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23-Day Arctic Odyssey: From the Icelandic Coast to Spitsbergen, via Jan Mayen and the pack ice

Main features
Boat type: ship
Number of cabins: 50
Maximum capacity: 108 travelers

Cabins

Quadruple cabine with porthole
Capacity: 4 Berths maximum
Standard comfort cabin located on the lower deck, perfectly suited to families travelling with children or passengers who are not looking for a twin cabin or a more luxurious category. Equipped with two portholes, it benefits from plenty of natural light. The sleeping area has bunk beds, one above and one below, as well as a small sofa ideal for relaxing. The cabin also has a private bathroom with shower and toilet, a flat-screen TV, a desk with chair, as... more+ well as a telephone and Wi-Fi connection available at an additional cost. A hairdryer, wardrobe, storage cupboard and safe complete the facilities of this functional and pleasant cabin. It is an excellent choice for those wishing to travel simply and comfortably. 
Triple cabin with porthole
Capacity: 3 Berths maximum
Standard comfort cabin located on the lower deck, perfectly suited to families travelling with children or passengers who are not looking for a twin cabin or a more luxurious category. Equipped with two portholes, it benefits from plenty of natural light. Sleeping arrangements include an upper berth and two lower berths, offering flexible accommodation options, as well as a small sofa ideal for relaxing. The cabin also has a private bathroom with shower... more+ and toilet, a flat-screen TV, a desk with chair, as well as a telephone and Wi-Fi connection available at an additional cost. A hairdryer, wardrobe, storage cupboard and safe complete the facilities of this functional and pleasant cabin. It is an excellent choice for those wishing to travel simply and comfortably. 
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NB : The pictures, information, and visuals presented are not contractually binding. The itinerary and program indicated may be modified without notice due to weather conditions or for technical reasons (captain's decision). Sailing times may vary depending on sea conditions and weather.

