Arctic Circle Explorer

In southwest Iceland near Faxafloi Bay sits Reykjavík, the nation’s capital, known for its mix of modern city life and small-town feel. Rows of brightly painted houses line the skyline, giving the city a distinctive and welcoming look. Visit the Harpa Concert Hall to see its striking glass façade, a key example of Iceland’s contemporary architecture. Head to Perlan on Oskjuhlíd Hill, once a cluster of hot water tanks and now a major attraction with a museum, planetarium, restaurant, and viewing deck offering panoramic city views.

Stand before Dynjandi waterfall in Iceland’s Westfjords, where powerful streams crash down a steep cliff and fill the air with mist and sound. Known as the region’s most famous waterfall, Dynjandi showcases the rugged beauty of Iceland’s wild landscape. Take a Zodiac safari to see the falls from the water, gliding across calm waves for a close-up view of the cascading tiers. Feel the cold spray and hear the roar of the water as you move closer, surrounded by the same dramatic scenery that once inspired early explorers. This is your moment to experience Iceland’s raw power and natural wonder up close.

Tucked deep in Iceland’s Westfjords, Djupavík is a tiny hamlet with a haunting, end-of-the-world atmosphere. A waterfall tumbles behind weather-worn houses, while the shell of a 1930s herring factory invites exploration and photography. Few visitors reach this remote fjord, where seals often bask on rocky outcrops and seabirds wheel above the water. Coming ashore here feels like stepping into a living postcard of isolation, history, and wild coastal beauty.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with the expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Malmey lies off Iceland’s north coast, a rarely visited isle alive with seabirds. Puffins, kittiwakes, and fulmars nest on grassy ledges above basalt slopes, while quiet beaches invite exploration by Zodiac. Its remoteness offers a chance to appreciate Iceland’s wilder side, where crisp sea air and sweeping views reward those who seek solitude amid thriving birdlife.

A lone sea stack rising from Skagafjörður, Drangey Island is famed for its teeming bird cliffs. Puffins, guillemots, and fulmars nest on ledges that plunge dramatically into the sea, while legends speak of outlaws once sheltering among its heights. Approaching by Zodiac reveals a striking fortress of basalt alive with calls and wingbeats—an unforgettable stop for photographers and bird-lovers alike.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with the expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Few travel milestones are as memorable as crossing the fabled Arctic Circle. As your ship sails north, you join the ranks of explorers who have ventured into these high latitudes, where the sun lingers on the horizon and ice-choked seas define the landscape. Many mariners celebrate this passage with the lighthearted tradition of becoming a “Blue Nose,” a symbolic order marking your entry into the true High Arctic. Whether you mark it with a toast on deck or simply savor the view, this moment is a highlight of any polar journey.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with the expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Few travelers ever set foot on Jan Mayen, a volcanic outpost adrift in the Arctic Ocean. Dominated by Beerenberg, the world’s northernmost active volcano, the island’s glaciers cascade to the sea, carving stark slopes that tumble into lava fields and bird-clad cliffs alive with fulmars and kittiwakes. Landings here are a true expedition prize—remote, wind-sculpted, and rich with the sense of discovery that defines polar exploration.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with the expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.
 

Crossing the Greenland Sea immerses you in wide horizons and prime whale-watching waters. July often brings minke, humpback, and fin whales—occasionally even blues—feeding in the nutrient-rich depths. Seabirds trace the swells, and shifting light turns the sea silver or indigo. This serene passage offers time to reflect on the Arctic’s scale while enjoying informal talks on the region’s natural history.

Even in one of the most isolated regions of the Arctic, there is still the captivating history of a pioneering past. The expedition leaders, along with the captain and onboard pilot, will determine possible landings each day for all-out explorations. Wildlife abounds throughout the archipelago of Svalbard, such as puffins, reindeer, Arctic terns and foxes. An expert photographer will help you look out for the perfect photo opportunity of these animals, but especially for the elusive polar bear. As Zodiac cruises may bring you closer to glaciers, keep your eyes on the water for whale fins.

CAPTAIN’S CHOICE — Your Captain will expertly navigate ice floes, icebergs and changing sea and weather conditions to ensure you experience the most from your expedition. Each day is a new adventure filled with a spontaneous sense of exploration as your Captain works with the expedition team to determine possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes serve as examples and are subject to change based on current conditions, prioritizing the safety and optimal expedition experience for all guests.

Longyearbyen is in a valley on the shores of the idyllic Adventfjord, surrounded by steep mountains and several glaciers. There are only around 25 miles of roads in this village, which is divided into several neighborhoods, including the town center and Nybyen (New Town), which consists of charming miners’ barracks constructed after the war, as well as guest houses, a restaurant and gallery, and not to mention beautiful views of the landmark mountain, Hiorthfjellet. Be sure to visit the Svalbard museum as a break between the plethora of activities like summer dogsledding or cruising to the abandoned Russian city of Pyramiden