Atlantic Canada Explorer | CA-AC1202

We kick off our adventure, curiously enough, in France! Just off the shores of Newfoundland lie the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, official territories of the French Republic. The cute town of Saint-Pierre is a delight with its boutiques and cafes that bring a taste of Europe to North America.

Next up, we call at Cape Breton Island, specifically, the fishing village of Chéticamp. The region is known for its independent spirit and fierce Acadian heritage. The 4,000 or so locals here speak French, as the original European settlers fled here during the Great Expulsion. Many of the families who live here can trace their family history back to the late 18th century.

Today a popular tourist destination, the town lies at the western entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which contains the Acadian Trail and is world-renowned for its wildlife. If all goes well with the weather, we’ll hike the beautiful Skyline Trail.

The magnificent French Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island played a pivotal role in the struggle between the English and the French over Canada. It was originally built in the 1710s just off the coast of Nova Scotia and then exchanged hands several times before it was destroyed in 1758. Thankfully, it was reconstructed in the 1960s-70s and attracts visitors thanks to its status as a National Historic Site.

During its peak, the community of Louisbourg was the third busiest port in North America, and many French people settled here and became successful fishermen. Though razed by British engineers, it has since been rebuilt as the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America. Today you can enjoy a beer in an 18th-century tavern or sample traditional soldier’s bread from the stone bakery.

On the fourth day of our voyage, we continue along the east coast on the lookout for incredible flora and fauna. The area is an ideal habitat for seabirds and marine mammals who migrate here during the summer. We’ll be seeking opportune sea and weather conditions to observe the wildlife of the region.

For our next days, we cling to the Bay of Fundy, world-famous for its world-record high tides and rich marine life. We’ll stop by the Fundy Isles—Campobello, Grand Manan, and Deer Island—for some awesome sightseeing, wildlife watching, and cruising.

The port of Lunenburg is an old British colonial town, known for its steep streets and the iconic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The harbor once hosted a fleet of sailing vessels, including the famous fishing schooner Bluenose. We’ll have a tour of the town and the many shops, cafes, and galleries that line its hilly streets, especially the iconic St. John’s Anglican Church, Lunenburg Academy, and the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.

Sable Island is a narrow sandbar that stretches as long as Manhattan but is only a kilometer wide. Home to a healthy population of gray seals, birds, including the endemic Ipswich sparrow, and world-famous Sable Island horses.

These small feral steeds were first introduced to the island in the 18th century, and descend from several shipments of Breton, Andalusian, and Norman breeds. Let loose on the island, they were allowed to roam freely, occasionally being rounded up for private use and sale. In an effort to prevent extinction in the 1960s, the Canadian government gave them protected status.

Our scheduled two days here allow us ample time to explore the dunes, cruise the shores, learn about the island’s fascinating history, and view the wildlife.

En route to Newfoundland, join our wildlife experts on the deck and keep your eyes peeled for seabirds and marine mammals. We’ll be crossing ‘The Gully’, a Marine Protected Area, where the seafloor suddenly drops a dizzying two and a half kilometers into a submarine valley.

The Gully is one of the most important undersea features in coastal Canada. Its unique ecology has attracted the interest of many scientists and environmental agencies, such as Parks Canada and Environment Canada. Home to its significant coral communities, the diversity of both its shallow and deep-water fish and many whales and dolphins.

Our onboard scientists, historians, musicians, and artists will continue to engage us with workshops, presentations, and entertainment. Let’s get imbued with the spirit of the East Coast all the way to St. John’s!

Welcome to St. John’s—Newfoundland’s historic, vibrant capital. This town has been fished by settlers since 1498, making it the oldest European settlement in North America. Architecture, shopping, nightlife and cultural attractions all combine to make St. John’s a sightseer’s delight.

Make sure to be on deck as we sail through the Narrows to conclude our voyage by the sea! We’ll say farewell at the port of St. John’s, disembark the Ocean Endeavour, and head onward to our next adventure!

OCEAN ENDEAVOUR

Our vessel for this voyage is the Ocean Endeavour. A 1B ice-class sailing boat with a maximum of 198-passengers and is outfitted with 20 Zodiac boats, our ship is perfect for expedition cruises. Facilities include a top deck observation room, swimming pool, outdoor dining, sauna spa, library, and top-class navigation equipment. Our three onboard lounges are excellent public spaces for our educational seminars, workshops, and entertainment. Launched in 1982, she’s been upgraded many times, most recently in 2010 and 2014. At 137-m (450-ft) length and 21-m (69-ft) breadth, the Ocean Endeavour is the pride of our cruises in Canada and beyond.

Learn more about the Ocean Endeavour.

ARCTIC CRUISES PRACTICAL INFO

No Single Supplement! Solo Adventurers are welcome. Most cabin categories on the ship are available as a private cabin to single travelers at no additional cost.

Temperatures run around 8-15° Celsius (46-60° Fahrenheit) on average. That said, guests have been known to enjoy a day of shorts and t-shirts in the Canadian Arctic! Do note that temperatures can fall below zero (especially at night) and snowfall can be expected at any time.

ARCTIC CRUISES PLEASE NOTE

This program features activities such as walking, wildlife viewing, and Zodiac cruising, all at a relatively easy to moderate level of exertion. The majority of shore landings are undertaken using Zodiacs. Zodiac embarkations involve descending gangway stairs with double handrails and stepping into the Zodiac from a small platform at water level (assistance is provided).