Spirit of Discovery blog

In southern Greenland, connecting the Labrador and Irminger Seas, is a 100km (60 mile) long waterway; it is only 500m wide in some parts, and holds a single settlement of just one hundred souls, who make their living by fishing and hunting. This is Prince Christian Sound.

On the 18th of July, the population of The Sound increased –temporarily- by more than 1200%, with the arrival of Saga’s Spirit Of Discovery. It was the first time a Saga vessel had visited this place for more than twelve years, and the elements welcomed us with open arms, giving us blue skies, calm waters, fine visibility, and a manageable amount of ice.

Entering at the Eastern mouth of the fjord system, we navigated prudently among growlers and bergy bits, giving many of those on board (crew and passengers alike) their first experiences of the majesty of nature’s ice sculptures. That day, the fo’c’sle was one of the places to be, so after careful assessment, and because this was an exceptional day, it was opened for our guests.

The Sound, which separates mainland Greenland from the Cape Farewell Archipelago, is named after the 19th century Danish Prince of the same name.

After a full day of extremely successful scenic cruising among towering mountains of ice and stone, it was time to pick up our fast rescue craft which had been used as a photography platform during our visit, bid farewell to Prince Christian

Sound, and set course for Greenland’s capital city of Nuuk. We should be very lucky to have a day which surpasses our visit to Prince Christian Sound for unspoiled natural beauty, and I am sure that it will end up being one of this cruise’s major highlights.

Kind Regards
Captain Darin Bowland, MSc