Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Iceland – Arctic Islands Discovery

Explore cosmopolitan Oslo

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side capital. If you have time before your flight, why not explore the city centre.

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 stunning Ekeberg Sculpture Park, visit Akershus Fortress or relax in a floating sauna. Explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life, or try New Nordic cuisine before flying out to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago.

Longyearbyen adventures

Meet reindeer in the street as you shop

After breakfast, it’s time to explore the world's northernmost town, a colourful 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 saunter by. Although wild, they're curious and tame. Admire the polar bear-inspired art or visit the North Pole Expedition Museum.

Get ready for your included excursion after lunch, or join an optional electric bike, dogsledding or hiking tour. In the afternoon, it's time to board your ship and continue your Arctic discovery as we cruise around Spitsbergen.

The wilds of NW 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 wheel as we scan for animals of the Arctic – 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. If conditions allow, we'll stop in Ny-Ålesund, home to a thriving international science community, researching glaciology, wildlife and climate change.

Be ready for adventure as we'll seize any opportunity to use our expedition boats to come ashore to hike, participate in a beach clean-up or launch our kayaks.

A relaxing day at sea

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 take a soak in the hot tubs out on deck while spotting for seabirds overhead.

Don’t miss the fascinating lectures given by members of the Expedition Team, which might cover local history, geology or Arctic wildlife. Visit the Science Center for more in-depth insights into the places we'll be visiting, and sign up to one of our Citizen Science projects.

Volcanic Jan Mayen

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. If conditions allow, you’ll be setting 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 and 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, Brünich’s Guillemots and Little Auks. Look out for abundant marine life in the waters too, including whales and seals.

Science at sea

Unwind and prepare for more adventure

At this point, you'll have seen some spectacular Arctic wildlife and scenery, and may be curious to learn more. Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center to seek answers to your questions. Find out about what you can expect to 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 images and pick up some tips from our onboard photographer as we cruise towards Iceland’s stunning volcanic landscapes.

Eyjafjörður to Akureyri

Hot springs, waterfalls and volcanic moonscapes

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

You'll 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 Falls, Mývatn Nature Baths, Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, go horseriding or explore offroad in a 4x4.

Grímsey Island's puffins

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 the island.

We'll reach Grímsey in small expedition boats. There, you'll enjoy a special Arctic Circle crossing ceremony. You can join an optional hike to the artwork ‘Orbis et Globus’, a huge concrete sphere, repositioned each year to fit the northward moving Arctic Circle.

Beautiful Patreksfjörður

A stunning beach, waterfalls and superb birdwatching

Patreksfjörður is unforgettably beautiful. On today's included walk, you'll learn about the fishing traditions in Europe's most westerly village, and enjoy a dip in the town's outdoor pool, with wonderful fjord views.

You'll have the chance to explore the surrounding area on optional hikes through the fjords or to Rauðasandur beach and see seals. You can also tour Dynjandi waterfalls – six waterfalls combined make the largest and most spectacular in the Westfjords.

Birdwatchers will enjoy a visit to Látrabjarg, where puffins, Northern Gannets, guillemots and Razorbills cling to Europe’s largest bird cliff.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Gateway to spectacular Snæfellsnes

It's like time stood still at Stykkishólmur in Breiðafjörður Bay, where colourful houses stand out in contrast to 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 its array of volcanic landscapes – and discover some of Iceland's most iconic sights, like Djúpalónssandur's black sand beach.

We'll 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 and explore caves under the glacier.

Reykjavik and beyond

Explore Reykjavik at your leisure

Your Arctic expedition cruise concludes in Reykjavik, a city full of art, culture and history. Visit Laugavegur, the main shopping street, head towards the striking Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, or explore the city's galleries and museums.

Before you leave, visit Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa, the Blue Lagoon – one of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world – and experience the blend of silica, algae and minerals in its warm waters.

You can also join our Post-Programme to explore Iceland's beautiful South Coast, with waterfalls, black sand beaches, geothermal springs and majestic mountains.