Cruise itineraries are always expanding to include new destinations. Greenland is currently enjoying an explosion in visiting cruise ships that both make port calls as well as sailing Greenland’s waters.
Cruising along Greenland’s coast, sailing into its inside passages and making port calls in its towns is one of those once in a lifetime experiences. Greenland is the world’s largest island with glaciers covering over 80% of its surface and a total population of about 56,000 people. Making port calls in its small towns and settlements scattered throughout the island is another amazing experience. You’ll feel as if you have traveled back in time to the world as it was years ago. The capital city of Nuuk is the largest and most populated city in Greenland, with a population of only 18,000 people. Other towns include Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq, and Tasiilaq. A small town feel doesn’t even begin to describe the experience.
Sailing into its inside passages is like visiting another world. Barren granite formations climb right out of the water hundreds of feet and numerous glaciers hang off the cliffs and calve icebergs into the channels. It’s a land of solid rock, glaciers, few trees and little other vegetation.
A visit to Greenland has a number of limitations as flights are very limited with maybe two or three daily flights into the towns of Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, and Ilulissat. Most towns offer only one or two hotels. Cruising is currently delivering the majority of tourists to this island and you’ll find a growing list of itineraries.
This street sign was found during a walk around the town of Qaqortoq. A local young lady walking by was asked about the sign and how it’s pronounced. While her speaking the word sounded completely alien, it sounded pleasant and she explained it is a local favorite song that means “I think of you every time I pass by”.
Qaqortoq is a town in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland, located near Cape Thorvaldsen. It has a population of 3,089 being the most populous town in southern Greenland and the fourth-largest on the island.
Tassuunnaqquunnerit became a popular song written by the Greenlandic musician Rasmus Lyberth. The song is sung in the Greenlandic language, which is the official language of Greenland and spoken by the majority of the population in Greenland.
A little research shows that Tassuunnaqquunnerit, does translates to “I think of you every time I pass by”. The origin of this word can be traced back in the Inuit culture and language, which has a long history in Greenland. Inuit language and culture have been passed down through generations, and many words are combined phrases of which “Tassuunnaqquunnerit” is just one example. Greenland’s language is Greenlandic with a unique and rich vocabulary with many of these old phrases are still found in the Greenlandic language even today.
Today “Tassuunnaqquunnerit” lyrics vary depending on the version but the general theme of the song is about longing for loved ones who are far away.
The Cape Breton Development Corporation or DEVCO was a federal crown corporation established in 1967 to oversee the coal mining industry in Cape Breton and was the economic heart of the region. Coal and a steel mill provided jobs for a majority of the population along with a number of related businesses. The closure of the Cape Breton Development Corporation (CBDC), also known as DEVCO, in 2001 had a significant impact on the local economy of Sydney, Nova Scotia.
The Big Fiddle at the port
In an effort to help the area survive and with support of the Canadian government, the town has made efforts to further develop its tourism industry through initiatives such as the Sydney Waterfront District revitalization project. Today, tourism is an important contributor to the economy of Sydney, Nova Scotia and includes a new emphasis on attracting cruise ships to the new modern port area.
Where Your Ship Docks
Cruise ships tie up at the newly improved docks that can accommodate two or three cruise ships at a time. The port includes a cruise terminal and information building along with an interesting collection of small shops that connect with Sydney Waterfront District that offers almost a mile of walkways along the city’s waterfront. There are food venues and public facilities.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. The xxx pier disembarks right into downtown. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with in both locations.
Port City Characteristics – This port has an average wheelchair infrastructure typical of small cities but much energy is being put into improving wheelchair infrastructure. The port area has moderate inclines going up from the waterfront with good sidewalks. Intersection crosswalks outside of downtown may still have some curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.
Local Currency
The Canadian Dollar is the only currency accepted but most credit cards are welcome. There are also a number of ATMs in town.
Transportation
Sydney is a small town with a nice waterfront and compact downtown perfect for walking. There are no rental car agencies near the cruise port. There is public transportation in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) Transit operates buses throughout the area. The schedule for buses can be found on their website HERE along with the fares.
Attractions
The town is becoming a popular tourist destination, with attractions such as the Cabot Trail, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, and the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Walking tours are the primary offering. Local attractions draw in a number of visitors each year, which in turn are helping revive the economy by creating job opportunities in the hospitality and service industries. Additionally, tourism generates revenue for local businesses such as restaurants, souvenir shops, and tour operators.
Nova Scotia has also been the main staging area during World Wars I & II for ocean convoys to Europe and the regions history says a lot about this effort. Sydney lost a significant number of its sons in that effort and you will find a number of memorials noting this loss.
One of Sydney, Australia’s most popular adventures is climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Check it out HERE. Tour groups include a guide and are each person is ffitted with a harness. A climb tour takes you up the arch spanning 1,650 feet and up to 440 feet above sea level.
It’s the second most iconic structure in Sydney Australia’s harbour after the Opera House. The bridge across Sydney Harbor to Port Jackson, Australia opened in 1932, and is the main land link between Sydney and the northern suburbs. It spans about 1,650 feet, making it one of the longest steel-arch bridges in the world. If you visit Sydney and are adventurous enough you can take a tour on a walkway to the top. They tell me the views are spectacular.
The bridge is known as “The Coathanger” because of its distinctive arch shape. It was built over eight years and is made of over 550,000 pieces of structural steel and held together by 6 million hand-driven rivets. The bridge is 2 3/4 miles long, including the bridge and its approach supports.
Tsarevets is a medieval stronghold located on a hill of the same name in Veliko Tarnovo, northern Bulgaria. Tsarevets stands 676 feet above sea level. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress and strongest bulwark from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces.
Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.
This landmark church is commonly referred to as the bombed-out church. It was constructed between 1811 and 1832. Besides being intended as a parish church it was also to be used as a ceremonial venue by the city government as well as a concert hall.
St. Luke’s was seriously damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in 1941 and has remained a roofless shell ever since. The bombing happened on 6 May 1941 when it was set fire by an incendiary bomb guttin the building.
Today it stands as a memorial to those Liverpool residents who died in the Second World War.
The Intentional Travelers 