Kangerlussuaq Cruise Port

Kangerlussuaq is a settlement in western Greenland, in Qeqqata Municipality, at the head of the fjord of the same name. The fjord stretches about 190 kilometres inland, making it the longest fjord in western Greenland. For cruise passengers, Kangerlussuaq is often a point of passage for expedition voyages, with the settlement and surrounding landscape providing access to Greenland's interior.

The seaport lies about 14 kilometers from the settlement and is relatively shallow, limiting access for larger vessels. Cruise ships can anchor farther out in the fjord, with smaller boats used to transfer passengers between ship and shore. This makes Kangerlussuaq quite different from a conventional cruise port, with the surrounding fjord forming an important part of the arrival.

The landscape around Kangerlussuaq is one of its main attractions. The Russell Glacier is accessible from the settlement, while the Greenland Ice Sheet reaches into the surrounding highlands. The Qinnguata Kuussua river carries meltwater from the ice sheet into the fjord, and its sediment can give the water a distinctive green color near the head of the fjord.

Began as a US military base during the Second World War. Originally known as Bluie West 8 and later Sondrestrom Air Base, the site became a Greenlandic settlement in 1992. Reminders of its former role remain in the town's layout and infrastructure. One unusual legacy is the use of 60 Hz electricity, unlike the 50 Hz standard used elsewhere in Greenland.

The wider Kangerlussuaq area supports a notable range of Greenlandic wildlife. Muskoxen and caribou can be found in the surrounding landscape, while birds such as gyrfalcons add another reason to keep watch during excursions. The area's inland position also gives it a relatively stable climate compared with many coastal parts of Greenland.

Kangerlussuaq suits expedition cruisers who want to see glaciers, ice sheet landscapes and Arctic wildlife, with the journey through the long fjord forming part of the appeal.