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When you think of museum fundraisers, chances are you’re thinking tote bags, gala dinners, or perhaps a BTS tour, but the Vancouver Maritime Museum is aiming slightly further north.

The institution has launched its 2026 fundraising raffle, and the grand prize is a 17-day Arctic expedition through the Northwest Passage for two, valued at over $80,000. Offered in partnership with Adventure Canada, the voyage runs August 26 to September 11 aboard the Ocean Victory.

The itinerary traces storied Arctic waterways through Tallurutiup Imanga, Devon Island, Ausuittuq (Grise Fiord), and Ilulissat, combining wildlife viewing with cultural experiences in northern communities. See towering cliffs, drifting sea ice, and vast northern skies, with the chance to spot whales, seals, polar bears, and Arctic foxes along the way. If conditions align, passengers may even glimpse the aurora borealis.

The prize includes passage for two in acabin, a $2,000 Air Canada gift card, all shipboard meals, Zodiac excursions, guided activities, educational programming, and evening entertainment. 

Beyond the bucket-list factor, the raffle serves as a key fundraiser for the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Proceeds support exhibitions, education programmes, and community initiatives focused on maritime heritage across the Pacific and Arctic regions.

For those who have ever priced out an Arctic expedition and quietly reconsidered, this may be the most economical way to chase the Northwest Passage. At minimum, you support a local cultural institution. At best, you are packing a very warm jacket for August.

Tickets are available now through March 30, with the draw taking place March 31. Pricing is set at $50 for one ticket, $100 for three, or $200 for eight. Entrants must be 19 years of age or older and physically located in British Columbia at the time of purchase.

Enter here.