Itinerary

Itinerary
Keflavik Faxaflói
In the late afternoon, you’ll board the ship at the port of Keflavik, a few kilometers from the... more+ international airport. After leaving the port, we’ll sail north into Faxaflói Bay and head toward the Snaefellsnes Peninsula while keeping an eye out for whales in this vast bay. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Faxaflói Breidavik Arnarstapi Snaefellsnes
We’ll arrive in Breidavik, near Arnarstapi, with Snaefellsjökull—a glacier-capped volcano—in... more+ the background. We’ll walk south along the cliffs teeming with seabirds to Hellnar, where we’ll board the boat again. We’ll also have the option to visit Snaefellsjökull, where Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth begins. In the evening, we’ll head out again in search of whales in the northwest of the peninsula. 
Included activities: Visit of Arnarstapi and Snaefellsjökull, Tour of Breidavik, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Snaefellsnes Breidafjordur Latrabjarg
We’ll sail through the wide, shallow bay of Breidafjordur, dotted with hundreds of islands and... more+ islets, and may spot a few Lesson’s petrels. We’ll then disembark at Flatey and explore its traditional fishing village and church, decorated with paintings by the Spanish-Icelandic artist Baltasar. Specularid guillemots and large colonies of puffins breed along the coast, and narrow-billed phalaropes are common in the ponds just inland. We’ll visit Klofningur, a small island with a lighthouse that is home to large breeding colonies of crested cormorants, fulmars, and great black-backed gulls. In the evening, we’ll sail past the impressive Latrabjarg, home to Iceland’s largest seabird colonies. 
Included activities: Visit of Flatey, Visit of Klofningur, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Latrabjarg Skutulsfjördur Jökulfirdir
As we sail through the impressive Skutulsfjörður, home to the town of Ísafjörður, we plan to... more+ visit Aedey, where an Icelandic family runs an eider farm where several hundred birds can breed safely and where, at the end of the breeding season, all the down is harvested for sale. Along the island’s coastline, we’ll also encounter puffins during their breeding season. In the afternoon, we can sail through Jökulfirdir or head directly out of the fjord in search of whales, while sailing northwest and crossing the Arctic Circle. 
Included activities: Visit of Aedey island, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Jökulfirdir At sea - Iceland
In northern Iceland, at the edge of the southward-drifting sea ice, we sail northeast aboard our... more+ icebreaker. We spend two days searching for harp seals and hooded seals, which sometimes frequent the region in large numbers. The presence of a solitary polar bear cannot be ruled out, as they occasionally reach the Icelandic coast. Near and along the pack ice, we’ll observe whales and seabirds migrating and feeding along the productive edge of the pack ice. You’ll find yourself in a breathtaking marine landscape, with pack ice stretching as far as the eye can see to the west. It is a wild Arctic environment, in constant motion and ever-changing. 
Included activities: Wildlife observation, Birdwatching, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
At sea - Iceland Eyafjordur
We are sailing south. Early in the morning, we will pass Kolbeinsey, a small, uninhabited islet... more+ rapidly eroded by the formidable ocean that surrounds it. Later, we will disembark at Grimsey, a small island that straddles the Arctic Circle. Grimsey is home to a small, welcoming fishing village and colonies of black-legged kittiwakes, razorbills, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, and Arctic terns. In the evening, at the mouth of Eyafjordur, we may be able to spot whales again. 
Included activities: Visit of Grimsey, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Eyafjordur Akureyri
The ship stops in Akureyri, a charming port city nestled at the head of one of Iceland’s most... more+ beautiful fjords. Once a fishing port and now the main city of northern Iceland, Akureyri is often called the “capital of northern Iceland” for its vibrancy and rich cultural heritage. After this stop, the voyage continues northward through Eyafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord. Flanked by rugged mountains and lush green valleys, this fjord offers breathtaking scenery. As the ship heads out to sea, keep your eyes peeled: this region is renowned for whale watching, and it’s not uncommon to spot the first whales of the expedition here, swimming in the nutrient-rich waters of the North Atlantic. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Akureyri Grímsey
We land on the small island of Grimsey, which straddles the Arctic Circle. Grimsey has a charming... more+ fishing village and is home to vibrant colonies of black-legged kittiwakes, Torda penguins, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, and Arctic terns. In the evening, we’ll pass Kolbeinsey, a tiny uninhabited island, on our way north. From that point on, we’ll have daylight around the clock. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Grímsey Jan Mayen
As we sail toward the remote island of Jan Mayen, we’ll be on the lookout for humpback whales,... more+ fin whales, minke whales, blue whales, and even orcas. During the crossing, the ship will change course to provide better viewing opportunities when wildlife is spotted. 
Included activities: Humpback whale watching, Minke whales sighting, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Jan Mayen
Here we are off Jan Mayen, a rugged volcanic island crowned by the snow-capped peak of Mount... more+ Beerenberg. From the slopes of this imposing 2,300-meter-high volcano, shattered glaciers tumble into the icy sea. With permission from the Norwegian authorities, you can now visit the weather station. You can also hike to the ruins of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station, nestled amid thick beds of moss in this austere volcanic landscape. This historic site is deeply connected to the Dutch whaling industry of the past and exudes a powerful atmosphere. 
Included activities: Tour of the Jan Mayen Weather Station, Visit to a whaling station, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Jan Mayen Arctic Circle
Under the midnight sun, you’ll sail north along the pack ice in search of bowhead whales, harp... more+ seals, polar bears, and a variety of seabirds. You then change course at approximately 79° north, heading west toward the rocky edges of the western Spitsbergen continental shelf. Here, you have a good chance of seeing fin whales and, near the glacial mouths of Spitsbergen’s gaping fjords, minke whales surfacing. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Arctic Circle Spitsbergen
Forlandsundet, between the main island of Spitsbergen and the Prins Karls Forland Strait, is a... more+ place of great beauty and fascinating wildlife. Walruses sometimes beach themselves there. You can also sail through St. Johns Fjord or head south to the mouth of Isfjorden, disembarking at Alkhornet. These cliffs are essential for bird nesting. Many species build their nests here, while arctic foxes search below for eggs and chicks that have fallen to the ground. On the surrounding slopes, reindeer graze on sparse vegetation, creating superb photo opportunities. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Spitsbergen Longyearbyen
You’ll land in Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the... more+ Svalbard archipelago. Take a stroll through this former mining town, where the parish church and the Svalbard Museum are fascinating attractions. Although the landscape may seem barren, more than a hundred plant species have been recorded here. In the early evening, the ship departs from Isfjorden, where you may spot the first minke whale of your trip. 
Included activities: Visit Longyearbyen, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Longyearbyen Raudfjorden
On the northern coast of Spitsbergen, you can admire this vast fjord teeming with glaciers—and... more+ perhaps even spot bearded seals and ringed seals. The cliffs and coastline are also home to thriving seabird colonies, lush vegetation, and the chance to spot polar bears. We’ll try to land at Alicehamna or Buchananhalvøya. 
Included activities: Excursion to Alicehamna or Buchananhalvøya, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Raudfjorden Monacobreen
Depending on weather and sea ice conditions, we may sail into Liefdefjorden, disembark at Texas... more+ Bar, and sail within sight of the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) long Monaco Glacier. The waters in front of this steep glacier are a prime feeding ground for thousands of black-legged kittiwakes, and the ice shelf is a popular hunting ground for polar bears. If ice conditions prevent us from sailing here early in the season, we will sail along the west coast of Spitsbergen. 
Included activities: Visit of the Texas Bar and and Monaco Glacier, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Monacobreen Hinlopen Strait
Our goal is to sail through the Hinlopen Strait, home to bearded seals, ringed seals, and polar... more+ bears. At the entrance, there’s even a chance to spot blue whales. After cruising in a Zodiac among the floating ice in Lomfjord, you’ll be able to observe the cliffs of Alkefjellet, home to thousands of Brünnich’s guillemots. On the eastern side of Hinlopen Strait, we’ll attempt to land on Nordaustlandet. There, we’ll be able to see reindeer, pink-footed geese, and walruses. We may take an alternate route if ice prevents entry into the Hinlopen Strait. 
Included activities: Visit of the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet, A Visit to Nordaustlandet, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Hinlopen Strait Phippsoya
The northernmost point of the voyage may be north of Nordaustlandet, at Chermsideøya or... more+ Phippsøya, in the Seven Islands. Here, we can reach 80° north, just 870 km (540 miles) from the geographic North Pole. Polar bears inhabit this region, and the ship may remain anchored for several hours amid the pack ice before heading west again. 
Included activities: Polar bears watching, more+
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Phippsoya Kongsfjorden
As we retrace our route westward, keep an eye out for polar bears and the elusive Greenland right... more+ whales. About 40 nautical miles west of Spitsbergen, we sail along the edge of the continental shelf. This is where fin whales feed during the summer in upwelling zones (where cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface) that stretch along the Spitsbergen banks. At the mouth of Kongsfjorden, you have a good chance of spotting minke whales. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Kongsfjorden Isfjorden
Walruses sometimes strand themselves in Forlandsundet, at Sarstangen or Poolepynten, in Johns... more+ Fjord, or south of the mouth of Isfjorden, to come ashore at Alkhornet. Seabirds nest on these cliffs; Arctic foxes search for eggs and chicks that have fallen to the ground; and reindeer graze on the sparse vegetation. 
Accommodation: Night on board
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner
Isfjorden Longyearbyen
Even great adventures must eventually come to an end. The vessel arrives back in Longyearbyen in... more+ the early morning, and bus transportation to the airport will be provided. 
Breakfast
Lunch
Diner

