It's time for a cruise to Canada's majestic north

Canada's majestic north has many bewildering and pristine coastlines and landscapes. If you want to truly get away this summer without leaving the country, Exclusive Tours -representing Inuit owned-and-operated Cruise North Expeditions -has savings of $1,000 U.S. to $2,000 U.S. per person on low deck cabins on two northern Labrador and Arctic cruises if you book by June 15.

The Spirit Mountains tour sails July 2-13 and departs St. John's, NL, and travels to Kuujjuaq, Que. Along the way, you'll visit the 1,830-metre high Torngat Mountain range with its uncharted fjords, narrow channels and breathtaking views of sea ice and icebergs. On zodiac boats or hiking, the journey into the Hudson Strait also offers close encounters with polar bears, seals and whales. You can get a one-way flight from Montreal to St. John's for around $250. The tour company can arrange for a flight back to Montreal from Kuujjuaq for $570 U.S. With the savings, the total price for this trip -with flights -would be about $3,215 U.S. Taxes are extra. The High Arctic trip sails Aug. 19-29 from Kuujjuaq to Resolute Bay, Nunavut. (The company offers flights from Montreal to Kuujjuaq and back from Resolute Bay to Montreal for $1,740.) This adventure takes you to the top of the world, and features some of the Arctic's most spectacular scenery, including jagged mountain peaks, treeless valleys and cascading glaciers. You'll also probably see seals, walrus, beluga whales and the rare narwhal. The trip, with the savings and airfare included, comes to $7,335 U.S. Both trips are on the Lyubov Orlova, an expedition vessel with a capacity of 122 passengers and 63 crew. Average temperatures in the summer hover between 9C and 18C. Food and shore excursions are included in the price. For more details, contact your travel agent or Exclusive Tours at 800-268-1820, or visit www.exclusivetours.ca.