The recent airport expansion in Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland, is expected to have a significant impact on expedition itineraries for Viking Cruises in 2025. With a longer runway and a new terminal set to open later this year, Nuuk will become a strategic starting point for roundtrip and open-jaw expeditions. Viking is taking advantage of this development by offering four new cruises from Nuuk on the Viking Octantis, ranging from 13 to 27 days. These cruises will explore the polar north of Greenland and Canada, making Nuuk a key point for embarkation, debarkation, or both.
One of the new Viking cruises, Into the Northwest Passage, is a 13-day journey that will take passengers roundtrip from Nuuk. This itinerary includes stops along the coast of Greenland, into the Arctic Circle, across Baffin Bay to Canada’s Nunavut territory, and visits to Pond Inlet, Beechey Island, and Sisimiut. Additionally, Viking is offering longer cruises between Nuuk and Toronto. The Canada and Greenland Explorer is a 15-day voyage that includes three stops in Greenland before heading south to Newfoundland and Labrador en route to Toronto. Another option is the 27-day Canada and Northwest Passage sailing, which visits the western edge of Greenland, the Canadian High Arctic, and Nunavut. These longer itineraries provide travelers with an in-depth exploration of both Greenland and Canada.
HX, formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions, is also capitalizing on Nuuk’s airport expansion by offering its largest Greenland season ever in 2025. The line will sail nine Greenland itineraries, including three new Grand Greenland sailings that will start and end in Nuuk. These itineraries provide a chance to see both Iceland and Greenland by including flights to and from Nuuk to Reykjavik. The new sailings on the Fridtjof Nansen ship will take passengers on routes such as Icy Giants of Disko Bay, Mythical Lands of the North, and Farthest North to Thule and Kane Basin, each offering a unique experience along the western coast of Greenland.
Silversea Cruises is also introducing a new 15-day cruise aboard the Silver Endeavour, departing from Churchill, Manitoba, and sailing through Hudson Bay to explore Canada’s northern territories and Greenland. This itinerary includes stops at Walrus Island, Marble Island, Cape Dorset, Sisimiut, and Nuuk. The inclusion of flights from Montreal to Churchill makes this expedition easily accessible for travelers looking to explore the Arctic region.
The expansion of Nuuk’s airport is opening up new possibilities for expedition itineraries in 2025. With Viking, HX, and Silversea all offering unique cruises starting from Nuuk, travelers have a wide range of options to explore the polar regions of Greenland and Canada. Whether embarking on a shorter cruise or a more extensive voyage, Nuuk’s role as a strategic starting point is transforming the way expedition cruises are planned and experienced in the Arctic.
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