L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland and Labrador

Perched at the northern tip of Newfoundland, L'Anse aux Meadows is a cruise stop that feels like a field trip to the edge of the known world, where a remote community and a world-class archaeological treasure collide to create something utterly unique. The signature experience is a guided visit to the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving a Norse village from around 1000 and linking Leif Erikson to early transatlantic exploration, with onshore interpretation that lets guests walk the turf houses and hear the saga of Vinland come alive. Beyond the Viking narrative, the setting delivers dramatic coastal scenery, regular sightings of whales and icebergs, and springtime opportunities to glimpse polar bears and nesting eider ducks along pristine shores. Nearby destinations enhance the itinerary: the tiny town of St Anthony just 40 minutes away with a population of about 3,500, and the wild beauty of Belle Isle at the edge of the Appalachians, where the landscape and wildlife create picture-perfect moments between excursions. Fleet-wise, the port favors smaller expedition ships equipped with shallow drafts and Zodiacs, enabling intimate onshore landings and close-up wildlife viewing that larger vessels simply cannot match; onboard services lean into discovery with enrichment talks by archaeologists, Viking-inspired storytelling, and dining that spotlights fresh local seafood and Arctic-inspired flavors. In short, L'Anse aux Meadows offers a rare combination of archaeological significance, spectacular natural encounters, and immersive, hands-on experiences that set it apart from ordinary cruise ports and turn a stop into a memorable voyage of discovery.