Newfoundland cruise, circumnavigation

Environment

We believe strongly in the importance of social and environmental sustainability and have been committed to the practice of responsible travel. We are reaffirming our approach to conscientious operations, by committing to make sustainable business choices whenever possible, and encouraging our partners to do the same. Over the course of our history we have proudly been involved in carefully selected regional, nation-wide and international efforts aiming to make our world a better place.

In 1996, we established our Discovery Fund to strengthen sustainable initiatives and projects in the regions we travel. The Discovery Fund is under the umbrella of our Responsible Business Practice Policy. The fee, a total of $250 per traveler, is a part of our tour cost. It directly assists local and national organizations involved with social and economic community development along with environmental and wildlife preservation. Each year our support extends to both high profile and grassroots ventures.

In recent years the Discovery Fund has supported the following key organizations: Torngat National Parks Clean-Up Project, Atlantic Whales, Unikkausivut, National Inuit Youth Council, The Walrus Foundation, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and Project North among many others.

We do not touch the wildlife. We also do not invade on there territory and stay a safe distance away. as well, we do not dispose of any waste until we are docked and have access to a licensed waste removal facility.

Community

In 1988, we operated our first expedition:  a hike through Nunavut’s Auyuittaq National Park.  Twenty-five years later, we are now operated by the second generation of the Swan family - and our ship and office staff, who have worked together like a family for years.  The staff members you’ll meet on our ships are knowledgeable, fun-loving, and dedicated to sharing the thrill of adventure travel with our guests. 

To ensure supreme quality of trips, we don’t try to do everything.  Instead, we focus on expeditions to the Polar regions, Eastern Canada, the Celtic Isles and select destinations we know well. 

Our small ship cruises are about experiencing the destination up-close with the help of experienced naturalists, historians, photographers, and expedition leaders.  Our Arctic itineraries feature Inuit culturalists.  When we circumnavigate Newfoundland, most of our onboard staff hail from there.  And the same is true for each and every trip we operate.  Our close relationships with local people in the regions we visit has a powerful effect on our passengers.  We are grateful to work alongside so many talented individuals and have them invite us into their home territory.  The interaction doesn't end with our onboard guides; we also invite community members onboard the ship to give us an introduction to their home and enjoy time with us.

Each area we visit has rich cultural experiences and wild treasures to offer.  We have made a point to source and support local projects in the areas through which we travel.  A contribution from each passenger, billed separately as the Discovery Fund, represents a portion of the money we donate to ensure the longevity and success of educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives in these regions.