20 nights · Iceland · Departs Reykjavik (Iceland) · Visiting Paamiut, Qaqortoq, St Johns NL, Saint Pierre and Miquelon Islands, Quebec City, Saguenay, Sept-Iles, Sydney NS, Halifax, Boston, New York · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 4
Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©
| Cruise line | MSC Explora Journeys |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Explora 4 |
| Duration | 20 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $16,800 per person |
| Year built | 2027 |
| Guests | 1473 |
| Cabins | 463 |
| Crew | 640 |
| Length | 268 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Reykjavík is a capital with one foot in the wild. The Atlantic frames the city, volcanic mountains rise on the horizon, and geothermal water warms its pools. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, whose tower commands broad views, then walk down to the harbor and Harpa concert hall. Cafés, design shops, and museums make the compact center easy to explore on foot. Beyond town, geysers and waterfalls make a striking day trip; return for a soak in a neighborhood pool.
Paamiut lies on Greenland’s southwest coast, between Nuuk and Qaqortoq, beneath steep mountains. Founded in 1742, this small fishing town remains shaped by the sea. Brightly painted homes rise above the harbor, while a handsome wooden church anchors the centre. Watch for whales offshore, then look inland to the fjords and peaks of Sermersooq. Greenland’s towns have no road links, so arrival by ship offers a close-up encounter with life on this remote coast.
Qaqortoq is southern Greenland’s largest town, set around a sheltered harbor beneath steep, bare hills. Colorful houses climb the slopes, while fishing boats give the waterfront its working rhythm. Follow the town’s Stone and Man carvings, then visit the museum for insight into Greenlandic life and Norse history. Boat trips can take you to nearby Norse ruins or Uunartoq’s natural hot springs.
St. John’s sits at the edge of the North Atlantic, where steep streets descend toward a working harbor. The compact center rewards time on foot, with Victorian row houses, independent shops and historic churches clustered around Water Street. Climb Signal Hill for views across the harbor and coastline. At Cabot Tower, learn how Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal here in 1901. Leave room for fresh seafood and local music.
Off Newfoundland’s southern coast, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon offer a distinctly French stop in North America. Saint-Pierre, the larger settlement, lines a sheltered harbor with colorful houses, cafés and narrow streets. The islands’ seafaring history is visible in their museums and waterfront, while Miquelon’s dunes and lagoons invite a quieter outing. Bring a warm layer: Atlantic weather can change quickly, even in summer.
Québec City is best explored on foot, where French-speaking Canada feels unmistakably distinct. Within the UNESCO-listed Historic District, stone walls, steep lanes and 17th-century façades tell the story of New France. Ride the funicular between Upper and Lower Town, then browse Petit-Champlain’s boutiques beside the St. Lawrence River. Allow time for the Plains of Abraham, where a pivotal 1759 battle changed the course of Canadian history. Come ashore ready to climb; the finest views reward a little effort.
Your ship calls at La Baie, where the Saguenay River opens onto a landscape shaped by ice, forest and water. From here, the Saguenay Fjord’s steep cliffs and deep waters lead toward the St. Lawrence. Explore local history at the Musée du Fjord, or head to Chicoutimi for cafés, galleries and the Petite Maison Blanche. Return to the waterfront for wide views across the bay and a taste of Quebec’s maritime north.
Sept-Îles lies on Quebec’s Côte-Nord, facing the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its name means “Seven Islands,” after the archipelago guarding the broad bay. The waterfront reveals the character of this working port, while nearby beaches and forested trails offer a quieter coast. Visit the Shaputuan Museum to learn about Innu culture, then look seaward: whales and seabirds share these cold, productive waters.
Sydney is the working harbour at the heart of Cape Breton Island, where Gaelic, Acadian and Mi’kmaq histories meet. Walk the waterfront to see the Big Fiddle, then browse downtown shops and cafés along Charlotte Street. Beyond town, the reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg brings 18th-century French colonial life into striking focus. Use Sydney as a base for Cape Breton’s coastal roads, where ocean views and small communities invite an unhurried day.
Halifax rewards visitors who begin on foot, where the harbourfront’s historic warehouses, boardwalk and seafood restaurants meet. Climb to the star-shaped Halifax Citadel for broad harbour views. At the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, exhibits trace Nova Scotia’s seafaring past and Halifax’s connection to the Titanic. Beyond downtown, Peggy’s Cove pairs a working fishing village with a lighthouse set on wave-worn granite.
Boston rewards visitors who like their history close at hand and their cities easy to explore. From the waterfront, follow the Freedom Trail to landmarks of the American Revolution, including Faneuil Hall. Beacon Hill’s brick streets, the Public Garden and North End cafés reveal distinct sides of the city. Make time for harbor views and New England seafood; Boston’s pleasures are as tangible as its past. Its museums and universities give the compact city a lively, modern edge.
New York does not ease you in; it arrives in a sweep of skyline, river and restless energy. From the harbor, Manhattan’s towers frame a city built for walking, looking up and changing plans. Spend time among Central Park’s paths, Fifth Avenue’s museums and the neighborhoods that give each block its own character. Allow room for a classic meal, a Broadway curtain and the simple pleasure of watching the city move.
Published August 7, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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