The start of the expedition

Start your expedition cruise in Iceland’s capital city, a centre for art, culture, history and pleasure 

Your expedition cruise begins at Reykjavík, where MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you at the harbour. Reykjavík means ‘Smoky Inlet’ and was so named because of the steam rising from its hot springs. Today, the hot water from geothermal energy supplies numerous pools and hot tubs.  

The world’s northernmost capital city is simultaneously traditional and cosmopolitan, with plenty to do and see. Explore busy Laugarvegur with its delightful boutiques, outdoor shops and pubs, and drink in knowledge to your heart’s content in the wonderful museums of art, culture and history. After that, it’s time to go aboard, meet your Expedition Team and start the adventure! 

Pre-Programme 

Arriving a few days earlier will allow you to explore this beautiful country in more depth. Why not book a two- or four-day Pre-Programme with us to Iceland’s famous Golden Circle? Highlights such as visiting Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park, taking a dip in Iceland´s oldest swimming pool as well as hiking in unique, beautiful surroundings await you!

Welcome to Sagaland

Visit the fjord of a thousand islets and the land that inspired Jules Verne 

Our first stop is the quaint fishing village of Stykkishólmur, located on the north side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. With an absence of traffic and a population of only around one thousand, it sometimes feels as though time has stood still here. From here you have a fantastic view across Breiðafjörður (‘Broad Fjord’) with its countless islets.  

The old town centre is characterised by colourful old houses which stand out against the rugged scenery. Do take a look at the Volcano Museum and the Regional Museum, and try local delicacies at the restaurant. This region was the setting for Jules Verne’s book Journey to the Centre of the Earth!

The fjord of St Patrick

Look for puffins and Arctic foxes as we visit a rose-hued beach and Iceland’s highest waterfall 

This tranquil fishing village was named for Saint Patrick by its discoverer back in the 8th century. The harbour has a rich maritime history and remains lively today, giving you the opportunity to learn about the many species of fish brought ashore. What’s more, you can take a dip in its outdoor pool.  

Nearby Latrabjarg cliff is home to Puffins, Northern Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills. Nesting on its face, they are safe from Arctic foxes. Also close by are Rauðsandur (‘Red Sand’) Beach, famous for its rose-hued sand, and the Dynjandi waterfalls where six falls combine to form the highest waterfall in the Westfjords.

Northwest Iceland

A day for spontaneous exploration in Iceland’s north-western region 

One of the best things about expedition cruising is that anything can happen on any given day. That’s why we’ve set one day aside as an exploration day, with no pre-arranged plan.   

  We aim to be in Iceland’s Northwestern Region, but the Captain and the Expedition Team will set the final plan for the day, depending on conditions and opportunities as they arise.   

  Activities might include hiking, participating in a beach clean-up or launching our kayaks. If we spot a pod of whales as we’re sailing, we may decide to linger and enjoy the sight. Being adaptable to adventure is what expedition cruising is all about.

Capital of the north

See Iceland’s vibrant northern capital and the Waterfall of the Gods 

Located at the head of Iceland’s longest fjord, the lively university town of Akureyri is aknown as the country’s northern capital. As we cruise past towering, snow-capped peaks along the fjord’s lush coastline, this is your best opportunity to spot whales of various species. The town itself has numerous top-class eateries and two fascinating museums.  

You can also visit the Arctic Botanical Gardens and view the striking architecture of Akureyri Church. 

Optional excursions are available to stunning Goðafoss, the ‘Waterfall of the Gods’, and to uniquely beautiful Lake Mývatn, which is a wonderful place for bird-spotting. ‘Game of Thrones’ fans may recognise this landscape!

Step across the Arctic Circle

Explore the island of folklore and legend as we straddle the Arctic Circle 

For an unforgettable experience, you have to visit the small, grassy island of Grimsey. Steeped in folklore and legend, this island bisects the Arctic Circle, which means you can stand with your feet astride this important geographical feature. The Circle is marked by a large, concrete sphere.  

There are only 60 human inhabitants, but many thousands of seabirds, and the locals sometimes intrepidly descend the cliffs in search of eggs. Boats will take you from the ship to this craggy, windswept island for your visit, and in the evening we return to the port of Húsavík for the night.

The land of the elves

Enjoy spectacular scenery and wildlife in the company of the so-called Hidden Folk 

According to folklore, this tiny coastal hamlet of about 100 people is also home to a considerable population of elves, and when you experience the serenity and view the impressive scenery it´s not hard to see why. Surrounded by mountain peaks, Bakkagerði is a superb base for hikers, bird-watchers and all lovers of nature.   

The coastal cliffs abound with Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Eider Ducks and Puffins. After your walk, you can enjoy a meal of fresh fish or the local speciality, fish soup, at one of the local cafés, or simply take in the peace and breathtaking views. Perhaps you’ll even glimpse an elf!

