Spitsbergen, Svalbard Norway Cruise from Longyearbyen to Reykjavík — 11 Days

Longyearbyen, Norway

Longyearbyen is the world’s northernmost settlement of its size, set beside Adventfjorden on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. Coal built the town; the Svalbard Museum traces its mining past and the realities of Arctic life. Choose a guided excursion for glacier views, wildlife watching or a snowmobile journey into polar terrain. Outside town, travel with an experienced guide: polar bears roam Svalbard, and the wilderness demands respect. Visit in summer for the midnight sun, or winter for blue twilight and northern lights.

Svalbard Islands, Norway

At 78 degrees north, Svalbard brings the high Arctic within reach, with Longyearbyen as its main settlement. Beyond town, glacier-fronted fjords, snowbound mountains and tundra define a landscape shaped by polar light. Wildlife sightings may include reindeer, Arctic foxes, walruses and seabirds; polar bears live here, but encounters are never guaranteed. Guided boat, snowmobile and walking excursions reveal the terrain and its human history. Conditions and access change with the season, so plan around local guidance.

At Sea (At Sea)

Jan Mayen Island, Norway

Jan Mayen is less a conventional port than a rare landing on Norway’s remote Arctic island. Set between Greenland and the Norwegian Sea, it is dominated by Beerenberg. At 2,277 metres, its glaciated summit is the world’s northernmost active volcano. With no town or visitor infrastructure, landings depend on weather and sea conditions. If ashore, expect stark volcanic shores, broad Arctic horizons and seabird colonies—not shops or sightseeing buses.

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Fjord Cruising (Fjord Cruising)

Djupavik, Iceland

At Djúpavík, on Iceland’s remote Strandir coast, a vast herring factory commands the shore. Built in 1935, it was once central to a booming fishery that brought industry to this sparsely settled fjord. Production ended in 1954, yet the factory’s machinery and workers’ stories still give the place its force. Join a guided tour, then see the waterfall spilling beside the old walls. Beyond the buildings, steep mountains and dark water convey the scale and solitude of the Westfjords.

Fjord Cruising (Fjord Cruising)

Reykjavik, Iceland

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.