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Arctic Cruise in Svalbard, East Greenland & Iceland

Arctic Cruise in Svalbard, East Greenland & Iceland

From AUD $15,875

Description

Take a remarkable journey from Svalbard and the rarely visited Jan Mayen Island to Greenland and Iceland on this thrilling Arctic adventure. Explore Svalbard’s pristine landscapes, cross the Norwegian Sea to remote Jan Mayen Island, and navigate East Greenland’s dramatic Kong Oscar Fjord and Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord system. Visit Ittoqqortoormiit, one of Greenland’s most isolated settlements, and experience Greenland’s striking scenery with its towering cliffs, drifting icebergs, and diverse Arctic wildlife. The expedition continues to Iceland, visiting the charming villages of Ísafjörður and Vigur Island, known for its rich birdlife and traditional eiderdown farming, and concludes in Reykjavik.

Trip Name
Arctic Cruise in Svalbard, East Greenland & Iceland
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 115 metres Passenger Capacity: 158 Built: 2020/2021/2022 The SH Vega is a boutique, ice-strengthened expedition ship designed for exploring the world’s most remote destinations in refined comfort. Built in Finland’s renowned Helsinki Shipyard, she combines sleek Scandinavian design with advanced cruising technology, including a Polar Class PC5 hull and extra-large stabilisers for smooth sailing in challenging waters. With space for just 158 guests and 122 crew, she offers an intimate and personalised experience, where every detail is considered – from elegant observation lounges and stargazing decks to fine dining venues and a spa with panoramic views. Her facilities include a heated outdoor pool, open deck jacuzzi, gym, and library, ensuring the journey is as rewarding on board as it is ashore. Accommodation ranges from stylish oceanview staterooms to expansive premium suites, all appointed with contemporary comforts such as a flame-effect fireplace, Illy espresso machine, luxury toiletries, and even complimentary binoculars for wildlife spotting. Private balconies in many cabins provide a front-row seat to breathtaking landscapes, while world-class dining, attentive service, and thoughtful touches like a welcome bottle of Champagne enhance the sense of occasion. Whether navigating polar ice or sailing into sunlit harbours, the SH Vega offers a blend of adventure, elegance, and home-like warmth.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 0 - 1 Pre Cruise & Longyearbyen
Charter flights to the port of embarkation/disembarkationOne night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotelThe world's most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It's home to the North Pole Expeditions Museum, chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out
Day 2 - Days 2-4. Svalbard
Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals and arctic fox
Day 3 - Days 5-6. Days at sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers
Day 4 - Day 7. Jan Mayen Island
The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, this Norwegian island's only residents are the Norwegian Armed Forces or meteorological station staff. Purple saxifrage and endemic dandelions grow next to the black sands, while northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots, and little auks make Jan Mayen an important birding area
Day 5 - Day 8. Ittoqqortoormiit
One of the world's most remote towns and the most isolated community in Greenland, Ittoqqortoormiit is largely inaccessible by ship for nine months of the year. Founded in 1925 by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen and Inuit settlers, it is home to 450 residents who mostly rely on hunting and fishing. The community preserves Greenlandic traditions, from harvesting qiviut–the prized muskox underfur–to maintaining sled dogs and wearing national dress
Day 6 - Days 8-11. Scoresbysund
The world’s largest fjord system, Scoresbysund spans over 350 km into Greenland’s heart. This vast network of fjords, glaciers and icebergs is framed by towering basalt mountains, which shield Greenland’s wildlife from Arctic winds. Muskoxen, Arctic foxes and mountain hares roam the land, while little auks, puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, gyrfalcons and great black-backed gulls soar overhead. Seals and whales are common sightings in the waters
Day 7 - Day 12. Vigur Island
A jewel of the Westfjords, Vigur is the fjord's second-largest island and a thriving seabird sanctuary. Flocks of arctic terns, puffins, guillemots and eider ducks nest atop rocky cliffs. As one of only two inhabited islands, Vigur supports a family farm continuing the centuries-old eiderdown harvest across 3,500 nests. This remote pillar also houses Iceland's sole windmill, its tiniest post office and a 200-year-old, still-seaworthy rowing boat
Day 8 - Day 13. Reykjavik
Iceland’s vibrant capital, Reykjavík, is the world’s northernmost capital city and a lively gateway between Arctic nature and modern Nordic culture. Set between mountains and the North Atlantic, the city is known for its colourful houses, striking architecture, and a strong connection to geothermal energy, which provides heating and hot water across the city and warms outdoor pools year-round. Reykjavík offers a rich cultural scene with museums, music, and design, while dramatic volcanic landscapes, lava fields, and waterfalls lie just beyond the city. The surrounding waters are prime for whale watching, making Reykjavík a fitting and memorable conclusion to an Arctic voyageGroup return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included)
Day 9 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
09-07-202822-07-2028AUD $15,875Oceanview D4
09-07-202822-07-2028AUD $16,675Oceanview M4
09-07-202822-07-2028AUD $17,475Balcony D5
09-07-202822-07-2028AUD $18,275Balcony M5
09-07-202822-07-2028AUD $27,800Suite
09-07-202822-07-2028AUD $31,750Premium Suite

Inclusions

    • Ice Fjords
    • Listen to the symphony of nature as towering icebergs and colossal glaciers crack and calve.
    • Citizen Science Workshops
    • During your trip, join Swan Hellenics Citizen Science programs and contribute to real-world environmental research.
    • Expert-led Talks
    • Learn more about this isolated polar region from our on board team of experts.
    • Polar Wildlife Watching
    • Spy on polar bears, walruses, whales and arctic foxes in their natural habitat.

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