HIGHLIGHTS
- Sit
up on deck and take in the glow of the midnight sun as you spy on polar
bears in their natural habitat
- Sail
past Spitsbergen’s most beautiful glacier, Monacobreen, as it
calves icebergs
- Step
foot onto the soil of the rarely visited, most northerly volcanic
island of Jan Mayen Island
- Listen
to the thunderous roar of Dynjandi waterfall and cruise along remote
fjords
- Keep
your eye out for breaching humpback whales in far-flung icy waters
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | Oceanview D4 | Oceanview M4 | Balcony D5 | Balcony M5 | Balcony D6 | Suite | Premium Suite |
|---|
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Oceanview D4 | (Mid-range)
Balcony M5 | (High-end)
Premium Suite |
|---|
ITINERARY
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 2-4
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 3,000 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.
At
Sea Day 5
You
can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head
to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in
the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you
prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an
informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board
experts.
Jan
Mayen Island Day 6
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.
At
Sea Day 7
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.
Akureyri
Day 8
In
northern Iceland on Eyjafjördur, Akureyri is known for its
colourful old town, heart-shaped traffic lights and woodlands. Nearby
tours of Lake Mývatn, the most geologically active area in
Iceland, include lava formations, hot springs, caves and rifts, boiling
mud pools, volcanic craters, the roaring Godafoss waterfall and Game of
Thrones locations. Puffins nest on the inhabited island of Grimsey that
crosses the Arctic Circle, while Hrísey island is said to
have powerful healing energies.
Isafjordur
& Vigur Island Day 9
Arrive
today in the charming, tiny fishing harbour of
Ísafjördur. The village's touristic highlights
include the Westfjord Heritage Museum and The Museum House (Old
Hospital). Located at the heart of the Westfjords peninsula, it's a
great jumping-off point for exploration so journey by Zodiac to the
island of Vigur – the 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.
Dynjandi
Waterfall Day 10
Considered
one of Iceland's most impressive, this thunderous waterfall in the
Westfjords region gives the impression of a bridal veil as it spreads
its tumbling waters down a series of ever- growing cascades. Dynjandi
is one of the most photographed sights in Iceland. Walking up to it
takes 15 minutes passing five smaller waterfalls. Nearby, Hrafnseyri is
the birthplace of Jón Sigurdsson, 19th-century leader of the
Icelandic Independence movement. The museum includes an Icelandic turf
house.
Reykjavik
Day 11
In
the centre of Iceland's sprawling capital city, the modern
organ-pipe-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church dominates the top of town.
Cosy bars, cafes and shops line the surrounding streets heated by
Iceland's geothermal waters. The regenerated harbour is home to a
striking modern concert hall. Popular trips include to the Blue Lagoon,
a geothermal spa near the village of Grindavik, and the Golden Circle
tour taking in Gullfoss Waterfall and the mighty Strokkur geyser in
Thingvellir National Park.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Return
regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation
(where specified)
- Group
return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included
accommodation where applicable)
- One
night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or
onboard
- All
meals onboard
- Onboard
accommodation in a stateroom selected category
- 24-hour
room service
- Coffee,
tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours
per day
- Lecture
programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- One
selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call
- Branded
Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
- Standard
WiFi
- Onboard
gratuities & port taxes
