Arctic Island Odyssey – Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland

From Oslo to the town at the top of the world After a flight from Oslo, your adventure begins with an overnight stay in the world’s northernmost town, Longyearbyen.  A colourful frontier settlement where people are outnumbered by snowmobiles, Longyearbyen is a unique place on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. If you have time, head out to take a look at this special town, before enjoying a relaxing evening at your leisure.   

Explore this colourful frontier town  After breakfast, it’s time to experience Longyearbyen. The town is perfect for exploring on foot. Stroll down the main street and you might see Svalbard reindeer saunter by. Although wild, they're curious and tame. Before boarding your ship in the afternoon and continuing your Arctic discovery, join an included excursion and get a glimpse of this amazing polar bear–inspired region at the top of the world. And if you’d like to discover even more of Longyearbyen’s special surroundings, why not join our optional Pre-Programme.

Experience science, serenity and epic scenery Today, you’ll discover the serenity of Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town and one of the northernmost settlements in the world, strategically located at the entry into beautiful Kongsfjord.  The coal deposits were claimed in 1909 and exploitation started shortly after, supported by investors from the Norwegian town of Ålesund, hence the name of Ny-Ålesund. After operations ceased in 1962, the town was abandoned until polar scientists realised it would be a fantastic base for all kinds of Arctic research.  Now an international hub for global science and climate research, including China’s Yellow River station, you can still see remnants of the town’s history, closely connected to Roald Amundsen’s expeditions north with the airship ‘Norge’. Disconnect and enjoy a day without distractions as the Norwegian Mapping Authority’s nearby geodetic station means we must switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.  

Getting ready for Greenland - Kalaallit NunaatAs we sail into the Greenland Sea on our way to the world’s largest island, it’s time to relax, find your sea legs and get acquainted with the onboard facilities. The Expedition Team will give talks about your upcoming adventure and will explain the protocols of respectfully visiting wildlife habitats and Indigenous Arctic communities. In the lecture hall, you’ll find out what to expect in the epic landscapes of East Greenland National Park and the stunning fjords of Scoresby Sund.  If you’re feeling active, head to the gym and do a workout with a view. On the other hand, you could sample the sauna, laze in a hot tub, indulge yourself at the onboard eateries or just find a quiet corner to read a book with a hot drink. Love science? Then why not join one of our onboard Citizen Science projects, a fun and engaging way to contribute to global research.

Explore the wild eastWe’ll spend the next eight days exploring Greenland’s remote and pristine east coast. Extending for over 1,740 miles from north to south, this long stretch of coast is cold, isolated, and remote even by Greenlandic standards. The south-flowing East Greenland Current brings lots of sea ice directly from the Arctic Ocean, challenging human settlement but creating a heaven for ice-dependant wildlife, including the polar bear.  Local weather and ice conditions will dictate our exact route, but our plan is to sail first to Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system. You’ll feel a deep sense of serenity in this wild and rugged region, with white and blue icebergs floating in mirror-like waters surrounded by looming mountains. If conditions permit, we’ll visit Ittoqqortoormiit – the most remote inhabited community in the Western Hemisphere. Should the sea ice be favourable, we’ll continue our journey north to the beautiful Northeast Greenland National Park – the world’s largest national park. Visiting this fragile Artic wilderness is a rare privilege as only a few visitors are permitted here each year.  Apart from old trapper huts, some science research stations, and a military outpost, there are very few traces of human life in this 375,000 square mile park. Be assured that this is one of the quietest places on Earth, and you’ll enjoy a feeling of great peace as we explore this beautiful wilderness. As this is an expedition cruise, the Captain and Expedition Team will guide us to the most favourable spots on a daily basis. Our goal will be to pack in as many shore landings, small boat cruises, nature walks, kayaking adventures and wildlife sightings as possible.

Heading to IcelandAfter exploring the remote beauty of Greenland, we set our course back for Iceland. Spend the days at sea recapping your experiences with new friends, studying nature in the Science Center, listening to a lecture or two, or just relaxing on deck. Look out for the seabirds that follow our ship and keep an eye out for whales.  As you reflect on your cruise, from witnessing the delicate ecology of the fjord systems to the ethereal elegance of the floating ice, east Greenland’s beauty is sure to have left its mark on you.

End of the expeditionWe say a fond farewell to MS Fram as we end our expedition cruise in the lovely city of Reykjavík. With its interesting museums, stylish galleries, restaurants and geothermal pools, there’s so much to enjoy in Iceland’s capital. And if you want to discover more of Iceland, you can join our optional Post-Programme before you head home. Or simply extend your stay to enjoy more of Reykjavík and its surrounding geothermal attractions. It’s a great place to end an epic journey!

Itineraries are subject to change.