The Plancius is a small ship designed and built exclusively for polar cruises. A wide variety of cabins, ample space on five decks and a wide range of activities offered make the Plancius a great option for active expedition cruises.
Photo by: Bildagentur Zoonar
Iceland Explorer Cruise
Aboard 108-guest Plancius, cruise from Reykjavik to Akureyri, with visits along the Westfjords and pack ice. Take in glaciers, volcanoes, sea cliffs, fishing villages and plenty of opportunities for wildlife, including a possible polar bear.
Jun
FROM
$4,800
USD
PER PERSON
/
Enter a world of Norse mythology, wild and dramatic coastlines, and seabirds in their thousands as you voyage from Iceland, crossing the Arctic Circle and encountering the fringes of the sea ice, with good possibilities of viewing seals, whales and a lonely polar bear. Seabirds will be your constant companions as you visit islands, skerries and fjords before landfall in Akureyri, Iceland.
This Iceland itinerary offers a plethora of experiences. Lay eyes on a glacier-capped volcano and walk along cliffs with seabirds. Explore fishing villages, churches, a lighthouse and an eider duck farm. And sail past Iceland’s largest seabird colonies. Along the way, watch for white-tailed eagles, puffins, shags, whales, seals and even a possible polar bear.
Come aboard the 108-guest Plancius, a modified former research vessel that has been carefully upgraded. On board this ship, find engaging and experienced guides, efficient ship-to-shore operations to get all guests out exploring at the same time, and a lecture series to enrich every day.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruises, Iceland cruises and Arctic trips.
Northwest Iceland Explorer - Into the Pack Ice Itinerary
Keflavik, IcelandAkureyri, Iceland, Transfer to Reykjavik & Depart
The Northwest Iceland Explorer itinerary cruises from the port of Keflavik to Iceland’s rugged Westfjords, aiming to reach as far north as the pack ice before turning back and disembarking in Akureyri. On the way south, make a stop at Grimsey Island for its bird populations and fishing village.
In the late afternoon, board the ship in the port of Keflavik, a short distance from the international airport. With the port behind, sail north into the bay of Faxaflói and proceed to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula while looking for whales in this large bay.
Ice Caps & Volcanoes
Land in Breidavik at Arnarstapi, with Snaefellsjökull, a glacier-capped volcano in the background. Walk southward, along cliffs with seabirds, to Hellnar, where you’ll embark the ship again. You may also proceed to Snaefellsjökull, where Jules Vernes’s Journey to the Center of the Earth began. In the evening, look again for whales northwest of the peninsula.
A Land of Islands, Skerries & Norse Legends
Sail in the broad and shallow bay of Breidafjordur, peppered with hundreds of islands and skerries, and possibly glimpse some white-tailed eagles. Then land on Flatey and explore its traditional fishing village and the church with paintings by the Spanish-Icelandic artist Baltasar. Black guillemots and vast colonies of puffins breed along the shores, and red-necked phalaropes are common in ponds just inland. Pay a visit to Klofningur, a diminutive island featuring a lighthouse and extensive breeding colonies of shags, fulmars and great black-backed gulls. In the evening, sail by the impressive Látrabjarg, featuring Iceland’s biggest seabird colonies.
On the Lookout for Whales & Eider Ducks
Sailing into impressive Skutulsfjörður, home to the town of Isafjordur, plan a visit to Aedey, where an Icelandic family keeps an eider duck farm where the many hundreds of birds can breed entirely protected and where, at the end of the breeding season, all eiderdown is collected for trade. At the shores of the island, also meet breeding puffins. In the afternoon, you may sail into Jökulfirdir or directly out of the fjord, looking again for whales while you sail northwest and pass the Arctic Circle.
