![Polar Cruises Arctic. Polar bear on the pack ice.](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20180901-E-Greenland-1282-scaled.jpg)
Four Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Jan Mayen, Greenland & Iceland - 18 Days
Onboard Ocean Adventurer – 128 passengers
Perfect for first-time visitors to the Arctic, this voyage highlights four spectacular destinations near the top of the world and provides an unforgettable taste of the region, featuring giant icebergs, towering mountains, granite cliffs, iconic wildlife, traditional Inuit culture and more.
Your adventure begins in the remote Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, renowned for its stunning scenery and abundant, varied wildlife such as polar bears and walrus. From there, sail south to the mysterious, volcanic Jan Mayen, a nature reserve so remote that few have ever been fortunate enough to explore this Arctic treasure. The next stop is Greenland’s beguiling east coast, where you will cruise deep into Scoresbysund to marvel at the overwhelming beauty of the world’s largest fjord system, gaze in awe at unimaginably vast icebergs, and admire the diversity of the flora and fauna that have fascinated explorers and visitors for centuries—and seize the opportunity to explore the remains of ancient Thule settlements. Your epic adventure culminates with a journey under the midnight sun to Reykjavik, where you can soak up Icelandic culture in a city that never sleeps.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki, Finland
Your Arctic adventure begins in Helsinki, renowned for its extraordinary architecture and intriguing mix of eastern and western influences. If you arrive early, explore the many museums, galleries and restaurants, relax at a Finnish sauna or wander the vibrant Design District before retiring at your included hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Embark
After breakfast, the group will transfer to the airport and board our private charter flight to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen’s largest settlement, as part of the transfer package. As you embark this afternoon, you’ll enjoy great views of the mountainous landscape that serves as a backdrop for this seaside town.
Day 3-6: Exploring Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Exploring Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, rewards you with austere beauty and opportunities to spot its abundant wildlife. Here, you’ll visit spectacular glacier fronts and tundra in full bloom, with walrus, polar bears and Svalbard reindeer amongst your possible wildlife sightings. Birders will be thrilled to see Arctic terns, skuas, Brünnich’s guillemots, black-legged kittiwakes and ivory gulls. If conditions allow, you could sail within 10 degrees of the North Pole!
Day 7-8: At Sea
While sailing south through the historic Greenland Sea toward Jan Mayen, your Expedition Team will keep you informed with presentations about the history and politics of the Arctic, its fascinating wildlife, geology, ecology and climate, and the incredible sights you will soon explore. On deck, you’ll learn to identify seabirds “on the wing.” The team will also keep a lookout for the whales that frequent the waters here.
Day 9-10: Exploring Jan Mayen
North of the Arctic Circle, about 280 miles (450 km) east of Greenland and 340 miles (550 km) north of Iceland, the mysterious Jan Mayen rises from the depths of the North Atlantic. Often shrouded in thick fog, the small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is rarely visited, save for the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, who are the only inhabitants.
Landing here will be dictated by the weather and sea. If conditions allow, as we approach, keep watch on deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit emerges. At 7,470 feet (2,277 meters) high, the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano features a symmetrical cone shape and impressive glaciers that spill into the sea.
If we’re fortunate, we may get a close- up view of the volcano and the stratified cliffs of the spectacular north coast as we Zodiac cruise along the coast of the island, searching for wildlife. Designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the large numbers of breeding seabirds, Jan Mayen supports colonies of northern fulmars, little auks,glaucous gulls, kittiwakes, and black and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres).
Day 11-15: Exploring Scoresby Sund, Greenland
Your tour of Scoresby Sund—the largest, deepest and, some say, most beautiful multi-armed fjord system in the world— will offer plenty of opportunities to explore ashore or by Zodiac cruise.
At one moment you’ll be stepping back in time, exploring the remains of ancient Thule settlements with views of icebergs and towering mountains rising straight out of the sea, and the next you’ll be immersed in contemporary culture, meeting the locals and gaining an appreciation for their way of life in Ittoqqortoormiit, East Greenland’s northernmost community. At the mouth of the sound, this remote settlement boasts a blend of traditional and modern lifestyles and is geographically closer to Iceland than it is to its nearest Greenlandic neighbors to the southwest. Here, you’ll have the chance to support local Inuit artisans by purchasing unique handicrafts.
In terms of wildlife, grazing muskoxen are a possible sight, as 40 percent of the world’s muskoxen population lives in this region. Polar bear sightings are also a remote possibility, as are encounters with more elusive Arctic wildlife, such as the Arctic hare. Seabirds to watch out for nesting atop the steep cliffs of the sound include little auks, fulmars and guillemots.
