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Sea Spirit
Reykjavik to Reykjavik
Overview
Vast, unspoiled, virtually uninhabited—East Greenland’s Scoresby Sund is an Arctic wilderness of transcendent quality. This memorable voyage starts and finishes in Reykjavík, Iceland. Across the Denmark Strait we explore the stunning Scoresby Sund fjord complex in East Greenland. Here we discover unbelievable scenery, historical sites, massive icebergs, a contemporary Inuit village, and of course the mesmerizing northern lights. On our way to Greenland we visit the town of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords of Iceland. On our way back we explore Iceland’s picturesque Snæfellsnes peninsula. Every night on this voyage brings another excellent chance to experience the northern lights in a beautiful setting.
Departures
Cruise Itinerary
Welcome to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and starting point of our expedition. After arriving via scheduled commercial flight service, you are free to explore this fascinating city. Reykjavík is home to a wealth of cultural institutions including museums, galleries, and the Hallgrímskirkja church. Leisure possibilities inside the city include parks, gardens, and thermal baths. You can also take advantage of Reykjavík’s wide range of shopping possibilities, excellent dining options, and famous nightlife. Your hotel for the night has been arranged by us and is included in the price of the voyage.
In the afternoon we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get comfortable in your home away from home for the extraordinary adventure to come. Savor the anticipation of your Arctic dreams coming true as we slip our moorings and sail out of the harbor into the bay of Faxaflói, where it is possible to encounter our first whales.
From Iceland we head across Denmark Strait toward Scoresby Sund in East Greenland, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way. There is a good possibility of whale sightings in this stretch of water. After nightfall, we have our first opportunity to see the aurora borealis.
Scoresby Sund is a true Arctic wilderness and this part of the voyage is a real expedition. Our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. Our experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to us by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic. Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest fjord system in the world. This area contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery. Deep fjords and narrow channels, flanked by ice-clad peaks up to 2000 meters high, reach deep into the mountainous heart of Greenland. Tidewater glaciers create colossal icebergs that float with wind and tide throughout the fjord system. On shore, fields of multicolored tundra are home to musk oxen and Arctic hare. The landscape—vast, open, and seemingly untouched since the beginning of time—is a hikers’ paradise. Throughout this area we also find ancient Thule archeological sites, historical trappers’ huts, and modern Inuit hunters’ cabins. The Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit is the only permanent settlement in the region. The community boasts an excellent museum, a gift shop, a post office, an abundance of Greenlandic sled dogs, and of course the opportunity to meet Inuit people. The days are filled with memorable excursions, sumptuous meals, presentations by our experts, and enough stunning scenery to fill your camera and overwhelm your emotions. Each night brings new possibilities for incredible displays of aurora borealis—the Northern Lights. This is the perfect time and one of the world’s best places to experience this otherworldly celestial phenomenon.
After our amazing time in Scoresby Sund we head back across Denmark Strait toward Iceland. Presentations and workshops by our expert staff, as well as our range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies. Nighttime offers still more possibilities for aurora borealis!
Our expedition day in the Westfjords area reveals the rare beauty of the part of Iceland where mass tourism disappears – only about 10% of Iceland's visitors ever see the region. Taking advantage of every weather favorable condition, we choose the best places to discover breathtaking coastal fjords, jagged bird cliffs, and tiny fishing villages embracing traditional ways of life.
After breakfast we say farewell in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and ending point of our expedition. We provide a transfer to the international airport or to the city center if you wish to spend another day or more in Iceland before flying home. From Reykjavík the entire country is accessible through day tours or longer journeys by rental car. The options for additional adventures are endless!
Itinerary, landings and all other activities during the cruise depend strongly on ice and weather conditions and are subject to the decisions of the Expedition Leader and the Captain of the vessel. Encounters with any mentioned wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
Sea Spirit
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 114 Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2016 Like some of the birds we see in the Arctic and Antarctica, our m/v Sea Spirit is migratory and follows the sun, northbound in the summer and southbound in the winter, always ready for spontaneous discoveries – a pod of whales, a family of polar bears or a glaciated mountain vista. She is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating the narrow fjords of East Greenland and entering the small bays of Spitsbergen. Onboard, we create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all our guests. They are united by one goal – to have a memorable wilderness experience and to become real polar adventurers. We believe that first-hand travel to such places makes one an ambassador for conservation, and helps strengthen our resolve to protect these natural environments for future generations. Public areas include: Reception, Restaurant, Bar, Outdoor Bistro, Club Lounge, Library, Presentation Lounge, Infirmary, Gym, Bridge. We have open Bridge policy. Talk to the Captain and officers. Watch landscapes from this special angle of view. Fix your location at a map of your expedition.
Highlights
• Scoresby Sund is one of the largest and most beautiful fjord systems in the world. Long, narrow channels, strewn with cathedral-like icebergs and flanked by sheer rock walls, reach deep into the glaciated heart of Greenland. Those who appreciate huge expanses of untouched wilderness will love it here. The tundra landscape of Scoresby Sund is home to wildlife such as musk oxen and Arctic hare. Throughout the region we also find ancient Thule archeological sites and historical trappers’ huts. At the modern Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit we have the chance to visit a museum and witness the antics of Greenlandic sled dogs. • This voyage is coordinated to bring you to an ideal location during the right season for viewing northern lights, so you have a great chance of experiencing this otherworldly celestial phenomenon, also known as aurora borealis. Commonly clear nights and the perfect latitude make Scoresby Sund a premier destination for watching the lights. Spacious open decks on Sea Spirit and typically calm waters inside the fjords provide an ideal platform for admiring and photographing these beautiful displays. A gorgeous setting of mirror-calm water, snowy mountains, and luminous icebergs adds to the overall wonder of the experience. • On our way to and from Greenland we have the chance to explore along the west coast of this scenic and diverse country. In the ruggedly beautiful Westfjords we visit the historic fishing port of Ísafjörður. This small town embodies Iceland’s trademark blend of rich cultural heritage and contemporary charm. On the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the picturesque Kirkjufell mountain and Snæfellsjökull volcano are famous features of the Icelandic landscape. The success of local merchants and fishermen are evident in traditional villages. The surrounding seas are home to a variety of seabirds and whales.
Map
