Through the North Atlantic - Antarctic Cruise

The journey begins in Aberdeen. Scotland's Granite City is a city of opulence, rich history, and stunning architecture. Aberdeen, which began as a fishing and shipbuilding city in Scotland, has now become the UK's main port for oil and gas. These gleaming structures are a testament to the fact that Aberdeen is Northern Scotland's financial powerhouse.

The expedition ship is waiting to embark in the busy harbor, and its cozy rooms are ready for our guests. The expedition ship, following safety protocols will leave Aberdeen and navigate towards the historical Isles of Orkney.

We will be sailing along the north-east coast of Scotland during the night to reach Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. Orkney is a windy island off of the Scottish mainland. Orkney means "seal Islands" in old Norse. Like many North Atlantic islands Orkney also has an interesting Viking history.

Orkney is a place with a rich history. It has one of the largest concentrations of Neolithic ruins in the entire world. They are preserved by the softly blowing beaches of the islands. The sites include the impressive stone circles of Brodgar and the intimate Neolithic homes of Skara Brae. They are preserved in such a way that they look like they were still inhabited. Orkney, Shetland and the Scottish mainland were not colonised by Norse people, but were part of Norway from the 1400s until late. The islands have a different language, culture, and architecture to Scotland. The locals in Glasgow are very proud of their Nordic heritage. It is visible everywhere in the city. From the St Magnus' Cathedral, whose founding is described in bloody Sagas, and is one of only a few churches with its own dungeon, to street names to the world renowned Highland Park Distillery.

In recent years, these islands have been of great military significance to Britain. An entire German fleet is scuttled in Scapa Flow just outside of the city. After a daring U Boat raid during the Second World War, the barricades were built between the islands. The barricades, along with the Italian Chapel built by Italian POWs during World War II, bear witness to the complex history of the islands.

Orkney is a place that has reinvented itself. Visitors are welcomed and there's a bustling port full of equipment and parts for tidal power and wind energy.

Optional excursion "Highlights Of Orkney:

Kirkwall is our departure point. We head west to Mainland, Orkney’s largest island. We will travel through rolling countryside into the Neolithic Heartland, an area that has been designated as a World Heritage Site because of its abundance of prehistoric archaeological sites. After passing the Standing Stones of Stenness we stop to visit the Ring of Brodgar, a 5000 year old ceremonial circle.

Then we continue on to Stromness, a charming fishing village. Enjoy free time after orientation to stroll through the charming streets and explore the harbour. Visit the newly refurbished Pier Arts Centre, which features exhibitions of local and international artist. Relax with a warm beverage at a café or browse the local craft shops that sell knitwear and pottery.

We then return to our coach, and we continue on a circular route that follows the coast of Scapa Flow - the British Naval Base famous for its use in World War II.

The excursion was part of an optional package of excursions and is not included in your trip price.

If you are staying in Kirkwall we can arrange a walking tour of the city, which will include the St. Magnus Cathedral, as well as the ruins and picturesque ruins at the Bishop's Palaces.

We will reach Lerwick, on the mainland of Shetland in the early morning of the third of our journey. Shetland is made up of more than a hundred small islands. Only sixteen of them are permanently inhabited. These islands are located in the north-most region of the United Kingdom. They are approximately 300 kilometers from the Scottish mainland.

Shetland, like Orkney dates to Neolithic times. Shetland, which was under the Kingdom of Norway from the 1400s until 1850s was a place where the Norn dialect, descended directly from Old Norse, was spoken. This gave Shetland its Viking-influenced names and phrases. Norse influences are evident in Shetland, including the Shetland Flag and the Up Helly Aa Fire Festival held each year during midwinter. Lerwick, a modern, prosperous town that thrives from the green energy, oil and gas industries and tourism, is an energetic, vibrant place. Take a walk down the high street lined with local shops, visit the Shetland Archives and Museum, and immerse yourself into history.

"Clickimin broch and Shetland Sightseeing" is an optional excursion.

After docking at the port we will take a scenic drive to Scalloway. We can see the castle and charming village of Scalloway from the heights. We stop for a photo and then continue on eastwards, passing through an area known locally as "Black Gates", where peat still is cut to be used as fuel.

Our main destination, Clickimin broch, is within a few minutes of driving north. You will have free time in which to explore this restored and well-preserved Broch, and discover more about the Iron Age.

Please note that the coach excursion does not come as part of your voyage price. It is an optional package.

After returning to Lerwick, you will have some free time in this port city before boarding the ship around noon.

After a tasty lunch, we reposition our ship to reach the Isle of Noss. We hope, depending on the weather conditions, to be able offer a Zodiac Cruise beneath the Bird Cliff, which is one of Britain's largest and most impressive, and home to gannets guillemots razorbills.

