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Arctic Island Hopping

Example 15 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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Board SH Vega on a 15-day Arctic Discovery cruise in Reykjavík, navigating from Iceland to East Greenland, Jan Mayen Island, and Svalbard inside the Arctic Circle. Explore indigenous cultures, national parks, and the extensive fjord system. Reykjavík's vibrant atmosphere and landmarks like the Hallgrímskirkja Church. The cruise continues to Ísafjördur, Vigur Island, and Grimsey Island, each offering unique landscapes and wildlife encounters. Jan Mayen Island unveils a pristine environment with a snow-covered stratovolcano. Svalbard, the kingdom of polar bears, becomes the highlight with its varied landscapes, gargantuan glaciers, and diverse wildlife. Explore Longyearbyen, the world's most northerly town, before concluding the expedition.
Visit the colorful town of Longyearbyen in the far north
Highlights
  • Explore Vigur's seabird sanctuary, eiderdown harvest, and unique landmarks
  • Jan Mayen Island's Beerenberg volcano and unique wildlife
  • Witness diverse Arctic wildlife, including polar bears and seabirds
  • Navigate majestic Arctic fjords, glaciers and witness diverse landscapes
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavík, Iceland

Arrive at Keflavik International Airport and head to the hotel via the group transfer to your hotel. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*specific hotel and location to be announced

Day 2: Reykjavík, Iceland | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
In the morning, join the group and transfer to the port. Afterward, embark on SH Vega for your adventure.

In the center of Iceland’s sprawling capital city, the modern organ-pipe-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church dominates the top of town. Cozy bars, cafes, and shops line the surrounding streets heated by Iceland's geothermal waters. The regenerated harbor is home to a striking modern concert hall. Popular trips include the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near the village of Grindavik, and the Golden Circle tour, taking in Gullfoss Waterfall and the mighty Strokkur geyser in Thingvellir National Park.

Day 3: Isafjordur | Vigur Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Ísafjordur is a bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colorful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses in its old town, Neskaupstadur. Nearby, Sudavik is home to the Arctic Fox Centre. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox, lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of Europe’s largest bird cliffs.

Included Activities

WESTFJORDS LIFE AND CULTURE
  • Discover the time-honored local methods of salting fishing
  • Go back in time as you enter the turf-and-stone fishing shacks, greeted by a local dressed in a traditional sheepskin fisherman's outfit
  • Visit the Maritime Museum, housed in some of Iceland's oldest buildings, to delve into the history of the fishing industry that has sustained the area for centuries
A jewel of the Westfjords, Vigur is the fjord's second-largest island and a thriving seabird sanctuary. Flocks of arctic terns, puffins, guillemots, and eider ducks nest atop rocky cliffs. As one of only two inhabited islands, Vigur supports a family farm continuing the centuries-old eiderdown harvest across 3,500 nests. This remote pillar also houses Iceland's sole windmill, its tiniest post office, and a 200-year-old, still-seaworthy rowing boat.

Included Activities

VIGUR ISLAND WALKING TOUR & VISIT BY SHIP ZODIACS
  • Spot eider ducks nesting in great numbers, you might even see the majestic birds plucking down from their chests to make a warm shelter for their eggs
  • Get up close with a 200-year-old, eight-oar rowing boat and the oldest windmill in Iceland
  • See the charming houses that dot Vigur's landscape including Viktoria House, built in 1862 and restored by the National Museum of Iceland in 1993, as well as a house established by a young priest in 1884

Day 4: Grimsey Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Grimsey is a remote island located 40 km off Iceland’s north coast. Many people travel here to set foot in the Arctic Circle, the only place in Iceland where you can. The island is also home to fewer than 100 people, but over one million seabirds. Birdlife thrives here thanks to the lack of egg predation and the well-stocked surrounding seas. Grímsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites and largest puffin colonies.

Included Activities

LIFE IN ARCTIC CIRCLE
  • Enjoy your stay on Iceland’s northernmost inhabited territory
  • Be prepared for an exhilarating physical challenge that will take you across approx. 7.5km of invigorating nature walk with some inclines towards the Arctic circle artwork
  • Stop at the bird cliffs where, depending on the time of the season, you’ll be able to spot several species of birds including puffins, guillemots and gulls

Day 5: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea allows you to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip, or head to our library, which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our onboard lectures or perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 6: Jan Mayen Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, this Norwegian island's only residents are the Norwegian Armed Forces or meteorological station staff. Purple saxifrage and endemic dandelions grow next to the black sands, while northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make Jan Mayen an important birding area.

Day 7: At Sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Day 8-14: Svalbard

  • Ship
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners
Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals, and arctic fox.

Day 15: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
The world's most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It's home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum, chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Nearby, Svalbard Global Seed Vault preserves duplicate seeds from gene banks worldwide. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out.

On this day, make your farewell to your fellow travelers and crew. Head to the airport via the group transfer provided and catch your flight home.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Reykjavik - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Special Offer
New bookings made between April 15, 2024 to May 3, 2024, can take advantage of discounted rates on selected voyages for 2024. The promotion is only applicable to Ocean View and Balcony category staterooms, and the price indicated is per person based on double occupancy. Single supplements may be charged. Additional restrictions may apply. Contact a Trip Planner for more details.
Applies to Jun 23, 2024 departure

Book early and save on 2025 departures
Book early and save on 2025 departures!

Plan the experience of a lifetime, and save on your 2025 adventure. Uncover the wonders of South America, experience authentic Africa, explore true wilderness in the Arctic or sail back in time revealing the secrets of the Mediterranean. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.

 
Applicable to all 2025 departure dates.

Per person starting at
$22,675 2-3 travelers
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Select a Date
Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
Select a Date
Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
SH Vega Suite PremiumSH Vega Suite PremiumPremium suitePremium Suite
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Included
  • 14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
  • 14 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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