Day 1 - Saturday - Jun 1, 2024
Discover Iceland's modern capital. Your expedition cruise of Iceland and Greenland starts in Reykjavik, a vibrant city full of culture and history. Enjoy a walk around this compact city. Take a stroll down Laugavegur, the main shopping street, to the striking Hallgrimskirkja church. Or visit one of its many art galleries and museums. With so much to explore, you may want to arrive early to join one of the optional Pre-Programs. Your adventure at sea starts when you board the ship. Find your cabin, meet your Expedition Team, explore the ship, and enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner as we set sail towards our first stop, Stykkisholmur.
Day 2 - Sunday - Jun 2, 2024
Gateway to spectacular Snaefellsnes. Time has stood still at Stykkisholmur, the small fishing town in Breidafjordur bay. Here, the colorful houses stand in contrast to the distant mountains. Nearby, you'll find Snaefellsnes Peninsula National Park, with the ice-capped Snaefellsjokull volcano at the peninsula's western tip. Its nickname is 'Little Iceland' for its wide variety of landscapes. At the national park, visit Djupalonssandur's black-sand beach and the Londrangar basalt cliffs. Ride a snowcat to the top of the Snaefellsjokull glacier, or take a guided coastal hike with a glacial cave tour.
Day 3 - Monday - Jun 3, 2024
| Patreksfjordur, Iceland, Iceland |
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Birdwatching, waterfalls, and stunning beaches. Patreksfjordur is unforgettably beautiful. Learn about the fishing traditions in Europe's westernmost village. You can even enjoy a dip in the town's outdoor pool, which features wonderful views of the fjord. You'll have the chance to explore the surrounding area on a hike through the fjords or visit Raudasandur beach and see seals. You can also join a tour to Dynjandi waterfalls. These are six combined falls that, together, comprise the largest and most spectacular cascade in the Westfjords. Birdwatchers shouldn't miss a visit to Latrabjarg, where puffins, northern gannets, guillemots, and razorbills cling to Europe's largest bird cliff.
Day 4 - Tuesday - Jun 4, 2024
| Captain's Choice, United States |
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Exploring northwest Iceland, expedition-style. One of the best things about expedition cruising is the feeling of freedom. We plan to spend the day in Iceland's Northwestern Region, but as conditions can vary, there's no pre-set plan. Rest assured, your captain and expedition team will find the best opportunities for adventure. You may be taken ashore in the small boats (RIBs) for a hike or a beach clean-up. Or maybe we'll launch our kayaks. If we spot a pod of whales as we're sailing, we may stop to enjoy the sight. Be ready for anything! Don't forget, you can also join onboard lectures, visit the Science Center, get tips from the professional photographer, or soak in a hot tub!
Day 5 - Wednesday - Jun 5, 2024
See dramatic moonscapes and waterfalls. Gaze at snowcapped peaks as we cruise along Eyjafjordur, Iceland's longest fjord. It's one of the best places in Europe to spot humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Look out for orcas, blue whales, and fin whales, too. Iceland's 'Northern Capital', Akureyri, sits at the base of the fjord. Here, you can enjoy the oasis of a botanical garden and visit top-notch eateries and museums. A little further afield, witness the picturesque Godafoss waterfall, where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. Keep an eye out for eider ducks and harlequin ducks at Lake Myvatn, one of Iceland's most active volcanic areas.
Day 6 - Thursday - Jun 6, 2024
Cross the Arctic Circle and see Atlantic puffins. This remote and windswept island is home to just 60 people and is renowned for its Atlantic puffin colonies. Grimsey is steeped in folklore, including tales of the island's first settler, Grimur. Grimsey is probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which actually cuts across the island - the only part of Iceland to do so. You'll have the opportunity to step across that line, hopping over to the Arctic and back. Hike to the Orbis et Globus sculpture, a huge concrete sphere that is repositioned each year to fit the northward movement of the Arctic Circle. By 2050, Grimsey will lie outside the Arctic.
Day 7 - Friday - Jun 7, 2024
Local folklore and staggering natural beauty. Your cruise continues to the tiny, remote settlement of Bakkagerdi. According to folklore, Bakkagerdi is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufolk, meaning 'hidden people'. Walk around town to explore this magical place. This popular hiking area features lush valleys and gorgeous scenery among colorful rhyolite rocks. The coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eider ducks, and puffins. We may also visit the Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarholmi, a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.
