Tromsø is the largest city in northern Norway and the ninth-most populous municipality in the country. It surprises visitors with its sophisticated art scene, contrasting modern and historical architecture, international cuisine, multicultural events, and festivals throughout the year.

Situated 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is within the land of the midnight sun during the summer months and the elusive northern lights in winter. However, thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream, the sea doesn’t freeze here in winter, and there is no permafrost in the vicinity. Tromsø is noticeably milder than other towns at the same latitudes in other parts of the world.

Tromsø is also ‘The City of Explorers’ and has seen several expeditions set off from its shores to probe the polar realm. Both Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen frequently recruited men in the city. Nowadays, home to the Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø continues a tradition of being one of the key centers in exploring the Arctic.

Just west of the North Cape lies the Gjesvaestappen island chain, a designated nature reserve and birdwatcher’s paradise. These hilly, grass-covered islands, of which Storstappen is the largest, are home to some of Norway’s largest colonies of cliff-breeding seabirds, including 100,000 puffins, 10,000 black-legged kittiwakes, and 5,000 razorbills. Great cormorants, European shags, gannets, and thick-billed murres are among the other nesting birds spotted here, as are predatory white-tailed eagles. While visitors are not allowed to set foot on Storstappen, your Zodiac excursion will take you up close to its puffin-covered cliffs. Witnessing the parade of seabirds overhead with its constant cacophony of cries, flapping wings, and splashing plunge dives is one of nature’s great thrills.

Until the mid-20th century, visitors to the North Cape had to arrive by sea, and then be transferred ashore for the rather steep hike to the actual plateau 1,000 feet above. (The road to Nordkapp was only completed in 1956.) Most landed at Hornvika, set along a sheltered cove on the plateau’s eastern side. Seabourn guests reach the site via Zodiac departing from the fishing village of Skarsvag; along the way, pass by a spectacular rock formation known as the Horn or Hornet. (The Sami people considered the Horn to be a sacred place, offering gifts there in the hope of good fortune.) Follow the series of stairways and trails up to the plateau for snaps from the northernmost point of the European mainland—and relax knowing that your return to the ship is by road. Alternatively, guests may reach the Cape overland via the road from Skarsvag.

The tall plateau looming over the Arctic Ocean is scalloped on the east side by a sheltered cove called the Hornvika. To reach it, board a stable, rigid inflatable watercraft at Norway’s northernmost fishing village of Skarsvag. On the way to the Hornvika, your boat will pass the free-standing rock feature called the Horn (Hornet in Norwegian), a place sacred to the Sami people, who sacrificed offerings there for good fortune. From the cove, a stairway and trail lead up just over a thousand steps to the plateau 307 meters (over a thousand feet) above and thus to the North Cape Monument. Once there, enjoy the views and the informational visitor center. And relax; go back to your ship overland by road! Others can drive to the Cape from Skarsvag.

The looming cliffs of Norway’s North Cape rise directly from the sea, 1007 feet (307 meters), to a plateau as flat as a table. This impressive headland has been selected to represent the northernmost point of Europe, even though it is technically located on an island, Mageroya, connected to the mainland by a bridge. At 71° 10’ 20” N latitude, it is just 1,306 mi/2012 km from the North Pole. At this point, the Norwegian Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean, meets the Barents Sea, which is part of the Arctic Ocean. Further north, the mountainous archipelagos of Franz Josef Land and Svalbard are the last lands before the Polar Ice Pack. The midnight sun does not dip below the horizon here at any time between May 14 and July 31 each year. Sheer and formidable, the North Cape pays its role to the hilt, emphatically declaring itself the end of Europe’s landmass.

Spend your day at sea, enjoying the many facilities available.

Halfway between Europe’s North Cape and the Svalbard Archipelago, isolated Bjornoya also sits along the line between the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea. It's fortress-like cliffs and sea stacks greet your arrival with the white noise of uncountable nesting seabirds coming and going from the rock walls. They circle overhead as you explore the sea caves and narrow channels between the stacks and the cliff in Zodiacs. Conditions permitting, the flat, lunar terrain of the opposite shore at Herwighamna may allow you to land and meet the small crew of the weather station.

