Island Hopping in and around the Arctic Northbound

Explore UNESCO-listed Bryggen and mountain peaks

Your adventure begins in the charming city of Bergen. Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, Norway’s old capital is also one of its most picturesque cities.

If you have time before boarding the ship, why not stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district, with its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 18th century. Across from Bryggen, you’ll find the city’s famous fish market.

You can even take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen for a refreshing hike and amazing views of the city, the mountains and sea beyond.

Explore Scotland’s northernmost town

Welcome to the Shetland Islands. Lerwick, the capital, is a friendly, Victorian-influenced fishing town set in beautiful scenery. 

Navigate the narrow lanes on foot to discover little shops selling local whiskies, woollen sweaters and fudge.

By the old waterfront, you’ll find the Shetland Museum, showcasing Pictish carvings and lace shawls. Nearby you can see Fort Charlotte and the regal-looking town hall. 

Keep your binoculars handy to scan for grey and common seals along Lerwick’s beaches, as well as local birdlife such as Red-throated Divers, redshanks and curlews. 

A visit to Streymoy in the Faroe Islands

Tórshavn is located on Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands. Founded by Norsemen in the 10th century, Tórshavn – Thor’s Harbour – is one of Northern Europe’s oldest capitals.

Wander through the cobbled alleyways and delight in the colourful, turf-roofed houses found here. In the local museums, you can learn about the city’s origins and the flora, fauna and geology of the Faroe Islands.

About half a mile out of town, the Svartafoss waterfall tumbles over mossy rocks. And as you walk along the seafront, look out for Eider Ducks and the distinctive Faroese Starling with its beige-tipped wings

Surround yourself with the sounds of Faroese nature

Today we’ll stop to explore the tiny village of Elduvík, with just 23 inhabitants. Set in the Funningsfjørður inlet in the Faroe Islands. Elduvík is split in two by the river Stórá.

While small, Elduvík comes complete with a school, church, dock and pier. From the pier, enjoy the view across the sparkling waters to the nearby island of Kalsoy – it’s astonishingly peaceful here.

As you walk through the village’s charming streets, listen for the songs of seabirds, bleating sheep, and waves coming to shore from the fjord. You’ll notice that the roofs of many houses are built in the traditional Icelandic style: covered in grass instead of slate, offering much-needed insulation and protection against the weather.

Enjoy a relaxing day as we cruise towards Iceland

As we sail to Bakkagerði, you’ll have time to sit back and swap stories of your adventures with your new friends. Keep your eyes peeled while on deck for some wonderful marine life. Or why not relax in a hot tub and watch for seabirds at the same time.

Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center as they set the scene for the next leg of your expedition in northern Iceland. Learn about the island’s stunning landscapes, cultures and beliefs.

Look for elves in natural beauty

Your Iceland cruise continues to Bakkagerði, a tiny, remote settlement. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufólk, meaning ‘hidden people’. Walk around town to explore this magical place.

The area around Bakkagerði is a popular hiking area. You can join the Expedition Team to walk through lush, green valleys and gorgeous scenery among colourful rhyolite rocks.

The coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eiders and puffins. We may also visit the Atlantic Puffin colony on Hafnarhólmi – a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

Iceland’s best whale watching spot

Today you’ll discover Húsavík, a fascinating small town that’s one of the best places in the world from which to see whales.

Húsavík looks out over Skjálfandi bay, which enjoys visits from humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and even the elusive blue whale. If you’re lucky, you might see one or more of these giants at sea. Learn more about them at Húsavík’s Whale Museum.

The town’s Exploration Museum has a section dedicated to space. As Húsavík’s geology resembles lunar rocks, NASA sent astronauts from their Apollo space missions to train here. You can also enjoy the geothermal waters at Geosea, which overlooks Skjálfandi bay, and refresh with a beer at the local microbrewery.

See dramatic moonscapes and waterfalls

Gaze at snowcapped peaks as we cruise along Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord. It’s also known as a great place to spot humpbacks and minke whales, as well as white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.

Iceland’s ‘Northern Capital’, Akureyri, sits at the fjord base. Here, you can enjoy the oasis of a botanical garden, and visit top-notch eateries and museums.

A little further afield, you can witness the picturesque Goðafoss waterfall, where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. You can also keep an eye out for Eider and Harlequin Ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland’s more active volcanic areas.

Time to relax and discover what adventures lie ahead

As we cross the Arctic Circle and head towards Jan Mayen, you’ll enjoy a day at sea. There’s plenty to do on board. Scan for marine wildlife from the deck, enjoy the panoramic sauna or soak in a hot tub, or simply relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, a great place to read or watch the world glide by.

Visit the Science Center for insights into the destinations ahead on your island-hopping expedition cruise. Enjoy a fascinating lecture from the Expedition Team or help collect important data and contribute to Citizen Science projects.

Photography enthusiasts can pick up some pointers on how to capture wildlife and landscapes from our onboard photographer.

Visit an active volcano that’s a haven for birdlife

Jan Mayen has no permanent residents and visits to the island are rare. In fact, we’re one of the few to attempt landings here. If conditions allow, you’ll be setting foot in one of Earth’s most remote places.

Jan Mayen’s surreal, moss- and lichen-streaked landscape is dominated by the Beerenberg volcanic cone. It’s the world’s northernmost active volcano and last erupted in 1985.

You won’t see land mammals here, but the island is designated an Important Bird Area, supporting large populations of Northern Fulmars, Brünnich’s Guillemots and Little Auks. Look out for abundant marine life in the surrounding waters too, including whales and seals.

A peaceful interlude in your adventure

Spend the day at your leisure as we sail deeper into the Arctic towards the Svalbard archipelago. Savour the quiet moments, simply appreciating the peaceful feeling of being at sea. This is a rare opportunity to disconnect and get a break from the modern world.

Feeling active? You can enjoy a workout in the gym or simply relax in the panoramic sauna while gazing out at the view. As ever, our Expedition Team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and offer insights about these Arctic islands.

A land of spectacular beauty

Svalbard’s largest island Spitsbergen showcases Arctic beauty in its untouched glory; a wilderness of steep mountains, glaciers, and beautiful islands.

Over the next three days, you’ll explore some of the world’s most dramatic fjords, listening for the creaks of glaciers as they calve icebergs into the sea. Delight in the rare chance to seek the region’s apex predator, the magnificent polar bear, in its natural environment following the sea-ice edge hunting for seals.

We’ll take advantage of every opportunity to land, taking expedition boats ashore for exploring. If we can, we’ll launch our kayaks to enjoy the scenery in near-perfect silence.

A last day at the top of the world

Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo.

You’ll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice, and climate change than when you arrived – and with memories of an incredible experience.