Arctic Odyssey

Arrival in Reykjavík, Iceland’s northernmost capital. Hotel accommodation is arranged for rest after the flight and preparation for the days ahead. Time may be used to explore the city independently. Points of interest include the Perlan observation deck, Hallgrímskirkja church, residential areas with tin-roofed houses, narrow streets, and sites connected to Iceland’s early history.
Laugavegur, the main shopping street, is accessible for walking. Optional visits include the Whales of Iceland exhibition and the National Museum. Reykjavík offers a range of dining options serving Icelandic cuisine.

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is free to explore the city independently. The expedition begins in the afternoon with a transfer to the pier for embarkation on M/V Sea Spirit. The expedition team provides an onboard orientation, followed by time to settle into cabins and become familiar with the ship.
After departure, mandatory briefings and staff introductions take place. Dinner is served onboard. Time may be spent on the open decks while sailing through Faxaflói, with the possibility of whale sightings.

The Vestfirdir (Westfjords) of Iceland is a sparsely populated region characterized by rugged mountains and a deeply indented, crenulated coastline. Despite its dramatic beauty, it receives only 10% of Iceland’s visitors. The deep fjords are home to whales, while estuaries abound with seals and rich birdlife.

From Iceland you head toward East Greenland, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way. Presentations and workshops by the expert staff, as well as the range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.

This is expedition cruising at its most authentic. The itinerary and exploration opportunities in East Greenland are dependent on weather and sea ice conditions. Again you can be sure that the experienced captain and expedition leader takes advantage of every opportunity to experience excellent wildlife viewing, to discover incredible scenery, and to go ashore wherever possible. The Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord systems are part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park. Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest fjord system in the world. Anticipate exploring these fjord systems to the extent made possible by ever-changing ice conditions.  
Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach far into the mountainous heart of Greenland. On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen and Arctic hare. The landscape—vast, open, and seemingly untouched since the beginning of time—is a hikers’ paradise. Throughout this area you also find ancient Thule archeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins. 
The Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit is the only permanent settlement in the region. The community boasts an excellent museum, a gift shop, a post office, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs, and of course the opportunity to meet Inuit people.
And in late August, there’s a chance to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights! As summer fades, the skies come alive with vibrant colors, offering a magical experience you won’t want to miss.

After the amazing time in East Greenland you head toward Svalbard. All along the way you remain vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as whales and seals.

In Svalbard, the High Arctic wilderness comes alive, offering an authentic expedition experience. The route and exploration opportunities depend on the ever-changing weather and sea ice conditions. With the skilled captain and expedition leader, you adapt the itinerary to seize the best opportunities presented by Nature in this remote and untamed corner of the Arctic.
Anticipate exploring the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to a wide variety of marine mammals. Polar Bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard. 
Also in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for historic attempts to discover the North Pole.

After enjoying one final breakfast buffet on board, you 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 are provided to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard.