Iceland Circumnavigation Cruise

Having made your way to Reykjavik, you will be met by a ship representative and transferred to the group hotel. Upon arrival at the included hotel, please visit the hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak with the ground operations team, who may have information to share with you about pre-embarkation or to provide you with information about where to dine, withdraw cash or purchase last minute items from a local pharmacy or supermarket. The remainder of your time is at leisure. All meals today are at your own expense.

This morning, ensure any cabin luggage is fitted with cabin tags and take it down to hotel reception. Luggage will be collected from the hotel and transferred directly to port for clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of embarkation. Keep any valuables or personal items with you throughout the day.

Today, follow the path of one of Reykjavik’s most popular seismic attractions – the Golden Circle. Stops along your route include Thingvellir National Park, accredited as the site of Iceland’s first parliament. A shaky start to the new nation, it is also the point where the Eurasia and North American tectonic plates meet as an open fissure. Your next stop is Gullfoss waterfall. This impressive water feature tumbles 11 feet (34m) into the Hvítá River, offering a popular photographic opportunity. Next, explore the geothermal fields and geysir’s for which Iceland is famous. The variety of hot springs and bubbling pools are mesmerizing as the sheer capacity of water and steam erupting from the ground makes you ponder just how much power is beneath your feet. Late afternoon, return to Reykjavik to board the ship.

After boarding, there’s time to settle into your cabin before an important safety briefings before the crew throws the lines to begin your Iceland adventure. This evening, meet your expedition team and crew at the welcome dinner.

At Arnarstapi, take a Zodiac tender ashore. Located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, this area features diverse landscapes characterized by lava fields, glistening fjords and home to Breidafjordur Bay which is rich in birdlife. The area is crowned by the magnificent, ice-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, a 700,000-year-old dormant subglacial volcano, visible from Reykjavik on a clear day and immortalized in Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). On the Highlights of Snaefellsness excursion, visit the iconic Mount Kirkjufell (of “Game of Thrones” fame), followed by a hike or drive through Snæfellsjökull National Park, then the black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur and Búðir, a picturesque hamlet. On the Natural Wonders of Snaefellsnes tour, visit the iconic Mount Kirkjufell (of “Game of Thrones” fame), followed by the 8,000-year-old Vatnshellir Cave and an easy coastal trail hike from Arnarstapi to Hellnar for basalt columns and various birds. And on the Snaefellsnes Adventure, visit the Eldborg crater, the basalt columns at Gerðuberg Cliffs, the Pufubjarg bird cliff, a lava field and a lighthouse.

Over the next 3 days, explore the Westfjords region featuring outstanding landscapes with jaw-dropping views of dramatic fjords carved by ancient glaciers, sheer table mountains that plunge into the sea and pristine North Atlantic vegetation.

At Patreksfjörður, a shore excursion by coach takes you to Látrabjarg cliffs. As Europe’s largest bird cliff, Látrabjarg is home to millions of seabirds, such as puffin, razorbill, fulmar and guillemot. Enjoy the impressive variety of natural wonders and unspoiled nature. Látrabjarg also happens to be the westernmost point in Europe, east coast of the North American continent on the other side of the Atlantic.

Immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the afternoon as you cruise northward, taking in breathtaking landscapes and keeping a watchful eye for whales. Later, embark on a Zodiac landing to witness the awe-inspiring power of Dynjandi waterfall.

Thingeyri, a quaint village nestled on a slender strip of land, graces the shores of one of Iceland’s most picturesque fjords, Dýrafjörður. Much like many other coastal settlements in Iceland, the village’s culture and industry have been intricately woven with the influence of the sea over centuries. The surrounding landscape is adorned with towering mountains, lending a distinctive charm to the scenic expanse that envelops Thingeyri. This idyllic region is often hailed as the “Alps of the Westfjords,” especially the highland area nestled between the majestic fjords of Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjörður. The beauty of Thingeyri lies not only in its coastal simplicity but also in the dramatic backdrop of high mountains that paints a captivating portrait of this Icelandic village.

