Day 1: Cosmopolitan Reykjavík

Reykjavík is a laid-back city of art, culture and history. Exploring this delightful place is well worth your time. Stroll past the boutiques and outdoor shops along Laugavegur, gaze in awe at the striking Hallgrímskirkja Church and drop into the fascinating Reykjavík Art Museum. If you have time, we recommend booking a Pre-Program with us to discover some of Iceland’s natural highlights before your cruise begins.

Day 2: Relaxing at Sea

As we sail into the Greenland Sea on our way to the world’s largest island, it’s time to relax, find your sea legs and get acquainted with the onboard facilities. The Expedition Team will give talks about your upcoming adventure and explain the protocols of respectfully visiting wildlife habitats and Indigenous Arctic communities. In the lecture hall, you’ll find out what to expect in the epic landscapes of East Greenland National Park and the stunning fjords of Scoresby Sund. If you’re feeling active, head to the gym and work out with a view. On the other hand, you could try out the sauna, relax in a hot tub, indulge yourself at the onboard eateries or just find a quiet corner to read a book with a hot drink. Love science? Then join one of our onboard Citizen Science projects, a fun and engaging way to contribute to global research.

Days 3 – 10: Northeast Greenland National Park and Scoresby Sund Expedition Days

We’ll spend the next 10 days exploring Greenland’s remote and pristine east coast. Extending for over 1,740 miles from north to south, this long stretch of coast is cold, isolated and remote, even by Greenlandic standards. The south-flowing East Greenland Current brings lots of sea ice directly from the Arctic Ocean, challenging human settlement but creating a heaven for ice-dependent wildlife, including the polar bear.

Local weather and ice conditions will dictate our exact route, but our plan is to sail first to Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system. You’ll feel a deep sense of serenity in this wild and rugged region with white and blue icebergs floating in mirror-like waters surrounded by looming mountains. If conditions permit, we’ll visit Ittoqqortoormiit – the most remote inhabited community in the western hemisphere.

Should the sea ice be favorable, we’ll continue our journey north to the beautiful Northeast Greenland National Park – the world’s largest national park. Visiting this fragile Artic wilderness is a rare privilege, as only a few visitors are permitted here each year.

Apart from old trapper huts, some science research stations, and a military outpost, there are very few traces of human life in this 375,000 square mile park. Be assured that this is one of the quietest places on Earth, and you’ll enjoy a feeling of great peace as we explore this beautiful wilderness.

As this is an expedition cruise, the Captain and Expedition Team will guide us to the most favorable spots on a day-by-day basis. Our goal will be to pack in as many shore landings, small boat cruises, nature walks, kayaking adventures and wildlife sightings as possible.

Days 11 – 12: Denmark Strait

After exploring the remote beauty of Greenland, we’ll set our course back to Iceland. Spend the days at sea recapping your experiences with your new friends, studying nature in the Science Center, listening to a lecture or two, or just relaxing on deck. Look out for the seabirds that follow our ship and keep an eye out for whales.

East Greenland’s beauty is sure to have left its mark on you, so reflect on what you’ve seen – from the delicate ecology of the fjord systems to the ethereal elegance of the floating ice.

Day 13: Reykjavík

End of the expedition. We say a fond farewell to MS Spitsbergen as we end our expedition cruise in the lovely city of Reykjavík. With its interesting museums, stylish galleries, restaurants and geothermal pools, there’s so much to enjoy in Iceland’s capital.

And if you want to discover more of Iceland, you can join our optional Post-Program before you head home. Or simply extend your stay to enjoy more of Reykjavík and its surrounding geothermal attractions. It’s a great place to end an epic journey!