HIGHLIGHTS
- Go
past spectacular bird cliffs in Iceland and the Norwegian Archipelago
of Svalbard
- Marvel
at the multitude of puffins, guillemots and gulls that congregate to
nest
- While
in Iceland, explore the area around Lake Myvatn to see how geology
plays an important factor in Iceland's daily life, or go whale-watching
along Iceland’s northern coast
- In
Svalbard, encounter fascinating landscapes, mountains, fjords and
glaciers while looking for walrus and polar bears
- Throughout
the voyage, learn about the geology, wildlife, botany and history of
this spectacular area from lecture presentations offered by your
knowledgeable on board expedition team
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
Start Date | End Date | Vista Suite | Veranda Suite | Deluxe Veranda Suite | Medallion Suite | Silver Suite | Royal Suite | Grand Suite | Owner's Suite |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
Start Date | End Date | (Starting from) Vista Suite | (Mid-range) Silver Suite | (High-end) Owner's Suite |
ITINERARY
Day
1 — Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø
surprised visitors in
the 1800s: they thought it very sophisticated and cultured for being so
close to the North Pole, hence its nickname, the Paris of the North. It
looks the way a polar town should, with ice-capped mountain ridges and
jagged architecture that is an echo of the peaks. The midnight sun
shines from May 21 to July 21, and it is said that the northern lights
decorate the night skies over Tromsø more than over any
other city in
Norway. Tromsø is home to only 69,000 people, but it's very
spread out;
the city's total area, 987 sq. mi. (2,558 sq km), is the
most…
Day
2 — Cruise & Explore Bear Island
Almost
half way between Tromsø and Svalbard is isolated Bear Island
–
considered the southernmost island of the Svalbard Archipelago. The
unglaciated island is an impressive nature reserve of steep, high
cliffs that are frequented by seabirds, specifically at the southern
tip. Brünnich’s Guillemots, Common Guillemots, Black
Guillemots,
Razorbills, Little Auks, Northern Fulmars, Glaucous Gulls, Black-legged
Kittiwakes, and even Atlantic Puffins and Northern Gannets nest along
the cliffs south of Sørhamna. Because of the large numbers
of birds and
the isolated location, Bear Island has been…
Days
3 to 5 — Svalbard Southern Region
Svalbard’s
Southern Region and specifically Spitsbergen’s west coast is
less
ice-clogged than the rest of Svalbard due to the moderating influence
of the Gulf Stream. Several fjords cut into the western coast of
Spitsbergen and have been used by trappers and hunters, as well as the
different mining companies that tried to exploit the riches of the
archipelago’s largest island of Spitsbergen. Remains of huts
and mines,
as well as active commercial and scientific settlements can be found
and visited. Depending on the time of the season, glaciers can be
visited on foot or by sea. Northern places…
Days
6 to 8 — Svalbard Northern Region
There
are several deep fjords and prominent glaciers in the northern reaches
of Svalbard, as well as the northern hemisphere’s widest
glacier front.
Ice conditions will dictate how much can be accessed in terms of
cruising bird islets like the Andøyane Islets or approaching
glaciers
like Monaco Glacier and Seliger Glacier. The Northern Region is also
known to have several walrus haul-outs and areas defined as
“Arctic
Desert”. Walks and hikes ashore to have a closer look at
flora and
wildlife are a possibility in the spectacular Northern Region of
Svalbard.
Day
9 — At Sea
While
we're at sea, enjoy wine
tastings, designer boutiques, language and dance classes. Take in a
matinee movie, check the market or your e-mail in the Internet Point,
slip away with a novel from the library to a sunny chaise or with a
movie to your suite. Or just take in the sun pool side. The choice is
yours.
Day
10 — Jan Mayen
Humpback
and minke whales cavort
and feed in the waters around the impressive volcanic island of Jan
Mayen with its towering ebony peaks and broad black lava beaches. The
primordial landscape is dominated to the north by the 7,500 foot high
(2,300 m) Mt Beerenberg, an active volcano covered in glacial ice that
last erupted in 1985. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, a
landing is possible at this rarely visited outpost. Visitors may walk
to the research and weather station, or beyond, for birds-eye views of
the meteorological station and the long black sandy eastern shore
of…
Day
11 — At Sea
Day
12 — Akureyri, Iceland
Akureyri,
called the Capital of the North, is the second largest urban area in
Iceland, and a lively one at that. Hemmed by the 37 mi. (60 km) long
Eyjafjörður, Akureyri is sheltered from the ocean
winds and embraced by
mountains on three sides. Late 19th-century wooden houses impart a
sense of history, and the twin spires of a modern Lutheran church
rising on a green hill near the waterfront, provide a focal point. To
the south of Akureyri is the pyramid-shape rhyolite mountain
Súlur.
Beyond it is Kerling, the highest peak in Eyjafjörður
District.
Day
13 — Cruise along Hornbjard Cliffs | Vigur Island
Vigur
Island is a little more than a mile (1.6 km) in length and about 1,350
ft. (412 m) wide. This green oasis punctuates the waters of the
Ísafjarðardjúp fjord east of the town of
Isafjordur. The island is home
to a single farming family and has some meticulously preserved
historical landmarks including Iceland’s only windmill, built
in 1840
and used until 1917 for grinding imported wheat from Denmark, and a
200-year-old rowing boat, which is still in use to ferry sheep to the
mainland. Summer is the best time to see large numbers of Atlantic
Puffins, Arctic Terns and Black Guillemots. One…
Day
14 — Dyjandi | Latrabjarg Cliffs
Iceland
is well-known for its spectacular waterfalls. The iconic Dynjandi
waterfall, located in the Westfjords region, is regarded as one of
Iceland’s most impressive and majestic waterfalls. At the
top, the
cascading water is roughly 100 feet wide and tumbles down about 330
feet into the fjord. Its name Dynjandi means “the thundering
one” and
its vast size, enormous sound, and sheer force is overwhelming. It has
also been nicknamed “The Bridal Veil” because of
the way the water
sprays and spreads over the rocks.
On
Iceland’s north coast and
close to the westernmost tip of the country are the impressive cliffs
of Latrabjarg; Europe’s largest bird cliff. Millions of
individual
seabirds make their home along the promontory safe from the range of
scavenging foxes on the steep ledges. Atlantic Puffins, Northern
Gannets, Razorbills and guillemots have each selected their preferred
areas in and above the cliff in which to roost and nest. The Latrabjarg
cliffs reach heights of up to 1,400 ft. (440 m) along a staggering 9
mi. (14 km) stretch of the coast.
Day
15 — Reykjavik, Iceland
Sprawling
Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is
home to
half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja
(pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues,
Reykjavík presents
a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and
topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost
treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native
birches, rowans,
and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.
Reykjavík's
name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay,
vík.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Fares
are cruise only. There is NO Twinshare rate available on this ship and
single supplement is 2x the Twin Price listed above.
- Single
Occupancy and Third Guest Rates are available upon request.
- Complimentary
kayaking depending on weather and ice conditions. Available on a
first-come basis prior to each kayaking departure.
- All
trips subject to possible fuel surcharge.