After lunch, we arrive at Torshavn. One of the smallest cities in the world. Torshavn is the capital for the eighteen scattered islands which make up the Faroes. The Faroe Islands, an autonomous nation within Denmark's Kingdom, are located roughly in the middle of Norway, Iceland, and Scotland. The name 'Foroyar,' as the Faroe Islands are known locally, is an abbreviation of Old Norse meaning roughly 'Sheep Islands.' This hints at the long-standing sheep farming traditions and Norse heritage on the islands. Local Faroese is related to Icelandic, Old Norse and the Norn languages once spoken by Shetland or Orkney.

The Faroe Islands, while not as cold or as isolated as Iceland are still known for having challenging weather. This is largely because of their location on the North Atlantic. Here, the frigid ocean rules the day, with four seasons occurring in one single hour (or day). It is common to experience four seasons in one day (or even an hour!) The northerly position of the island creates long, light days in summer. Although the weather can be cold, it is ideal for exploration!

Torshavn, or 'Havn as locals refer to it, has an interesting history. It is centered around the historic grass-roofed Parliament of Tinganes - one of the oldest Parliaments in the world. Torshavn, originally a Norwegian trading post operated by the Danish Crown as a monopoly, was declared a town by 1866. It has since been the capital for the Faroe Islands. After the Second World War's British occupation, an extremely close-fought referendum nearly led to Faroese Independence. The islands then gained autonomy.

The Faroes operate as their own nation today, with the exception of foreign affairs, defense and police (which is handled by Denmark). It's a bustling modern city, in miniature. Listasvn foroya Art Museum offers a glimpse into Faroese Culture. Boutique shops offer a variety of woolen products. The Nordic House Cultural Centre is a stunning architectural wonder that allows you to explore the Old Faroes or New Foroes. You can also relax on the sunny terrace of Bryggjubakki, a waterfront district modeled after Copenhagen's Nyhavn. Enjoy a local seafood meal with views over Tinganes and a local beer.

Excursion to historical Kirkjubour

You can join an optional excursion by bus at midday, where we try to explore history. As we drive south, we leave the capital behind and cross the mountains. We will likely drive in fog and cloud as Faroe Islands climate is "stably unstable". Wait ten minutes!" Kirkjubour is our next stop. It was the episcopal capital and cultural center of the Faroe Islands in medieval times. Visit the Magnus Cathedral ruins and St. Olav Church, the last medieval church in the Faroe Islands.

The excursion does not come with the cost of the trip.

You can take a stroll in the historic citadel, or 'Havn" as Torshavn has been called by many. The Art Museum and Nordic House are also highly recommended. It is also the largest island nation with around 18,000 residents. Torshavn mixes a modern metropolis with a thousand-year old tradition. Tinganes' old quarters, which are characterized by beautiful houses with cobblestone streets and grass-covered roofs, show off the city's rich history.

We will be arriving in the small port of Klaksvik, on the east side of the island nation of Bordoy. It is home to around 5,000 people and has a history that dates back to Viking days. It is situated on an isthmus that connects two fjords and provides access to both sides of the ocean, which is vital for fishing.

Klaksik is the hub of northeastern Faroe Islands and offers services that are usually only found in larger cities. In 2006, subsea tunnels were built in the island's basalt bedrock to connect Klaksvik with Esturoy (Torshavn). This greatly improved the economy of the town and its infrastructure, and allowed for easier exports of fish. Klaksvik Football Club, the Faroese national team's football club, has achieved great success in Europe. They have defeated many larger teams and are the first Faroese to qualify for the Champions League third round.

Explore Eysturoy and Gjogv with an optional excursion

Optional bus excursions are available to explore Eysturoy, a nearby island with high peaks, wildlife and pristine nature. The coach will take us through the tunnel connecting Bordoy to Eysturoy, and along Skalafjord. We then travel to Gjogv village, a small harbour town. Here we can explore the surrounding area or even take a walk through the canyon that gives the village its namesake. On our journey, we will stop to photograph some of the most famous rock formations. We can also take photos of stunning views and cliffs. The roundtrip gives you a glimpse of Faroese culture and natural splendor. This trip allows us to test out the tagline of the country, "Unspoiled, Unexplored and Unbelievable".

The excursion was part of a package, and the cost of the trip did not include the excursion.

We leave Klaksvik around lunchtime and begin our North Sea journey towards Iceland.

