Four Arctic Islands: The Northbound Journey (Ocean Albatros)

Day by day

Your journey through

Iceland

Day 1Reykjavik, IcelandHallo! Welcome to Iceland. Your expedition ship, Ocean Albatros, awaits for your Arctic islands adventure. Make your way to the harbour for embarkation and an onboard safety briefing at 5 pm. Then, it's off to sea. If you arrive early, maybe check out Hallgrimskirkja Church, which towers over Reykjavik, tuck into some Nordic cuisine or visit a museum. This evening, toast your departure from civilisation as you sail into the Arctic wilderness.

Reykjavik

Hallo! Welcome to Iceland. Your expedition ship, Ocean Albatros, awaits for your Arctic islands adventure. Make your way to the harbour for embarkation and an onboard safety briefing at 5 pm. Then, it's off to sea. If you arrive early, maybe check out Hallgrimskirkja Church, which towers over Reykjavik, tuck into some Nordic cuisine or visit a museum. This evening, toast your departure from civilisation as you sail into the Arctic wilderness.

Day 2At Sea, en route to East GreenlandLeave Iceland behind and cross the Denmark Strait toward East Greenland's wild coast. You may want your camera handy as you sail these waters, where Arctic currents meet warmer waters from the Atlantic, creating a fertile feeding ground for seabirds, whales and other marine life. As you settle into life aboard, maybe take advantage of the lecture program to learn more about the Arctic, or simply relax in the spa, sauna or panoramic hot tubs as you sail toward the world's largest fjord system – Scoresbysund.

Leave Iceland behind and cross the Denmark Strait toward East Greenland's wild coast. You may want your camera handy as you sail these waters, where Arctic currents meet warmer waters from the Atlantic, creating a fertile feeding ground for seabirds, whales and other marine life. As you settle into life aboard, maybe take advantage of the lecture program to learn more about the Arctic, or simply relax in the spa, sauna or panoramic hot tubs as you sail toward the world's largest fjord system – Scoresbysund.

Day 3Blosseville CoastSail south along Greenland’s Blosseville Coast – a rugged landscape shaped by volcanic activity some 50 million years ago. First surveyed by explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen, this area has long been navigated by Inuit communities. Weather-permitting, you may have the opportunity to land in this now-uninhabited region of stark, yet breathtaking beauty.

Majestic iceberg landscape in Tiniteqilaaq, Greenland during sunset, showcasing pristine nature.

Blosseville Coast

Sail south along Greenland’s Blosseville Coast – a rugged landscape shaped by volcanic activity some 50 million years ago. First surveyed by explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen, this area has long been navigated by Inuit communities. Weather-permitting, you may have the opportunity to land in this now-uninhabited region of stark, yet breathtaking beauty.

Day 4ScoresbysundVenture deep into Scoresbysund today, navigating a maze of fjords, islands and ice shaped by Arctic conditions. Your exact route will depend on the wind, sea and ice conditions. Maybe stop at the Bjorne Islands, a labyrinth of skerries (tiny rocky islands) that trap vast icebergs between them. You might visit the basalt mountains of Cape Brewster or the abandoned remains of European and Inuit settlements.

Expansive iceberg floating serenely in the cool waters of Greenland.

Scoresbysund

Venture deep into Scoresbysund today, navigating a maze of fjords, islands and ice shaped by Arctic conditions. Your exact route will depend on the wind, sea and ice conditions. Maybe stop at the Bjorne Islands, a labyrinth of skerries (tiny rocky islands) that trap vast icebergs between them. You might visit the basalt mountains of Cape Brewster or the abandoned remains of European and Inuit settlements.

Your journey through

Greenland

Showing Days 5-11

8-day itinerary

Day 5IttoqqortoormiitToday, you'll step foot in one of the most remote communities on Earth. Ittoqqortoormiit is the only settlement in this region and retains a strong sense of community and traditional culture. There's an excellent museum here, as well as a beautiful traditional church. The locals often welcome visitors wearing colourful traditional costumes, the perfect introduction to the culture and lifestyle of Greenland.

Ittoqqortoormiit

Today, you'll step foot in one of the most remote communities on Earth. Ittoqqortoormiit is the only settlement in this region and retains a strong sense of community and traditional culture. There's an excellent museum here, as well as a beautiful traditional church. The locals often welcome visitors wearing colourful traditional costumes, the perfect introduction to the culture and lifestyle of Greenland.

Day 6At Sea, en route to Jan MayenLeave Scoresbysund and Ittoqqortoormiit behind and sail on towards Jan Mayen, an isolated volcanic island in the Greenland Sea. You'll have a leisurely day at sea today, which is a great chance to pop into a lecture, have a massage or just soak in the hot tub and watch the seabirds swirling above. Cold currents drifting down from the Arctic Ocean meet warmer Gulf Stream waters here, creating nutrient-rich sea that support abundant marine life and seabirds.

Leave Scoresbysund and Ittoqqortoormiit behind and sail on towards Jan Mayen, an isolated volcanic island in the Greenland Sea. You'll have a leisurely day at sea today, which is a great chance to pop into a lecture, have a massage or just soak in the hot tub and watch the seabirds swirling above. Cold currents drifting down from the Arctic Ocean meet warmer Gulf Stream waters here, creating nutrient-rich sea that support abundant marine life and seabirds.

