Crystal Serenity Northwest Passage

Between 25th August and 6th September 2016, the Crystal Serenity made a successful west to east transit of the North West Passage. Although the largest ship so far to make the passage (it was 25m longer than the bulk carrier Nordic Orion which made a west to east transit in 2013), and carried more passengers than The World in 2012, it was not the first cruise ship. The Lindblad Explorer made the first passenger ship trip with a successful east to west transit in 1984. The first west to east transit was made by the RCMP schooner St Roch in 1940-42, which was followed by an east to west transit in 1944.

Crystal Cruise Lines made a repeat transit in 2017, and plan to take their expedition vessel Crystal Endeavour through in 2019. As this is an ice capable ship, they will probably not require the services of the Ernest Shackleton, which accompanied the Crystal Serenity on both trips.

RCMP ship St Roch in Arctic Waters (1928-1945). Courtesy of The Glenbow Archives PA-148-202 PA-