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Sylvia Earle

The Sylvia Earle is a new purpose built, polar expedition vessel taking up to 130 guests. This vessel has been designed in close consultation with Antarctic expedition specialists and is the first expedition cruise ship designed with the ULSTEIN X-BOW hull. This cutting edge nautical technology allows for gentle travel and motion at sea, improved comfort and safety on-board, reduced vibrations, lower fuel consumption and emissions and ‘virtual anchoring’ which means the ship can float anchor-less while launching the Zodiacs without disturbing delicate sea floor areas. There are four sea-level launching platforms for fast and efficient access to and from Zodiacs.

Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland

Day 2 Reykjavik, Embarkation

Day 3 Dynjandi, West Fjords

On Iceland’s north coast and close to the westernmost tip of the country are the impressive cliffs of Latrabjarg; Europe’s largest bird cliff. Millions of individual seabirds make their home along the promontory, safe from the range of scavenging foxes, on the steep ledges. Atlantic Puffins, Northern Gannets, Razorbills and guillemots have each selected their preferred areas in and above the cliff in which to roost and nest. The Latrabjarg cliffs reach heights of up to 440 meters along a staggering 14 kilometer stretch of the coast.

Iceland is well-known for its spectacular waterfalls. The iconic Dynjandi waterfall, located in the Westfjords region, is regarded as one of Iceland’s most impressive and majestic waterfalls. At the top, the cascading water is roughly 100 feet wide and tumbles down about 330 feet into the fjord. Its name Dynjandi means, “the thundering one” and its vast size, enormous sound, and sheer force is overwhelming. It has also been nicknamed, ‘The Bridal Veil’ because of the way the water sprays and spreads over the rocks.

Day 4 Vigur Island & Hornbjarg Cliffs

Vigur Island is a little more than a mile (1.6 km) in length and about 450 yards (412 m) wide. This green oasis punctuates the waters of the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord east of the town of Isafjordur. Summer is the best time to see large numbers of Atlantic Puffins, Arctic Terns and Black Guillemots. One of the export articles from this small island was eider down and one can see where the eider ducks nest and how the down is collected and cleaned.

The Hornbjarg Cliffs are found in the northernmost part of Iceland’s Westfjords and are considered to be among Iceland’s most spectacular bird cliffs. As part of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve the cliffs rise to 537 meters in height on the seaside to then slope down on the landward side as green lush hills. Thousands of Northern Fulmars, Common and Brünnich’s Guillemots, Atlantic Puffins and gulls can be seen in the cliffs or soaring in the updrafts.

Day 5 Sea Crossing to Jan Mayen

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching or catching up on your reading, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Day 6 Jan Mayen Island

The approach to Jan Mayen is spectacular. The huge 2,277-metre Beerenberg volcano is the northernmost active volcano in the world, last erupted in 1985. Northern parts of the island are great to look for whales and dolphins and contains impressive glaciers. If the weather is favourable, we will try to land at Kvalrossbukta, a relatively sheltered bay on the island’s west coast.

Days 7 and 8 At Sea and Sailing the Svalbard Coast

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching or catching up on your reading, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Days 9-12 Svalbard

Svalbard offers Arctic wilderness at its best. We design our day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options based on the prevailing weather, sea-ice conditions, and wildlife encounters.

Phenomenal fjords, magnificent mountains ranges and a polar desert rich in fossils set the stage for heroic tales of early exploration. See walrus hauled-out on sea ice or on beaches. On land, stretch our legs on walks across tundra coming out in brightly-coloured wildflowers. We visit towering cliffs noisy with nesting guillemots and puffins, and scree slopes that hold Svalbard’s largest little auk colonies. Most memorable are encounters with the majestic polar bear on pack ice.

If you have chosen an optional activity such as kayaking, you’ll have the option to enjoy the activity when conditions allow. For those who are enthusiastic to participate in a polar plunge, as soon as conditions are suitable, you’ll hear the announcement to prepare for an exhilarating plunge, a memory you’ll savour for years to come.

Day 13 Bear Island

Almost half way between Tromsø and Svalbard is isolated Bear Island – considered the southernmost island of the Svalbard Archipelago. The unglaciated island is an impressive Nature Reserve of steep, high cliffs that are frequented by seabirds, specifically at the southern tip. Brünnich’s Guillemots, Common Guillemots, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Little Auks, Northern Fulmars, Glaucous Gulls, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and even Atlantic Puffins and Northern Gannets nest along the cliffs south of Sørhamna.  Despite of the name, bear Island, polar bears are very infrequent visitors.

Day 14 Sea Crossing to Norway

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching or catching up on your reading, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Day 15 North Cape, Norwegian Coast

Over the next few days, we explore parts of Norway’s remarkable 1,000-kilometre coastline. Starting in North Cape, in the very north of the country, we make our way south, stopping in the Lofoten Islands.

The spectacular northern lights are a natural phenomenon that is most commonly seen in the sky above the Arctic Circle, between autumn and early spring. As we are near North Cape in northern Norway, keep a close watch in hope of witnessing this dazzling spectacle in the night sky. The North Cape is located at a latitude of 71° 10´ 21 and is Europe’s northernmost point.

Situated at the very north tip of Norway and inside the Arctic Circle, the North Cape (Nordkapp in Norwegian) lies about 1,306.3 mi from the North Pole, with no dry land between except for the Svalbald archipelago. Home to where the Atlantic and Arctic oceans meet, this is the true land of the midnight sun so just imagine sipping a chilled glass of champagne at the very top of the world in full daylight at midnight. Be sure to be on the lookout for hundreds of thousands of puffins, gannets, cormorants, seals, dolphins and whales that make this stretch of chilly water their home. Not forgetting the colourful, compact fishing villages, so at odds with the otherwise this stark, barren landscape

If you prefer comfort, the Silver Cloud will anchor off Skarsvag, the “most northerly fishing village in the world”, and, weather conditions permitting, head ashore via Zodiac. You will travel by coach to the North Cape where you can admire the glorious scenery, stop in at the visitor’s centre and take photos at the famed globe monument. On a clear day the panorama is quite spectacular.

Day 16 Tromsø, Norwegian Coast

Tromsø is the main gateway to experiencing the northern lights in Norway. We embark on an enchanting journey into the celestial wonders of the Arctic sky at the Tromsø Science Centre. Join an immersive experience that combines the magic of a northern lights followed by an engaging presentation by an astronomer, providing you with insight into the captivating phenomena of the aurora borealis.

 Settle into the comfort of the planetarium’s auditorium for a cinematic journey into the heart of the Arctic night. Join the award-winning photographer Ole Salomonsens on his journey through northern Norway, Finland and Sweden in pursuit of his passion – filming the wildest and most spectacular light show the nature has to offer. Extreme Auroras is a stunning new full-dome visual, featuring the aurora in science, history and myths.

You’ll have time to explore the Science Centre’s interactive displays and exhibits.

Day 17 Tromsø, Disembark

Disembark in the early morning at approximately 8.00 am. Farewell your Expedition Team and fellow passengers as we all continue our onward journeys. Transfer to Tromsø airport.