Crossing the Arctic Circle

Welcome to Edinburgh, Scotland’s vibrant capital and the gateway to your expedition. The team has arranged pre-cruise hotel accommodations to ensure you have ample time to explore this historic and culturally rich city. Stroll through its charming streets, where medieval alleys blend seamlessly with elegant 18th-century architecture. Towering above it all, the iconic Edinburgh Castle stands as a timeless symbol of Scotland’s storied past.

Spend a relaxed morning and early afternoon exploring Edinburgh at your own pace. Wander its historic streets, where every turn reveals breathtaking views—rolling green hills in one direction and glimpses of the distant sea in another. In the afternoon, transfer from your hotel to the nearby Port of Leith, where your adventure begins. Before dinner, take time to settle in and familiarize yourself with the Sea Spirit, your elegant home at sea for the journey ahead.

The photo adventures begin with the exploration of two uninhabited islands teeming with wildlife. The Isle of May is a national nature reserve, home to puffins, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, terns, and seals basking on the shore. You’ll also spot historic landmarks like St. Ardin’s Chapel and the island lighthouse.

Just across the water rises Bass Rock—home to the world’s largest colony of northern gannets. Over 150,000 birds fill the cliffs and skies in one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

Step ashore in Kirkwall, the charming capital of the Orkney Islands, where Viking and medieval history still shape the town. Highlights include the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace, and the Earl’s Palace.

The included tour takes you west across Orkney’s rolling landscape into the UNESCO World Heritage “Heart of Neolithic Orkney.” Pass the Standing Stones of Stenness and visit the Ring of Brodgar, a vast ceremonial stone circle over 5,000 years old. Explore Skara Brae, a prehistoric village revealed from the sand only 150 years ago.

Fair Isle is a true paradise for birdwatchers. A huge number of birds inhabit its lush grasslands and spectacular cliffs — over 345 species have been recorded here, more than anywhere else in Britain. During the island walk, you hope to spot northern fulmars, kittiwakes, northern gannets, Atlantic puffins, and great and Arctic skuas, observing them closely and photographing them from just a few meters away. The puffin population alone is impressive — around 12,000 birds. About fifty residents live on Fair Isle, and they’ll welcome you at the community centre with Scottish treats, sweets, and hot drinks. You’ll also have the chance to purchase Fair Isle’s famous wool jumpers, hats, and mittens, and chat with the locals about everyday life on the island.

The Faroe Islands are wild, colorful, and absolutely unique — green hills, blue seas, puffins with bright beaks, and turf-roofed houses like from a fairy tale. This hard-to-reach destination is a dream for photographers, with unforgettable scenery at every turn.

In Tórshavn, the capital, Viking heritage meets modern charm. Visit the National Museum, taste traditional wind-dried mutton, explore ancient wooden houses and cathedral ruins, then enjoy free time to capture the harbor’s beauty before you sail north.

A magical day at sea awaits! Join engaging lectures, photography workshops, or simply relax on deck as seabirds glide alongside and whales break the horizon. The highlight comes as you cross the legendary Arctic Circle at 66°30′ N! Celebrate with a lively party, and don’t be surprised if Poseidon — the God of the Sea himself — appears to welcome you into the North. 

Weather permitting, you’ll land on Jan Mayen, a remote Norwegian island crowned by Beerenberg — the world’s northernmost active volcano. Sheer cliffs and rugged slopes are alive with seabirds: fulmars gliding on the wind, kittiwakes wheeling overhead, and Brünnich’s guillemots clinging to narrow ledges.

This isolated outpost is home only to a small weather station crew. For you, it’s a rare chance to capture dramatic volcanic landscapes and thriving birdlife — an absolute gem for photographers. In the afternoon, you sail on toward your next Arctic adventure.

Join hands-on workshops in the lounge — practice your photography techniques, and attend an “Expedition Readiness” briefing to prepare for your shore landings. As the low Arctic sun drapes the horizon, share stories over drinks and toast to tomorrow’s first glimpse of Svalbard’s ice-swept shores.

Welcome to true High Arctic wilderness, where every day is shaped by weather, sea ice, and the keen eye of the captain and expedition team. Here, iconic Arctic wildlife can appear at any moment — so keep your camera ready! You’ll explore dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and jagged peaks, with endless chances to capture wildlife and landscapes bathed in 24-hour daylight. Along the way, you encounter echoes of history — old whaling camps, trappers’ cabins, and polar expeditions of the past. This is Svalbard at its most raw, breathtaking, and photogenic.

After enjoying one final breakfast buffet on board, bid your farewell in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard and the final destination of the expedition. After disembarkation, a captivating sightseeing tour awaits you, showcasing some of the most interesting locations in the world's northernmost city. Transfers to the airport or to the town center are provided in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard.