Crossing the Arctic Circle

Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and starting point of our expedition. To provide you with more time to enjoy this metropolis rich in history and culture, we’ve arranged pre-cruise hotel accommodations. Relax and take a stroll through town, enjoying both medieval and classic 18^th-century architecture. The famous Edinburgh Castle rises majestically above it all.

Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the world's stateliest cities and proudest capitals, it's built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthur's Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburgh's character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 "for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge," remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the world's best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you haven't earned your porridge until you've climbed Arthur's Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburgh's highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.

Enjoy the morning and early afternoon at leisure. Each corner of Edinburgh’s old streets opens beautiful unexpected vistas of green hills or a blue flash of the distant sea. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from the hotel to the ship in the nearby Port of Leith. Before dinner, there’s time to explore the Sea Spirit, your home-away-from home for the next days.

Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the world's stateliest cities and proudest capitals, it's built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthur's Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburgh's character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 "for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge," remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the world's best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you haven't earned your porridge until you've climbed Arthur's Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburgh's highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.

Our photo adventures begin with the exploration of two uninhabited islands teeming with wildlife. The Isle of May is a national nature reserve, home to puffins, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, terns, and seals basking on the shore. You’ll also spot historic landmarks like St. Ardin’s Chapel and the island lighthouse. Just across the water rises Bass Rock—home to the world’s largest colony of northern gannets. Over 150,000 birds fill the cliffs and skies in one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

Step ashore in Kirkwall, the charming capital of the Orkney Islands, where Viking and medieval history still shape the town. Highlights include the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace, and the Earl’s Palace. Our included tour takes you west across Orkney’s rolling landscape into the UNESCO World Heritage “Heart of Neolithic Orkney.” Pass the Standing Stones of Stenness and visit the Ring of Brodgar, a vast ceremonial stone circle over 5,000 years old. Explore Skara Brae, a prehistoric village revealed from the sand only 150 years ago.

In bustling Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, there's plenty to see in the narrow, winding streets extending from the harbor. The cathedral and some museums are highlights.

Fair Isle is a true paradise for birdwatchers. A huge number of birds inhabit its lush grasslands and spectacular cliffs — over 345 species have been recorded here, more than anywhere else in Britain. During our island walk, we hope to spot northern fulmars, kittiwakes, northern gannets, Atlantic puffins, and great and Arctic skuas, observing them closely and photographing them from just a few meters away. The puffin population alone is impressive — around 12,000 birds. About fifty residents live on Fair Isle, and they’ll welcome us at the community centre with Scottish treats, sweets, and hot drinks. You’ll also have the chance to purchase Fair Isle’s famous wool jumpers, hats, and mittens, and chat with the locals about everyday life on the island.

Lerwick is Shetland's only official town with a little more than 7,000 inhabitants. Spend the morning delving into your choice of interests, from the ruins of Jarlshof, the Lighthouse and bird cliffs of Sumburgh Head, or by heading to the quieter western villages to hike, birdwatch and meet local fisherman. After dinner, the ship will attempt a landing at Foula, part of the Shetland Archipelago. Conditions permitting, enjoy an evening exploration on this remote island.

The last day in Shetland is spent anchored in a secluded fjord, just below the Hermness Nature Reserve. For nature lovers, there is no limit to the number of discoveries waiting along its paths, notably its extensive moorland and dramatic bird cliffs. For those looking to understand the cultural heritage of Shetland and the island of Unst, visit their cultural center and Viking project with reconstructed longhouse.

The Faroe Islands are wild, colorful, and absolutely unique — green hills, blue seas, puffins with bright beaks, and turf-roofed houses like from a fairy tale. This hard-to-reach destination is a dream for photographers, with unforgettable scenery at every turn. In Tórshavn, the capital, Viking heritage meets modern charm. Visit the National Museum, taste traditional wind-dried mutton, explore ancient wooden houses and cathedral ruins, then enjoy free time to capture the harbor’s beauty before we sail north.

Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands, an archipelago that rises above the North Atlantic waters halfway between Norway and Iceland. The Faroese people still speak their unique Old Norse language and Viking settlements here reach back to the 9th century. The Viking Parliament stood upon a rocky peninsula in Tórshavn, the capital. Still today, the Faroe Islands’ government conducts its business on the very same promontory. The archipelago’s remote locale and plentiful birdlife make it one of the most exciting and humbling places to visit.

Weather permitting, we’ll land on Jan Mayen, a remote Norwegian island crowned by Beerenberg — the world’s northernmost active volcano. Sheer cliffs and rugged slopes are alive with seabirds: fulmars gliding on the wind, kittiwakes wheeling overhead, and Brünnich’s guillemots clinging to narrow ledges. This isolated outpost is home only to a small weather station crew. For us, it’s a rare chance to capture dramatic volcanic landscapes and thriving birdlife — an absolute gem for photographers. In the afternoon, we sail on toward our next Arctic adventure.

Described as one of the most remote islands in the world, Jan Mayen liesbetween Norway to the east and Greenland to the west. It is a rugged volcanicisland 34 miles long and is made up of two parts – the larger section to thenorth (Beerenbeg Volcano) and the longer but narrower section to the south. Amile-wide isthmus links these two parts. Geologically, the island was formed bya ‘hotspot’ where molten magma pushes up through the earth’s crust to createvolcanoes in the middle of nowhere. Politically, Jan Mayen is an integral partof Norway. The eighteen people living on the island work for either the NorwegianArmed Forces or the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Their main purpose isto operate the Loran-C radio navigation system. From 1615 to 1638, the Dutchran a whaling station here. Today, the island is a nature reserve underNorwegian jurisdiction aimed at preserving the pristine Arctic island and themarine life, including the ocean floor.

Welcome to true High Arctic wilderness, where every day is shaped by weather, sea ice, and the keen eye of our captain and expedition team. Here, iconic Arctic wildlife can appear at any moment — so keep your camera ready! We’ll explore dramatic fjords, towering glaciers, and jagged peaks, with endless chances to capture wildlife and landscapes bathed in 24-hour daylight. Along the way, we encounter echoes of history — old whaling camps, trappers’ cabins, and polar expeditions of the past. This is Svalbard at its most raw, breathtaking, and photogenic.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.

A flexible itinerary allows us to take advantage of favorable ice and weather conditions to travel through the northern stretches of Svalbard to points visited by famous polar explorers such as Andrée, Amundsen and Nobile. Destinations might include the narrow waterways and striking mountains of Krossfjord and Raudfjord. The ship may visit the historic settings of Ny Alesund, Ny London or Amsterdamoya. And of course, we hope to see distinctly Arctic wildlife from walrus hauled out in noisy groups on remote shorelines, to reindeer grazing alpine slopes, and from ptarmigan in their camouflaged hiding places, to mighty polar bears striding the shores in search of their next meal.

After enjoying one final breakfast buffet on board, we bid you farewell in Longyearbyen, the capital of Svalbard and final destination of our expedition. After disembarkation, a captivating sightseeing tour awaits you, showcasing some of the most interesting locations in the world's northernmost city. We provide transfers to the airport or to the town center in case you plan to stay longer in Svalbard.

Longyearbyen is the biggest settlement in Svalbard. Seat of the Norwegian administration, it also has the best services and infrastructure in the archipelago. Located deep in the Adventfjord, a sidearm of the Isfjorden (Icefjord), Longyearbyen’s airport can be used all-year round, but its harbor is blocked by ice in winter. Most shops, hotels, restaurants and a hospital are within easy walking distance of the port. One of the most prominent buildings in town is the UNIS center, where several Norwegian universities have joined forces to operate and offer the northernmost higher education to both Norwegian and international students. Adjacent to UNIS, and well worth a visit, is the Svalbard Museum, covering the natural history and exploitation of Svalbard. Remnants of the former mining activity can be seen all around Longyearbyen and even in town.