The Arctic has always held a magnetic pull for the world’s most intrepid travellers, but few journeys capture the imagination quite like a crossing of the legendary Northwest Passage. This September, Silversea’s Silver Endeavour achieved exactly that feat, completing a historic voyage from Nuuk, Greenland to Nome, Alaska – marking not just the end of the cruise line’s 2025 Arctic season, but a triumphant conclusion to five months of extraordinary polar exploration.
Beyond the beaten path in ultimate comfort
From May through September, Silver Endeavour navigated some of Earth’s most remote waterways, taking guests through the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, and Svalbard with the kind of intimate luxury that only small-ship cruising can provide. Built to PC6 polar class specifications and carrying just a fraction of the passengers found on traditional cruise ships, the vessel offers the perfect balance of adventure and refinement.
The ship’s 28-strong expedition team – comprising biologists, geologists, naturalists, and historians – ensures every moment becomes a learning opportunity. Supported by a fleet of versatile Zodiacs, guests can access places that larger vessels simply cannot reach, from remote Arctic shores to the edges of pack ice where polar bears roam.
Wildlife encounters of a lifetime
This season delivered the kind of wildlife experiences that transform passengers into lifelong conservationists. Guests witnessed thousands of beluga whales congregating in the Churchill River estuary, while multiple polar bear sightings in Nunavut and Svalbard provided those heart-stopping moments that define Arctic travel.
Perhaps most spectacular was the encounter with approximately 500,000 nesting pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots at Cape Wolstenholme in Nunavik – a natural phenomenon that few humans ever witness. The season also treated guests to the ethereal dance of the Aurora Borealis and offered the ultimate Arctic initiation: a polar plunge into the icy waters at the edge of the pack ice.
The 2026 promise: 21 voyages of discovery
Silversea isn’t resting on its polar laurels. The cruise line has announced an ambitious 21-voyage Arctic program for 2026, deploying both Silver Endeavour and Silver Wind to traverse the far reaches of the North. These itineraries will take guests to legendary destinations including Longyearbyen, Reykjavik, and Tromsø, following in the wake of historic explorers while enjoying decidedly modern comforts.
The appeal lies not just in the destinations themselves, but in Silversea’s ability to weave together the Arctic’s ancient traditions with glimpses of contemporary northern life, all while maintaining the brand’s signature all-inclusive luxury approach.
A seamless polar journey
As the Arctic season winds down, Silversea is already looking south to Antarctica, where an exciting development awaits. The brand’s new hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South, is scheduled to open in 2026 in Puerto Williams, Chile – the world’s southernmost city. This 150-room property will create a seamless transition for guests moving between polar regions, offering the opportunity to decompress and prepare for the next leg of their polar odyssey.
For discerning cruisers seeking authentic expedition experiences without sacrificing comfort, Silversea’s approach to polar exploration represents the gold standard. With ocean-view suites, bespoke service, and fine dining complementing world-class expedition programming, these voyages prove that the most remote corners of our planet can be explored in sophisticated style.
The 2025 Arctic season may be concluded, but for those dreaming of their own Northwest Passage adventure, the frozen frontier beckons once again come spring 2026.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
