Itinerary
- Day 1
Oslo
Your Arctic adventure kicks off in Oslo. If you arrive with time to spare before heading to Svalbard, the city center has plenty to see including museums and galleries. The Opera House and Munch Museum are worth checking out if you're interested in architecture and art. You could also walk through Ekebergparken sculpture park, visit Akershus Fortress, or try one of the floating saunas before your flight north.
Included Activities
- Flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen
Optional Activities
- Explore Oslo city center
- Visit Opera House
- Visit Munch Museum
- Stroll in Ekebergparken sculpture park
- Visit Akershus Fortress
- Relax in a floating sauna
- Explore modern Sørenga and urban beach life
- Try New Nordic cuisine
Landmarks Oslo Opera House Munch Museum Ekebergparken Akershus Fortress 
- Day 2
Longyearbyen
After breakfast, you'll explore Longyearbyen, the world's northernmost town and quite the colorful frontier settlement. Walking the main street, you might spot Svalbard reindeer and polar bear-inspired art around town. The North Pole Expedition Museum gives good context for what's ahead. Before boarding the ship in the afternoon, there's an included excursion or you can book electric bike tours, dog-sledding, or hiking if those interest you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Explore Longyearbyen on foot
- Included excursion after lunch
- Transfer in Longyearbyen including excursion before expedition cruise
Optional Activities
- Visit North Pole Expedition Museum
- Electric bike tour
- Dog-sledding tour
- Hiking tour
Landmarks North Pole Expedition Museum - Days 3 - 4
Spitsbergen
You'll start seeing Spitsbergen's Arctic landscape with steep mountains, stark glaciers, and unusual islands. The fjords here rank among the world's most dramatic, with U-shaped valleys and glaciers that calve icebergs regularly. This is prime territory for spotting polar bears in their natural habitat. Small boats (RIBs) take you ashore for hiking, and if conditions work out, kayaking lets you experience the scenery in near-total silence.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Landings via small boats (RIBs) for hiking and activities
- Kayaking (if conditions allow)
- Loan of boots, trekking poles, and equipment for activities
Landmarks Spitsbergen 
- Day 5
At Sea toward Jan Mayen
Today's a quieter day at sea as the ship heads toward Jan Mayen. You can scan the waters from deck for marine life, relax in the panoramic sauna, or soak in the hot tub. The Science Center has lectures about what's coming next, and the Expedition Team runs sessions on various topics. There's also a photography workshop and opportunities to contribute to citizen science projects if those appeal to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wildlife observation from deck
- Access to panoramic sauna
- Access to hot tubs
- Science Center access
- Expedition Team lectures
- Citizen Science projects
- Photography tips from onboard photographer
- Use of Explorer Lounge & Bar
- Day 6
Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen ranks as one of Earth's most remote locations with no permanent residents and landings that happen rarely. The landscape is surreal with moss lichen streaking across terrain dominated by Beerenberg, the world's northernmost active volcano (last erupted in 1985). Large populations of northern fulmars, Brünnich's guillemots, and little auks make it an Important Bird Area. Watch for whales and seals in the surrounding waters too.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Landing on Jan Mayen (weather permitting)
- Exploration of volcanic landscape
- Wildlife observation
Landmarks Beerenberg - Day 7
At Sea toward Iceland
You'll sail from Jan Mayen toward Akureyri with time to swap stories about the adventures so far. Keep watching the deck for marine life and seabirds, even while relaxing in the hot tub. The Expedition Team offers sessions in the Science Center covering Iceland's landscapes, cultures, and folklore including the concept of 'hidden people' or elves. If you prefer, there's also a knitting workshop to learn something new.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wildlife observation from deck
- Science Center lectures about Iceland
- Knitting workshop
- Access to hot tubs and sauna
- Day 8
Akureyri
As you cruise along Eyjafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, Iceland's longest fjord, snowcapped peaks line the route. This is one of Europe's better spots for humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Arriving at Akureyri, Iceland's 'Northern Capital', you'll find a botanical garden, restaurants, and museums. Gó\u00f0afoss waterfall has turquoise waters crashing against black rocks and is worth the visit. Lake M\u00fdvatn nearby attracts eider ducks and Harlequin ducks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise along Eyjafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur fjord
