Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Iceland

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side capital. If you have some time, we recommend exploring the city center.

With its rich history and fashionable art scene, Oslo is a fascinating city. You’ll find museums, galleries, and breathtaking architecture all within easy reach, including the beautiful Opera House and new Munch Museum.

Take a stroll in the Ekebergparken Sculpture Park or relax in a floating sauna. Explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life. You can also try New Nordic cuisine before staying the night in your airport hotel in Oslo.

Encounter reindeer in the street as you shop.

After your morning flight to Longyearbyen, it’s time to explore the world’s northernmost town, a colorful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles.

Longyearbyen is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer pass by. Although wild, they’re curious and gentle.

After lunch, your included excursion will give you a glimpse of this amazing region at the top of the world inhabited by polar bears. In the afternoon, board your ship and continue your Arctic discovery as we cruise around Spitsbergen.

Experience pristine Arctic wilderness

Over the next three days, you’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Seabirds soar overhead as we scan for Arctic animals, including whales, seals, walrus, and reindeer. We might even see polar bears hunting on the ice.

In stunning Kongsfjorden, you may see glaciers calving into the sea. Conditions permitting, we will stop in Ny-Ålesund, home to a thriving international science community researching glaciology, wildlife, and climate change.

Be ready for adventure. We’ll seize any opportunity to use our small boats (RIBs) to go ashore to hike, participate in a beach cleanup, or launch our kayaks.

Enjoy a restorative day in the Arctic

A day cruising through Arctic waters is a great chance to relax on board the ship. Enjoy panoramic views and chat to fellow guests in the Explorer Lounge or soak in the hot tubs on deck while scanning for seabirds overhead.

Don’t miss fascinating lectures from the members of the Expedition Team. They may cover topics such as local history, geology, and Arctic wildlife. Visit the Science Center for in-depth insights into the places we’ll be visiting and sign up for one of our Citizen Science projects.

Visit an active volcano that’s a haven for birdlife

Jan Mayen has no permanent residents and visits to the island are rare. In fact, we’re one of the few to attempt landings here. Conditions permitting, you can set foot on one of Earth’s most remote places.

Jan Mayen’s surreal, moss- and lichen-streaked landscape is dominated by the volcanic cone of Mount Beerenberg. It’s the world’s northernmost active volcano, which last erupted in 1985.

You won’t see land mammals, but the island is designated an Important Bird Area, supporting large populations of northern fulmars, Brünnich’s guillemots and little auks. Look out for abundant marine life in its waters, including whales and seals.

Unwind and prepare for more adventure

At this point, you’ll have seen some spectacular Arctic wildlife and scenery. You’ll probably be curious to learn even more. Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center for answers to your questions. Find out about what you will experience next in northern Iceland and why over half of Icelanders believe in elves.

A day at sea is also a chance to sort through your photos and pick up some tips from our onboard photographer as we cruise toward Iceland’s stunning volcanic landscapes.

Hot springs, waterfalls, and volcanic moonscapes

Our expedition cruise continues to Iceland’s ‘Northern capital’, Akureyri, surrounded by stunning volcanic landscapes. It’s one of the best places in Europe to spot whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

Learn about the history of the city on an included discovery walk and stop at the Arctic Botanical Gardens. Check out the Akureyri Museum and Nordurslod Museum of National History.

You can also join optional excursions to visit the impressive Goðafoss Waterfall, Mývatn Nature Baths, or Eyjafjörður – Iceland’s longest fjord – go horseback riding, or explore off-road in a 4x4.

Cross the Arctic Circle and see Atlantic puffins.

Grímsey is steeped in folklore, including tales of the island’s first settler, Grímur. This remote and windswept island, home to just 60 people, is famous for two things: its Atlantic puffin colonies and the fact that the Arctic Circle cuts right across it.

We’ll reach Grímsey in our small boats (RIBs). There, you’ll enjoy a special Arctic Circle crossing ceremony. You can join an optional hike to the ‘Orbis et Globus’ sculpture, a huge concrete sphere, repositioned each year to follow the northward moving Arctic Circle.

A stunning beach, waterfalls, and superb birdwatching

Patreksfjörður is unforgettably beautiful. On today’s included walk, learn about the fishing traditions in Europe’s westernmost village and enjoy a dip in the town’s outdoor pool, which features wonderful views of the fjord.

You’ll have the chance to explore the surrounding area on optional hikes through the fjords or visit Rauðasandur beach and see seals. You can also tour Dynjandi waterfalls, where six falls combine to make the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the Westfjords.

Birdwatchers will enjoy a visit to Látrabjarg, where puffins, northern gannets, guillemots, and razorbills cling to Europe’s largest bird cliff.

Gateway to spectacular Snæfellsnes

It’s like time stood still at Stykkishólmur, in Breiðafjörður Bay. Here, the colorful houses stand in contrast to the distant mountains. You’ll explore this small fishing town on an included discovery walk.

Join an optional excursion to Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park, nicknamed ‘Little Iceland’ for the array of volcanic landscapes. Discover some of Iceland’s most iconic sights, like Djúpalónssandur’s black-sand beach.

We will stop at the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs, where huge rock stacks jut out of the sea. You can also visit the base of Snæfellsjökull Glacier or go on a coastal hike to explore the caves under the glacier.

Explore Reykjavík at your leisure.

Your Arctic expedition cruise finishes in Reykjavik, a city full of art, culture, and history. In the city center, stroll along Laugavegur, the main shopping street, then head towards the striking Hallgrimskirkja church. We also recommend exploring the city’s galleries and museums.

Before you leave, visit Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa, the Blue Lagoon, and experience the blend of silica, algae, and minerals in its warm waters.

You can also join our Post-Program to explore Iceland’s beautiful south coast, with waterfalls, black sand beaches, geothermal springs, and majestic mountains.