Cruising Prince Christian Sound Greenland: Scenic Guide
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 14 September 2026
Tom and Dom on the balcony enjoying the epic mountain backdrop during our transit through Prince Christian Sound
Most cruise passengers assume you have to journey to Antarctica or Svalbard to experience towering icebergs, sheer granite cliffs, and calving glaciers right beside your ship. Cruising Prince Christian Sound in southern Greenland completely shatters that assumption, delivering one of the most dramatic maritime passages on the planet.
Cruising Prince Christian Sound (Ikerasassuaq) is an extraordinary scenic transit through a 60-mile narrow waterway connecting the Labrador Sea to the Irminger Sea. Flanked by 1,000-metre peaks, tumbling waterfalls, electric-blue icebergs, and four active glaciers, this slow six-hour passage offers an intimate Arctic wilderness experience that rivals any fjord in the world.
Our Interactive Map of Prince Christian Sound
What Makes Cruising Prince Christian Sound So Rare?
Prince Christian Sound is never a guaranteed fixture on any cruise itinerary. Navigating this narrow passage depends entirely on favourable local weather, manageable drift ice, and sea visibility. If pack ice chokes the fjord entrance or dense sea fog rolls in, captains must make the call to divert around Cape Farewell via rough Atlantic waters instead.
Ship size is another critical factor. Only small to mid-sized cruise vessels are permitted to transit the sound. If our ship had been even slightly larger, maritime regulations would have prohibited us from entering the channel altogether.
Furthermore, sailing through these icy waters requires dedicated navigational support. In accordance with maritime safety regulations for polar regions, our captain picked up two certified ice pilots in Reykjavik, Iceland. Having two pilots on board ensures continuous watchkeeping on the bridge alongside the captain, monitoring submerged growlers and drift ice around the clock until the ship clears Greenlandic waters.
Prefer to Watch?
We see ICEBERGS and GLACIERS in PRINCE CHRISTIAN SOUND, GREENLAND on Island Princess
We were told by the captain that we would be sailing through the Prince Christian Sound (Prins Christians Sund) during an announcement yesterday. We felt so lucky to experience this passage and spotted many icebergs and glaciers. It took around 6 hours to sail through the sound and we passed the small town of Aappilattoq as we left.
Tom wrapped up warm at the bow of the ship as we entered the dramatic Prince Christian Sound
Finding the Best Viewing Spots on Deck
The transit takes roughly six hours from entrance to exit, so securing a comfortable viewing spot early in the morning is essential. When our captain announced an entry time of around 10:00 AM, practically the entire ship rushed to the Horizon buffet at the exact same moment.
Finding a breakfast table felt like a proper challenge, as we walked around at least ten times before spotting an empty pair of chairs. Fellow passengers had the exact same idea, hoping to grab a quick bite before heading outside to watch our approach.
While the upper open decks quickly became crowded, we headed to our favourite secret viewing location on Deck 11 directly underneath the ship's bridge:
Deck 11 Forward Platform: Positioned right beneath the bridge wings on Island Princess, this open observation deck offers unobstructed, panoramic views directly over the bow.
Bridge Visibility: Standing here, we could see the captain, the ice pilots, and our resident naturalist guide up on the bridge, who gave us a friendly wave as we set up our cameras.
Ship Commentary System: The outdoor sound system is piped directly onto this deck, ensuring you do not miss the expert commentary and wildlife announcements.
Although busier than on normal sea days, this area had far fewer passengers than the pool decks, giving us plenty of room to take in the scenery.
Dom wrapped up warm on deck, thrilled to watch vibrant blue icebergs drifting past the ship
Surviving the Arctic Chill: What to Wear
Greenland in summer can look deceptively bright, but the polar wind cutting down through the mountain valleys is bitterly cold. As we approached the mouth of the sound, the ambient temperature plummeted.
We quickly dashed back to our cabin to put on proper layers before the transit began. Dom ended up wearing around eight individual layers, including thermal base layers, a fleece, an insulated jacket, a windproof outer coat, a warm winter hat, and thick gloves.
Do not underestimate the cold when standing out on an open deck for several hours. Even on a clear day, the headwind created by the ship's movement makes the wind chill feel biting. A wind-resistant hood and thermal neck warmer are spot-on essentials for staying comfortable outdoors.
Glaciers, Icebergs, and Sheer Granite Peaks
Entering Prince Christian Sound feels like sailing into another world. The sheer scale of the landscape dwarfs even large passenger ships, turning them into tiny specks against towering rock faces.
