Spitsbergen, Iceland, Faroe Islands
Island Hopping in and around the Arctic | Southbound
Discover the history and natural wonders of five wild, beautiful islands in and around the Arctic, across four countries.
15-day expedition cruise from Longyearbyen to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Shetland Islands before ending in Bergen, Norway
Norway and Iceland
Fly from Oslo to Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost town, and join an expedition cruise to discover Spitsbergen’s landscapes, which are home to polar bears. Experience Iceland's volcanic terrain and look out for white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises, as well as humpback, minke, and the elusive blue whale.
Island communities
Enjoy a taste of life on the Faroe Islands with visits to its capital, Tórshavn, and the tiny village of Elduvík. In the Shetland Islands, learn about Norse heritage and local customs, like the making of delicate Shetland lace shawls. Birdwatchers should keep an eye out for red-throated divers, redshanks, and curlews.
Key Expedition Details
Itinerary
Your adventure at a glance. Daily highlights, included activities, and optional extras to make it unforgettable.
Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard.
Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway’s fjord-side capital. If you have time before your flight, we recommend exploring the city center.
With its rich history and fashionable art scene, Oslo is a fascinating city. You’ll find museums, galleries, and breathtaking architecture all within easy reach, including the beautiful Opera House and new Munch Museum.
Take a stroll in the Ekebergparken sculpture park, visit Akershus Fortress, or relax in a floating sauna. You could explore modern Sørenga and enjoy urban beach life or try New Nordic cuisine before flying out to Longyearbyen, in the Svalbard archipelago.
Explore colorful Longyearbyen
After breakfast, it’s time to explore the world's northernmost town, a colorful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles.
Longyearbyen is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Although wild, they’re curious and tame. Admire polar bear–inspired art or visit the North Pole Expedition Museum.
Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, you could join an included excursion after lunch or choose to do an electric bike, dog-sledding, or hiking tour.
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 native 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 near-perfect silence.
Time to relax and discover what adventures lie ahead.
As we head towards the island of Jan Mayen, enjoy a day at sea.
There's plenty to do on board. We recommend scanning the seas for marine wildlife from the deck, enjoying the panoramic sauna, or soaking in a hot tub. 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 to contribute to Citizen Science projects. Photography enthusiasts can pick up some pointers on how to capture wildlife and landscapes from our onboard photographer. The comfortable Explorer Lounge & Bar is a great place to read, chat with other guests, or just watch the world glide by.
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 landscape, streaked with moss lichen, 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 relaxing day as we cruise towards Iceland.
As we sail from Jan Mayen to Akureyri, you'll have time to sit back and swap stories of your adventures so far. Keep your eyes peeled while on deck for marine life and seabirds—you can even do that while relaxing in a hot tub!
Join the Expedition Team in the Science Center as they set the scene for the next leg of your expedition. Learn about Iceland’s stunning landscapes, cultures, and beliefs—including the Icelandic elves, also called the ‘hidden people’. Or learn a new skill in a knitting workshop!
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.
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.
There's even a space exploration museum here. 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 pep yourself up with a beer at the local microbrewery.
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.
Learn about the Faroe Islands and relax on board
Today, we sail from Iceland toward the Faroe Islands. Take this opportunity to enjoy all the comforts of your expedition ship prepare for the days ahead.
You may have unanswered questions about things you’ve seen in Iceland, or things to come in the Faroe Islands. Like always, your Expedition Team will be on hand to host lectures and offer insights into these remarkable islands.
The Science Center will keep enquiring minds busy. Work out in the gym or relax in the panoramic sauna, where you can enjoy magnificent views as you sail. Look out for birds and wildlife from the decks or take time to sort through all the photos you’ve taken.
Surround yourself with the sounds of Faroese nature.
Your expedition cruise arrives in the Faroe Islands, part of the Kingdom of Denmark. We’ll stop to explore the tiny village of Elduvík, with just 23 inhabitants. While small, it 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 is 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 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.
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 Harbor) is one of Northern Europe’s oldest capitals.
Wander through the cobblestone alleyways and delight in the coloful, 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.
Discover Scotland’s northernmost inhabited isle.
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, woolen sweaters, and fudge. By the old waterfront, you’ll find the Shetland Museum, showcasing Pictish carvings and lace shawls. Nearby, see Fort Charlotte and the regal-looking town hall.
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.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Bryggen and Mount Fløyen.
Your expedition cruise ends in Bergen. Surrounded by mountains and the sea, the old capital is one of Norway’s most picturesque cities.
We recommend joining our Post-Program for a guided hiking tour. Take the funicular railway up to the summit of Mount Fløyen for a refreshing hike and amazing views over the city.
You could also discover the city on your own with a stroll through UNESCO-listed Bryggen, including its colorful wooden wharfs. This may be your last time to pick up souvenirs or gifts before heading home, so be sure to check out the artisanal boutiques.
Included activities & excursions
These activities are included with your trip. Dates and times will be confirmed closer to departure, you’ll just need to reserve your spot after booking.
What else is included?
Optional extras
Enhance your journey with optional extras. Some activities are only bookable onboard and can’t be reserved online or by phone. Subject to availability.
Our Svalbard ship
Get a taste of what life is like on board the ships that sail on this itinerary
