Iceland's West Coast in Luxury

Embark between 4pm and 5pm for departure at 9pm.

Having arrived independently to the world's northernmost capital city you will have to time to explore today before making your way to the port for embarkation. There will also be the chance to avail of an optional Golden Circle tour which can be taken before or after your voyage. This optional tour should be booked in advance. Please contact us for rates and availability.

Upon embarkation there will be time to explore the ship and settle into your luxurious cabin before joining your new shipmates for the first of many gourmet meals onboard.

The first stop on your luxury Icelandic cruise is the secret boreal hideaway of Grundarfjörður which is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell, on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Arriving by boat means you’ll get a closer view of the lava-stone rock standing like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay; Grundarfjörður lies sheltered behind this cone-shaped rock. A stone’s throw from the jetty, crystal clear waters, tundra and beaches give onto the cerulean waters of Breiðafjörður. Scattered with its emerald-coloured lawns, this town, with its buildings that merge into the surrounding countryside, is certain to impress.

Two fantastic optional excursions are available here today including a Snaefellsnes Peninsula tour which will take you through the several small fishing villages along the famous Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano. A whale watching tour is another possibility. Please enquire for full details, costs and availability.

Grímsey is a small island located 40 km North of mainland Iceland. It was formed by volcanic rock that has generated majestic basalt pillars. The island has been inhabited since the Vikings came to Iceland and legend has it that it is named after the colonial sailor Grìmur, who sailed from the region of Sogn in Norway. This site is home to fabulous wildlife, with many bird colonies having chosen to nest along the jagged cliffs, such as the ‘‘clowns of the sea’’ known as the Atlantic Puffins. While many travellers come here in order to cross the invisible line into the Arctic Circle, the island is also famed as a place to observe the midnight sun.

From Grímseyjarhreppur, the island’s only town located on the west coast, then heading due south, you can take in the beauty of the hillsides, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. On the rest of the coastline, imposing basalt cliffs inhabited by sea birds stand proud.

Our next stop is the elegant city of Akureyri which is located very close to the Arctic circle, tucked away in the Eyjafjörður fjord. The stunning palette of colours, with he blue harbour waters contrasting against the bronze mountain ash on the squares and brightly-coloured houses in the historical centre create some wonderful photo opportunities. Here you can spend some time walking along the cobbled streets and enjoy the local’s favourite scrumptious cream donuts with a cup of coffee. A vast stairway cut into the hillside leads you up to the emblematic feature of the town, namely the Akureyrarkirkja church, and the famous botanical garden here is well worth a visit.

Again there are two optional excursions today that you can join. One excursion will bring you to the mighty Godafoss waterfall and the Laufas Folk Museum. The other will take you to Godafoss, the impressive Lake Myvatn area and the surrounding geothermal field. Please enquire for full details and costs.

Next up, you will sail to the wonderfully remote Isafjörður fjord, a land of steep cliffs and lost valleys in the heart of the North-West Iceland fjord area. Renowned as one of the most beautiful fjords in all of Iceland, Isafjörður is home to a small town which lies between imposing mountains that make it an incredibly scenic spot. You can choose to spend some time here soaking up the sights of the town’s old wooden houses and learning about its past as a major fishing port.

You may also wish to join the optional “Maritime culture & traditions” excursion available today that will take you along the narrow coastal road to the tiny town of Bolungarvik, on to Osvor and through the valley of Tungudalur. This tour also includes entrance to the Maritime Museum and a traditional Icelandic food and drink tasting session. Please enquire for full details and costs.

Today will bring us to the stunning Vestmann Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) where we will make our way to Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjólfsdalur offer a rich contrast of nature here.

You can choose to explore around Heimaey at your leisure, with a visit to the interactive museum of Eldheimar definitely recommended, or join the optional boat tour that will see you circumnavigate around Heimaey in search of birdlife and spectacular scenery. Please enquire for full details and prices.

As your Iceland cruise nears its completion, your ship will arrive back in Reykjavik where you may wish to spend the day exploring at your own pace around this enchanting city. This is also a great opportunity to avail of the optional Golden Circle tour that is available and which will take you to three of Iceland’s most iconic locations; Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir hot springs area. (Please enquire for full details and pricing)

In the evening you will get back onboard to enjoy a final night with your shipmates.

On the morning of day 8 it will sadly be time to disembark and make your way onwards or homewards.