Faroe Islands, Iceland, Spitsbergen – Island Hopping in and around the Arctic (Northbound)
14-night the Arctic expedition · 1 departure · from $9,433 per guest
- 14 nightsDuration
- MS SpitsbergenShip
- Bergen to LongyearbyenRoute
- May 16, 2027Next sailing
Island Hopping in and around the Arctic (Northbound)
15-day all-inclusive Iceland and Svalbard expedition cruise from Bergen to Oslo
Explore five beautiful islands across four countries and three archipelagos with stunningly wild landscapes.
Keep watch for spectacular wildlife in this birdwatching and whale-watching paradise as we sail deep into the Arctic.
We’ll attempt to land at Jan Mayen, home to the world’s northernmost active volcano.
Island adventures
Our springtime adventure starts in Bergen, Norway, before sailing to Lerwick in Scotland’s Shetland Isles. From there, we travel to the green Faroe Islands, then cross to the north coast of Iceland. We finish our expedition cruise in Longyearbyen after sailing to scenic Spitsbergen in the High Arctic, in all its untouched glory.
Keep watch for wildlife
The pristine waters and stunning islands on this North Atlantic island-hopping adventure are home to all kinds of wildlife. We'll look out for birds, whales and more along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic – but elusive – polar bear as we sail the waters near Spitsbergen.
Upcoming departures
| Sails | Ship | Nights | From (per guest) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2027 | MS Spitsbergen | 14 | $9,433 | Cabins & fares |
Day by day
As planned for the May 16, 2027 departure; other departures may differ.
Day 1Bergen
Explore UNESCO-listed Bryggen and mountain peaks
Your adventure begins in the charming city of Bergen. Surrounded by seven mountains and the sea, Norway's old capital is also one of its most picturesque cities.
If you have time before boarding the ship, why not stroll through the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district, with its colourful wooden wharfs dating back to the 18th century. Across from Bryggen, you'll find the city's famous fish market.
You can even take the funicular railway to the top of Mount Fløyen for a refreshing hike and amazing views of the city, the mountains and sea beyond.
Day 2Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Explore Scotland's northernmost town
Welcome to the Shetland Islands. Lerwick, the capital, is a friendly, Victorian-influenced fishing town set in beautiful scenery.
Navigate the narrow lanes on foot to discover little shops selling local whiskies, woollen sweaters and fudge.
By the old waterfront, you’ll find the Shetland Museum, showcasing Pictish carvings and lace shawls. Nearby you can see Fort Charlotte and the regal-looking town hall.
Keep your binoculars handy to scan for grey and common seals along Lerwick's beaches, as well as local birdlife such as Red-throated Divers, redshanks and curlews.
Day 3Thorshavn
A visit to Streymoy in the Faroe Islands
Tórshavn is located on Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands. Founded by Norsemen in the 10th century, Tórshavn – Thor’s Harbour – is one of Northern Europe’s oldest capitals.
Wander through the cobbled alleyways and delight in the colourful, turf-roofed houses found here. In the local museums, you can learn about the city’s origins and the flora, fauna and geology of the Faroe Islands.
About half a mile out of town, the Svartafoss waterfall tumbles over mossy rocks. And as you walk along the seafront, look out for Eider Ducks and the distinctive Faroese Starling with its beige-tipped wings
Day 4Elduvík
Surround yourself with the sounds of Faroese nature
Today we’ll stop to explore the tiny village of Elduvík, with just 23 inhabitants. Set in the Funningsfjørður inlet in the Faroe Islands. Elduvík is split in two by the river Stórá.
While small, Elduvík comes complete with a school, church, dock and pier. From the pier, enjoy the view across the sparkling waters to the nearby island of Kalsoy – it’s astonishingly peaceful here.
As you walk through the village's charming streets, listen for the songs of seabirds, bleating sheep, and waves coming to shore from the fjord. You'll notice that the roofs of many houses are built in the traditional Icelandic style: covered in grass instead of slate, offering much-needed insulation and protection against the weather.
Day 5Cruising
Enjoy a relaxing day as we cruise towards Iceland
As we sail towards Bakkagerði, time is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Swap stories with fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge, relax in a hot tub on deck while scanning for seabirds and marine life, or join the Expedition Team in the Science Centre as they set the scene for northern Iceland: its stunning landscapes, cultures, and beliefs.