included

The price includes
Coffee and tea
Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff
Free use of waterproof neoprene hiking boots and snowshoes
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the programme
AECO fees and governmental taxes
Comprehensive pre-departure material
Wi-Fi
A free reusable Dopper water bottle to use during and after your expedition
Activities included in the program
Meals included in the program
The price does not include
Any airline ticket, whether for a scheduled flight or a charter flight
Passport and visa fees
Government arrival and departure taxes
Meals ashore
Cancellation insurance
Personal Insurance
Baggage insurance
Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges
The customary tip at the end of the trip for the stewards and other onboard service staff (guidelines will be provided)
A fuel surcharge of €25 or $29 per passenger per night for all departures from November 15 through December 31, 2026
Meals not included in the program
Filovent cancellation cover more+
Filovent comprehensive cover more+
Additional information
All passengers receive a daily data allowance of 1.5 GB, which resets every 24 hours.
Optional services
Flights not included in the programme are available on request

Activities

Visit of Arnarstapi and Snaefellsjökull
included
Tour of Breidavik
included
Visit of Flatey
included
Visit of Klofningur
included
Visit of Aedey island
included
Wildlife observation
included
Birdwatching
included
Visit of Grimsey
included
Humpback whale watching
included
Minke whales sighting
included
Tour of the Jan Mayen Weather Station
included
Visit to a whaling station
included
Visit Longyearbyen
included
Excursion to Alicehamna or Buchananhalvøya
included
Visit of the Texas Bar and and Monaco Glacier
included
Visit of the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet
included
A Visit to Nordaustlandet
included
Polar bears watching
included

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