Embarking in Glasgow

Explore the city of Charles Rennie Mackintosh

A former industrial powerhouse, Glasgow has reinvented itself as a cultural hot spot, packed with museums, galleries, and parks. Discover the splendid Art Nouveau architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh before your expedition cruise begins.

MS Spitsbergen, one of our smaller vessels and built for close up exploration, will be waiting for you.

Locate your cabin and explore the ship before meeting your Expedition Team, who will guide your adventures ahead. Enjoy your first dinner aboard as we sail toward the Irish Sea and Belfast.

Elegant Belfast

Discover Northern Ireland’s capital

We sail into Belfast, a city with a proud ship-building history and the birthplace of the Titanic. History buffs will enjoy Ulster Museum and Belfast Castle, while nature lovers can visit the Botanic Gardens.

Stroll the cobbled streets of the chic Cathedral Quarter, with its elegant Victorian architecture, and pop inside St. Anne’s Cathedral to see its beautiful mosaics. In Donegall Square, you’ll find the historical landmarks of City Hall.

Enigmatic Isle of Man

Explore this independent island kingdom

As we approach the Isle of Man, admire the imposing ruins of Peel Castle above the pretty seaside town that bears its name.

There is plenty to see in Peel, the 14th-century town that was once the Manx capital. Motor racing buffs will enjoy the vintage car museums, a nod to the island’s modern racing heritage. Or visit the House of Manannan to discover more about the island’s Celtic, Viking, and maritime past.

The Isle of Man is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is home to a wide range of birdlife, including hen harriers, red-billed choughs, peregrines, black guillemots, Manx shearwaters, puffins, Arctic terns, and many more.

Islay’s whisky and nature

Fire up your spirit of discovery on ‘whisky island’

Islay is the proud home of world-famous peaty single malts, but that’s far from the only reason to visit. Here, you’ll discover fascinating ancient monoliths and the enigmatic settlement of Finlaggan.

Today, Islay is a wildlife paradise, with over 200 species of birds. These include oystercatchers, gannets, and golden eagles. From its sandy beaches, you can sometimes spot dolphins and basking sharks.

Port Ellen is the gateway to three of the island’s nine distilleries. Of course, no trip to Islay is complete without a ‘wee dram’ from a famous and historic whisky producer, which includes Laphroaig and Ardbeg.

West coast exploration

Experience charming Oban, Tobermory, or Loch Sunart.

Today, we’ll make the most of our opportunities along the west coast of Scotland to find a beautiful local place to explore.

We might visit Oban’s busy fishing port, Dunollie Castle, and Oban Distillery. Another option is to sail to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, a charming fishing village with brightly colored Georgian houses.

Depending on conditions, we’ll launch our small boats (RIBs) to explore Loch Sunart, a Marine Protected Area known for otters, dolphins, and porpoises. Your expert Expedition Team will make sure that today is a memorable day.

The spirit of Iona

See Iona’s sacred abbey and Fingal’s Cave on Staffa

Your adventure continues to Iona, off the coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. Visit the restored sixth-century abbey, one of Scotland’s oldest and most sacred Christian pilgrimage sites. Or enjoy a hike with the Expedition Team up Dùn I for breathtaking views of St. Columba’s Bay – and take a sip from the ‘Well of Eternal Youth.’

Next, we sail to the Treshnish Isles, home to Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and Atlantic gray seals. At nearby Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, marvel at the hexagonal basalt columns, superb natural acoustics, and mesmerizing colors in the water.

Isles of Skye and Canna

Prepare for beaches, bird colonies, and wild scenery

Sail to Loch Scavaig on the Isle of Skye, where dramatic scenery surrounds you. ‘The wildest scene in the Highlands’ is how the Victorian poet Lord Tennyson described Loch Coruisk and the surrounding jagged peaks of the Cuillin Mountains. We’ll strap on our hiking boots to explore the loch with the Expedition Team.