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). On the That Viking Thing Experience, walk through a recreated Viking area including ruins and an interactive Viking Museum including opportunities to dress up and take photos, drink Icelandic Viking beer and bake Viking bread. And on the Sandafell Mountain Hike, take on a moderate-difficult hike for gorgeous views, followed by a cruise along breathtaking landscapes with possible whale sightings and a Zodiac trip to the Dynjandi waterfall.

Picturesque Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city outside the capital area and is blessed with a superb snow-capped mountain backdrop.

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). On the Góðafoss, Lake Myvatn & Baths excursion, visit Godafoss Falls and soak at Myvatn Nature baths, an outdoor hot spring bathing complex surrounded by mountain views. On the Góðafoss, Lake Myvatn & Dimmuborgir tour, explore the Godafoss waterfall, Lake Myvatn and Dimmuborgir with its enormous lava rocks and cliffs. And on the Hverfjall Volcanic Crater Hike, Dimmuborgir & Dettifoss outing, visit Dimmuborgir and then take on a strenuous hike up the Hverfjall Volcanic Crater.

In the late afternoon, reboard the ship in Husavik, the whale watching capital of Iceland.

Located approximately 25 miles off the mainland, Grímsey is a verdant grassy island, probably best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island. Many people travel to Grímsey just to say they have stepped across the imaginary line. With a tiny population of approximately 100 inhabitants, it’s a fantastic place for Zodiac cruising, kayaking and photographing seabirds such as guillemots, gulls and puffins.

Leaving Grímsey to return closer to the mainland, spend time scanning the waters of Skjálfandi Bay around Húsavik, a town known as the Iceland’s whale watching capital, home to up to 24 different whale species, as well as dolphins and 30 varieties of birds. The largest animal on earth, the blue whale, has also been spotted in Skjálfandi Bay, and if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of this magnificent creature as well as others, such as orcas, fin whales and pilot whales.

Spend some time exploring Seydisfjordur, a picturesque fishing village that is renowned for its charming
collection of colorful wooden buildings located around the lagoon. Take a stroll around town and discover the timber houses that are remnants from when the Norwegians settled here and established the herring fishing facilities from 1870–1900. From the valley above the town, the river Fjardara tumbles down in beautiful cascades to the lagoon. There are a number of delightful hiking trails to explore, or alternatively, you can discover a flourishing cultural scene with an arts center, the famous blue church that stages music concerts and the only two cinemas in the east of Iceland. Back in town, browse the stores where you will discover handicrafts by local artists and artisans–perfect as a souvenir or gift.

In Iceland’s east, disembark in Djupivogur, the gateway to Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier.

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). On the Waterfalls, Glacial Lagoons & Hot Tubs excursion, visit the Fossárfoss waterfall, explore  Vatnajokull National Park’s Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by a four-wheeled amphibian boat, visit the black-sand Diamond Beach and enjoy the geothermal hot tubs in Hoffell. On the Wonders of Vatnajokull National Park & Canyon Hike tour, visit the Fossárfoss waterfall, take on a moderate hike in  Múlagljúfur Canyon, explore Vatnajokull National Park’s Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by foot and visit the black-sand Diamond Beach. And on the Falljökull Glacier Hike, ascend (partly in crampons) one of the most impressive outlet glaciers of the Vatnajökull ice cap: Falljökull for a moderate-difficult outing.

Located off Iceland’s south coast, the Westman Islands were formed by volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago. Sail past Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site that emerged from the sea in 1963 and is one of the youngest land masses on earth. Westman Islands are surrounded by 15 other uninhabited islands and around 30 rocks and skerries offering refuge for a rich array of seabirds. Westman Islands are considered to have the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world, and when sailing around the islands it is not uncommon to see puffins but also whales and seals.

You can choose from a selection of shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). On the Eldheimar Volcano Museum & Puffin Viewing tour, visit the Eldheimar Volcano Museum and head to the Stórhöfði cape for some puffin watching. And on the Eldheimar Volcano Climb & Museum excursion, take on a difficult 2-hour hike up the Eldheimar Volcano before visiting its museum.

During the early morning, cruise into Reykjavik and disembark at approximately 8:00am. Say farewell to your
expedition team and fellow passengers as you continue your onward journey. A transfer is included to Keflavik airport, the Grand Reykjavik Hotel (if pre-booked through your ship), or bus stop #1 (Ráðhús, City Hall).