Svalbard is a remote, vast, and wild place, largely untouched by human presence. In visiting this destination, plans and itineraries are not set, as the weather, conditions, and wildlife allow them to dictate each day. Should a polar bear appear on the horizon, you might stop the ship or the Zodiacs to get a better look at it. Should ice choke the waters in front of you, you might slow down and explore the edge of this ice while admiring its colors and forms while searching for wildlife, or else turn and choose another destination. Should storms lash against the site you want to visit, you may opt to find a more protected bay and explore a different spot. Whatever you do, Svalbard holds many beauties and mysteries, and exciting discoveries are always available for those whose eyes and hearts are open.

Some of the highlights of visiting Svalbard include:

Tundra landscapes: Hike across stark, seemingly barren landscapes with Expedition Staff, who will show you the delightful small plants and flowers that thrive in this hostile environment. Admire rock formations and landscapes created by frost and water over time. There is always a chance to encounter arctic foxes, reindeer, and other interesting bird species while exploring the tundra.

Polar bears: This iconic species, the King of the Arctic, is a magical creature to encounter. Whether seen as a tiny white speck in the distance or ambling along a shoreline, a glimpse of this special species is always awe-inspiring. The team will never pursue polar bears or allow your encounters to have any adverse impacts on them, so the team manages activities carefully. Always on shore, your walks are carefully monitored by the bear guards, who work to maintain the safety of both visitors and the bears.

Historic remains: Although the history of human endeavors in Svalbard is minimal, some historic huts and remains from whaling eras linger on shore to remind you of the hardy souls who ventured into this hostile land and scraped a living from the resources they found here. Trapper huts stand as lonely sentinels in this vast landscape and provide visitors with the opportunity to contemplate a life of hardship and beautiful isolation for those who inhabited them in the past.

Zodiac cruises: To admire icebergs and glacier fronts, a Zodiac cruise often provides the best vantage. The blue color of the ice is mesmerizing, and the shapes the ice forms are captivating. While in the Zodiacs there is always the chance to encounter fascinating marine life such as beluga whales, humpback whales, elusive seals, and walruses.
 
Optional Expeditions will take place where possible. Join your Kayak Team to paddle in the high Arctic along the shores of any of your expedition stops around the Svalbard archipelago. Depending on where you go, you can anticipate huge open vistas, big terrain, glaciers, a variety of wildlife, and overall impressive arctic scenery. You can explore the rugged topography and coastline of this spectacular and magical area from a unique water-level perspective.

Longyearbyen, the seat of the Governor of Svalbard, is located in a narrow valley along the shores of Adventfjorden, a small tributary of Isfjord, the largest fjord system in Svalbard. It extends 100 kilometers (60 miles) into the island of Spitsbergen. Nine large tidewater glaciers, with a combined ice front of 21 kilometers (13 miles), as well as dozens of hanging glaciers, drain into the fjord.

The town’s 2,100 inhabitants live in one of the most northern settlements on Earth, making their living through a combination of coal mining, education, and tourism. Because of the town’s extreme isolation, proximity to wildlife, and Svalbard’s pristine environment, unique laws exist that are found in a few other places. All individuals venturing outside of town are required to carry a rifle for protection against polar bears; possessing a cat is illegal; no one is allowed to be buried here; and how much alcohol can be purchased each month is restricted.

Longyearbyen was named after the American industrialist John Longyear, whose Arctic Coal Company began mining here in 1906.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city that effortlessly combines ancient history with vibrant modern energy. Its streets are steeped in stories, from the cobblestones of the Old Town to the elegant Georgian avenues of the New Town, both recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Edinburgh Castle, majestically poised atop an ancient volcanic rock, and stroll the Royal Mile leading to the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse. Discover world-class art at the Scottish National Gallery and find serenity in the Princes Street Gardens. Marvel at the contemporary Scottish Parliament building, tour the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, and, when night falls, immerse yourself in Edinburgh's thriving cultural scene.