Our next stop is the Isle of Canna. Here, you’ll find historic settlements and beautiful beaches. The spectacular sea stacks of Dùn Mòr and Dún Beag are home to a colony of breeding puffins. Meanwhile, fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, and shags nest on the cliffs.

Wild St. Kilda

Discover the untamed beauty of St. Kilda

A visit to this UNESCO double World Heritage Site is an unforgettable experience. If conditions allow, we’ll spend the day here.

This is one of Europe’s most important seabird colonies. St. Kilda’s volcanic outcrops are home to thousands of nesting seabirds, including northern fulmars, black-legged kittiwakes, and over 60,000 pairs of northern gannets.

In 1930, St. Kilda’s last residents asked to be evacuated due to the island’s wild and windswept conditions. Explore the abandoned village and see the distinctive cleits – circular stone buildings used to store peat, eggs, and smoked puffins. Then, head back to the ship and happily indulge in more contemporary dining options.

Stalwart Stornoway

Experience the Gaelic culture of the Hebrides

Our expedition cruise arrives at Stornoway, the capital of the Isle of Lewis and Harris. As you explore the area around the harbor, keep an eye out for seals, red deer, eagles, and otters. Enjoy a visit to the Gothic-style Lews Castle, featuring spacious grounds full of trails and fantastic views.

Further afield, take in the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones and Dun Carloway, the best-preserved Iron Age broch in Scotland. Enjoy coastal walks along the stunning Dalmore, Dalbeg, or Garry beaches and maybe pick up a souvenir made from the famed Harris Tweed that’s woven here.

Highlights of Orkney

Learn about Kirkwall’s Norse heritage.

Today, we cruise to the Orkney Islands’ largest town. Explore Kirkwall, the vibrant, Viking-influenced capital of the Orkneys, which is compact enough to cover on foot.

Visit the regal St. Magnus Cathedral, made from distinctive local red sandstone, and the adjacent Earl’s Palace to see the stone ruins of this once-grand Renaissance building. The Neolithic settlement of Scara Brae is also only a bus ride away.

Whisky aficionados will enjoy Kirkwall’s Highland Park and Scapa distilleries’ sublime single malts. If you feel like something different, Orkney Distillery produces gin made from local Orcadian botanicals.

Far-flung Fair Isle

A scenic stop for bird lovers

Your cruise continues to the Shetland Islands as we venture to remote Fair Isle, known for its birds and knitwear.

The island is home to 27 bird species and is a dream for birders and wildlife photographers. It's a vital stop for migrating seabirds, drawn to the red sandstone cliffs, green fields, and moors.

We’ll attempt to land for the Expedition Team to lead you on a clifftop hike to a lighthouse sitting in a spectacular location. Gain fascinating insights into the life and history of the 65-strong island community at the local museum. You can support Fair Islanders by buying genuine Fair Isle knitwear direct from local makers.

If landing isn’t possible, the scenic cruising is just as spectacular.

Lerwick’s past and present

Discover Scotland’s northernmost inhabited isles.

Today, we’ll dock at Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Islands, to explore this friendly, Victorian-influenced fishing town set among stunning scenery. Built on the herring trade, more fish comes into the port of Lerwick than in all of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined.

The town has deep Norse roots. You’ll hear it in the dialect and see it in the Viking stories that are beautifully depicted in the impressive stained-glass windows at Lerwick Town Hall.

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. By the old waterfront, you’ll find the Shetland Museum, which chronicles the area’s rich history.

The wider island is home to remarkable Iron Age villages and the Shetland Crofthouse Museum, where you can learn about the hard life of the local crofters.

Arrival in Bergen, Norway

Explore UNESCO-listed Bryggen and mountain peaks

The first leg of your journey through the Scottish Isles reaches its finale in Bergen, one of Norway’s most beautiful cities. You’ll disembark MS Spitsbergen in the morning, giving you plenty of time to explore this charming city.

Don’t miss the historic UNESCO-listed Bryggen district, with colorful wooden houses along the wharf dating back to the 18th century. Across from Bryggen, you’ll find the city’s famous fish market.

