors of the Inuit who live here today.	09/18/2025	09/18/2025
Resolute Resolute 09/19/2025 After disembarking in Resolute, you’ll be transferred to your charter flight to Calgary, where you’ll spend the night at your included hotel.	09/19/2025	09/19/2025
Cruise Ends (Debarkation)	09/19/2025	09/19/2025
Air Travel	09/19/2025	09/19/2025
Calgary	09/19/2025	09/19/2025
Calgary Calgary 09/20/2025 Today, make your way to the airport to catch your homeward flights, or spend the day exploring this fascinating city.	09/20/2025	09/20/2025

The newest ship in the fleet, Ultramarine, is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and to immerse you in the best the region has to offer. Equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, Ultramarine offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, the most spacious suites in its category, breathtaking public spaces, and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size. It also features an innovative mix of sustainability features that exceed all industry standards.

Ship Highlights

Guests can enjoy a meal in the Bistro which offers an indoor/outdoor dining experience
Perfectly juxtaposed luxury, guests can rest and relax in the comfort and warmth of the sauna
In the fully-equipped fitness center, featuring a separate yoga space with views to the outside
The Panorama Lounge and Bar allows guests to relax indoors while staying connected to the awe-inspiring landscapes drifting by

Ship Statistics

Ship Length: 420 ft (128m)
Draft: 16.4ft (5.1m)
Maximum Speed: 16 knots, in open water
Registry: Marshall Islands

Number of Crew: 140
Passenger Capacity: 199
Number of Suites: 24

Dining

Bars & Lounges

Entertainment & Nightlife

Onboard Activities

Wellness

Shopping

Suite

Ultra Suite (US) Call for pricing

Category: US
Deck 6

Located on Deck 6, with approximately 563 sq. ft. (52.3m2) of interior living space, and a 46 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want to travel without compromise. The largest and most luxurious suite features the most sleeping, entertainment and storage space onboard the ship. It is perfect for families or travelers who want all the comforts of home on board the ship. Features: one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional walk-in hallway closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room.

Terrace Suite (TS) Call for pricing

Category: TS
Deck 6

Located on Deck 6, with approximately 350 sq. ft. (32.5 m2) of indoor living space, and a 100 sq. ft. (9.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting generous interiors with a wide layout and the largest balconies on the ship. Centrally located on Deck 6, guests will enjoy minimal movement and motion from the comfort of these suites. Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private extra-wide balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.

Solo Panorama Suite (SP) Call for pricing

Category: SP
Deck 6

Located on Deck 6, and approximately 132 sq. ft. (12.3 m2). This suite is perfect for solo guests who appreciate privacy and want to wake up to sweeping views from the comfort of their bed. These are the only solo suites with floor-to-ceiling windows available on board any ship in its class. Features: single bed, floor-to-ceiling window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.

Penthouse Suite (PS) Call for pricing

Category: PS
Deck 7

The only suite category to be located on Deck 7, with approximately 369 sq. ft. (34.3 m2) of indoor living space, and a 67 sq. ft. (6.2 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting to wake up to unobstructed polar views from the warmth and comfort of their bed onboard the ship. These suites offer the best of everything—views, spacious interiors, full bathrooms and generous balcony sizes—as well as easy access to the wellness center. Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.

Owner's Suite (OS) Call for pricing

Category: OS
Deck 6

Located on Deck 6, with approximately 446 sq. ft. (41.4 m2) of indoor living space and a 46.3 sq. ft. (4.3 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests who want it all. A large, luxurious suite featuring a private bedroom, full bathroom, powder room, and two separate living spaces. This suite is perfect for families or couples who want all the comforts of home on board the ship. Features: one double or two single beds in a private bedroom with walk-in closet, sitting area with sofa bed and additional closet, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors and separate powder room.

Deluxe Balcony Suite (DBS) Call for pricing

Category: DBS
Deck 6
Deck 4

Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 299 sq. ft. (27.8 m2) of indoor living space, and a 70 sq. ft. (6.5 m2) balcony. This suite is perfect for guests wanting a larger living space, full bathroom, and a substantial balcony. Deluxe Balcony Suites are the first suite type to offer additional privacy in the bathroom with an enclosed toilet, a full bath, and shower to make it easier for guests to get ready together in the morning. Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower, bathtub and heated floors.

Oceanview

Explorer Triple Suite (ET) Call for pricing

Category: ET
Deck 3

Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). This suite is perfect for guests traveling solo who want to share their experience with other like-minded travelers of the same gender, or for groups of three traveling together. Featuring three separate single beds, and amenities for each of the three guests. Features: three single beds (two of which can be combined into a double bed), sitting area, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.

Explorer Suite (ES) Call for pricing

Category: ES
Deck 3

Located on Deck 3, and approximately 285 sq. ft. (26.5 m2). These suites are perfect for people traveling together or solo guests looking to share with like-minded individuals. This suite maximizes interior living space while still offering guests the opportunity to stay connected to the outdoors. The entry-level twin suites are the largest available on a ship of this class. Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, picture window, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.

Balcony

Balcony Suite (BS) Call for pricing

Category: BS
Deck 6
Deck 4

Located on Decks 4 and 6, with approximately 226 sq. ft. (21 m2) of indoor living space, and a 52 sq. ft. (4.8 m2) balcony, this entry-level balcony suite is one of the largest available on a ship of this class. This suite is perfect for guests who are looking for both indoor and outdoor living spaces. There are four connecting suites in this category, making this an excellent option for families or groups wanting to stay connected to each other during their expedition. Features: one double or two single beds, sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, desk, refrigerator, TV, private bathroom with shower and heated floors.

All fares are per person, based on double occupancy (unless otherwise noted) and quoted in US dollars (US$). Rates for expeditions, flights, as well as optional pre-expedition and post-expedition extensions are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of printing and are subject to change prior to departure. Substantial changes in tariffs, exchange rates and the price of fuel, services and labor sometimes increase the cost of expedition arrangements significantly. Quark reserves the right to alter prices or introduce surcharges accordingly, even if payment has been received in full. All travelers are required to pay for their excursion and additional purchases in conjunction with their excursion in the same currency. The fare does not include tobacco, alcoholic or special beverages (bottled or tap), miscellaneous extras, personal needs or medical care. Such goods and services, if available for purchase aboard the vessel/camp, are at the traveler's own expense. Payment for all such goods and services including any charges for extra baggage must be made in cash or by traveler's checks in US dollars (or other currency acceptable to the carrier) upon demand by the carrier prior to the traveler's disembarkation. Taxes, port charges, embarkation and loading expenses, stamps, health fees and any other charges whatsoever imposed by governmental authorities in any port or place shall be for the account of the traveler if not included in the fare paid to Quark.

To confirm reservations on all Quark products, a deposit of 20% (minimum US$1000 per person) is required at time of booking. The deposit may be paid by bank wire transfer, check, money order or major credit card. For any booking within 120 days of departure full payment is required. Final payment balances are due 120 days prior to departure.

Important reminder: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy – and excitement – of expedition travel. There are no guarantees that we can achieve everything we set out to accomplish. A measure of flexibility is something all of us must bring to a voyage. There are nearly 200 recognized sites in the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetlands and the places mentioned above may be changed to others equally as interesting.

Exlusions - Rates specifically do not include:

Any airfare unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
Passport and visa expenses.
Government arrival and departure taxes.
Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel before embarkation and lunch on specified fly and cruise programs.
Baggage, cancellation and medical travel insurance.
Excess baggage charges.
Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified.
Telecommunications charges.
The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew.
Massage services.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

Deck 8