Embark the Silver Cloud for your exciting 13-day expedition — To the Land of Fire and Ice. Be introduced to your Expedition Team and attend a Zodiac briefing as well as an Arctic regulations refresher course that outlines the environmental policies you must all adhere to in order to enjoy the privilege of visiting this pristine region at the top of the world. Tonight familiarize yourself with the elegant Silver Cloud, meet some of your fellow travelers, and enjoy the first of many memorable meals in one of the restaurants.

As you near the southern tip of this Arctic island, now a nature reserve, see thousands of seabirds diving into and out of the island’s steep cliffs. With the Zodiacs and favorable weather conditions, explore the rugged coastline. Close to 9 kilometers of cliffs are home to some of the largest bird colonies of the Northern Hemisphere. Common guillemots, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes, northern fulmars, and glaucous gulls are all found along the cliff. Other species have been observed, including puffins and even gannets. Of the more than 120 species registered, slightly more than 30 actually breed on the island. The Expedition Team provides insights into the environment, the terrain, and the wildlife that exist in these extreme conditions. Leaving Bear Island head out on deck to watch for whales, white-beaked dolphins, and minke whales known to frequent the area.

Travel along the same routes as famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Nordenskjöld, Amundsen, and Nobile. Visit walrus haul-outs and perhaps see reindeer, and maybe even spot the arctic fox or bearded seal. You might even encounter a few whales. Several species frequent the area, in particular minke and beluga.

This flexible itinerary allows you to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions. Whether cruising by Zodiac amongst ice floes and icebergs or heading ashore for a guided walk, this adventure brings you up close to mystical settings. Each day the Expedition Leader and Captain determine the best course depending on changing weather, ice conditions, and the wildlife encountered. Here are a few of the places you may visit:

Hornsund – This is the southernmost fjord on the rugged west coast of Spitsbergen Island. Jagged mountain peaks tower above glacier-filled bays. Amidst floating icebergs, watch for bearded seals, the beluga whale, and the king of the Arctic – the polar bear. Sightings are fairly common as the polar bear’s favorite food, the ringed seal, breeds in the fjord. The surrounding bird cliffs are home to thousands of pairs of nesting little auks. Visit the remains of whaling stations and trappers’ huts.

Fjortende Julibreen – The 14th of July Bay is located at the entrance of Krossfjorden. Go ashore for a hike up to the 14th of July Glacier – conditions permitting, climb onto the glacier, or alternatively walk to the Hanging Gardens, a beautiful plant oasis underneath a bird cliff.

Ice Cruising – With the strengthened hull of the Silver Cloud, have the perfect platform to search for walrus and polar bears as at least one day is devoted to exploring the pack ice north of Spitsbergen. Conditions permitting, the Expedition Leader may choose to take you out in the Zodiacs for an even closer look.

Liefdefjorden – At the entrance to Liefdefjorden are several small island groups. On the Andøyane (Duck Islands) you may encounter polar bears looking for bird’s eggs. With the Zodiacs you might circumnavigate several of the islands, always on the lookout for active birdlife – when arctic terns circle specific areas it usually is a sign for polar bear presence on the islands.

Magdalenefjorden – Found on Spitsbergen’s northwest coast, Magdalenefjorden was already seen by Willem Barents in 1596. Walrus was hunted here in later days and a whaling station was set up. The remains of blubber ovens and a cemetery can still be seen. Silver Cloud enters this scenic fjord in Northwest Spitsbergen National Park and you might land at Graveneset for a short walk.

Monacobreen – Cruising past majestic red Devonian sandstone mountains, reach the end of Liefdefjorden for a Zodiac cruise along the front of two different glaciers: Monacobreen and Seligerbreen. Monacobreen has a 5-kilometer-long front and is a good place to look for seals, black-legged kittiwakes, and ivory gulls.

The Expedition Team members recap your experiences in Svalbard in the Lecture Theatre and prepare you for the island of Jan Mayen. Other onboard diversions include spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences.

During the morning go ashore close to the Norwegian Meteorological Station. Apart from a nature walk leading up to the long black sandy beach on the eastern shore,  enter the station in small groups and hear about the work this remote outpost is conducting.

In the afternoon continue sailing south. As you make your way toward Iceland, head out on deck to watch for seabirds and whales. When not attending an informative lecture, take some time to peruse the well-stocked Library, enjoy a fine cognac in the Connoisseur’s Corner, or indulge in any of the other special amenities offered aboard ship.

Just off the north coast of Iceland, and slightly above the Arctic Circle, is Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island. The island is small enough (only 5.3 km²) to be explored on foot and you are bound to meet one of the seventy hardy souls that make this island their home. The island’s sheer cliffs are home to huge seabird colonies, mainly Atlantic puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, northern fulmars, razorbills, and common and Brünnich’s guillemots. Still today the islanders abseil down the cliffs to collect bird eggs. Enjoy the opportunity to visit with islanders to get a first-hand impression of life on Grimsey.

As you reach the mainland, choose between three different glimpses of Iceland: you can either focus on coastal culture, the beautiful seaside surroundings and visiting small fishing villages and the award-winning Siglufjordur Herring Museum, Iceland’s largest maritime museum, or you could instead look at the countryside culture, visiting small countryside churches, an Icelandic farm, and seeing how life is when it is largely based on traditional livestock raising. The third choice would be to taste local delicacies on the mainland and on the small island of Hrisey. Taste fresh and salted cod and get to see Iceland’s first microbrewery, and of course taste the local beer.

Isafjordur has a well-preserved town center from the 19th century and you can accompany a local guide dressed in 19th-century clothing to see and hear what makes this place so special. You could also drive to Sudavik and the largest fjord of the Westfjords. The Arctic Fox Centre, a research center, museum, and coffee shop in one, is located there and you have Icelandic live music at Sudavik’s beautiful and history-charged church. For those interested in horseback riding, a small number of Icelandic ponies are there to take you through the Sandar Valley, a 40-minute drive from Isafjordur. If you would like to taste some local food, choose the Sudureyri Food Trail – visit the eco-conscious fishing village of Sudureyri and while walking the town, meet the locals and be offered local produce and delicacies (mainly fish) at various points of your walk – an intercultural experience you are unlikely to forget.

Silver Cloud repositions during lunchtime and reacesh the privately-owned Vigur Island. Here enjoy guided walks around the small island famous for its eider ducks and eider down harvesting, as well as the abundant amount of puffins and terns that call the island their home. At the end of the walk you can enjoy the hospitality of the family of ten residing on Vigur and have a cup of coffee or tea and taste the cakes and cookies specially prepared for you. In the evening have the opportunity to see the Voyage DVD which your onboard Photographer/Videographer has prepared, registering your adventures in the “Lands of Ice and Fire”.

Following breakfast, disembark Silver Cloud.