Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavík
Start in Reykjavik with time to explore the capital on your own. Walk through art galleries and museums, then check out Laugavegur shopping street and the distinctive Hallgrímskirkja Church. Later that evening, board MS Maud where you'll have a welcome dinner and meet the Expedition Team.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner aboard MS Maud)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner aboard MS Maud
- Access to ship facilities including hot tubs, sauna, gym, Science Center, and library
- Meet the Expedition Team and attend daily briefing
Optional Activities
- Explore Laugavegur shopping street
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Explore galleries and museums in Reykjavík
- Pre-Program: Golden Circle tour
- Pre-Program: Icelandic Highlands exploration
Landmarks/POIs Hallgrímskirkja Church Laugavegur - Day 2
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Cruise to Stykkishólmur, a fishing town with colorful houses. The day focuses on Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park (called 'Little Iceland' for its varied volcanic landscapes). Visit the black-sand beach at Djúpalónssandur and see Lóndrangar's dramatic basalt cliffs. You can also choose a snowcat ride to Snæfellsjökull glacier's top or do a guided coastal hike with glacial cave exploration.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Expedition Team-guided activities
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Visit Djúpalónssandur black-sand beach
- View Lóndrangar basalt cliffs
- Snowcat ride to Snæfellsjökull glacier summit
- Guided coastal hike
- Glacial cave tour
Landmarks/POIs Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park Snæfellsjökull Djúpalónssandur Lóndrangar - Day 3
Westfjords
Head to Patrekfjörður, Europe's westernmost village, where you'll learn about local fishing traditions and relax in geothermal hot springs overlooking the fjord. From there, choose a fjord hike, visit Rauðasandur beach to see seals, tour Dynjandi waterfalls, or head to Látrabjarg cliff for birdwatching where you'll spot puffins, northern gannets, and razorbills.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Expedition Team-guided activities
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Fjord hiking
- Visit Rauðasandur beach and seal viewing
- Tour Dynjandi waterfalls
- Visit Látrabjarg bird cliff
- Swim in Patreksfjörður's outdoor geothermal pool
Landmarks/POIs Patreksfjörður Rauðasandur Dynjandi Látrabjarg - Day 4
Northwest Iceland
Experience true expedition cruising in northwest Iceland where weather and conditions shape the day's activities. The Captain and Expedition Team find the best opportunities, which might include RIB landings for hikes, swimming, or beach cleanups, kayaking trips, or staying aboard for lectures, the Science Center, photography tips, and hot tubs.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Expedition Team-guided activities (hiking, swimming, beach activities)
- Kayaking equipment access
- Onboard lectures and discussions
- Science Center access
- Professional photographer tips and techniques
- Hot tubs and sauna access
- Day 5
Westfjords
Explore Djúpavík and its eerie abandoned herring factory, which stands in striking contrast to the surrounding countryside. Take a guided tour through the cavernous building where rusting machinery and forgotten objects reveal stories from the past. Later, hike to a waterfall above the factory and spot remains of an old ship from the shore.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of abandoned herring factory
- Short hiking excursion to waterfall
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Access to ship facilities
Landmarks/POIs Djúpavík Herring Factory - Day 6
North Iceland
Cruise along Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, heading to Akureyri, the northern capital. Walk through charming streets with colorful houses and check out the Akureyri Museum or Norðurslóð museum. Venture inland to see Goðafoss waterfall's turquoise waters crashing against black rocks, then spot eider and harlequin ducks at Lake Mývatn in an active volcanic area. Watch for whales and dolphins during the cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Expedition Team-guided activities
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Stroll streets of Akureyri
- Visit Akureyri Museum
- Visit Norðurslóð (Into the Arctic) museum
- Visit Goðafoss waterfall
- Visit Lake Mývatn for wildlife viewing
Landmarks/POIs Akureyri Goðafoss Lake Mývatn - Day 7
Arctic Circle
Visit remote Grímsey Island (population 60) steeped in local folklore. Cross the Arctic Circle as it cuts directly through the island, the only place in Iceland where this happens. See the Orbis et Globus sculpture, a giant concrete sphere repositioned yearly to track the Arctic Circle's movement. Hike across the windswept island and observe Atlantic puffin colonies.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Hike to Orbis et Globus sculpture
- Arctic Circle crossing experience
- Expedition Team-guided activities
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Observe Atlantic puffin colonies
- Explore Grímsey Island independently
Landmarks/POIs Grímsey Island Arctic Circle Orbis et Globus - Day 8
Whale Watching
Arrive in Húsavík, one of the world's best whale-watching destinations overlooking Skjálfandi Bay. The bay hosts humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and occasionally blue whales. Visit the Whale Museum to learn more, relax in geothermal waters at Geosea with bay views, or grab a local craft beer at the town's microbrewery.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Expedition Team-guided activities
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay
- Visit Húsavík Whale Museum
- Swim at Geosea geothermal spa
- Visit local microbrewery
Landmarks/POIs Húsavík Skjálfandi Bay Húsavík Whale Museum Geosea - Day 9
Northeast Iceland
Arrive at tiny Bakkagerði, a hiking hotspot known in local folklore as home to huldufólk (hidden people). Explore lush valleys with colorful rhyolite rocks and beautiful scenery. Check out coastal cliffs home to fulmars, kittiwakes, eider ducks, and puffins. Depending on conditions, explore the Atlantic puffin colony on Hafnarólmi, a real highlight for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Hiking excursions in valleys
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Expedition Team-guided activities
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Visit Hafnarólmi Atlantic puffin colony
- Coastal cliff exploration
- Wildlife and nature photography
Landmarks/POIs Bakkagerði Hafnarólmi - Day 10
Westman Islands
Visit Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands off Iceland's southern coast. Learn about the island's history, particularly the devastating 1973 volcanic eruption. Tour Eldheimar museum featuring an excavated home frozen in time. Hike to Stórhöfði to find nearly 8 million puffins nesting in summer, or climb Mount Eldfell volcano for incredible views of the town below.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Lunch (Lunch in the Aune restaurant including beverages), Dinner (Dinner in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Escorted landings with RIBs
- Expedition Team-guided activities
- Access to ship facilities
Optional Activities
- Visit Eldheimar museum
- Hike to Stórh öfði puffin colony
- Climb Mount Eldfell volcano
Landmarks/POIs Heimaey Eldheimar Stórh öfði Mount Eldfell - Day 11
Reykjavík
Your expedition cruise ends back in Reykjavik. Spend the day exploring areas you might have missed when you first arrived, or simply relax. Experience Icelandic culture by soaking in geothermal waters at the Blue Lagoon, one of the world's true natural wonders, where silica, algae, and minerals blend in the heated waters.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast in the Aune restaurant including beverages)
Included Activities
- Access to ship facilities (through morning departure)
- Disembarkation in Reykjavík
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavík at leisure
- Visit Blue Lagoon geothermal spa
- Post-Program: South Iceland coast tour
- Post-Program: Explore waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and geothermal springs
Landmarks/POIs Blue Lagoon
