CRUISING THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE
For almost one hundred years explorers searched in vain for the Northwest Passage - an all sea route between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Once it was confirmed that the only Passage was by way of the Arctic all hope was dashed for a commercial trade route. For more than half the year the Arctic is choked by frozen sea ice — at least until now.
Arctic ice is melting. As it melts it is opening up new sea lanes. Along with new commercial traffic will be cruise ships. Currently several companies offer small expeditionary ships in Eastern Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia and Russia. For the first time last year a cruise ship sailed from Eastern Canada to Alaska. It is just a matter of time before cruise ships will be a common site in Alaska’s Arctic.
Unlike Antarctica, man has lived in the Arctic for thousands of years. Even so, there are no cities or large towns. Traditional people have developed an ingenious lifestyle living lightly on the land in small villages. As interesting as that may be there are no real ports suitable for cruise ships in Alaska’s Arctic. Nome? Purdhoe Bay? Cruising the Arctic will not be for the mainstream cruiser but rather an adventurer who appreciates the vast and wild.
Would this cruise appeal to you? If so, please tell me why. I am in discussions with environmental groups looking into feasibility studies and your input would be of great help.