Day 7Jan MayenVisit Jan Mayen today, a remote volcanic island rising from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the 'spine' of the Atlantic Ocean. Home to a small community of scientists and Norwegian troops, the island is dominated by Mt Beerenberg – Norway’s only active volcano and the northernmost active volcano on Earth. Explore a landscape shaped by cinder cones, old lava flows and stark black cliffs, with low tundra vegetation clinging to the ground and large colonies of seabirds nesting in the rugged cliffs. On a clear day, the snow-capped, Fuji-esque summit of Mt Beerenberg rises dramatically above it all.

A captivating view of a glacier under dramatic clouds in Svalbard, showcasing nature's raw beauty.

Jan Mayen

Visit Jan Mayen today, a remote volcanic island rising from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the 'spine' of the Atlantic Ocean. Home to a small community of scientists and Norwegian troops, the island is dominated by Mt Beerenberg – Norway’s only active volcano and the northernmost active volcano on Earth. Explore a landscape shaped by cinder cones, old lava flows and stark black cliffs, with low tundra vegetation clinging to the ground and large colonies of seabirds nesting in the rugged cliffs. On a clear day, the snow-capped, Fuji-esque summit of Mt Beerenberg rises dramatically above it all.

Day 8At Sea, en route to SvalbardSaying farewell to Jan Mayen, sail northeast across the Greenland Sea towards the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Perhaps spend some time today with the Expedition Team for lectures on Svalbard’s wildlife, polar history and fragile ecosystems, or take part in citizen science projects that contribute to ongoing research. Between sessions, keep watch from deck for seabirds and marine life, or relax in the spa and hot tubs as Svalbard’s snow-crowned peaks begin to appear on the horizon.

Saying farewell to Jan Mayen, sail northeast across the Greenland Sea towards the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Perhaps spend some time today with the Expedition Team for lectures on Svalbard’s wildlife, polar history and fragile ecosystems, or take part in citizen science projects that contribute to ongoing research. Between sessions, keep watch from deck for seabirds and marine life, or relax in the spa and hot tubs as Svalbard’s snow-crowned peaks begin to appear on the horizon.

Day 9At Sea, en route to Svalbard

At Sea, en route to Svalbard

Day 10South SvalbardSpend your day exploring the greener, warmer fjords of Bellsund and Hornsund. These fertile valleys are abundant with reindeer and Arctic foxes. Watch seabirds nesting and icebergs drifting from glaciers. Have your binoculars ready for birdwatching at the towering Alkefjellet Bird Cliffs, where tens of thousands of birds nest on every ledge and crevice on the cliff faces. See (and hear) guillemots, kittiwakes and Arctic skuas. You’ll also visit the historic mining settlement of Calypsobyen and the ruins of a hunter's cabin at Bamsebu.

Breathtaking view of Arctic mountains and ocean under clear twilight sky, capturing serene beauty.

South Svalbard

Spend your day exploring the greener, warmer fjords of Bellsund and Hornsund. These fertile valleys are abundant with reindeer and Arctic foxes. Watch seabirds nesting and icebergs drifting from glaciers. Have your binoculars ready for birdwatching at the towering Alkefjellet Bird Cliffs, where tens of thousands of birds nest on every ledge and crevice on the cliff faces. See (and hear) guillemots, kittiwakes and Arctic skuas. You’ll also visit the historic mining settlement of Calypsobyen and the ruins of a hunter's cabin at Bamsebu.

Day 11Northwest SpitzbergenExplore Northwest Spitsbergen National Park today, a protected corner of Svalbard that preserves a long history of Arctic exploration and whaling. First recorded by Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz in 1596, the region later became an important base for Dutch and English whalers. Nature has reclaimed much of that history and created a haven for flora and fauna, with Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus and polar bears reclaiming the coastal landscape.

Breathtaking view of icebergs in Tiniteqilaaq, Greenland's fjord, under a clear blue sky.

Northwest Spitzbergen

Explore Northwest Spitsbergen National Park today, a protected corner of Svalbard that preserves a long history of Arctic exploration and whaling. First recorded by Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz in 1596, the region later became an important base for Dutch and English whalers. Nature has reclaimed much of that history and created a haven for flora and fauna, with Arctic flowers, seabirds, walrus and polar bears reclaiming the coastal landscape.

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Your journey through

Denmark

Day 13Disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard fly to Oslo, NorwayArrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard today —the northernmost town on Earth. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality. When you arrive, breathe that crisp polar air, take in those dramatic mountain views and heed the polar bear warning sign – a strong reminder that you're in a wild place. After a hearty breakfast, bid a fond farewell to the crew, and descend the gangway back to dry land with memories of the voyage of a lifetime. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Oslo, where your trip will finish at Oslo airport.

Oslo

Arrive in Longyearbyen, Svalbard today —the northernmost town on Earth. Despite its remote Arctic location, Longyearbyen offers warm Nordic hospitality. When you arrive, breathe that crisp polar air, take in those dramatic mountain views and heed the polar bear warning sign – a strong reminder that you're in a wild place. After a hearty breakfast, bid a fond farewell to the crew, and descend the gangway back to dry land with memories of the voyage of a lifetime. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Oslo, where your trip will finish at Oslo airport.