Relax in Reykjavík

Discover Iceland’s modern capital

Your Iceland expedition cruise starts in Reykjavík, a city full of art, culture, and history. Visit Laugavegur, the main shopping street, then head toward the striking Hallgrímskirkja Church. You could also explore the galleries and museums dotted around the city.

Once aboard MS Maud, a smaller ship built for more personal exploration, it’s time to settle in, meet your Expedition Team, and enjoy a laid-back welcome dinner.

Pre-Program

With so much to explore, consider arriving early to join one of our Pre-Programs and explore the Golden Circle or Icelandic Highlands.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Gateway to spectacular Snæfellsnes

Time has stood still at Stykkishólmur, the small fishing town in Breiðafjörður bay. Here, the colorful houses stand in contrast to the distant mountains.

Nearby, you’ll find Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park, with the ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano at the peninsula’s western tip. It’s nicknamed 'Little Iceland', for its wide variety of volcanic landscapes.

At the national park, visit Djúpalónssandur's black-sand beach and the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs. Ride a snowcat to the top of the Snæfellsjökull glacier, or take a guided coastal hike with a glacial cave tour.

Beautiful Patreksfjörður

Visit a stunning beach, admire waterfalls, and go birdwatching.

Patreksfjörður is unforgettably beautiful. Learn about the fishing traditions in Europe’s westernmost village. You can even enjoy a dip in the town’s outdoor pool, which features wonderful fjord views.

Explore the surrounding area on a hike through the fjords or visit Rauðasandur beach and see seals. You can also join a tour of Dynjandi waterfalls, six combined falls that, together, comprise the largest and most spectacular in the Westfjords.

Birdwatchers shouldn’t miss a visit to Látrabjarg, where puffins, northern gannets, guillemots, and razorbills cling to Europe’s largest bird cliff.

The Northwestern Region

Explore northwest Iceland expedition-style.

One of the best things about expedition cruising is the feeling of freedom. We plan to spend the day in Iceland’s northwestern region, but as conditions can vary, we won't know exactly what's in store until the day itself. Rest assured, your Captain and expedition team will find the best opportunities for adventure.

We may take you ashore in our small boats (RIBs) for a hike, swim, or beach clean-up. Or perhaps we’ll launch our kayaks to explore a pretty cove. Be ready for anything!

Don’t forget you can also join onboard lectures, visit the Science Center, get tips from our professional photographer, or soak in a hot tub!

Djúpavík’s old factory

Explore a ghostly factory and hike in magical surroundings.

There is an eerie charm about the remote village of Djúpavík at the edge of the Westfjords. The immense, abandoned herring factory contrasts with the stunning countryside. A guided tour of the old building will reveal all of its secrets. Inside its cavernous interior, huge machines rust away quietly, and the workers’ everyday objects sit forgotten on their desks.

Explore these magical surroundings on foot and take a short and invigorating hike to the waterfall just above the old factory. Looking down to the shore, you may spot the old, rusting ship from a previous era. This truly is a place of contrasts.

Eyjafjörður to Akureyri

Explore Akureyri and see volcanic moonscapes.

Today we cruise along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, to Akureyri, Iceland's northern capital. It’s a prime area to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises.

Stroll the interesting streets of Akureyri, which feature charming, colorful houses. Learn about the city’s history at the Akureyri Museum and visit Norðurslóð (Into the Arctic), a museum dedicated to Iceland’s settlement, culture, and daily life.

Further inland, visit the picturesque Goðafoss (‘God’s Waterfall’), where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. Seek out eider ducks and harlequin ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland’s most active volcanic areas.

Grímsey’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 is home to just 60 people and is renowned for its Atlantic puffin colonies.

Grímsey is probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which actually cuts across the island – the only place in Iceland where it does so. You’ll have the opportunity to step across that line, hopping over to the Arctic and back.

Hike to the Orbis et Globus sculpture, a huge concrete sphere that is repositioned each year to follow the northward movement of the Arctic Circle. In fact, by 2050, Grímsey will lie outside the Arctic!

Whale watching in Húsavík

Iceland's best whale-watching spot

Today, you’ll discover Húsavík, a fascinating town that is one of the best places in the world for whale watching.

Húsavík looks out over Skjálfandi Bay, a hotspot for humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. The elusive blue whale even makes appearances here. Learn more about them at Húsavík’s Whale Museum.

You can also enjoy the geothermal waters at Geosea, which overlooks Skjálfandi bay, and pep yourself up with a beer at the local microbrewery.

Hike in Bakkagerði

Local folklore and natural beauty

Your Iceland cruise continues to Bakkagerði, a tiny settlement off the beaten track. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufólk (meaning 'hidden people').

This popular hiking area features lush valleys and gorgeous scenery among colorful rhyolite rocks. The coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eider ducks, and puffins. We may also visit the Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarhólmi, a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

Heimaey's explosive past

Discover the town that defied a volcano.

Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, off the Iceland’s southern coast. It has a fascinating history and still bears the scars of the powerful 1973 volcanic eruption that nearly destroyed the island.

Visit Eldheimar, a museum that features an excavated home frozen in time, and learn more about the eruption and its aftermath. You could also take a hike to find puffins at Stórhöfði, where nearly 8 million of them nest every summer. Don’t pass up the chance to climb Mount Eldfell to the volcano’s summit, where you’ll have incredible views of the town below.

Reykjavík and beyond

Explore Reykjavík at your leisure.

Your Iceland expedition cruise concludes back in fascinating Reykjavík. This is a great chance to see the places you missed when you arrived.

Relaxing with friends in the geothermal waters of a heittur pottur is part of Icelandic culture. Before you leave, visit Iceland’s most famous place to do so: the Blue Lagoon. This is one of the true natural wonders of the world. Experience the blend of silica, algae, and minerals in its geothermal waters.

Post-Program:

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