Cruise Overview
Experience stunning landscapes and wildlife on this Arctic cruise
14-day Arctic expedition cruise, flying from Oslo to Longyearbyen, then cruising to Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Iceland.
See pristine North West Spitsbergen National Park, volcanic Jan Mayen and remote Icelandic villages before your expedition ends in Reykjavik.
Discover the spectacular wildlife, mountains, narrow fjords, majestic waterfalls and gigantic glaciers of the Arctic.
Urban Oslo, cosy Longyearbyen
Your Arctic adventure starts in Oslo, where you can explore before your flight to Svalbard. After an overnight stay in Longyearbyen, we'll set sail for the rugged fjords and towering mountains of the North West Spitsbergen National Park – land of polar bears.
Volcanic island highlights
From here, you'll cruise to the isolated island of Jan Mayen, where you'll visit an active volcano. Iceland's whale watching capital, Akureyri, is your next stop. Cross the Arctic Circle on Grímsey, home to colonies of Atlantic Puffins. Enjoy more of Iceland's stunning scenery in beautiful Patreksfjörður before ending in lively Reykjavik.
Know before you go
Practical information you need to know
Related cruises
Itinerary
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
Explore cosmopolitan Oslo
Day 1
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
Day 2
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
Day 3-6
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
Day 7
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
Day 8
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
Day 9
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
Day 10
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 horse riding or explore off-road in a 4x4.
Grímsey Island's puffins
Day 11
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
Day 12
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
Day 13
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
Day 14
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.
What's included
Take a look at what you can look forward to on this 13-day expedition cruise.
Flights
- Flight in economy classfrom Oslo to Longyearbyen.
Hotel
- Overnight in Longyearbyen before the expedition cruise, including breakfastand lunch
Transfers
- All transfers in Longyearbyen including an excursion before the expedition cruise
Expedition Cruise
- Expedition cruise in a cabin of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner including beverages (house beer and wine, sodas, and mineral water) in restaurant Aune
- À la carte restaurant Lindstrøm included for suite guests
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Please note there is very limited Wi-Fi and phone signal in the remote areas we travel to and streaming is not supported. When in Svalbard, there is no Wi-Fi or mobile coverage except in Longyearbyen or Barentsburg.
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill stations on board
- English-speaking Expedition Team who organise and accompany activities on board and ashore
- Range of included activities
Onboard Activities
- Experts on the Expedition Team deliver in-depth lectures on a variety of topics
- Use of the ship’s Science Center which has an extensive library and advanced biological and geological microscopes
- Citizen Science programme allows guests to assist with live scientific research
- Professional onboard photographer gives top tips and tricks for the best landscape and wildlife photos
- Use of the ship’s hot tubs, sauna, indoor gym
- Informal gatherings with the crew such as daily recaps and preparation for the day to come
Landing Activities
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and all equipment for activities
- Complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket
- Expedition Photographers help with your camera settings
What's not included
International flights
Travel insurance
Luggage handling
Optional shore excursions with our local partners
Optional small-group activities with our Expedition Team
Special offers
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise
Included Programmes
It's a mixture of adventure activities for individuals of all ages
Excursions & Activities
Learn more about what you can experience when going with us
Excursions
Pre-post programmes
Ships on this expedition
Take a closer look at our ships typically used on this expedition