Iceland`s Pompeii

A friendly welcome awaits you on this isle of fire and turbulent history 

With about 4,000 friendly inhabitants, Heimaey (‘Home Island’) is the only inhabited island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago to the south of Iceland’s mainland. In 1973, the settlement was nearly wiped out by a volcanic eruption. The volcanic cone Eldfell (‘Fire Mountain’) still towers 220 metres above the sea.  

Lower down, you can see the tongue of lava which nearly blocked the harbour and was only stopped by heroic efforts. On this windy but hospitable island you can ascend the volcano and also learn about its dark and turbulent history of runaway slaves, murder, revenge, magic, and Barbary pirates.

Pause - beginning the next leg of the journey

Take a trip to the Blue Lagoon for an unforgettable outdoor spa experience 

Returning to Reykjavík, you now have another opportunity to explore the delights you may have missed on your first visit. Don’t forget, this is a city of art, culture, galleries and museums. Or if you simply wish to relax, why not take a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon.  

Here you can relax in geothermally heated water of a bright blue colour that’s derived from silica and many other minerals carried down from the volcanic landscape. As you soak, you can also enjoy a drink and chat with locals and fellow guests as you look forward to the next step on your adventure – Greenland!

Crossing the Denmark Strait

Relax and learn all about the Arctic as we follow in the wake of Viking explorers 

Voyaging westward, MS Fridtjof Nansen enters the Denmark Strait, waters once sailed by Erik the Red and other Viking explorers on their way to Greenland. As we sail, the ship has plenty of onboard facilities that you can use. In the Science Center, you can learn all about the Arctic, its wildlife and its inhabitants.  

Why not take some time to use the ship’s fitness room and get the blood pumping. After that, you can enjoy a relaxing sauna as you gaze out to sea. Later, chat with other guests as you enjoy a drink in the Explorer Lounge & Bar - all just suggestions, of course!

Picture-perfect Greenlandic town

An opportunity to savour local arts, crafts and traditions amid stunning scenery 

Welcome to beautiful Greenland! This colourful and picturesque settlement has roots dating back 4,300 years, and the town is typified by its arts and crafts. On landing, you can already notice faces and fish shapes carved into the rocks, and in the shops you can buy locally made fabrics, glassware, and herbal skincare products.  

Explore the lush green scenery of the surrounding hills and nearby lake; the bluffs overlooking the town offer a breathtaking view of the bay. And after your walk, you’re invited to enter a home for a kaffemik, a social occasion in which your hosts tell traditional stories as you enjoy cakes and coffee.

Exploration day Kvanefjord

Explore this pristine landscape of icebergs and floes in the ‘Place of Much Ice’ 

Unspoilt Kvanefjord is a 30-mile long inlet in Sermersooq, the ‘Place of Much Ice’. As we sail along the fjord, past icebergs and floes in pristine white and shades of blue, you can be among the few visitors to admire the majestic scenery of this almost unexplored place.  

Depending on the weather and the ice conditions, your Captain and the Expedition Team will look for opportunities to set out in the ship’s expedition boats, and perhaps even go ashore to stretch your legs and view the local wildlife. Make sure to have your camera ready to record this true adventure!

The ‘Venice of Greenland’

Four thousand years of local culture await you in this northern ‘Venice’ 

Maniitsoq, whose name translates as ‘The Uneven Place’, is sometimes humorously called ‘The Venice of Greenland’ because of the many natural canals which criss-cross the archipelago. Instead of gondolas, though, you may sight a pod of humpback whales!  

Greenland’s sixth-largest town, Maniitsoq was founded at the mouth of the fjord in 1755, and now has a population of 2,500. In the museum, which used to be a blubber station, you can view artefacts from 4,000 years of habitation in the area. There are also two restaurants, where the friendly and welcoming owners are eager to serve you.

Fur, fox holes and outdoor fun

Musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and a popular venue for adventurous activities as we pass into the Midnight Sun zone 

In a spectacular location 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is a modern town. However, human settlement dates back 4,500 years, and the small museum houses many local artefacts. The people are proud of their traditions and still maintain these today.  

The name Sisimiut translates as ‘The People at the Fox Holes’, a reference to the burrows of the Arctic foxes which live here. Another local animal is the musk ox, whose thick fur provides the material for qiviut fabric. The town is a regional hub and is a popular venue for back-country activities such as skiing and dog sledding.

Icefjord - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Enjoy a beautiful hike to an Inuit settlement from this colourful World Heritage Site 

Our journey now comes to Disko Bay, one of Greenland’s major attractions. The nutrient-rich waters of Ilulissat’s bay once supported huge populations of whales, walruses and seals. Erik the Red is credited as the first European to enter the bay, in 985 CE.  