At the Fringes of the Sea Ice
North of Iceland, in the fringes of the southward-moving sea ice, sail northeast with your ice-rated vessel. Spend 2 days looking for harp and hooded seals, which sometimes frequent the area in great numbers. The presence of a lonely polar bear can not be discounted, as they sometimes reach Iceland’s shores. Near and along the sea ice, you will see whales and seabirds as they migrate and forage along the productive edge of the sea ice. You will be in an impressive seascape with, to the west, sea ice as far as you see. This is a wild arctic environment, constantly in motion and always changing.
Crossing the Arctic Circle Once More
Find yourself sailing southward. In the early morning, pass Kolbeinsey, a tiny uninhabited islet rapidly being eroded by the fearsome surrounding ocean. Later, land on Grimsey, a small island that straddles the Arctic Circle. Grimsey features a small but friendly fishing village and is home to colonies of kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins, fulmars and arctic terns. In the evening, at the mouth of Eyafjordur, you may again see some whales.
With your journey ending, you disembark in Akureyri where, on request, you can transfer by chartered bus (a six-hour drive that you must book in advance) to the bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavík. While your time in the Arctic may be over, your memories and experiences will stay with you forever!
Included
Voyage aboard the indicated vessel in the itinerary; all meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea; all shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac; program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff; free use of rubber boots and snow shoes; all miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program; AECO fees and governmental taxes; comprehensive pre-departure material; basic WiFi up to 1.5GB per 24 hours (additional data available for purchase on board).
Exclusions
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; pre- and post-cruise land arrangements; passport and visa expenses; government arrival and departure taxes; meals ashore; baggage and cancellation insurance; personal insurance (mandatory); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; ground transfers between Reykjavik and Akureyri for embarkation and disembarkation; the customary gratuity at the end of the voyages for stewards and other service personnel aboard (guidelines will be provided).
Payment & Cancellation
In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 20% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days – 100% of deposit
89 to 60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
Terms & Conditions
This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.
Arrival & Departure
The Northwest Iceland Explorer – Into the Pack Ice cruise begins in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF), and ends in Akureyri, Iceland (AEY), where you’ll be picked up and transferred by scenic bus through North Iceland to end back in Reykjavik. The ship disembarks in Akureyri, Iceland (AEY), with an optional transfer back to Reykjavik on the final day. Plan flights to arrive Reykjavik at least one day prior to embarkation. Plan flights to depart Reykjavik anytime on the day after disembarkation. The bus transfer is not included and must be pre-booked; 2026 USD cost is $150 per person. Contact AdventureSmith for more details. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.
Activities
Guided shore excursions, hiking, wildlife spotting and Zodiac cruises are included in the fare and will be offered to all passengers during each voyage. Every day there will be excursions on land, weather and ice permitting. The landings will take 3 to 6 hours per day over untracked area. According to circumstances (the weather, the ice-situation or the passengers’ wishes) the program can sometimes be adjusted. Ample time will be devoted to wildlife, vegetation, geography and history.
Room Configuration
Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x the per-person Twin or Superior listed rates. Single travelers wishing to book on a “sharing basis” may do so at no additional cost in Twin, Triple or Quadruple categories upon availability.
Families & Children
Upon request (some voyages may be excluded), children under 16 years old with parents may receive a 40% discount in the following cabins: Grand Suite, Superior, Triple (1 child sharing with 2 parents/adults) and Quadruple (1 child sharing with 3 parents/adults, or 2 children sharing with 2 parents/adults). Parents are entirely responsible for their children at all times, on land and on board; there is no onboard day care or nursery facility.
Travel Insurance
Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.
Itinerary Notes
Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditions, wildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.
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The Plancius is a 108-passenger small ship designed and built exclusively for polar cruises. A wide variety of cabins and ample space on five decks make the Plancius a great option for expedition cruises. With a strong focus on off-ship activities, the Plancius is an excellent jumping-off point for exploration of the polar regions.
Plancius Review
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Plancius review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our experts have been aboard nearly every small expedition ship in the polar regions. Please read our review below then contact our polar cruise experts to compare the Plancius with other Antarctica ships and small cruise ships sailing Antarctica cruises and Arctic cruises including Iceland cruises and cruises to Greenland.