We departing from Klaksvik in the North Atlantic, will follow the route set out by Norse navigators over 1,000 years ago. Scholars are still debating the origins of the Faroe Islands' first settlers. They debate whether these settlers came from Scandinavia or Norse/Irish descent, as well as whether Celtic settlers had arrived before them in Scotland and Ireland. It is known that the Faroe Islands were settled in large numbers by the year 800. Norse settlers then discovered Iceland and started to settle there.

A submarine ridge lies between the Faroes and Iceland. It was formed when the North Atlantic Ocean opened up approximately 50,000,000 years ago. The Norwegian Current, a branch of Gulf Stream, rises to the surface due to this ridge. This warm current enriches the chilly water. Binoculars are highly recommended to see seals, whales and seabirds in the nutrient-rich waters.

The days at sea will never be boring. Our guests will enjoy a wide range of onboard activities that engage their mind, body, and soul. You can join your Expedition Team lecturer in the Theatre for specially-crafted talks on local history and culture, as well as wildlife, geology and other topics. Or, you can relax with a relaxing massage at the Polar Spa or watch seabirds glide along the ship while the expedition ship crosses the North Atlantic to Iceland.

Djupivogur is our first stop in Iceland. It's a small and cozy town. Djupivogur, a charming village with just 456 residents, is located in East Iceland, at the mouth of Berufjordur fjord. It stands beneath Mount Bulandstindur which reaches a height of 1,069 m. The area is characterized by calm lagoons and tranquil harbor, as well as a flourishing bird population in the Bulandsnes Sanctuary.

It is one of the oldest harbours in Iceland, dating from 1589, due to the fact that it faces Europe. Djupivogur's residents take pride in their heritage and attract creative people and artists around the globe. It is worth visiting the public art exhibits in Djupivogur, including the Eggin i Gledivik permanent installation, which consists of 34 oversized bird eggs made from granite, representing 34 different species that breed within the region. You can reach the artwork by walking a few minutes from town. Langabud is a beautiful house made of red wood. Opposite, on the opposite side of the harbor, is the old Hotel Framtid. The residents have adopted a more relaxed way of living, which you can soak in while visiting.

Vatnajokull, Europe's largest icecap.

After the first hour of driving, we take a break in the “lobster town” of Hofn. Next, we visit the Hoffelslon Lagoon at the mouth of Europe's largest glacier (Vatnajokull) where you can enjoy the spectacular nature. Vatnajokull is a vast glacier that covers 8% of Iceland. We return to Djupivogur after the visit, making a few photo stops along the way.

The excursion does not come with the cost of the trip.

We will then sail south along Iceland's southern coast towards the Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago.

Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago, also known as Westman Islands in English, is an isolated group of islands off Iceland's south coast. The rugged islands have had a turbulent past, including thrall revolts and Ottoman slave raids. The modern history of Heimaey, the only town on the island of any significance, is what puts these islands on the world map. In January 1973, a volcanic eruption on the island of Heimaey caused headlines around the world. The 5,000 residents were forced to evacuate, although some chose to remain and, armed only with hoses, managed to divert and cool the most dangerous lava from reaching the harbour and the town.

Eldfell, the hill that was the source of the eruption in 1973, now looms above the town as a testimony to Iceland's raw power. The lava field and the recent volcanic crater are both accessible in Heimaey. The islanders, instead of destroying or forgetting the ruin left behind by the volcanic eruption, built an entire museum to showcase the damage caused.

Many visitors flock to the island not only for the famed lava battles, but also the seabirds that nest there. Around 1.1million puffins are nesting in burrows dug in the sandy and turf soil on the island. Kittiwakes. Fulmars. Guillemots. And razorbills. Locals, who once relied on feathered creatures as a food source, are now fiercely protecting them. Children even organize patrols in order to safely collect young birds that become disoriented at night and release them the next morning.

You can clearly see from a distance the steep, grateful profile of these islands when you are sailing. The islands are raised beautifully by the sea. It is easy to see why Icelandic poets compared them with sapphires on a silver band.

Surtsey, one of the newest islands in the world, is the place we end our day. The volcanic island, named after a Norse fire giant from Norse mythology, rose out of the ocean in 1963 following a submerged eruption. Surtsey, a volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean, was added to UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage Sites list in 2008. Only researchers and scientists are permitted on the island. This is vital for understanding how new islands are colonised by nature. However, the view of the island as seen from the water is spectacular.

Hallgrimskirkja Church dominates Reykjavik. This hip Scandinavian city is well known for its rock columns. Reykjavik, with its new Nordic cuisine and shopping options, as well as the fantastic excursions, is a welcoming city in Scandinavia. After the wilderness of the North Atlantic, a busy capital city may seem strange.

It is now time to say a final farewell and return to land.