This cruise on the comfortable expedition ship MS SEA SPIRIT takes you to the remote coast of northeast Greenland and leads into the vast Scoresby Sound – the largest fjord landscape on Earth .
The journey begins with travel to Iceland, where an overnight stay in Reykjavik is included upon arrival. The ten-day cruise departs from Reykjavik and heads directly to the northeast coast of Greenland.
After passing through the Denmark Strait, the MS SEA SPIRIT reaches Scoresby Sound: a vast fjord system that stretches from the east coast of Greenland over 300 kilometers inland.
In Scoresby Sound, you’ll experience a beautiful and fascinating polar landscape. You’ll explore historical sites of early Inuit cultures , and the expedition ship will repeatedly pass enormous drifting icebergs . During Zodiac excursions and hikes through the colorful autumn tundra, you’ll keep an eye out for musk oxen . Finally, you’ll visit the Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit – one of Greenland’s most remote Inuit settlements.
With a bit of luck, you will experience the magical veils of light of the Northern Lights at night – because at this time of year the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are high.
On your return journey to Iceland and before your nature cruise ends in the port of Reykjavik, you will experience the rarely visited Westfjords of Iceland – with dramatic coastal landscapes and large seabird colonies.
On board the MS SEA SPIRIT, you’ll enjoy outstanding service and the comfort of impressively spacious cabins. The nature cruise on the MS SEA SPIRIT is conducted bilingually in English and German .
Conclusion: The Scoresby Sund cruise with the MS SEA SPIRIT offers a very attractive combination of great comfort on board the well-organized expedition ship and the experience of a magnificent and untouched Arctic natural landscape .
Explore the polar regions in a particularly stylish and comfortable way: aboard the MS SEA SPIRIT. Spacious suites and communal areas are as much a part of onboard life as the cozy atmosphere and maneuverability of a small ship.
Public areas include: reception, restaurant, bar, open-air bistro, club lounge, library, lecture hall, fitness room, whirlpool, and the bridge. Everyone is welcome on the Sea Spirit’s bridge: chat with the captain and crew, admire the passing scenery from this unique perspective, and see the ship’s current position on the map.
All cabins are very comfortable, at least 20 square meters in size, and feature a private bathroom and twin beds.
Technical data:
Interesting facts:
You can reach Keflavik International Airport in Iceland with a scheduled flight from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. The journey to the city center of Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, takes approximately 45 minutes. Welcome to the starting point of your Arctic expedition! After checking into your 4-star hotel, you’ll have time to explore this beautiful, friendly, and Nordic city. Take advantage of this opportunity to discover the charming and manageable Nordic metropolis on your own!
To get in the mood for your cruise, we recommend the magnificent National Museum and Cultural Centre, as well as Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s most famous landmark. For those interested in natural history, we recommend the Whales of Iceland Museum, which displays life-size models of the 23 whale species found in Iceland. For dinner, Reykjavík offers countless opportunities for authentic Icelandic cuisine.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Reykjavik
In the morning, there’s still a little time for a stroll through Reykjavik. For bird lovers, we recommend a walk along Tjörnin, a tranquil lake in the heart of the city.
Embarkation on the small and very comfortable expedition ship MS SEA SPIRIT takes place in the afternoon, and a transfer will take you to the ship. The friendly expedition team will welcome you on board and escort you to your cabin. After settling in, you will have time to explore the ship and familiarize yourself with its amenities. The MS SEA SPIRIT offers comfortable cabins, a restaurant, a bar, a library, and spacious outer decks that provide unobstructed views of the breathtaking surroundings.
In the evening, a mandatory safety briefing takes place, followed by a delicious dinner. Then it’s “Cast off!” and your journey to the High Arctic begins. You’ll first cross Faxaflói Bay, and with a bit of luck, you’ll spot your first whales.
From Iceland, the ship heads north and sails through the Denmark Strait – the strait between Iceland and Greenland. On the way to Scoresby Sound, you will cross the Arctic Circle. These waters are frequented by whales, and at night there is a chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Monaco Glacier and Liefdefjorden
The MS ORTELIUS continues towards Liefdefjorden, one of the most impressive fjords in Spitsbergen. Here you can admire the majestic Monaco glacier front, which stretches 5 kilometers into the cold sea. The area is known for its numerous kittiwake colonies and as a hunting ground for polar bears.
Depending on weather conditions, you will take a trip with the Zodiacs to get closer to the glaciers and perhaps even observe a polar bear in its natural environment.
