Islands Of Ice

Arrive at the airport and head to your hotel. Relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

Longyearbyen sits in a valley along the shores of Adventfjord, surrounded by steep mountains and glaciers. The village has only around 25 miles of roads and is divided into several neighborhoods, including the town center and Nybyen (New Town), where post-war miners’ barracks now house guest accommodations, a restaurant, and a gallery. The village also offers views of the landmark mountain Hiorthfjellet. Visit the Svalbard Museum or enjoy activities such as summer dogsledding and cruises to the abandoned Russian settlement of Pyramiden.

Even in one of the Arctic's most isolated regions, traces of a pioneering past add depth to the experience. Expedition leaders, the captain, and onboard pilot assess conditions each day to determine possible landing sites and opportunities for exploration. Wildlife across the Svalbard archipelago includes puffins, reindeer, Arctic terns, and foxes, with the elusive polar bear among the most sought-after sightings. An expert photographer helps you capture these encounters, while Zodiac cruises offer opportunities to approach glaciers and watch the water for whale fins.

**CAPTAIN'S CHOICE** — Your Captain navigates ice floes, icebergs, and changing sea and weather conditions to maximize the expedition experience. Each day brings new opportunities for exploration as the Captain works with the expedition team to identify possible shore landings and Zodiac safaris. All itinerary routes are examples and remain subject to change based on current conditions, with safety and the optimal expedition experience for all guests as the priority.

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.

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 expertly navigates 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 expertly navigates 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.

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 expertly navigates 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.

Tucked deep in Iceland’s Westfjords, Djúpavík 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 expertly navigates 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.

Imagine standing before the majestic Dynjandi waterfall in Iceland, where the world’s edges seem to touch the sky. As the cascading waters thunder down the rocky cliffside, nature hums an ancient song of exploration just for you. Dynjandi, often seen as the crowning jewel of the Westfjords, is an embodiment of raw beauty and untamed wilderness, inviting you to witness Iceland’s grandeur firsthand. With the possibility of a Zodiac safari, you don’t just see the falls; you immerse you in them. Navigate the serene waters at the base of Dynjandi, getting an unparalleled view from a genuinely unique angle. Feel the spray of the icy waters and the thrill of adventure as you glide closer, experiencing the symphony of rushing streams that echo the spirit of Viking explorers past. This is a chance to write your chapter in the epic saga of discovery.

In the southwest of Iceland near Faxaflói Bay lies the capital of the country, Reykjavík, simultaneously cosmopolitan and charming. The colorful houses on the horizon create a quaint scene that makes you want to stay forever. Kaleidoscopic views await you at the Harpa Concert Hall, a glittering, glass structure that perfectly exemplifies Iceland’s modern design and fascinates your inner architect. One of Iceland’s most prominent landmarks is Perlan, originally a group of hot water tanks that was converted to a building that now hosts an exhibition, planetarium, restaurant and observation deck, located atop Öskjuhlíð hill.