DAY 1 / BERGEN / EMBARKATION 

Bergen, founded in 1070 AD, served as the capital of Norway for several years. The city has preserved a great deal of local character and history. Visit the historic UNESCO-listed Bryggen district with colourful wharves that date back to the 14th century. Take a stroll around this charming and compact city, spend some time in one of the outdoor cafés and restaurants, enjoy a trip on the Fløibanen Funicular or visit the Fish Market before embarking your Viking adventure on MS Spitsbergen.

DAY 2 / VÆRLANDET / BULANDET 

Værlandet/Bulandet and Atløy/Nærvik is the westernmost archipelago of Norway, situated northwest of Bergen. We will attempt to make landings both in the morning and in the afternoon, taking you to some of the most interesting sites of the area.  This might include scaling the “Norwegian Horse” on the island of Alden.  This steep 480-metre mountain rises from the sea in the shape of a horse.

Værlandet is a great launch point as we head west on our Viking trail.  Keep your eyes on the sky as we sail this area for rare white-tailed sea eagles.

DAY 3 / LERWICK 

Lerwick is the main port of the Shetland Islands and by far the northernmost town of Scotland.  Founded in the 17^th century as a fishing port, today Lerwick is a bustling, cosmopolitan seaport. The old waterfront bustles with visiting yachts and working fishing boats. The area boasts some of Shetland’s most attractive scenery and an extraordinary concentration of archaeological sites, including two remarkable Iron Age villages.

Strong bonds were formed between the island and the Kingdom of Norway when refugees came over during the Second World War.  The fishing boats that brought them would then return loaded with arms and ammunition to support the Norwegian resistance. The flow of vessels on this clandestine route became known as “The Shetland Bus”.

DAY 4 / KIRKWALL 

Kirkwall is the largest town and the capital of the Orkney Islands.  The town is dominated by the famous St. Magnus Cathedral. The first mention of a settlement here is in a saga from 1046, and the name Kirkwall derives from the Norse `Kirkjuvagr´ (Church Bay).

A local saga tells the story of how Magnus, kidnaped from the islands, refused to fight with the Vikings or condone their violence.  Magnus eventually returned home, only to be put to death for his pacifism, and the church was named for his memory. Today, Kirkwall has a population of 8,500, and is one of the most attractive and well-preserved small towns in Scotland

DAY 5 / TÓRSHAVN 

The Faroe Islands are a group of islands in the middle of the North Atlantic. The capital city, Tórshavn, is one of the smallest in the world, with only 15,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in the 10th century and might very well be the oldest capital in northern Europe. The Vikings established their parliament here on the Tinganes Peninsula in 850 AD, and Tórshavn has remained the capital of the Faroe Islands ever since.

DAY 6 / FAROE ISLANDS

Our experienced Captain, Expedition Leader and local experts will coordinate a unique nature landing.

DAY 7 / EIDI / FAROE ISLANDS

Eiði is a large fishing village in the Faroe Islands with around 600 inhabitants. In the 9th century AD, Eiði was settled by Vikings and today offers fascinating history as well as beautiful hiking trails, such as the short walk that takes in the 1,125 foot high promontory of Eiðiskollur, with commanding views of Atlantic breakers crashing on the rocks below.

DAY 8 / MYKINES / FAROE ISLANDS

Mykines was formed about 60 million years ago. The layers of soft volcanic tuff and eroded basalt create excellent nesting conditions for birds here, and the island hosts some of the richest bird cliffs in the world. Several species nest and breed here during the summer season, such as guillemots, atlantic puffins, northern fulmars and kittiwakes, just to mention a few. The human population hovers around 12, while the number of sheep on the island is about 1200!

DAY 9 / AT SEA 

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea with on board lectures while we set course towards Iceland.

Our Expedition Team will hold talks and workshops and share their knowledge and experience.

Our experts will summarize the voyage so far and present the plan for the following days. There might also be a chance to look behind the scenes and partake in our Guest Expedition staff program.

DAY 10 / HEIMAEY / VESTMANNAEYJAR

The Vestmannaeyjar – or Westman Islands – are a group of 15 spectacular islands and about 30 rock pillars with bird cliffs located off Iceland’s southern coast. These islands were formed by submarine volcanic eruptions along a 19 mile long fissure running southwest to northeast. Most of the islands have steep sea cliffs, are well-vegetated and provide a habitat for countless birds, including the charming puffin. If weather and sea conditions allow, we will visit Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands, and was one of Iceland’s most important fishing ports. Hunting and fishing are still the mainstays of the local economy.

DAY 11 / REYKJAVIK / DISEMBARKATION 

Our voyage of discovery and adventure ends in Reykjavik, an early Viking settlement that today has become the modern capital of Iceland. The city´s surroundings offer fantastic natural beauty; geysers, mountains, glaciers and world-famous geothermal bathing.

If you have the time, join an exciting post program in magical Iceland.

• Hurtigruten Expedition Voyage in cabin grade of your choice on a full board basis (daily buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, and set or buffet dinner)
• Wind- and water-resistant jacket
• Landings and activities on board and ashore
• Professional English-speaking Expedition Team that gives lectures as well as accompany landings and activities
• Complimentary tea and coffee

Travel Documents / Visas

1. Passport

Canadian citizens must have a valid passport for entry to any of our Arctic destinations.

