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Arctic Northern Lights

Northern Lights & Whales: Iceland on Land and at Sea

Example 7 Day Cruise aboard Ocean Diamond
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Most people have heard about the “Aurora Borealis”, but not many have seen it with their own eyes. The time between September and March offers the best chance to witness this phenomenon. Another focus of this unique tour is the maritime life. Lots of different whale species spend September along the shores of Northern Iceland. Once the Ocean Diamond has reached the harbour of Akureyri you can look forward to an exciting bus tour through the highlands of Iceland back to Reykjavik.
A humpback whale breaches from Alaskan watersBlue Lagoon SpaWhale sightingArctic Northern Lights
Highlights
  • Get to know the island of fire and ice by sea and bus tour
  • Encounter a wide variety of whale species, especially in North Iceland
  • Hunt for the magical Northern Lights from the vantage point of the open sea
  • See lava fields, craters, steaming landscapes, frozen lava and fissures
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavik

Spend the day in Reykjavik exploring the highlights of the world’s northernmost capital on your own. This evening go to the old harbour close to the city center where the Ocean Diamond awaits you. The ship leaves the port of Reykjavik at 8 p.m. Tonight you may have the first chance to see Northern Lights.

Day 2: Stykkisholmur

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive in Stykkisholmur at the west-coast of Iceland at 9 a.m. Stykkisholmur is the starting point for your optional excursions on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula which juts more than 100 km into the Atlantic Ocean. Snaefellsnes is also called “Iceland en miniature” since all different landscapes of Iceland can be found on this peninsula.

In the evening the Ocean Diamond departs Stykkisholmur for the remote Westfjords. Dark clear sky skies away from city lights offer the best opportunity to view the Northern Lights.

Day 3: Isafjördur

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today's destination is the idyllic town of Isafjördur, capital of the Westfjords region. This secluded peninsula is connected to the mainland by only a narrow strip of land and includes areas where cars have never been. The secluded landscape provides jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains plunging into the ocean, and untouched vegetation. Enjoy the beauty of true silence and the tranquillity of nature while sea fishing or visiting Vigur island, a home for thousands of birds.The only wind mill in Iceland is located in Vigur (optional excursion). For the early evening your Expedition Team presents an interesting lecture on the Northern Lights phenomenon.

Day 4: Akureyri

  • Hotels
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Arrive at the harbour of Akureyri around noon, recently named by Lonely Planet as the best place to visit in Europe. Take time to reminisce over the previous days before you bid farewell to the Ocean Diamond and begin the land portion of your journey. Ashore focus on the otherworldly sites surrounding Lake Myvatn Nature Reserve. Encounter still-warm lava fields, craters, steaming landscapes, frozen lava flows, and fissures. Dinner and overnight in the Akureyri region.

Day 5: Kjölur Highland Route

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel your land voyage treks along the Kjölur highlands route heading south. Visit geysers as well as the multi-tiered "Golden Falls" of Gullfoss. Dinner and overnight in South Iceland.

Day 6: Reykjavik

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
On your way back to Reykjavik, stop for a bath in the famous Blue Lagoon spa, which is a must-see on every Iceland tour. Enjoy a relaxing soak in warm, thermal waters. The day ends with a city tour through Reykjavik. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Day 7: Departure in Reykjavik

  • 1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport or opt to extend your stay in Reykjavik.

Ship/Hotel

Ocean Diamond

ocean Diamond main Lounge
Ocean Diamond main Lounge Bar

Akureyri - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$1,690
Ocean Diamond's Triple Cabin.
Select a Date
T - Triple Cabin
204-sq. ft., Deck 4, 2 twin beds and 1 upper bed, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, TV with DVD-player, wardrobe, safe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, satellite telephone access, hairdryer, and two portholes
port holeport hole
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P - Outside Cabin with Porthole
204-sq. ft., Deck 3 - Outside cabins in this category feature a double bed or two twin beds and a private bathroom with a shower. They are roomy and feature a TV, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, satellite telephone access and hairdryer. All cabins of this category were redecorated in 2018.
Ocean Diamond Cat O
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O - Outside Cabin - Obstructed View
204-sq. ft., Deck 5 & 6, Outside cabins in Category O feature a double bed or two twin beds as well as a private bathroom with a shower. Each cabin is equipped with a TV, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, hairdryer and satellite telephone access. The view through the picture window is obstructed by the ship’s lifeboats. All cabins of this category were redecorated in 2017.
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D - Outside Cabin
183 - 204-sq. ft., Deck 5 & 6, Outside cabins in Category D with double bed or two twin beds as well as a private bathroom with shower. The cabin also includes a TV, wardrobe and refrigerator. Further amenities include individual temperature controls, hairdryer and satellite telephone access. A picture window provides great unrestricted views of the ocean and landscapes. All cabins of this category were redecorated in 2017 and 2018.
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A - Balcony Suite
323-sq. ft., Deck 7, double bed or 2 twin beds, private bathroom with shower and bathtub, sitting area, TV with DVD-player, wardrobe, safe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, satellite telephone access, hairdryer, and a full-size window. Enjoy the view from floor-to-ceiling windows or a balcony that can be accessed via a sliding door.

Notes

The minimum age requirement is 8 years on the Iceland Circumnavigation cruise and 10 years of age for cruises that combine Greenland and Iceland. The age restrictions are in place to ensure the safety and well being of the child.

Single supplement is 75% of published double-occupancy rate

Please note: only one shore excursion per port of call is bookable in advance. If conditions allow for excursions to be combined, staff will announce this on board. Shore excursions are not included in cruise fare. Please contact us for details.

- Prices include credit card fee
- You will be requested to pay a fee of USD $75 per person for changes to your booking made within 90 days of sailing. Changes in air and other arrangements may be subject to change fees and or increases by the air carrier. The costs normally increase closer to the departure date, for example, as a result of cancellation of additional products such as flights and cancellation fees that apply here.
- This cruise cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during the cruise including any and all land arrangements. An expectant mother's application for passage must be accompanied by a medical certificate establishing her due date and fitness to travel.
Included
  • 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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