Relax in Reykjavík

Discover Iceland's modern capital

Your Grand Expedition Cruise starts in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, a city full of art, culture and history. Visit Laugavegur, the main shopping street and head towards the striking Hallgrímskirkja church. Or why not explore the galleries and museums dotted around the city.

With so much to explore, you may want to arrive early to join one of our optional Pre-Programmes.

Once aboard MS Fram – a smaller ship built for more personal exploration – it's time to settle in, meet your Expedition Team, and enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner before your circumnavigation of Iceland, the first stage of your Grand Expedition Cruise.

Gateway to spectacular Snæfellsnes

Gateway to spectacular Snæfellsnes

It's as though time has stood still at Stykkishólmur, the small fishing town in Breiðafjörður bay, where colourful houses stand out in contrast to distant mountains.

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

At the national park you can visit Djúpalónssandur's black sand beach and the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs. Or why not ride a snowcat to the top of the Snæfellsjökull glacier, or take a guided coastal hike with a glacial cave tour.

Beautiful Patreksfjörður

A stunning beach, waterfalls and superb birdwatching

Patreksfjörður is unforgettably beautiful. Here, you’ll learn about the fishing traditions in Europe's most westerly village. You can even enjoy a dip in the town's outdoor pool, with 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 to Dynjandi waterfalls – six falls combined that together make 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.

Explore Northwest Iceland, expedition-style

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 expedition boats 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

The history of the herring entrepreneurs

The remote village of Djúpavík,at the edge of the Westfjords,has an eerie charm. A vast abandoned herring factory contrasts with a stunning rural setting. A guided tour of the old herring factory should not be missed.

Explore the magical surroundings here on foot and take a short, invigorating hike to the waterfall just above the old factory.

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 harbour porpoises.

Stroll the interesting streets of Akureyri, which feature charming, colourful houses. You can also learn about the history of the city at the Akureyri Museum, and visit Into the Arctic – Norðurslóð  –a museum dedicated to Iceland’s settlement,culture and life in the north.

Further afield you can visit the picturesque Goðafoss –‘God’s Waterfall’ –where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. You can also seek out Eider and Harlequin Ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland's more 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, home to just 60 people, is famous for its Atlantic Puffin colonies.

Grímsey is probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island – the only part of 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 landmark, a huge concrete sphere sculpture that’s repositioned each year to fit 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 small town that's one of the best places in the world from which to see whales.

Húsavík looks out over Skjálfandi bay, which enjoys visits from humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and even the elusive blue whale. If you’re lucky, you might see one or more of these giants at sea. Learn more about them at Húsavík’s Whale Museum.

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

Hike in Bakkagerði

Local folklore and staggering 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'.

A popular hiking area, you can walk through lush, green valleys and gorgeous scenery among colourful rhyolite rocks. The coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eiders and puffins – a paradise 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, found off the south coast of Iceland. 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. Or why not take a hike to seek out puffins at Stórhöfði, where around eight million nest every summer. Don’t miss climbing Mount Eldfell –at the volcano’s summit you’ll have incredible views of the town below.

Return to Reykjavík

Explore Reykjavík at your leisure

Your Iceland expedition cruise returns to fascinating Reykjavík. Now is a great chance to see the places you missed when you first arrived.

Perhaps seek out heittur pottur, geothermal waters, to experience an authentic  part of Icelandic culture. Why not visit Iceland’s most famous place for doing just that – the Blue Lagoon – one of the true natural wonders of the world. Here, you’ll experience the blend of silica, algae and minerals in its geothermal waters.

Then you’ll reboard your ship for the next stage of your adventure in remote east Greenland.

Crossing the Denmark Strait

Crossing the Denmark Strait

We sail to Greenland across the Denmark Strait. Relax and explore the stylish onboard facilities.

Your Expedition Team will explain the protocols of visiting Greenlandic wildlife habitats, and how we interact with the Indigenous Arctic communities respectfully. In the Science Center, you can learn more about Greenland's geology, or join one of our Citizen Science projects.

Why not hit the gym or relax in the panoramic sauna before enjoying a delicious meal in one of our onboard restaurants.

Scoresby Sund fjord system

Largest fjord system on Earth

Cruising peacefully against a backdrop of looming mountains, blue icebergs and mirror-like waters, you’ll seek out wildlife like whales and Greenlandic Gyrfalcons. Making the most of the conditions, we pack in as many shore landings, nature walks, kayaking tours and wildlife sightings as possible.

You’ll visit Ittoqqortoormiit – the most remote inhabited community in the Western Hemisphere, and if conditions allow, we’ll sail towards the ever-changing east Greenland Sea ice edge to scout for wildlife.

If you want to do your bit, you can participate in Citizen Science projects that help preserve the region for future generations.

Denmark Strait

Heading back to Iceland

After exploring the remote beauty of Greenland, we set our course back for Iceland. Spend the days at sea recapping your experiences with new friends, studying nature in the Science Center, listening to a lecture or two, or just relaxing on deck. Look out for the seabirds that follow our ship and keep an eye out for whales.

As you reflect on your cruise, from the delicate ecology of the fjord systems to the ethereal elegance of the floating ice, Greenland’s beauty is sure to have left its mark on you.

End of the expedition

End of the expedition

After our Grand Expedition Cruise circumnavigating Iceland and discovering the fjords of east Greenland, we say a fond farewell to MS Fram in the fabulous city of Reykjavík.

If you want to discover even more of Iceland, why not join one of our optional Post-Programme before you head home.