Today, the area is a World Heritage Site and a vibrant hub for those seeking adventure on Greenland’s icecap. From the colourful houses by the water, you can take a short but beautiful hike to the old Inuit settlement of Sermermiut, or simply relax and watch the icebergs change hue as they slowly drift by.

Probing the Vaigat Sound

A day of exploration by boat and on foot in unspoiled and majestic scenery 

Arriving at the northernmost point of our journey, we now have a day to explore remote and untamed Vaigat Sound. Your experienced Captain and Expedition Team will judge the weather and ice conditions to choose the best course.  

All being well, there should be opportunities to explore in boats or even kayaks, and there are several locations where we could go ashore to observe the mighty glacier and the Arctic flora. The sound teems with wildlife, so watch for orcas, bowheads, and four species of seal. You’ll feel like the first ones to explore this region, and in some locations you may well be right!

Exploration day at ‘Eternity Fjord’

‘Eternity Fjord’ beckons you to experience its dream-like landscape of glaciers and towering mountains 

The name of this magnificent feature translates as ‘Eternity Fjord’, and indeed it has a dreamlike atmosphere of permanence. Bounded by mountains towering to 6,600 ft, this fjord penetrates 46 miles inland and is up to 2,300 ft deep in parts.  

At the head of the fjord, the Maniitsoq icecap meets the water in a series of ridges and ice caves, and it calves colossal icebergs. This region is sparsely inhabited, with just a few tiny fishing hamlets. Our aim on this day is to take a nature walk, but the exact programme will be determined by the Captain and Expedition Team according to the prevailing conditions.

The photogenic capital of Greenland

Explore Greenland’s capital and take a scenic hike in Paradise Valley 

Located at the mouth of a fjord system, Greenland’s capital offers a cheery and fascinating prospect with its colourful houses and mix of old and ultra-modern architecture. Founded in 1728, Nuuk is Greenland’s oldest modern-day settlement, but still has fewer than 18,000 citizens.  

This picturesque city has a cathedral, museums, and several restaurants and cafés to suit all tastes. Make sure to visit Hans Egede’s house; once the home of Nuuk’s founder, it dates to 1721 and is the oldest building in Greenland. You could also take a long nature walk through Paradise Valley, with its splendid views and small lake.

Muskoxen and a Norse settlement

An eery, abandoned mining town that once held the secret to Allied victory in WW II 

Now a ghost town of abandoned buildings, grassed-over streets and rusting machinery, Ivittuut once played a crucial role in WW II. Here, cryolite was mined, a mineral essential in the production of aluminium. This gave the Allies the edge in manufacturing aeroplanes and was one of the keys to victory. It was even occupied by a small US Army force to prevent it falling into German hands.  

The area was also home to Norse settlers a millennium ago, though no trace of their habitation remains today. Now only musk oxen and the ghosts of the past inhabit this eery but beautiful place.

A river of melted ice

Follow in the footsteps of explorer John Cabot among jagged mountain peaks  

Expect to see some of the most incredible panoramas on the planet as we cruise into Prince Christian Sound. The explorer John Cabot compared the view, with its bergs and floes, to a ‘river of melted ice’. Jagged mountain peaks rise to 7,200 ft, their muted grey and green hues contrasting sharply with the brilliant white glaciers.  

The only signs of human presence here are the weather station, installed by the US in WW II, and the small hunting and fishing village of Aappilattoq. If our passage is blocked by sea ice, we have an alternative trip planned to Cape Farewell, the southernmost point of Greenland.

Heading back to Iceland

Make the most of the ship’s excellent facilities as you reflect on your Greenlandic adventure 

After exploring the wonders of Greenland, we head back across the Denmark Strait to Iceland. We may ponder whether some of the last Norse Greenlanders returned via this route as their settlements failed; all we know is their crofts and churches were found abandoned in the 15th century after decades of lost contact.  

Now you have another opportunity to enjoy the ship’s top facilities and to reflect on your amazing experiences with your travelling companions. On these last evenings onboard, be sure to enjoy the social atmosphere in the Explorer Lounge & Bar.

The end of this saga – until the next one

Round off your adventure with a last opportunity to experience the delights of this wonderful city 

MS Fridtjof Nansen will arrive back at the Icelandic capital early in the morning. Once you’ve disembarked, you have a final opportunity to explore this attractive and compact city and enjoy its wonderful ambiance and facilities.  

We feel sure you’ll have had an incredible experience exploring Greenland’s west coast and Iceland with us, and we hope to see you again in the future for more adventures! 

Post-Programme 

Want to extend your adventure? If you'd like to discover more of Iceland, why not add on our Post-Programme before you head home, or simply extend your stay to enjoy Reykjavik and the surrounding geothermal attractions. After all, Iceland has so much to offer you may want to linger just a little longer!