Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen

Arrival in Aberdeen: Arrive at the historic Scottish city of Aberdeen and check in to your hotel. You can spend the day as you please, either relaxing at your hotel or exploring this coastal city. The ‘Granite City’, thus named for its Victorian-era buildings constructed from the local grey granite, offers plenty of architecture and cultural attractions to keep you entertained. Take a leisurely stroll down the mile-long Union Street, the city’s main street, bustling with shops and eateries. Primarily a university town, Aberdeen also offers several interesting museums and art galleries, such as the Maritime Museum and Aberdeen Art Gallery, which are both free. The city boasts a fantastic theater scene too, with several acclaimed performance venues hosting plays and musicals all year round. Balmoral Castle, the royal seat, is a little over an hour away from the city. Historical attractions aside, when in town, sampling Aberdeen’s traditional Scottish cuisine and craft brews at one of its many cafes and restaurants is a must!

Embarkation in Aberdeen: In the morning, head out to discover more of Aberdeen. You could walk down the streets of Old Aberdeen, stopping at iconic landmarks such as King’s College Chapel and Powis Gate. Capture stunning images of the striking Gothic archway of Brig O’ Balgownie, the city’s oldest bridge. Alternatively, you could explore one of the ancient castles around town and glimpse into the region’s history and heritage. In the afternoon, it is time to embark on your Arctic adventure. Check into your comfortable accommodations aboard the cruise ship and head to the deck as the ship sets sail. Watch out for harbor porpoises, bottlenose and white-beaked dolphins, and minke whales that inhabit the waters just off the coast of Aberdeen. You will be able to put your camera to good use as the ship sails northward.

Exploring Fair Isle: Discover the history and geology of Fair Isle, the most remote inhabited island in the United Kingdom. Located midway between the islands of Shetland and Orkney, this tiny piece of land boasts rich history and natural beauty. Mile after mile of green fields stretch into the distance while moors and seaside cliffs offer dramatic views, alongside natural arches, caves, and sea stacks. Stop by the local museum which houses historic memorabilia, artifacts, and photos. At the post office, a classic red phone booth from the 1930s makes for the perfect prop for your photos. A community of artists and artisans, there are several shops around town with collections of craftwork and sweaters knitted in the particular local style. Apart from local culture and heritage, Fair Isle is known for its birdlife, which flocks to the coastal cliffs in spring and summer. The Atlantic puffin is the star attraction: clinging to the rugged cliffsides and allowing for fantastic photo opportunities from the easily accessible grassy banks. Other species such as kittiwakes, northern fulmars, and guillemots are also a common sight. The sea around Fair Isle is home to orcas, who often swim closer to shore in search of seals.

Exploring the Faroe Islands: Spend these two days discovering the pastoral landscape and history of the Faroe archipelago. This self-governing country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located midway between Scotland and Iceland, is largely occupied by descendants of Norwegian Vikings. Explore some of the 18 rugged islands with a choice of activities depending on favorable wind, sea, and weather conditions. You will be surrounded by narrow sounds and fjords framed by soaring cliffs and dramatic rock formations, as well as picturesque villages with colorful turf-topped homes. Scan the grassy slopes for Atlantic puffins and look to the skies for other endemic bird species. If you’re lucky, you might even spot pilot whales frolicking in the water. On the second day, head to the capital city of Torshavn, one of the world’s smallest capital cities. This picturesque settlement was the erstwhile seat of the Viking government! Walk down the narrow streets dotted with quaint wooden houses sporting sod roofs and white-paned windows. You can also hike to Kirkjubøur and see scenic vistas of the islands of Koltur, Hestur, and Sandoy. Alternatively, visit the bustling harbor area with its pubs, cafes, and old warehouses, sitting down to watch the waterfront while you sip a hot brew.

At Norwegian Sea: Leave behind the Faroes Islands as you cruise up to Jan Mayen, the world’s most northerly volcanic island. Over the next couple of days, you will have a host of onboard activities to choose from. You can gain insights into the history and ecology of the region by watching engaging presentations conducted by the expedition team, or pick up a book or two from the polar library. With help from your expedition leaders, you will learn to identify the seabirds that glide alongside your ship. Stroll along the deck and enjoy scenic views of the ocean and the Arctic landscape. Keep your camera and binoculars handy as you try to spot humpback, blue, and fin whales in the water. Watch out for curious minke whales and orcas that may swim up to your ship! On a lucky day, you may also get to see harp seals.

Exploring Jan Mayen: Discover the mysterious volcanic island of Jan Mayen that sits north of the Arctic Circle, often shrouded in thick fog. The only human inhabitants of this Norwegian nature reserve are a handful of personnel from the military and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. In clear weather, watch from the deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit looms into sight. Capture images of the Beerenberg volcano with its symmetrical cone shape and ice-covered slopes. In summer, the island’s black lava terrain livens up with pops of color from patches of grass, moss, and a smattering of bright-hued flowers. In favorable conditions, you can enjoy shore excursions as well. Stop by Olonkinbyen, the site of the meteorological station, gaining insights into polar research and a chance to see how weather monitoring is done at the top of the world (literally)! Explore the remnants of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station along the black sand beach at Kvalrossbukta. This beach is also home to a large fulmar colony. You can cruise around the island in a zodiac, in pursuit of wildlife species. If you’re lucky, you can also enjoy scenic vistas of the volcano and the stratified cliffs from the water. The island is home to a large number of breeding seabirds and designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. Keep an eye out for colonies of bird species such as little auks, kittiwakes, and Brünnich’s guillemots as well as Atlantic puffins. Scan the waters for marine species such as minke, humpbacks, and blue whales.

At Greenland Sea: Bid adieu to Jan Mayen and continue sailing north to the Svalbard archipelago in northern Norway. Onboard, you can mingle with fellow guests in the lounge and swap expedition stories and photographs. Head to the bridge and admire scenic views of the rugged Arctic landscape. Join your expedition team in spotting whales, seals, and a variety of seabirds as you sail along.

Explore Spitsbergen: Explore Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, enjoying the island’s rugged wilderness and diverse landscapes. Watch the scenery change from sprawling glaciers to lush tundra to polar desert as you travel further. Set off on shore excursions to Hornsund fjord with its research station and the tranquil bay of Isbjornhamna. Located at the mouth of the fjord, this is a perfect spot to watch colonies of adorable little auks from up close. You can opt to hike up to a vantage viewpoint for views of calving glaciers. Stop by Bellsund Sound, a former whaling station and mining settlement. Also, see historic hunter cabins as well as trapper and mining sites at Bourbonhamna and Calypsobyen. While hiking along the colorful tundra, you may just chance upon old whale bones! Lilliehöök Glacier with its long fjord filled with calved icebergs makes for yet another great photo opportunity.

Disembark in Longyearbyen: Bid adieu to your fellow guests and the expedition team before you disembark in Longyearbyen. You can spend the day discovering this frontier-style settlement named after an American coal mining baron. Apart from its spectacular landscape, Svalbard’s largest town offers museums, a gallery, and a smattering of restaurants for visitors to explore. Alternatively, you can make your way to the airport for your onward flight.