Arctic Circle Cruise – BD1012
Arctic Circle Cruise - BD1012
Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen
The Arctic Circle Cruise visits three Islands over 15 days: Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen. Named one of National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime, this unforgettable voyage begins above the Arctic Circle at Spitsbergen, the “wildlife capital of the Arctic,” ventures to the spectacular, remote landscape of East Greenland, and ends in Iceland.
This cruise can be done in either direction, Northbound or Southbound. Surrounded by spectacularly diverse landscapes, from vast glaciers and soaring cliffs to dramatic fjords and colorful tundra, you’ll experience the Arctic in all its natural beauty.
COUNTRIES:
WATERWAYS:
14 NIGHT CRUISE
Arctic Circle Cruise Itinerary - Oslo to Reykjavik
1st Day
ARRIVE IN OLSO, NORWAY
Your Arctic Circle Cruise to Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen begins in Oslo, where you may arrive at any time during Day 1 of your itinerary. Upon arriving in this splendid capital city, known for its green spaces and museums, you will check into your included airport hotel.
2nd Day
EMBARKATION SPITSBERGEN (SVALBARD)
After breakfast, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement. As you embark this afternoon, you’ll enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.
7th & 8th Days
AT SEA
While sailing south through the Greenland Sea, your Expedition Team will teach you about the wildlife and history of Greenland, your next stop. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds on the wing. Take in a lecture, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a movie—there are many things to do during your time at sea.
15th Day
DEPART REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.
13th to 14th Days
AT SEA
As we cruise south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Your Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about the history of exploration in the Arctic and the seabirds you’ll see soaring above your ship.
13th to 14th Days
AT SEA
As we cruise south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Your Expedition Team will keep you informed and entertained with presentations about the history of exploration in the Arctic and the seabirds you’ll see soaring above your ship.
9th to 12th Days
GREENLAND
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. Finally, you will sail through spectacular Scoresbysund, the birthplace of many icebergs and, some say, the most beautiful fjord system in the world.
3rd - 6th Days
SPITSBERGEN
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with abundant wildlife and austere beauty. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and steep-walled fjords, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see arctic terns, skuas, long-tailed ducks, kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Arctic Circle Cruise Itinerary - Reykjavik to Oslo
Day 1
ARRIVE IN REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
Your Arctic Circle Cruise to iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen begins in Reykjavik. Arrive in the Icelandic capital in the morning and make your way to your included hotel. You will have the day to explore the city on your own.
Day 2
EMBARKATION DAY IN REYKJAVIK
This afternoon, you’ll board your vessel and begin your expedition. Get ready for a great adventure
Day 3 & 4
AT SEA
While sailing north through the Denmark Strait, your Expedition Team will teach you about the wildlife and history of Greenland, your next stop. You’ll learn about the history of exploration in the Arctic, as well as polar politics, glaciology and climate science. You’ll also learn about the incredible sights, geology and ecology you will soon explore.
Day 5 to 8
EXPLORING EAST GREENLAND
During your tour of Greenland’s remote eastern coast, you’ll enjoy Zodiac cruises and shore visits to several locations. Explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements and keep an eye out for grazing muskoxen—40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives here. If conditions allow, you may also visit Ittoqqortoormiit, the most remote community in East Greenland.
Day 9 & 10
AT SEA
As we continue to cruise north, the Greenland Sea is your pathway toward Svalbard. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds “on the wing.” Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a movie—there are many things to do during your time at sea.
Day 11 to 14
EXPLORING SPITSBERGEN, NORWAY
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with abundant wildlife and austere beauty. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and steep-walled fjords, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see arctic terns, skuas, long-tailed ducks, and kittiwakes. When conditions are right, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day 15
DISEMBARK IN LONGYEARBYEN & FLY TO OSLO
The time to say goodbye to your new friends on the Arctic Circle Cruise to iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen has come. Your adventure ends in the frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return group charter flight to Oslo
Important Reminder for your Arctic Circle Cruise
Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not a guarantee.
