Newfoundland Circumnavigation | Ocean Albatros

Ocean Albatros awaits our guests in the bustling harbor of St. John’s, Newfoundland’s colorful capital. Lined with quaint multicolored houses, cozy cafés, and restaurants serving outstanding local seafood, this vibrant city is a perfect introduction to this unique Canadian island. After mandatory safety briefings and drills, settle into your stateroom and toast your departure with an expertly crafted cocktail as Ocean Albatros sets a course for the calm waters of Notre Dame Bay.

Sitting in the tranquil waters of Notre Dame Bay, Twillingate is the quintessential Newfoundland town. Brightly painted houses perch on rocky hillocks, boats rock gently in the bay or wait on the shoreline, and local restaurants offer expertly prepared seafood fresh off the boat. Twillingate is the ideal place to lace up your hiking boots and explore the nature of Newfoundland, expertly guided by local residents. The town is also well known for its art scene, with boutique galleries, artisan markets, and other treasures galore. Twillingate is also known as the iceberg capital of Canada – as icebergs born from the Greenland Ice Sheet drift southward, many end up here, caught in the rocky shoals of Notre Dame Bay. Keep your camera ready as we sail in and out!

The Norse sagas tell of Leif, son of Erik, who left his home in Greenland and found new lands to the west – a story thought fanciful until 1961, when archaeologist Anne Ingstad began excavations on the northern tip of Newfoundland. What she found proved beyond doubt that the Norse had reached the Americas centuries before Columbus. The site of L’Anse aux Meadows is today protected as a National Historic Site of Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Come ashore by Zodiac at this most groundbreaking of historical sites and walk in the footsteps of legendary Norse explorers whose legacy echoes through history.

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador comprises the island of Newfoundland and Labrador – a vast span of coastline and fjords extending toward the Canadian Arctic. Though three times larger than Newfoundland, Labrador contains only a tenth of its population, a testament to its tough terrain and harsh climate. Here, life has long revolved around the ocean, as it once did for the Basque whalers who were among the first Europeans to settle this remote and beautiful land. Come ashore at the charming hamlet of Red Bay, explore the Labrador wilderness on foot, and learn from knowledgeable local guides about this fascinating period of Canada’s history.

The small village of Woody Point sits in an enviable location, occupying the calm waters of Bonne Bay, a deep fjord shrouded in lush forest. The town thrives on tourism and offers a warm Newfie welcome to all visitors. Woody Point is the gateway to the famous Gros Morne National Park, one of Newfoundland’s largest wilderness areas and a geological marvel. Here, a slab of Earth’s oceanic crust was thrust upward during continental collisions some 450 million years ago, creating a dramatic landscape home to stunted trees and unusual plant life. Join local guides on an excursion to learn about this remarkable wilderness.

Covering an area slightly smaller than Cuba, Newfoundland is a large island that remains home to fewer than half a million people, meaning much of the island is wild and untouched. Join your expedition team to explore a corner of this remote and beautiful wilderness and watch for seabirds, moose, or even the elusive Newfoundland black bear – keep your binoculars at the ready!

Bienvenue and welcome to St. Pierre! This small French overseas collectivity comprises the island of St. Pierre, home to the majority of the population, and the much larger island of Miquelon, home to only a few families. St. Pierre is the only French territory remaining in North America. While the landscape of stunted pines and rolling hills feels distinctly Canadian, metropolitan French is spoken in the streets, purchases are made in euros, and bottles of Bordeaux can be found in every restaurant. Join local guides to learn about life on this most unexpected of territories – a small slice of France just off the Newfoundland coast.

On the final day of our voyage, Ocean Albatros returns to the bustling harbor of St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland. After a hearty breakfast and a fond farewell to the crew, officers, and expedition team, step back onto dry land with memories of one of Canada’s most beautiful provinces to last a lifetime.

*Please note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions, ice conditions and other factors.