Scotland to Svalbard via Jan Mayen

Your North Atlantic Islands and Arctic expedition cruise begins in the Scottish city of Aberdeen where having arrived independently you will board your ship in the afternoon. After settling in to your comfortable cabin and enjoying a welcome cocktail, there will be voyage and safety briefings before your captain steers the ship through the mouth of the Dee River towards the North Sea.

The first stop of your trip will bring you to the beautiful Shetland Islands, the northernmost part of Britain, where we will make land at Lerwick, the archipelago’s main town. Located approximately 300 km north of the mainland of Scotland, the islands have a fascinating history and a rich culture which combines a mixture of British charm and Scandinavian heritage.

An optional bus excursion is available today which will take you for a scenic drive through the town and towards Scalloway for views of the imposing Scalloway Castle. After driving through the scenic “Black Gates” you will arrive at the famous Clickimin Broch where you can enjoy some exploration and learn about life in the Iron Age, before returning to Lerwick for some time at your leisure.

Please note, the excursion today is part of an excursion package that is not included in the price of your voyage. Please enquire for pricing and bookings. Should you wish to not join the excursion you can enjoy a free day of exploring the town at your own pace.

This morning we arrive off the coast of the Faroe Islands and make our way to Tórshavn, perhaps the smallest capital in the world. This bustling settlement, with its delightful shops and cafes, is a delight to explore and photo opportunities are endless, including the famous grass-roofed Parliament on Tinganes.

Today’s optional bus excursion will allow you to get an insight into the archipelago’s history as you take an incredibly scenic, yet often foggy, drive to Kirkjubøur, the most important historical site on the islands. In medieval times Kirkjubøur was the Episcopal centre of the Faroe Islands and we will learn all about its past and present as we explore around. We will also visit the ruins of the impressive Magnus Cathedral and the St. Olav church – the only remaining medieval church on the Islands, before returning to Tórshavn for some time at your leisure.

Please note, the excursion today is part of an excursion package that is not included in the price of your voyage. Please enquire for pricing and bookings. Should you wish to not join the excursion you can enjoy a free day at your own pace to maybe take a relaxing stroll through the old citadel near the harbour and visit the Art museum and the Nordic House.

Day 4 will be spent at sea sailing towards Jan Mayen. Whilst at sea you can enjoy the informative and entertaining lecture and discussion programme delivered by your team of onboard experts, spend time on deck looking for seabirds and whales following the ship, or simply relax in the comfort of your ship in preparation for the adventures ahead.

On day 5 we will arrive at the enigmatic and rarely-visited volcanic island of Jan Mayen which is home to the imposing Beerenberg mountain and is inhabited by only 18 people, all of whom work in the meteorological station and the Norwegian Defence. Often shrouded in mist, the island is a spectacular sight. We will hope to go ashore to explore around and learn more about its volcanic geology, passing by lava flows and cinder cones as the looming mountain provides an unforgettable backdrop.

Day 6 will be spent at sea sailing towards Svalbard and beautiful Spitsbergen, its largest and most impressive island.

By the afternoon of day 7 we will have arrived in Svalbard and will begin our exploration of Spitsbergen. As with all Arctic expeditions, our exact route in Svalbard will be dictated by weather and ice conditions, with your experienced captain and crew charting the perfect course each day for unforgettable sights and adventures. This itinerary describes the expected route but may be subject to change.

Day 7 will likely be spent sailing close to the ice edge in search of our first sightings of Polar bears. Should be lucky enough to spot some hunting for seals along the pack ice, it is guaranteed to be a sight you won’t forget!

On day 8 we will reach the beautiful Kongsfjord area to land at the famous former mining settlement of Ny Ålesund for an enjoyable walk to learn about the history and scientific importance of this area. There will also be chance to visit the world’s northernmost Post Office.

Continuing our exploration around Kongsfjorden we will be on the lookout for Polar bears and a host of migrating birds. We then plan to anchor behind Blomstrand Peninsula. As we will immediately see, the name is a little misleading. Blomstrand is now an island - the Blomstrand Glacier has receded, revealing a shallow water strait. We will cruise through this on our Zodiacs and make a landing on the island.

In Northwest Svalbard today we plan to Zodiac cruise in Danskergattet and look for seals in Virgohamna before making our way to Amsterdamøya to land at the legendary 17th century whaling town of Smeerenburg, and the old lookout area of Ytre Norskøya.

Overnight we will have sailed into Forlandssundet which separates Spitsbergen from Prince Karls Forland and is an excellent place to spot (and smell!) walruses, who haul out here in large numbers. We will visit Poolepynten for a close-up look at these iconic animals before sailing into the exceptionally scenic Isfjord area to search for more wildlife sightings and discover even more unforgettable landscapes. We will arrive into Longyearbyen late this evening.

Arrival in Longyearbyen, the administrative capital of Svalbard, signals the end of your fantastic itinerary. After breakfast this morning it will sadly be time to bid farewell to the crew as you disembark in Longyearbyen and transfer to the airport for your included flight to Oslo.