Day 8 - Saturday - Jun 8, 2024
Discover the town that defied a volcano. Heimaey is the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, off the Iceland's southern coast. It has a fascinating history and still bears the scars of the powerful volcanic eruption that nearly destroyed the island. Visit Eldheimar, a museum that features an excavated home frozen in time, and learn more about the eruption and its aftermath. You could also take a hike to find puffins at Storhofdi, where nearly 8 million of them nest every summer. Don't pass up the chance to climb Mount Eldfell to the volcano's summit, where you'll have incredible views of the town below.
Day 9 - Sunday - Jun 9, 2024
Enjoy an outdoor spa experience at the Blue Lagoon. Upon returning to Reykjavik, you'll have another opportunity to explore the delights you may have missed on your first visit. In this city of art and culture, there are plenty of galleries and museums to enjoy. Or if you simply wish to relax, why not take a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon? Enjoy an unforgettable outdoor spa experience as you relax in bright blue waters heated by geothermal energy. The water gets its iconic color from silica and other minerals carried down from the volcanic landscape. As you soak, enjoy a drink and chat with locals and fellow guests while you look forward to the next step on your adventure: Greenland!
Day 10 - Monday - Jun 10, 2024
| Cruising the Denmark Strait |
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In the wake of Vikings. We sail to Greenland across the Denmark Strait, the route taken by Erik the Red, supposedly the first European to have settled there. Your Expedition Team will explain the protocols of respectfully visiting wildlife habitats and indigenous Arctic communities. In the Science Center, learn more about Greenland's geology, or join one of the Citizen Science projects. Then hit the gym, swim in the infinity pool, book a treatment in the wellness area, or enjoy a delicious meal in one of the three onboard restaurants.
Day 11 - Tuesday - Jun 11, 2024
| Cruising the Denmark Strait |
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Day 12 - Wednesday - Jun 12, 2024
Visit one of Greenland's most beautiful towns. Qaqortoq has been settled since prehistoric times. The colorful houses and lush scenery of Qaqortoq provide a beautiful backdrop for its rich culture. Explore the local museum, which includes rare Inuit artifacts, or enjoy lush scenery on a walk to a nearby lake. Join an optional excursion to meet friendly locals and hear their stories at a traditional kaffemik social gathering.
Day 13 - Thursday - Jun 13, 2024
| Kvanefjord, Greenland, Denmark, Denmark |
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Discover the glacial beauty of the west coast fjords. Experience the sublime fjords of Greenland's west coast as we reach Kvanefjord in Sermersooq, meaning 'Place of Much Ice'. Have your camera ready for glistening icebergs and semi-submerged glacial ice, which is pure white with undertones of crystalline blue. These sculpted ice blocks are some of Arctic nature's finest creations. Few people venture into this remote fjord, making it even more special to spend the day exploring here. The Expedition Team will select places to venture ashore, where you will enjoy beautiful scenery on a nature walk. You could also head out in boats to scout for wildlife.
Day 14 - Friday - Jun 14, 2024
A historic trading post in a dramatic setting. Today, our expedition cruise reaches Maniitsoq. Nicknamed the 'Venice of Greenland' for its natural canals, the surrounding mountains deliver awe-inspiring views. You might even spot pods of humpback whales from shore. Once a regional hub for trading reindeer hides, people have lived here for 4,000 years. Discover figurines carved from walrus ivory, traditional Greenlandic costumes, and many works of art in the local museum. Maniitsoq has many hiking options with different viewpoints to discover. And don't miss the chance to chat to the town's welcoming locals.
Day 15 - Saturday - Jun 15, 2024
Enjoy a warm welcome in Arctic Greenland. We reach spectacularly situated Sisimiut, just 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where you'll experience the Midnight Sun at the height of summer. Old traditions are alive and well here, and you can learn more about the ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the local museum. If you're looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat, or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox, said to be ten times warmer than sheep wool. One of the best experiences of your trip is meeting the local communities in the places we explore - authentic interactions that make for fantastic memories.
Day 16 - Sunday - Jun 16, 2024
Nature's artwork in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord. Today, we reach Disko Bay, a haven for whales and seals. The Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, regularly tops the list of things to see and do in Greenland. Today, you'll find out why. Enjoy breathtaking scenery as you walk to the ice fjord and the old Inuit settlement of Sermermiut. Marvel at giant icebergs floating past in the deep blue waters, as they take on different hues of white, gray, and blue. Even amateur photographers will return to the ship with enviable images. Back in pretty Ilulissat, enjoy a hot drink by the colorful houses along the water.