Day 6Bakkagerði
Look for elves in natural beauty
Your Iceland cruise continues to Bakkagerði, a tiny, remote settlement. According to folklore, Bakkagerði is inhabited by a large population of local land spirits or elves, known as huldufólk, meaning 'hidden people'. Walk around town to explore this magical place.
The area around Bakkagerði is a popular hiking area. You can join the Expedition Team to walk through lush, green valleys and gorgeous scenery among colourful rhyolite rocks.
The coastal cliffs are home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eiders and puffins. We may also visit the Atlantic Puffin colony on Hafnarhólmi – a true gem for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.
Day 7Husavik
Iceland's best whale watching spot
Today you’ll discover Húsavík, a fascinating small town that's one of the best places in the world from which to see whales.
Húsavík looks out over Skjálfandi bay, which enjoys visits from humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise and even the elusive blue whale. If you’re lucky, you might see one or more of these giants at sea. Learn more about them at Húsavík’s Whale Museum.
The town’s Exploration Museum has a section dedicated to space. As Húsavík's geology resembles lunar rocks, NASA sent astronauts from their Apollo space missions to train here. You can also enjoy the geothermal waters at Geosea, which overlooks Skjálfandi bay, and refresh with a beer at the local microbrewery.
Day 8Akureyri
See dramatic moonscapes and waterfalls
Gaze at snowcapped peaks as we cruise along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord. It’s also known as a great place to spot humpbacks and minke whales, as well as white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.
Iceland’s 'Northern Capital’, Akureyri, sits at the fjord base. Here, you can enjoy the oasis of a botanical garden, and visit top-notch eateries and museums.
A little further afield, you can witness the picturesque Goðafoss waterfall, where turquoise waters pound against black rocks. You can also keep an eye out for Eider and Harlequin Ducks at Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland's more active volcanic areas.
Day 9Cruising
Time to relax and discover what adventures lie ahead
As we cross the Arctic Circle and head towards Jan Mayen, you’ll enjoy a day at sea. There's plenty to do on board. Scan for marine wildlife from the deck, enjoy the panoramic sauna or soak in a hot tub, or simply relax in the Explorer Lounge & Bar, a great place to read or watch the world glide by.
The Expedition Team will also be on hand to share insights on what’s to come over the next few days exporing the Arctic.
Day 10Jan Mayen Island
Visit an active volcano that's a haven for birdlife
Today we reach Jan Mayen, a volcanic island suspended 500 km offshore with no permanent residents and almost no visitors. The only inhabitants are temporarily stationed Norwegian military personnel, meaning we join a very select group given the chance to set foot here.
Dominated by Beerenberg, the world's northernmost active volcano, the landscape feels almost alien: volcanic rock, moss, and lichen stretching to the horizon. Conditions permitting, we'll go ashore to explore. While there are no land mammals, Jan Mayen is a designated Important Bird Area, home to large colonies of northern fulmars, Brünnich's guillemots, and little auks. Keep watch for whales and seals in the surrounding waters too. This is one of the true highlights of any Arctic expedition.
Day 11Cruising
A peaceful interlude in your adventure
Spend the day at your leisure as we sail across the Barents Sea deeper into the Arctic towards the Svalbard archipelago. Watch the open water slip by from the Explorer Lounge & Bar, soak in a hot tub on deck while scanning for seabirds, or work up a sweat in the gym. The Expedition Team will set the scene for what's ahead with lectures on Svalbard's history, geology, and wildlife. This time is yours to enjoy.
Day 12Svartisen Glacier
A land of spectacular beauty
Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, is a wilderness of steep mountains, glaciers, and scattered offshore islands.
Over the next few days, we'll explore dramatic fjords where glaciers creak and calve icebergs into the sea, push north towards Northwest Spitsbergen National Park where sea ice may shape our route, and scan for the wildlife that thrives here: polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and colonies of seabirds nesting on the cliffs.
Each day will be different. Landings, Zodiac cruises, kayaking, hikes: be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Team read the conditions and seize every opportunity the Arctic offers.
Day 13Svartisen Glacier
Day 14Ny-Ålesund
Day 14Svartisen Glacier
Day 15Longyearbyen
A last day at the top of the world
Your Arctic adventure ends in Longyearbyen, where you’ll catch your flight back to Oslo.
You'll return home knowing more about Arctic animals, history, polar ice, and climate change than when you arrived – and with memories of an incredible experience.
Gallery
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