Day 16-17: At Sea
As we sail south, the Denmark Strait is your pathway toward Iceland. Take in a presentation, share your photos, sip an icy cocktail in the bar or watch a film— there are many things to do during your time at sea. Your Expedition Team will also be on hand to answer any questions and point out wildlife.
Day 18: Disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland
You’ll disembark in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, at the end of your journey. If you have booked post-expedition accommodation, we provide a transfer to a central downtown location.
EXPEDITION SPIRIT: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your Expedition Team must consider the sea, ice and weather to guide the route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you may experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed. By the same token, wildlife encounters as described are expected, but not guaranteed. Your Expedition Team will use their considerable experience to seek out wildlife in known habitats, but the presence of any particular species of bird or marine wildlife is not guaranteed.
Route Map
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1691586942-fourarcticislands-arc24-map-768x901.png)
Cabin Descriptions
![Ocean Adventurer Owner's Suite](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Owners-Suite_Cabin-510-8552-scaled.jpg)
Owner's Suite
From 208 sq ft (19 sq m), an Owner’s Suite Cabin is equipped with one double bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Bridge Deck, it has private facilities, and windows with exterior views. Cabin 403 has a bathtub and shower; other Owner’s Suites have showers.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Suite_Cabin-400-8120.jpg)
Suite
From 215 sq ft (20 sq m), a Suite is equipped with one double bed made up of two twin berths. Located on the Captain’s Deck, it has windows with exterior views and private facilities.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Deluxe_Cabin-406-8211-scaled.jpg)
Deluxe
A Deluxe Cabin has two lower berths, private facilities, and windows with exterior views.
144 – 179 sq ft.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Superior_Cabin-300-8312-scaled.jpg)
Superior
From 132 sq ft (12 sq m), a Superior Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Upper and Captain’s Decks, it has private facilities and windows with exterior views.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Main-Deck-Twin-Window_Cabin-212-8835-scaled.jpg)
Main Deck Twin Window
From 115 sq ft (11 sq m), a Main Deck Twin Window Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities and a window with exterior views.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Main-Deck-Twin-Porthole_Cabin-210-7974-scaled.jpg)
Main Deck Twin Porthole
From 115 sq ft (11 sq m), a Main Deck Twin Porthole Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities and a porthole with exterior views. Please not that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Lower-Deck-Twin_Cabin-107-8776-scaled.jpg)
Lower Deck Twin
From 115 sq ft (11 sq m), a Lower Deck Twin Cabin is equipped with two lower berths. Located on the Lower Deck, it has private facilities, a porthole and exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
![](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Quark-Expeditions_Ocean-Adventurer_Triple_Cabin-204-7934-scaled.jpg)
Triple
From 145 sq ft (13.5 sq m), a Triple Cabin is equipped with two lower berths and one upper berth. Located on the Main Deck, it has private facilities and a porthole with exterior views. Please note that porthole covers may be closed during sea days or during inclement weather as a safety precaution.
Deck Plan
![Ocean Adventurer deck plan](https://polarcruises.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/deck-plan-2.jpg)
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Leadership throughout your voyage by our experienced Expedition Leaders, including shore landings and other activities
- All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program
- All shore landings per the daily program
- Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping
- All meals, snacks, soft drinks and juices on board throughout your voyage (Please inform us of any dietary requirements as far in advance as possible. Unfortunately, the ships’ galleys cannot prepare kosher meals.)
- Beer and wine during dinner; and coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
- Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and guest speakers as scheduled
- A photographic journal documenting the expedition
- A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for landings and Zodiac cruising excursions
- An official expedition parka to keep
- Hair dryer and bathrobes in every cabin
- All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
- All luggage handling aboard the ship
- Emergency Evacuation insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $500,000 per person
- Transfer from Longyearbyen town center to port on embarkation day
- Group transfer to downtown Reykjavik on disembarkation day
- Greenland voyages cruise passenger tax.
Exclusions:
- International airfare
- Arrival transfer in Helsinki
- Airport transfer in Reykjavik
- Passport and visa expenses
- Government arrival and departure taxes not mentioned above
- Meals ashore unless otherwise specified
- Baggage, cancellation, interruption and medical travel insurance—strongly recommended
- Excess-baggage fees on international flights
- Mandatory waterproof pants for Zodiac cruising, or any other gear not mentioned
- Laundry, bar and other personal charges unless specified
- Phone and Internet charges (connectivity may vary by location)
- Voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew
- Additional overnight accommodation
- Adventure Options not listed in Included Activities