What surprised us immediately was how different Greenland's topography looked compared to other northern destinations:
Jagged Alpine Mountains: Unlike the smoothed volcanic terrain of Iceland or the green slopes of the Norwegian fjords, southern Greenland features jagged, razor-sharp peaks rising over 1,000 metres straight out of the water.
Vibrant Blue Icebergs: The fjord entrance was filled with drifting icebergs glowing with vivid blue hues, created by dense, highly compressed glacial ice.
Cascading Waterfalls: Torrents of clear glacial meltwater plunged vertically down dark rock faces into the sea, carrying water so pure you could drink it.
Total Wilderness: Aside from a solitary automated weather station perched near the entrance to monitor navigation conditions, there was no sign of civilisation.
The passage is so narrow at certain points that you feel as though you could reach out and touch the cliffs. Having cruised both Norway and Iceland, this landscape simply blows them out of the water.
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Sailing within mere metres of a magnificent tidewater glacier face inside Prince Christian Sound
Passing Glaciers and Ship Pirouettes
Most scenic cruises showcase one distant glacier, but Prince Christian Sound treats you to four distinct glaciers carving down from the Greenland Ice Sheet.
The proximity of these glaciers is breathtaking. Fellow passengers who had cruised Alaska mentioned that this transit knocks Alaskan glacier viewing out of the water because the ship glides within mere metres of the ice faces rather than idling miles away.
To make the transit even more memorable, our captain performed two complete 360-degree ship pirouettes:
The Glacier Basin Pirouette: Upon reaching one of the main tidewater glaciers, the captain slowly turned the ship in a full circle, giving guests on every deck an uninterrupted panoramic view of the ice wall.
Aappilattoq Settlement Pirouette: Near the western end of the passage, the ship performed a second gentle rotation outside the tiny village of Aappilattoq.
Between viewing points, the crew opened an outdoor bouillon station on Deck 14 serving cups of hot broth. It was a handy treat that warmed us up nicely, and we also used our ship app to order flat whites delivered directly to our viewing deck.
The Remote Outpost of Aappilattoq
Catching sight of the colourful wooden houses of Aappilattoq clinging to the rocky shore was a humbling experience. The village is home to only around one hundred residents, making it one of the most isolated settlements in Greenland.
Our onboard guide explained that the locals live a traditional subsistence lifestyle, fishing and hunting seal or seasonal sea mammals while utilising skins, fat, and meat to survive in the harsh polar climate. Seeing twenty small houses dwarfed by colossal granite mountains gave us a true sense of how isolated life is here.
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The remote, colourful settlement of Aappilattoq nestled beneath colossal granite mountain walls
Final Verdict
Cruising Prince Christian Sound was hands down one of the most magnificent scenic experiences of our lives. Spending six full hours surrounded by ancient ice and raw mountain wilderness felt like an immense privilege.
Because Prince Christian Sound is an itinerary sea day rather than a commercial port of call, it offers exceptional value for money. You experience world-class expedition cruising included entirely within your cruise fare without paying for expensive private excursion boats.
Our top recommendation is to pack far more thermal layers than you expect to need, skip the crowded buffet decks, and head to the most forward viewing area on the ship for the finest views on board.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is cruising Prince Christian Sound guaranteed on Greenland cruise itineraries?
No, sailing through Prince Christian Sound is never guaranteed because passage relies strictly on clear visibility and navigable sea ice. If pack ice blocks the fjord, ships are forced to detour around the exposed waters of Cape Farewell.
How long does a cruise ship take to transit Prince Christian Sound?
A typical cruise transit through Prince Christian Sound takes roughly six hours at a gentle, slow navigation speed, giving guests plenty of time to view tidewater glaciers, icebergs, and sheer mountain peaks.
Why do cruise ships need ice pilots for Prince Christian Sound?
Maritime safety regulations require specialised ice pilots aboard passenger ships in polar waters to assist the captain with reading sea ice, detecting submerged growlers, and plotting a safe course through the narrow channel.
Can cruise passengers go ashore at Aappilattoq during the transit?
No, cruise ships do not dock or tender passengers ashore at Aappilattoq during the passage. Ships typically execute a slow 360-degree pirouette off the coast so passengers can observe the remote settlement respectfully from the water.
What should I wear on deck while cruising Prince Christian Sound?
Dress in multiple thermal layers including a fleece, an insulated down coat, a windproof and waterproof outer jacket, thermal gloves, a neck gaiter, and a warm winter hat to shield against biting Arctic headwinds.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
