The journey begins in Aberdeen in North East Scotland, where MV Ocean Albatros is located by a dock in the Dee River. Board the ship in the afternoon, where the cabins are designated. After the mandatory security review and drill, the ship sails out through the mouth of the Dee River towards the North Sea.

Ocean Albatros approaches Lerwich near the "Main Land" of Shetlands in the morning, and after breakfast, say your farewell to the ship and its crew.

The island of Shetland consists of more than 100 islands and shores, of which only 15 are inhabited year-round. The islands form the northernmost part of the British kingdom, located approximately 300 km north of the mainland of Scotland. This "central" location in the North Atlantic has through the ages led many seas to the islands, and the Scandinavian heritage still shines through dialects, folklore and place names.
In the morning, it is possible to take a short bus ride out on the main island (not included in the travel price). You must include a visit to Clickimin Broch, a unique example of the architecture of the Bronze and Iron Age. We’ll also look at Fort Charlotte more closely, built in 1665 - enjoy the great view of the old city from its fortress.

Afterward, return to Lerwich and the ship in the middle of the day. The rest of the day is for enjoying leisure before departing in the afternoon.

After breakfast, arrive at Tórshavn, possibly the smallest capital in the world, ruling the scattered 18 islands that make up the Faroes. Centered around the charming grass-roofed Parliament on Tinganes, Tórshavn is now an almost bustling modern city with shops, cafés, and even three traffic lights!
By midmorning, you can participate in an optional bus excursion where you can look a bit back in history. Drive out of the capital and over the mountains to the south. As the climate on Faroe Island is ‘stable unstable’ it is not unlikely that you can drive through the cloud base and experience some fog on the way. But if you wait a moment, it also not unlikely that it is clear up. Arrive in Kirkjubøur, the most important historical site on the islands. Kirkjubøur was in medieval times the Episcopal center of the Faroe Islands, and also its undisputed cultural center. Visit the ruins of the impressive Magnus Cathedral that perhaps never was completed, and the St. Olav church – the only remaining medieval church on the Faroe Islands. Upon the return to ‘Havn’ – as Tórshavn is often just called – you can go for a leisurely stroll through the old citadel near the harbor. A visit to the Art Museum and the Nordic House is also very recommendable.

(The excursion is part of the excursion package and is not included in the price of the trip).

The sailing northwards towards Jan Mayen is probably go through Vestmanna Sound, along the west-facing shore of Streymoy and the south side of Mykines. But the route depends on winds, sea, and comfort. Spend day number 6 at sea and enjoy the ship’s many facilities.

Listen to a lecture from an experienced expedition staff, see a film about Arctic nature – or go out on deck to catch glimpses of migrating birds and hopefully some whales.

Approximately in the middle of the North Atlantic lies the enigmatic volcanic island of Jan Mayen. And if not exactly in the middle, at least it is located precisely on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the reason for its volcanic existence. And enigmatic it is, not only because of its isolation but also due to the almost perpetual clouds and fog that hovers above it. 

Jan Mayen belongs to Norway, and the mountain Beerenberg is one of the higher of Norway’s 300 summits above 2,000 meters. The island is inhabited by only 18 persons, running the meteorological station and the Norwegian Defence.

You can try to go ashore at the narrowest part of the island, from either south or north, depending on the prevailing wind and surf. The volcanic origin is visible all over with cinder cones, lava flows and the Mount Fuji-like appearance of Beerenberg looming above.

After a pleasant stroll on the narrow isthmus, board the Zodiacs and Ocean Atlantic to continue the voyage north.

Lectures, movies or maybe a game are some of the activities and this sea day.

Our first landing will be at Ny Ålesund. This settlement is in fact further north than Longyearbyen, making it the northernmost town. But is a group of scientific stations, a post office and a single shop open for a few hours a real town? You will have to judge for yourself. The setting is nice, the scientific projects are very interesting, and so is the town history. The Captain will try to get berthed alongside the pier, so we can enjoy an easy walk through the area.
 
Continuing our exploration of Kongsfjorden, Ocean Atlantic will anchor behind Blomstrand Peninsula. As we will immediately see, the name is a bit misleading. Blomstrand is now an island - the Blomstrand Glacier has receded, revealing a shallow water strait. We will cruise through this on our Zodiacs and make a landing on the island. 

North West Svalbard, which was declared a national park in 1973. The day could begin with a Zodiac cruise in Danskergattet, looking for seals in Virgohamna, before crossing from Danskøya to Amsterdamøya to make a landing at Smeerenburg, the legendary whaling town of 17th century.

There are several interesting places to visit in this northwestern corner of Spitsbergen. If conditions allow we’ll make a landing on Ytre Norskøya, where whalers would have their lookout posts.

During the night we have entered Forlandssundet, that separates Prince Karls Forland from Spitsbergen. Our destination is Poole-pynten (Poolepoint), a small headland named after the British whaler Jonas Poole. Today the area is inhabited by herds of walruses who can be seen (and smelled!) from a distance. The large mammals flaunt their tusks and whiskers, as well as their considerable bulk.

After the visit, we are southbound towards the entrance to the Icefjord.

Early in the morning, the ship has returned to the starting point in Longyearbyen. After breakfast and farewell greetings to the expedition team and crew, disembarkation takes place. A transfer is arranged to the airport.