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, head out to explore 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, or try New Nordic cuisine before flying out to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago.

Longyearbyen adventures

Explore the town at the top of the world

After breakfast, 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. Admire the polar bear-inspired art or visit the North Pole Expedition Museum.

Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic journey, join an included excursion after lunch, or try an optional electric bike, dog-sledding, or hiking tour.

Expedition days 

Experience pristine Arctic wilderness

Over the next three days, you’ll explore the natural beauty and rugged tundra of Northwest Spitsbergen National Park. Surrounded by steep mountains, stark glaciers, and beautiful offshore islands, we’ll scan for Arctic animals, including whales, seals, walruses, and reindeer. If we’re really lucky, we might even see the elusive polar bear hunting on the ice.

The conditions will determine our route. We may see glaciers calving into the sea in Kongsfjord or cross the 80th parallel north. Each day will be different. From landings to kayaking, be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Team decide on the best landing sites and activities based on the day’s conditions.  Perhaps we’ll head to the snowcapped peaks of Raudfjord, Hornsund or Magdalenefjord, to see magnificent glaciers or visit Ny-Ålesund, the world’s northernmost settlement and an important climate research station. 

Be ready for adventure—we’ll seize any opportunity to launch our kayaks or use our small boats (RIBs) to go ashore to hike or help in a beach clean-up.

A relaxing day at sea

Enjoy a restorative day in the Arctic

Take advantage of a day cruising through Arctic waters to relax aboard the ship. Enjoy panoramic views and chat with fellow guests in the Explorer Lounge & Bar or soak in a hot tub on deck while scanning for seabirds.

Don’t miss fascinating lectures from the members of the Expedition Team. They cover topics such as local history, geology, and Arctic wildlife. Visit the Science Center for more in-depth insights into the places we’ll be visiting and maybe participate in a Citizen Science project that contributes to ongoing scientific research.

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 in one of Earth’s most remote places.

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

You won’t see land mammals here, 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 the surrounding waters, including whales and seals.

Heading towards Greenland

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 and find out about what’s coming up next in eastern Greenland and northern Iceland.

A day at sea is also an opportunity to sort through your photos and pick up some tips from our onboard photographer as we cruise towards the Scoresby Sund.

Greenland’s Scoresby Sund fjord system

Witness the largest fjord system on Earth.

With stunning white and blue icebergs, mirror-like waters and looming mountains, the scenery in the world’s largest fjord system is spectacular.

Scoresby Sund’s steep peaks, open waters, and ice-free winters are a haven for Greenland’s iconic wildlife. Scan for musk oxen, Arctic foxes, mountain hares, whales, and seals.

Birdlife also thrives here, including little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, Greenlandic gyrfalcons and great black-backed gulls.

We’ll make the best of the conditions, packing in as many shore landings, nature walks, kayaking tours, and wildlife sightings as possible.

A relaxing day at sea

Relax as we head for Iceland.

A day at sea is an opportunity to wind down. Sit back in the panoramic Explorer Lounge & Bar and take in the view. For deeper relaxation, soak in a hot tub and recap the journey so far with your fellow travelers.

If you’d rather work up a sweat, head to the gym on Deck 7. Equipped with large windows, you can exercise with a full view of the stunning scenery outside.

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.

Reykjavík and beyond

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.