Day 17 - Monday - Jun 17, 2024
Remote, untamed landscapes and bountiful nature. The rugged Vaigat Sound is our northernmost point. You may feel like the first person to explore it. We are at the hands of Mother Nature today and the Expedition Team will identify the best landing sites to explore. If possible, we'll take small boats (RIB) out for a shore landing or take an optional kayaking trip between icebergs. You may visit Camp Frieda, trek across the tundra, and get up close to a glacier and learn how it moves. Have your binoculars and camera ready as wildlife sightings in Disko Bay can include orcas and bowhead whales, as well as harp, hooded, bearded, and ringed seals.
Day 18 - Tuesday - Jun 18, 2024
The ethereal beauty of Evighedsfjord. We will now return south. Enjoy a day of exploration in the magical and imposing Evighedsfjord, near Kangerlussuaq. The 'Fjord of Eternity' is fed by an ice cap that calves huge icebergs into its waters, 2,300 feet deep. It is surrounded by misty mountains with beautiful white ridges, punctuated by crystal-blue ice caves. Nature reigns here. The only settlements in this region are tiny fishing villages clinging to the shores. Like always, we'll be on the lookout for Arctic flora and wildlife, including whales and seabirds.
Day 19 - Wednesday - Jun 19, 2024
Experience Greenlandic culture, old and new, in Nuuk. After several days exploring remote, idyllic icescapes, you'll cruise into Nuuk, Greenland's colorful capital. It has a population of 18,000 people and a striking mix of old and new buildings. Compare the old buildings like the Hans Egede House and Nuuk Cathedral with the ultra-modern architecture of Greenland's parliament building. Visit the National Museum to gain fascinating insight into life here 500 years ago and see the six Qilakitsoq mummies. Or join a long hike through Paradise Valley and around Mt. Lille Malene as part of an optional excursion.
Day 20 - Thursday - Jun 20, 2024
Ivittuut's fascinating World War II history. As you wander around the abandoned ruins of this ghost town, it's hard to believe that Ivittuut, a former mining outpost, once played a pivotal role in the course of history. During World War II, the US secretly stationed troops here to prevent rare cryolite, used to make aluminum alloys, from falling into enemy hands. Supplies were instead shipped to the UK to manufacture aircraft that fought in the Battle of Britain. Here, you can walk among the area's deserted buildings. In what was once the last Viking settlement in Greenland, the only inhabitants you're likely to see nowadays are musk oxen.
Day 21 - Friday - Jun 21, 2024
| Cruising Prince Christian Sound, Greenland |
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Breathtaking panoramas and abundant wildlife. We aim to explore the incredible waters of Prince Christian Sound, stretching 60 miles long. Sharp-peaked granite mountains provide a stunning contrast to the bright white glaciers. Look out for calving icebergs and colorful houses in the village of Aappilattoq. Nature is abundant here. Keep an eye out for ringed and bearded seals resting on the ice and glaucous gulls and black guillemots soaring above. You may even spot minke and humpback whales. If sea ice prevents us from entering the sound, we'll head to the jagged Cape Farewell, the southernmost point of Greenland.
Day 22 - Saturday - Jun 22, 2024
Time to rest, relax, and reflect. After exploring the ethereal beauty of western Greenland, we set our course back to Iceland. Enjoy two days at sea recapping highlights with the Expedition Team, learning more about the delicate ecology of Greenland in the Science Center, and relaxing. Out on deck, you might spot seabirds or whales that like to follow our ship. The onboard photographer will share tips to capture them in action. You can even log the whales you see for the Happywhale Citizen Science project. This might be the time to enjoy the panoramic sauna, the hot tubs on deck, or the heated pool. Why not book a treatment in the wellness area?
Day 23 - Sunday - Jun 23, 2024
Day 24 - Monday - Jun 24, 2024
Unforgettable memories of your Grand Expedition. Your Grand Expedition Cruise to Iceland and Greenland comes full circle as you arrive back in Iceland's stylish capital in the early morning. When you arrive, your mind and your camera will be full of unforgettable memories, from the spectacular vistas to your incredible encounters. If you want to discover more, consider joining one of the optional Post-Programs.