- Wildlife observation for whales and dolphins
Optional Activities
- Visit Akureyri botanical garden
- Explore Akureyri museums and eateries
- Visit Goðafoss waterfall
- Visit Lake Mývatn
Landmarks Eyjafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Goðafoss Lake Mývatn 
- Day 9
Húsavík
Húsavík ranks among the world's best whale-watching destinations overlooking Skj\u00e1lfandi Bay. Humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises populate these waters, with blue whales making occasional appearances. The Whale Museum here offers good background on what you're seeing. There's also a space exploration museum where NASA astronauts trained, geothermal pools at Geosea with bay views, and local microbrewery options to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay
- Visit Húsavík Whale Museum
- Visit space exploration museum
- Enjoy geothermal waters at Geosea
- Visit local microbrewery
Landmarks Skjálfandi Bay Húsavík Whale Museum Geosea - Day 10
Bakkagerði
Bakkagerði is a tiny remote settlement reportedly inhabited by huldufolk (hidden people) according to local folklore. Walking through this area, you'll see lush valleys and colorful rhyolite rocks creating a magical setting. Coastal cliffs host fulmars, kittiwakes, eider ducks, and puffins. The Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarholmi nearby is excellent for nature lovers and wildlife photographers wanting to capture bird images.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Bakkagerði settlement
- Wildlife observation
Optional Activities
- Hiking in lush valleys among rhyolite rocks
- Visit Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarholmi
Landmarks Hafnarholmi - Day 11
At Sea toward Faroe Islands
Today the ship sails from Iceland toward the Faroe Islands. You'll have time to get settled and prepare for what's ahead. The Expedition Team holds lectures and informal sessions to answer remaining questions about the route. Check out the Science Center, use the gym, relax in the panoramic sauna with great views, watch the decks for birds and wildlife, or organize your photos from earlier stops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Science Center access
- Expedition Team lectures
- Gym access
- Panoramic sauna access
- Wildlife observation from deck
- Day 12
Eidivik, Faroe Islands
You'll arrive at the Faroe Islands and explore Eidivik, a tiny village with just 23 inhabitants. Despite its size, it has a school, church, dock, and pier. From the pier, sparkling waters stretch to the nearby island of Kalsoy. The atmosphere here is remarkably peaceful. Walking through charming streets, you'll hear seabirds, bleating sheep, and waves from the fjord. Traditional Icelandic-style grass-covered roofs line the houses for insulation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Eidivik village
Landmarks Kalsoy 
- Day 13
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
Tórshavn on Streymoy, the Faroe Islands' largest island, was founded by Norsemen in the 10th century. This is one of Northern Europe's oldest capitals. Wandering cobblestone alleyways, you'll see colorful turf-roofed houses throughout town. Local museums cover the city's origins and the islands' flora, fauna, and geology. About half a mile out of town, Svartafoss waterfall tumbles over mossy rocks. Watch for eider ducks and Faroese starlings along the seafront.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Explore Tórshavn cobblestone alleyways
- Visit local museums
- Visit Svartafoss waterfall
- Seafront walk
Landmarks Svartafoss - Day 14
Lerwick, Shetland Islands
You're now at the Shetland Islands exploring Lerwick, Scotland's northernmost inhabited isle and the capital. This friendly Victorian-influenced fishing town sits in beautiful scenery. Narrow lanes lead to shops selling local whiskies, woolen sweaters, and fudge. At the old waterfront, the Shetland Museum displays Pictish carvings and lace shawls. Nearby Fort Charlotte and the town hall are worth seeing. Binoculars help spot gray and common seals along beaches and local birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Navigate narrow lanes and shops
- Visit Shetland Museum
- Visit Fort Charlotte
- Explore town hall
- Wildlife observation for seals and birds
Landmarks Shetland Museum Fort Charlotte - Day 15
Bergen
Your expedition ends in Bergen, surrounded by mountains and sea. This is one of Norway's nicest cities with real character. You can join a guided hiking tour as part of the Post-Program if interested. Take the funicular railway up Mount Fl\u00f8yen's summit for hiking and city views over the water. The UNESCO-listed Bryggen features colorful wooden wharfs worth exploring on your own. Artisanal boutiques nearby have last-minute souvenirs before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Post-Program guided hiking tour
- Funicular railway to Mount Fløyen
- Explore UNESCO-listed Bryggen
- Visit artisanal boutiques for souvenirs
Landmarks Bryggen Mount Fløyen 
