
Inuit youth Aisa Pirti is just one of the “locals” you might meet aboard an Arctic region cruise. He’s onshore here protecting passengers from potential bear attacks. Photo: Randall Shirley
In case you think all cruises are basically the same, just with differing levels of service on board, here’s something truly different, truly remarkable, and likely worth every penny you’ll spend to do it:
Parks Canada and Cruise North Expeditions are collaborating on a new two-year project to clean up old waste sites in and around Canada’s newest national park, Torngat Mountains National Park in Northern Labrador.
In a world where it seems gay travelers have been everywhere and done everything, this experience will give you something truly new and different. Act FAST!
From September 16-21, 2010, Cruise North’s passengers will travel from Kuujjuaq along the Northern Labrador coast to Nain on board the ice-class 122 passenger ship Lyubov Orlova. Calling it a “stewardship mission,” guests will work with Parks Staff, Inuit from the region, management boards, researchers, scientists, government officials, students, industry representatives, and visitors.
Using the ship’s zodiac boats and cranes, and the people power of the group, the Cruise North team and guests will remove waste including used fuel drums and contaminated soil from the areas, and store it aboard the ship. At the end of the tour they will transport the material by ship to proper disposal facilities.
While the focus will be environmental preservation, the project will include informative presentations and discussion of stewardship issues such as park management, research and exploration, student learning, and tourism. There will also be plenty of opportunities to go ashore in the company of Inuit and experience the Torngat Mountains through a cultural lens.
I (your Editor, Randall) have sailed with Cruise North in the past, seeing polar bear and much other wildlife in the Arctic, plus interacting with Inuit “locals.” It is a remarkable experience, and Canada, where the cruises run, is gay-friendly, as was my general on-board experience.
While you’ll have to act fast to jump on this, I promise you’ll have a life-changing experience. (If you can’t make it this year, they’ll repeat next year, I’m considering going. Put it on your calendar).







stephen 9:25 am on August 1, 2010 Permalink |
wow- seriously looking into this-they offer a pretty great deal on a flight also- thanks for the tip
Dennis Keegan 12:08 pm on August 5, 2010 Permalink |
Hey, Stephen…I’m interested in taking this trip. The itinerary is great. Have put a posting at the MUSTER Station expressing my interest in a room share. If you interested get back with me…IF YOU DON’T SNORE. You can look me up on silverdaddies.com is you want, #934108, Silverstar. You can answer me at spanrish1@comcast.net.
DENNY K in Colorado.
Ken 4:46 pm on August 3, 2010 Permalink |
That is a great deal indeed… thanks for posting it!
stephen 11:55 am on August 6, 2010 Permalink |
Dennis I already booked with a friend but sure hope you get a cabin mate!!! This should be a good trip. Good Luck—let me know how that goes