Pricing & Dates ~ Arctic Circle Cruise
Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen
2020 - 2021
2022 - 2023
Ocean Adventurer
| 2020/2021 Departures | Days | Departure | Ship | Triple | Lower Deck Twin | Main Deck Twin Porthole | Main Deck Twin Window | Superior | Deluxe | Suite | Owners Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4 - Sep 18, 2021 | 15 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Ocean Adventurer | 9,445 | 9,559 | 10,706 | 11,854 | 13,001 | 13,001 | 16,444 | 17,591 |
| Sep 17 - Oct 1, 2021 | 15 | Oslo, Norway | Ocean Adventurer | 9,445 | 9,559 | 10,706 | 11,854 | 13,001 | 13,001 | 16,444 | 17,591 |
World Explorer
| 2020/2021 Departures | Days | Departure | Ship | Triple | Infinity Suite | Veranda Suite | Superior Suite | Deluxe Suite | Owners Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11 - 25, 2020 | 15 | Oslo, Norway | World Explorer | 9,995 | 10,846 | 10,846 | 11,897 | 12,947 | 13,997 |
| Aug 24 - Sep 7, 2020 | 15 | Reykjavik, Iceland | World Explorer | 9,995 | 10,846 | 10,846 | 11,897 | 12,947 | 13,997 |
| Sep 6 - 20, 2020 | 15 | Oslo, Norway | World Explorer | 9,995 | 10,846 | 10,846 | 11,897 | 12,947 | 13,997 |
Prices Per Person in USD
Mandatory transfer package from Oslo
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel night at Oslo airport hotel
- Charter flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen
- Arrival transfer in Longyearbyen
Or in Reverse
- One night’s pre-expedition hotel night in Reykjavik
- Group transfer from Reykjavik hotel to ship on embarkation day
- Departure transfer in Longyearbyen
- Charter flight from Longyearbyen to Oslo
Package Price $595
Included on your Arctic Circle Cruise
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board
- Beer and house wine during dinner
- All shore landings per the daily program
- Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- Formal and informal presentations by our expedition team and special guests as scheduled
- Photographic journal documenting the expedition
- Waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
- Official Quark Expeditions® parka to keep
- Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Complimentary reusable water bottle
- Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
- Comprehensive onboard materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency evacuation insurance to a maximum benefit of US$500,000 per person
- Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax
- Transfer from port to Longyearbyen town center on disembarkation day
Excluded
- Mandatory Transfer Package
- International airfare
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar, beverage and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Any Adventure Options
Arctic Circle Cruise - Options
Sea Kayaking $695
Imagine gliding across the surface of a bay in the presence of icebergs and glaciers. Our Sea Kayaking adventures are a great way to feel at one with the sea. A small group of kayakers will plan to go out multiple times per voyage instead of shore landings. The number of kayaking opportunities is weather dependent and will only be conducted during calm conditions.
Prior kayaking experience is recommended for you to feel comfortable on the water, and the capability to do a wet exit is strongly encouraged. Beginners interested in kayaking should consider participating in the Paddling Excursion adventure option.
Paddling Excursion $195
If you’re interested in kayaking and would like to try something less in depth than Sea Kayaking, you can still enjoy the benefits of adding an on-water experience to your expedition with a Paddling Excursion. Sign up for a one-time paddle on our sit-on-top kayaks, which are stable and unencumbered—perfect for anyone with little to no kayak experience. Expert guides take rotating groups of passengers on calm days to connect with the sea.
Included Activities on the Arctic Circle Cruise
Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen
Zodiac cruising:
Zodiacs are the workhorses of polar expeditions, safely transporting guests to remote shorelines and shallow inlets—places the ships can’t reach. Expedition staff make stepping in and out of them-safe and comfortable.
Hiking:
Led by experienced staff, exploring in foot is the best way to appreciate the polar landscapes. Our guides are able to accommodate a range of skill levels to suit every passenger.
Presentations:
Daily chats with on-board experts—our guides, scientists and other special guests—let guests rub shoulders with historians, ornithologists, biologists, geologists and more.
Polar Plunge:
This rite of passage, experienced just once per expedition, sees you safely jumping into icy ocean waters under the watchful eye of our staff—and just about every single camera lens on board!
Photography:
Documenting your voyage so you can take the memories home is a rewarding experience. Our photography guides will help you learn skills to capture the beauty of the Polar Regions.
Walking poles are provided at each landing for your convenience. As there are limited number of poles available, please bring your own if you require them on every landing.
Meals
If there is one constant at sea, it is that you’ll enjoy delicious meals daily. While meal times may change due to landings and wildlife encounters, you’ll always be served three meals a day. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated by letting us know prior to your expedition.
Breakfasts and lunches are normally served buffet-style, while dinners are served plated. À la carte meals are made at the time of your order, allowing our chefs to prepare each dish to your individual needs, ensuring you receive top-quality meals during the course of your expedition.
Soft drinks, juices and water are available at all times, and beer and wine are served with dinner, all included in the cost of your package. Spirits, premium wines and champagne are available at an extra cost, which can be billed to your shipboard account. The well-stocked bar is open to enjoy with your fellow shipmates in the late morning, afternoon and evening.
Arctic Circle Cruise Packing Checklist
Weather is very variable; temperatures may hover around the freezing mark and winds can be strong. The continuous daylight warms sheltered areas so that you may sometimes find it warm enough for t-shirts. However, you may encounter snow squalls, fog and white-outs during an expedition and should be ready for any conditions.
For Shore Landings
- Base layers (wool, synthetic or a blend)
- Mid-layer warm/fleece top
- Mid-layer warm/fleece pant
- Wool and synthetic sock (3 to 4 pairs)
- Neck warmer or balaclava
- Warm hat that covers ears
- Waterproof pants
- Waterproof gloves and glove liners
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Spare set of gloves
- Bug spray and bug nets
Suggested Items
- Waterproof, lightweight backpack or dry sack
- Swimsuit (for the polar plunge!)