Sorgfjord and Heclahamna
Today we continue to one of Spitsbergen’s most historic sites – Sorgfjord. Here you’ll find the remains of shipwrecks dating back to the 17th century, when French and Dutch ships were wrecked here. Afterwards, you’ll continue your journey and perhaps spot a herd of walruses near the old whalers’ graves. In Heclahamna, a fascinating coastal area, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about Arctic flora and fauna on a hike
The northernmost point: The Seven Islands
The Seven Islands mark the northernmost point of your journey. Here you reach 80° north latitude, placing you only about 870 kilometers from the geographic North Pole. This region is home to polar bears and walruses. The MS ORTELIUS sails through pack ice to search for these majestic animals in their natural habitat. The story of the Italian expedition that attempted to rescue the missing explorer and adventurer Nobile in 1928 comes alive here.
Austfonna and Kong Karls Land
Today you will explore the vast Austfonna ice cap on Nordaustlandet – the largest ice cap in Europe. You will stop at Isisøya, a former nunatak island now surrounded by glaciers. A Zodiac tour around the island offers the opportunity to experience the icy landscapes up close.
You will then continue your journey to Kong Karls Land, which is known as one of the best areas for polar bear viewing.
Heleysundet and West Spitsbergen
The journey continues to Heleysundet, a narrow channel between West Spitsbergen and Barentsøya. Here you have the opportunity to admire enormous glaciers like the Negribreen and go ashore on the west side of Spitsbergen to observe a colony of ivory gulls.
Hornsund – Land of pointed mountains
On the eighth day, the plan is to reach Hornsund, one of Spitsbergen’s most dramatic landscapes. The rugged peaks—including Hornsundtind (1,431 meters high) and Bautaen—offer a breathtaking view. This area boasts numerous glaciers and ample opportunity to spot seals and polar bears. Here, you will enjoy a hike and take in the majestic scenery.
Bell Sund and its history
You reach Bell Sund, one of the largest fjord systems in Svalbard. The area’s warm ocean currents support lush vegetation rarely found elsewhere in the archipelago. On a hike, you can discover ancient whale skeletons, remnants of 19th-century hunting. The wildlife is equally fascinating: deer and small auks are frequently encountered.
The ship reaches Scoresby Sound and enters this vast fjord system.
Scoresby Sound is the largest and longest fjord system on Earth. This vast and incredibly diverse area boasts some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Arctic! On the northern side of the fjord’s outer reaches, expansive tundra with relatively dense vegetation stretches across the landscape. The southern coast is characterized by steep, often glaciated mountain slopes. Further inland, side fjords cut deep into the imposing mountain scenery – sometimes flanked on both sides by cliffs up to 2,000 meters high. Icebergs constantly calve from the massive glaciers flowing down from the Greenland ice sheet into the fjord, driven by wind, currents, and tides through the fjords.
Scoresby Sound – Cruise in search of Arctic animals
The voyage on the MS SEA SPIRIT takes place in early autumn – the tundra vegetation now glows in vibrant reddish-brown autumn colors. Musk oxen, snow hares, and wild geese populate the tundra, and with a bit of luck, narwhals can be observed in the fjords.
Your fantastic time in Scoresby Sound is coming to an end and you are crossing the Denmark Strait again towards Iceland.
Lectures and workshops by the expedition team, combined with the comfortable atmosphere on board, make the day at sea fly by. Observe seabirds and, with luck, whales directly from the large cabin windows, balconies, or outer decks.
There will be another opportunity to see the Northern Lights during the night.
You will spend a day exploring the Westfjords of Iceland, experiencing the extraordinary beauty of this remote and rarely visited region. Only about 10% of visitors to Iceland venture into this area. The exact route will be determined on-site, depending on the weather. You will explore, for example, bird cliffs, spectacular fjord landscapes, or small fishing villages.
The MS SEA SPIRIT will return to the port of Reykjavik during the night, and after breakfast you will say goodbye to the expedition ship’s crew and your fellow passengers. The rest of the day is yours to explore Reykjavik at your leisure.
Overnight stay in a hotel in Reykjavik
You will be picked up at your hotel in time for your return flight and taken to Keflavik airport via an organized transfer.
Then return flight to your home airport.
note
All planned landings are dependent on local weather and ice conditions. Changes to the itinerary and program are expressly reserved.
Optional and free
The polar regions are among the most photogenic places in the world, presenting countless stunning landscapes every day. To ensure you return from your trip with truly successful photographs, we offer you the opportunity to learn more about the theory and practice of photography alongside an experienced photographer.
Our photography expert will answer your questions and provide practical tips – both in the form of lectures on board and during workshops on land. Learn the essential elements of photography in an entertaining way, against a breathtaking backdrop, and with plenty of opportunities for questions and feedback. Discover in the polar region how to perceive light in a completely new way and what new image compositions emerge.
Notes
Mobility notice
We are obliged to point out that this trip is generally not suitable for people with reduced mobility. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Have a question before booking? Message us to learn more.
