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Arctic Islands & Fjords

Arctic Islands & Fjords

Arctic Discovery: Iceland, Jan Mayen & Svalbard 13 Nights Discovery Cruise
1
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06.23.23-07.06.23
SH Vega
13 Nights
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YOUR TRIP

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Discovering the Arctic on an expedition vessel is one of the world’s last great adventures. Board our Arctic Discovery cruise in the land of fire and ice and explore regions in the northernmost part of the world, from Iceland to East Greenland, the rarely visited Jan Mayen Island and Svalbard inside the Arctic Circle. By venturing to Greenland, you experience some of the most interesting indigenous cultures and ways of life in sparsely populated regions, as well as national parks, protected areas for wildlife - such as arctic hare and muskoxen - and the world’s most extensive fjord system. Our journey continues via Jan Mayen Island on to the northern archipelago of Svalbard, where the midnight sun throws shadows on the icy landscape in our pursuit of polar bears, walruses, seals and whales, and millions of seabirds. Join us on our boutique expedition ship and make your Arctic cruise an unforgettable trip of a lifetime.

Trip Highlights

YOUR TRIP

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Explore Northeast Greenland, the world’s largest national park with polar bears, muskoxen, reindeer, seals and walruses
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Sail through Greenland’s breathtaking ice-filled fjords to remote indigenous settlements
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Step foot onto the soil of the rarely visited, most northerly volcanic island of Jan Mayen Island
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Sail past Spitsbergen’s most beautiful glacier, Monacobreen, as it calves icebergs
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Spy on hundreds of polar bears as they roam their natural habitat

Itinerary

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Longyearbyen
Day 1
Longyearbyen is the world’s most northerly town and with it comes the world’s most northerly high street and pub. On Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, Longyearbyen is home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum which chronicles early efforts to reach the pole by air. The nearby Svalbard Global Seed Vault preserves duplicates of seeds held in gene banks worldwide. The surrounding Arctic waters are populated by whales including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling.
Svalbard
Day 2-8
Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the kingdom of the polar bears, we’ll be hoping to spot some of its subjects as we explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in our Zodiac boats, we’ll get close to the gargantuan glaciers, rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed. In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice alongside vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 600 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seal, the arctic fox and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.
Day at sea
Day 9
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.
Jan Mayen Island
Day 10
The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, the only residents on this Norwegian island are members of the Norwegian Armed Forces or working at the meteorological station. During a nature walk to the station, and along the black sandy beach, you can see numerous plant species. Nesting northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make the island an important birding area.
Day at sea
Day 11
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.
Grimsey Island
Day 12
Grímsey is a remote island located 40km off Iceland’s north coast. Many people travel here for the purpose of setting foot in the Arctic Circle, the only place in Iceland where you can do so. The island is also home to fewer than 100 people, but over one million seabirds. Birdlife thrives here thanks to the lack of egg predation (there are no rats or mice on the island) and the rich, well-stocked surrounding seas. Grímsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites and largest puffin colonies.
Isafjordur
Day 13
Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Ísafjördur is a bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colourful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses in the old town of Neskaupstadur. Ísafjördur was one of the largest fisheries in Iceland, but tourism has now taken over. Nearby is Sudavik, home to the Arctic Fox Centre. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve - the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of Europe’s largest bird cliffs.
Vigur Island
Day 13
Island of Vigur is a real pearl of the Western Fjords. The second-largest island in the fjord, measuring two kilometres by 400 metres, it’s a significant seabird colony, which is home to arctic terns, puffins, black guillemots and eider ducks. As one of only two inhabited islands in the fjord, Vigur is also the site of a single farm, which has been in the same family for generations. During your time on the island, you might see Iceland’s only windmill, the country’s smallest post office and oldest boat, which was built more than 200 years ago and in regular use until relatively recently.
Reykjavik
Day 14
Your cruise ends in Reykjavík. Make sure there is sufficient time before you begin your journey home to explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.
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Oceanview D4

19 m2
2
Located on Deck 4 at the centre of the ship. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.

Oceanview M4

19 m2
2
Located on Deck 4 at the bow. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.

Balcony D5

28 m2
2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the bow and aft, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.

Balcony M5

28 m2
2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the centre of the ship, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.

Balcony D6

28 m2
2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 6, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.

Suite

44 m2
2
Located on Deck 5 and 6 at the centre of the ship, our spacious Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are a favorite with discerning guests, and those that prefer a little more space and comfort.

Premium Suite

49 m2
2
Located on Deck 6 at the aft, our Premium Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are the most luxurious accommodation on board. A favorite for those who want nothing but the best.