Take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen for a refreshing hike and amazing views of the city, mountains, and sea beyond. You then embark MS Spitsbergen for the second stage of your journey deep into the Arctic.

Lovely Lerwick

Revisit Scotland’s northernmost town

Today, you’ll have another opportunity to see lovely Lerwick.

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

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

10th-century Tórshavn

Visit 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 cobblestone alleyways and delight in the colorful, turf-roofed houses. In the local museums, 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 beige-tipped wings of the Faroese starling.

Small, peaceful Elduvík

Surround yourself with the sounds of Faroese nature

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

Though small, Elduvík has a school, church, dock, and pier. From the pier, enjoy the view across the sparkling water to the nearby island of Kalsoy. It is astonishingly peaceful here.

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

A relaxing day at sea

Enjoy a relaxing day as we cruise toward Iceland

As we sail to Bakkagerði, you’ll have time to swap stories of your adventures with your new friends. Keep your eyes peeled while on deck for wonderful marine life. Or relax in a hot tub while you watch for seabirds.

Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center as they set the scene for the next leg of your cruise in northern Iceland. Learn about the island’s stunning landscapes, culture, and beliefs, such as the Icelandic elves. Want to try something new? Join one of our knitting workshops!

Hike in Bakkagerði

Look for elves in natural beauty

Your Iceland cruise continues to the tiny, remote settlement of Bakkagerði. 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.

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 Hafnarhólmi, a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

Whale watching in Húsavík

Iceland’s best whale-watching spot

Today, you will discover Húsavík, a fascinating town that is one of the best places in the world for whale-watching.

Húsavík looks out over Skjálfandi Bay, a hotspot for humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises – the elusive blue whale even makes appearances here. 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 Exploration Museum here has a section dedicated to space. NASA thought Húsavík’s geology resembled lunar rocks and sent astronauts from their Apollo space missions here to train.

You can also enjoy the geothermal waters at Geosea, which overlooks Skjálfandi Bay, and have a beer at the local microbrewery.

Akureyri and Goðafoss

Dramatic moonscapes and waterfalls

Gaze at snowcapped peaks as we cruise along Eyjafjörður, 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 Goðafoss waterfall, where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. Keep an eye out for eider ducks and Harlequin ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland’s most active volcanic areas.

Relax and learn at sea

Time to relax and discover what adventures lie ahead

As we cross the Arctic Circle and head toward 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, soak in a hot tub, or simply relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, a great place to read or watch the world float 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.

Volcanic Jan Mayen

Visit an active volcano that’s a haven for birdlife

Jan Mayen has few 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 set 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, which 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, including whales and seals.

Enjoy a day at sea

A peaceful interlude in your adventure

Spend the day relaxing as we sail deeper into the Arctic toward the Svalbard archipelago. Savor the quiet moments, simply appreciating the peaceful feeling of being at sea. This is a rare opportunity to disconnect and take a break from the modern world.

Feeling active? Fit in a workout in the gym or simply relax in the panoramic sauna while gazing out at the view. Like always, our Expedition Team will be on hand to answer your questions and offer insights into these Arctic islands.

Scenic Spitsbergen

A land of spectacular beauty

Spitsbergen showcases Arctic beauty in its untouched glory – a wilderness of steep mountains, stark glaciers, and eerily beautiful islands. You’ll visit some of the world’s most dramatic fjords, immense U-shaped valleys, and glaciers preparing to calve icebergs into the sea. This may be your best chance to spot the region’s apex predator, the magnificent polar bear, in its natural environment. They trek the ice along the coast, hunting for seals.

We’ll take advantage of every opportunity to land, taking small boats (RIBs) ashore for hiking and other activities. If we can, we’ll launch our kayaks to enjoy the scenery in almost perfect silence.

Disembark in Longyearbyen

Fly from the top of the world to Oslo

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

You’ll return home knowing more about Scottish wildlife and culture, as well as Arctic animals, history, polar ice, and climate change. The memories of this incredible experience will last a lifetime.