Our cruise partners require that your passport be valid for 6 months after the end date of your trip.

Citizens of other countries should consult with their travel agent or our office.

2. Visa

No visa is required for citizens of Canada to enter any of our Arctic destinations.

Packing List

A handy checklist of what to bring on your trip can be downloaded here.

Insurance

You MUST have travel insurance to participate in any Arctic program. Options on coverage are available from your travel agent or here.

Smoking

Not permitted anywhere indoors. There are designated areas on the outside decks.

Weather

The weather in the Arctic regions of the North Atlantic can vary greatly depending on fronts that can move fairly rapidly in conjunction with ocean currents. We advise to be on the safe and bring adequate warm cloting.

Summer days often do not exceed 10C, although it is possible for temperatures to reach into the high teens under the strong sun in protected areas like Greenlandic fjords.

It is typically quite dry in the summer months but can be very windy, particularly when crossing open stretches of sea. The wind combined with the cool temperatures could make it feel colder than it actually is. As is so often suggested, dressing in layers is the best way to stay warm and yet account for the changing temperatures.

Arrival / Departure

Upon booking, we will provide detail instructions on where to check-in for your Arctic expedition depending upon your embarkation point.  We strongly suggest arriving at least one day prior to avoid any chance of missing the sailing since there is no easy way to join the ship after it has departed.

On your return, if you are flying back home the same day as the ship arrives (assuming you are not on a program where the charter flight is part of the program), we strongly recommend that you stay over at least one night were possible. Although very rare, weather conditions could delay the exact return time and we cannot assume any responsibility for missed flights due to any delays.

Money

The currency of Norway is the Norwegian Kronor (NOK).

The currency of Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK).

The currency of Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK).

Onboard, you will be issued a cruise card which you can use to charge all purchases during your voyage. You must provide a Visa, American Express, Diners or MasterCard that is valid for at least 3 months after your trip date.

The final bill will be charged to your account in Norwegian Kronor (NOK).

ATM’s accepting most international debit and credit cards can be found in abundance in Norway and Iceland. However, after you leave these cities for the trip, it is extremely unlikely you will see another ATM until your voyage ends. We regret, there is no currency exchange facility onboard the ship.

For small purchases in Iceland and Greenland, you should have some of the local currency as USD may not be accepted.

Gratuities (Tipping)

Gratuities suggested by the cruise line are:

USD 12.00 per guest per day to be divided amongst the entire crew.

Laundry

Laundry service is available for a small fee. Regrettably, dry cleaning is not available.

Excursions

All regular shore landings as noted in the itinerary are included in your voyage. Some additional excursions may be available on board at an extra cost. Please check with us or consult the purser onboard for additional information.

Many shore landings will start a zodiac boat ride to shore where you will land and be assisted onto shore via some portable steps. The ground is sometimes covered with small rocks / gravel.

Activity Level / Strenuousness

Light to Moderate – Participation in the shore landings requires the ability to board (with assistance) a zodiac boat from the main ship and on to shore. There are generally no long distances to walk on the Arctic programs.

Food

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your cruise fare.

Should you have the opportunity to sample Greenlandic fare, you should jump at the chance. Much of the food here comes either from the sea like the infamous Greenlandic halibut, but also truly ‘free range’ meat from animals like the reindeer, muskox, and local lamb.

When in Iceland, you’ll find that the food is somewhat more “Europeanized”. However, local dishes such as “Hangikjöt” (smoked lamb) or “Skyr” (kind of like yoghurt but not), are well worth trying. If you are really brave, look for “Svið” which is boiled sheep’s head. They say it’s delicious.

Language

In all the stops along the way, you will find that the local people speak at least some, if not fluent, English. You may find run into a real native Greenlander who doesn’t understand you, but then you’d be lucky.

Medical Facilities

There is an English-speaking physician and nurse on board at all times. The ship has a small medical facility with the necessary equipment and drugs to handle small emergencies. In the event of a serious emergency, the nearest hospital will be contacted. Medical consultations as well as medicines will be charged to the passenger affected. If you depend on medication, remember to bring sufficient supplies to last through any unforeseen delays. We also recommend that you keep your medication in your hand luggage properly labelled and with clear instructions for its use. If you depend on vital drugs, please inform the ship’s doctor upon arrival.  Illness on board can lead to quarantine and orders from the ship’s physician and captain, must be followed.

Phone & Internet

There is a phone in each cabin. Call rates are very high as a satellite connection is the only one possible.

Wi-Fi is available in certain areas of the ship at a modest charge. As it is a satellite connection, internet speed will be very slow and we suggest it be used for urgent matters only.

Health / Vaccinations

There are no vaccinations required to travel to Arctic destinations. However, we suggest you consult your physician with any specific personal requirements for this program.

You must also have travel insurance to participate on this voyage.

Safety & Security

Our ships are equipped with the latest in emergency communication, life boats and other equipment to deal with any kind of problematic event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office for more details.

The destinations involved do not currently have any security threats.

Suggested Reading

This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland

Arctic: A Guide to Coastal Wildlife

Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga

Baffin Island: Field Research and High Arctic