- Binoculars
- Camera with extra batteries
- Extra memory cards
- Earplugs (in case of noisy cabinmates)
- Eye masks for sleeping
- Seasickness, indigestion, headache
- or other medicine
- Voltage converters and plug adapters (220V/European outlets)
- Ski goggles (for Zodiac cruising)
For on Board
- Comfortable casual clothing (pants/jeans, shirts, sweaters)
- Lighter shirts (in case the ship gets warm)
- Comfortable non-slip close-toed unhealed shoes
- (NOTE: Flip flops or sandals should not be worn on board due to safety concerns)
Arctic Circle Cruise Planned Visits:
Reykjavik, Hoffmann Halvø, Rødefjord, Scoresby Sund, 14th Of July Glacier, Lilliehöök Glacier, Longyearbyen, Monaco Glacier
ICELAND
Reykjavik
Iceland has been ranked by the United Nations as one of the best countries in which to live. Its capital, Reykjavik (which means “Smoky Bay”), was named by the country’s first settler, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson, who was inspired by the geothermal mist rising from the ground.
EAST GREENLAND
Hofmann Halvø
This can be a great location for spotting muskoxen. The peninsula is also home to wheatears and snow buntings, and you may spot rock ptarmigans or great northern divers while at sea.
Denmark Island
Encounter stunning icebergs before hiking across Denmark Island, which offers stupendous views of Scoresbysund and Fønfjord below.
Rødefjord
The Red Fjord, or Rødefjord, is named for the colorful sandstone located on its western side. The stone has been “stained” red by hematite, creating an oddity in this part of Greenland.
Scoresby Sund
Revered by many as the most beautiful fjord system in the world, Scoresby Sund is definitely the longest and largest. The sound was named by William Scoresby Jr., a whaler, scientist and man of the cloth, who was famed for mapping more than 400 miles (640 km) of Greenland’s coastline.
SPITSBERGEN
14th Of July Glacier
Named after France’s Bastille Day (the 14th of July), in honor of the arctic expeditions of Prince Albert I of Monaco, this large glacier is actually two smaller glaciers merged into one. Situated in Krossfjord, a bay on the northwest coast of Spitsbergen, the glacier is teeming with wildlife. Nesting at certain times of year atop the towering bird cliffs are purple sandpipers, common eiders, barnacle geese, arctic tern and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). Bearded and ringed seals also frequent the waters here.
Lilliehöök Glacier
In 1906, Prince Albert I of Monaco visited Lilliehöök Glacier to conduct scientific investigations. His great-great-grandson, Albert II, visited the glacier a hundred years later as part of a scientific investigation, this time to further our understanding of the arctic clam, a species that lives for more than a century. The growth rings of a single clam’s shell contain evidence of the chemicals it has encountered. Scientists can determine the variations of the water’s temperature and pollutants by studying the shell.
Longyearbyen
Eighteen hundred people inhabit the administrative capital of Svalbard, which is situated on the southern side of Adventfjord. The settlement was founded in 1905 by John Munroe Longyear, the majority owner of the Arctic Coal Company of Boston.
Monaco Glacier
Prince Albert I of Monaco, a pioneer of oceanography, led an expedition to Svalbard in 1906. His team used sophisticated photographic techniques to understand the shape and position of several glacier fronts. Monaco Glacier honors the expedition, the prince and the principality over which he reigned.
Expedition Leader
LAURIE DI VINCENZO
Having joined Quark Expeditions with extensive experience in marine logistics and operations management, Laurie has since guided 70 trips to the Polar Regions. While she can be found with a book or passport in hand during the off-season, either traveling to new destinations or returning to her cottage in Ontario, she feels most at home in a Zodiac or hiking over the tundra. Laurie aims to help you discover the overwhelming beauty and power of these remote regions, providing you with a trip of a lifetime. Deeply touched by the arctic landscape and bountiful wildlife, she looks forward to exploring with you.
See The Arctic Circle Cruise Ship
Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen
THE WORLD EXPLORER
The newest addition to the Quark Expeditions® Arctic fleet, polar powerhouse World Explorer—our first all-suites, all-balcony ice-class ship—lets you discover everything the Arctic has to offer, with the type of service available only at premium hotels. World Explorer also delivers plenty of areas, both inside and out, to witness the incredible arctic wildlife or simply watch the world go by, including a spacious observation deck for taking in sights outdoors, an observation lounge with panoramic skyline views, a library for intimate relaxing and reading, and the Explorer Lounge for a drink and a chat. Presentations and discussions are held in a dedicated lecture theater. Health and wellness facilities feature an outdoor running track, small gym and spa, plus a heated outdoor swimming pool. With its new and environmentally sustainable hybrid technology and state-of-the-art Rolls-Royce engines and generators, the ship also boasts reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Gallery Arctic Circle Cruise
Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen
We hope you are inspired to join us on the Arctic Circle Cruise Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen. Here are some Tourist Authority Links to help your research: Arctic Antarctic - Iceland - Greenland - Norway
