Greenland Cruise from Kangerlussuaq to Toronto — 17 Days

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Kangerlussuaq is Greenland’s unlikely gateway: a small settlement set 190 kilometres inland at the head of a long fjord. Once a U.S. air base, it offers access to the ice sheet and guided excursions onto its immense white surface. Beyond town, tundra supports musk oxen and reindeer; nearby Russell Glacier reveals Greenland’s moving ice. Weather and distance shape every outing, so plan for conditions.

Sisimiut, Greenland

Set just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is Greenland’s second-largest town and a working fishing port. Brightly painted homes rise above the harbor. Boats and fishing vessels keep the waterfront firmly connected to daily life. At Sisimiut Museum, historic buildings and collections reveal Inuit heritage and the town’s colonial past. From town, trails open onto Arctic landscapes of mountains, lakes and broad tundra.

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland

Qeqertarsuaq, once called Godhavn, occupies Disko Island on Greenland’s west coast, beyond the usual reach of road travel. Founded in 1773, it grew around a sheltered harbour and the whaling trade. Today, its small, colourful settlement contrasts sharply with dark basalt cliffs and broad Arctic skies. Walk the waterfront, visit the historic church, or take a guided outing toward waterfalls and the Lyngmark Glacier. In summer, watch for whales offshore.

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

At Sea (At Sea)

L'Anse aux Meadows, Canada

At Newfoundland’s northern tip, L’Anse aux Meadows offers a rare encounter with the Viking age in North America. Archaeologists uncovered evidence of a Norse settlement here dating to about 1,000 years ago. UNESCO recognizes L’Anse aux Meadows as the only confirmed Norse site in North America. Walk among reconstructed turf-walled buildings, then explore the visitor centre’s artefacts and archaeological evidence. Beyond the site, the wind-shaped coastline rewards a slower look.

Red Bay NL, Canada

Red Bay sits on Labrador’s rugged coast, where the Atlantic still sets the pace. In the 1500s, Basque whalers crossed the ocean to hunt right and bowhead whales here. Their remains form one of North America’s most important early industrial sites. Visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological remains and interpretation centre, then look across the harbour toward Saddle Island. Come for the whaling history, sea air and striking sense of distance.

Woody Point NL, Canada

Woody Point sits beside Bonne Bay, within Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park. From its harbour, roads lead to the Tablelands, where exposed mantle rock sets the landscape apart. Visit the Gros Morne Discovery Centre, stroll the waterfront, and look across the bay to its steep-sided shores. Historic buildings and local cafés make a welcome pause between outdoor excursions.

Havre-Saint-Pierre, Canada

Havre-Saint-Pierre sits on Quebec’s Côte-Nord, where the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets a coast shaped by wind and tide. Its nearby Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve is famed for sculpted limestone monoliths scattered across islands and islets. Boat excursions reveal seabird colonies, remote shores and formations best seen from the water. Back in town, sample local seafood and enjoy the unhurried rhythm of this small coastal community.

Gaspe, Canada

Gaspé sits at the eastern end of Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula. It faces the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with fishing harbours and rugged shoreline close at hand. In 1534, Jacques Cartier met St. Lawrence Iroquoians here and raised a cross for France. Beyond town, Forillon National Park protects cliffs, forests and coastal trails, while whale-watching excursions explore the surrounding waters. At nearby Cap-des-Rosiers, Canada’s tallest lighthouse marks the peninsula’s northern shore.

Tadoussac, Canada

At Tadoussac, the St. Lawrence meets the Saguenay in a dramatic seam of cold, whale-rich water. From shore or a small boat, look for belugas and minke whales; humpbacks visit in season. Follow headland trails for sweeping river views. In the village, the Petite Chapelle dates to 1747 and is often described as Canada’s oldest wooden church. Tadoussac’s fur-trading post, established in 1600, anchors its long history.

Quebec City, Canada

Québec City is best explored on foot, where French-speaking Canada feels unmistakably distinct. Within the UNESCO-listed Historic District, stone walls, steep lanes and 17th-century façades tell the story of New France. Ride the funicular between Upper and Lower Town, then browse Petit-Champlain’s boutiques beside the St. Lawrence River. Allow time for the Plains of Abraham, where a pivotal 1759 battle changed the course of Canadian history. Come ashore ready to climb; the finest views reward a little effort.

Montreal, Canada

Montréal is a city of French character and North American energy, best explored on foot. From the Old Port, cobbled streets lead to Old Montréal’s grand squares, cafés and Notre-Dame Basilica. Climb or drive up Mount Royal for a broad view of the skyline and the St. Lawrence River. Then follow the city’s appetite, from market produce and bagels to inventive French-Canadian cooking. Allow time for the museums and lively terraces; Montréal’s pleasures are close together, but never feel hurried.

St Lawrence Seaway, Canada

Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway is a working passage between the Atlantic and the Great Lakes. Its canals and locks lift ocean-going vessels past rapids and dams, revealing the scale of a remarkable feat of engineering. Along the route, Quebec’s riverside towns, Montréal’s historic waterfront and Lake Ontario offer distinct shore excursions. From deck, watch freighters negotiate locks at close range; shore visits reveal French-Canadian culture and maritime history.

Toronto, Canada

Toronto rewards a day ashore with a skyline made for lingering and neighbourhoods best explored on foot. The CN Tower rises above a city whose residents trace roots to more than 200 ethnic origins. Take the ferry to the Toronto Islands for open lake views. Back downtown, choose the Art Gallery of Ontario or the Royal Ontario Museum. Save time for St. Lawrence Market, where local produce and prepared food make an easy, memorable lunch.