On the edge of the Arctic, between vast glaciers, vertiginous fjords, volcanoes, and boiling geysers, Iceland offers a kaleidoscope of wild and romantic landscapes. Board the ship in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city. With its houses with colorful roofs and its lake that is home to countless ducks, the city offers a picture-postcard setting. The first port of call on your cruise: the bay of Grundarfjordur, right near Kirkjufell. This stunning cone-shaped mountain possesses a unique charm. Reach Grímsey, a small, hard-to-reach island where, in certain places, the volcanic rock forms magnificent basalt columns. Birds such as guillemots and puffins reign here. Finally, discover Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the Westman archipelago.
Highlights
Discover the enchanting city of Reykjavik, capital of Iceland
Explore vast glaciers, breathtaking fjords, volcanic rock, and geysers
See incredible wildlife such as dolphins, and Icelandic horses.
Learn more about Iceland from a passionate lecturer on board
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical center where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
Day 2: Sailing around Surtsey Island | Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar
A small drop of basalt in the North Atlantic Ocean, Surtsey is a volcanic island formed by a submarine eruption that lasted from 1963 to 1967, of the WestmanIslands to the south of Iceland. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To protect its virgin ecosystem against human presence, it is forbidden to land there. Only a few scientists have access to Surtsey to study the plant and animal colonization of the island. Mosses, fungi, and lichens were followed by vascular plants. Around 300 invertebrate species and 90 bird species have gradually colonized it. While sailing around Surtsey, you will enjoy a unique panorama of this extraordinary island’s contours.
This land seated off the southern coast of Iceland is the largest of the Vestmann islands and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjólfsdalur offer rich contrast of nature. On the Stórhöfði road, look out over grey sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You could visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum that traces the volcanic eruption has experienced by Heimaey in 1973.
This secret boreal hideaway is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell, on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arriving by boat means you’ll get a closer view of the lava-stone rock standing like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay; Grundarfjörður lies sheltered behind this cone-shaped rock. A stone’s throw from the jetty, crystal clear waters, tundra, and beaches give onto the cerulean waters of Breiðafjörður. Scattered with its emerald-colored lawns, this town, with its buildings that merge into the surrounding countryside, will most certainly win your favor.
Your ship will take you to the heart of the fjords of North-West Iceland, a wildland of lost valleys and steep cliffs, where man struggles to survive. In this very isolated region we find the Isafjörður fjord, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country, mainly for its relief, forged by many very ancient basaltic flows. The town of Isafjörður, which nestles at the back of its fjord, between imposing mountains, is a delightful little town that lives exclusively from fishing. The capital of the Western fjords, its old wooden houses bear witness to its past as a major fishing port.
Located in the Westfjords region, Djúpavík is a small Icelandic village that was home to one of the biggest herring processing factories in Europe in the early 20th century. Closed down in 1954 due to dwindling fish stocks along the coasts, the abandoned factory was eventually bought by a couple who transformed it to make use of the unusual acoustics. Indeed, inside the plant’s silos, you will be able to feel the vibrations of music during a unique experience. The waterfall overlooking the town adds an extra touch of magic to this out-of-the-way place.
Set on the banks of a magnificent fjord edged with summits with alpine silhouettes, Siglufjördur is a small fishing village in the north of the Tröllaskagi peninsular. Former “herring capital”, the small town flourished until the beginning of the 1960s and saw its population grow as a consequence. The Herring Era Museum, the country’s largest maritime museum, will let you travel back in time and discover, thanks to faithful reconstructions, people’s lives at the time: fishing boats, salting station, and the dwellings and offices of the fishing captains.
Grimsey is the northernmost island of Iceland surging from the Arctic ocean, with the Arctic circle running through the island. Its contrasted contours are surprising. From Grímseyjarhreppur, the island’s only town located on the west coast, then heading due south, you can take in the beauty of the hillsides, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. On the rest of the coastline, imposing basalt cliffs inhabited by sea birds stand proud.
he elegant city of Akureyri is located very close to the Arctic circle, tucked away in the Eyjafjörður fjord. It displays a stunning palette of colors: blue waters in the harbor, bronze mountain ash on the squares, and brightly-colored houses in the historical center. As you walk along the cobbled streets, you’ll come across rows of terraces with wooden furniture. A vast stairway cut into the hillside leads up to the emblematic feature of the town, namely the Akureyrarkirkja church. The very beautiful botanical garden made possible by a microclimate offers the opportunity to discover the Icelandic flora as well as plants from all over the world.
According to the Landnámabók, a manuscript describing the discovery of Iceland by the Scandinavians in the 9th and 10th centuries, Húsavík is the site of the first Nordic settlement in Iceland. This small fishing port very close to the Arctic Circle is known for being the place where there is the highest chance of spotting whales. A museum is even dedicated to them. The small town is also the ideal departure point for discovering Ásbyrgi Canyon, a geological treasure that is the subject of Nordic legends. The horseshoe-shaped canyon is divided in two by a huge rock formation called Eyjan (an island in Icelandic). Covered in trees, the canyon is said to have appeared when Sleipnir, the god Odin’s horse, set one of his eight hooves down on the ground.
At the end of your journey through the heart of a very beautiful 17-km-long fjord, discover Seyðisfjörður, on the north-east coast of Iceland. Its typically Scandinavian, colorful houses and the small blue church stand in the middle of an enchanting setting, between rivers and waterfalls. The village, surrounded on all sides by mountains with snow-topped peaks, has around 700 inhabitants. This small fishing port with a very picturesque charm is not far from Skálanes, a nature reserve of more than 1,000 hectares that is home to about fifty bird species. This port of call combines nature and culture, with wonderment guaranteed.
Hornafjörður is a small town located in the eponymous fjord in the south-east of Iceland, in Vatnajökull National Park where the country’s largest ice cap can be found. From this fjord that is also home to the small town of Höfn, you will have the possibility of discovering the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. In this incredible landscape, the glaciers calve icebergs that are carried toward the ocean by the currents via a small channel and eventually beach themselves. You will be able to admire the beauty of these blue icebergs on the black volcanic beaches. On the very aptly named Diamond Beach, the striking contrast between the colors and the elements is breathtaking.
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique, or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.
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Deluxe Stateroom
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² Private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Area: 19 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
4m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Deluxe Suite
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
6m² private balcony
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Prestige Suite Deck 5
8m² private balcony
King-size bed or twin beds
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Prestige Suite Deck 6
8m² private balcony
King-size bed or twin beds
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Privilege Suite
Area: 32 m²
Capacity: up to 4 passengers per cabin
8m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Grand Deluxe Suite
Area: 45 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
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Owner's Suite
Area: 45 m²
Capacity: up to 2 passengers per cabin
30m² private balcony; King-size bed or twin beds
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
11 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Port Fees
Unlimited Wifi
Onboard Entertainment
Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
Gratuities to Onboard Crew
“Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
24h Room Service (special selection)
English-Speaking Lecturer
Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite.
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Visa Fees
Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
Luggage Handling
Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions
Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