Choose the Plancius for an activity-focused vessel while traveling in a comfortable and nicely decorated small ship that is spacious while imparting character, style and modern technology. The Plancius is a sleek ship made for explorers, much like her sister ship Ortelius. She makes for an excellent base camp for active-, adventure- and wildlife-minded modern explorers. Her polar cruises are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel program, spending as much time ashore as possible hiking, kayaking, overnight field camping and even scuba diving.
The Plancius is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10-12 knots. She has also been upgraded for comfort and cruising as the Plancius's diesel-electric propulsion system reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. In 2019, the ship's superior cabins were fully upgraded, the corridors of deck 5 were given new carpeting and there were also renovations made to the ship's restaurant area. And in 2025, Plancius was equipped with IcySea, a software providing near-real-time ice information to ensure safe navigation.
Plancius History
M/V Plancius was built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named "Hr. Ms. Tydeman." The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was eventually purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions. The vessel was completely rebuilt as a passenger vessel in 2009 and complies with the latest SOLAS regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea). M/V Plancius is classed by Lloyd's Register in London and flies the Dutch flag.
Common Areas & Amenities Aboard Plancius
Plancius offers a restaurant/lecture room on Deck 3. The spacious observation lounge and bar on Deck 5 boasts full panoramic views, a coffee and tea station with espresso machine and TVs. In the library, just off the lounge, computers for photo downloading and reference books in multiple languages are available. The Plancius has large open deck spaces with full walk-around viewing areas on Deck 4, offering excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. An infirmary is available if needed.
Plancius offers complimentary internet access via a voucher for a daily allowance of 1.5GB of internet activity, which resets every 24 hours. Additional internet data is available via supplementary vouchers which may be purchased on board.
Dining Aboard Plancius
All meals are served in the dining room. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style while dinners are plated 3-course meals. Options for dinner include meat, fish or vegetarian dishes. Coffee, tea and water are included however alcohol and drinks are at additional cost.
Crew & Guides Aboard Plancius
Plancius is staffed by 17 nautical crew, 19 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 11 stewards/cabin cleaners), 7-8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor. An international team of polar experts and field guides are assembled to share their enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge through lectures, briefings and field excursions. The science-minded professionals aboard cover major topics like marine biology, geography, geology, glaciology, ornithology and history. When it comes to excursions, the staff have all been trained and qualified in their respective activity. These scientists, lecturers and expedition guides work hard not just for safety but also to highlight examples of the unique elements of these intriguing polar regions.
Activities Aboard Plancius
As an activity-focused ship, the Plancius offers quality equipment and supplies to create safe, fun and comfortable exploration experiences. Snowshoes for shoreline hikes are available to explore the landscape via foot. Five single and five double kayaks are aboard the Plancius for off-ship on-the-water excursions, as are Neoprene wetsuits, splash shirts and covers, booties, caps and life jackets. Plancius is furthermore equipped with 10 Mark V Zodiacs, including 40 HP 4-stroke outboard engines and 2 gangways on the starboard side of the ship, guaranteeing a swift Zodiac operation. Select voyages have opportunities for photography workshops on board and on land, polar diving, camping and mountaineering excursions. All off-ship activities except shoreline hikes and walks require signing-up during the booking process.
Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Plancius
M/V Plancius accommodates 108 passengers in 50 passenger cabins, each with private toilet and shower, in 4 quadruple porthole cabins, 9 twin porthole cabins, 26 twin window cabins, 2 twin deluxe cabins and 10 superior cabins. All cabins offer lower berths (one queen-size bed in the superior cabins and two single beds in the twin cabins), except for the 4 quadruple porthole cabins (for 4 persons in 2 upper and 2 lower beds).
Common amenities include desk and chair, telephone and internet connection, a flatscreen TV and a hairdryer in each cabin and ample storage space. The electrical supply aboard the ship is 220v, 60Hz. Electrical outlets are standard European with two thick round pins, so travelers may need a 220v/110v converter.
Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary
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