ARCTIC ODYSSEY UNDER A SOLAR ECLIPSE
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14 DAYS
ITINERARY SUMMARY
| Day | Place | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1 - 2 | Longyearbyen, Svalbard | Explore the town and spend the night before embarkation |
| Days 3 - 5 | Svalbard | Deep fjords, reindeer, Arctic fox, Polar bears |
| Days 6 - 7 | Greenland Sea | Sea ice, marine mammals such as whales and seals |
| Days 8 - 10 | East Greenland | Breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage |
| Day 11 | Solar Eclipse | Experience this rare celestial event |
| Day 12 | Denmark Strait | Seabird viewing, whale sightings, presentations, workshops |
| Day 13 | Westfjords, Iceland | Coastlines, waterfalls, rugged mountains, whales, seals, birdlife |
| Day 14 | Reykjavik, Iceland | After breakfast, farewell your fellow passengers and disembark |
SHIPS OFFERING THIS ITNERARY
Sea Spirit
The Sea Spirit was built in Italy in 1991. She’s a very comfortable ice-strengthened, small (114 guests), all-suite expedition ship. The vessel was updated in late 2010 and had additional refurbishment in April 2017. All suites have private facilities and exterior views. Some of the suites feature private balconies for enjoying fantastic landscapes of Antarctica.
She has a fleet of ten rubber inflatable zodiac boats for landings, an experienced crew, and a set of retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing. This ship features an open bridge, 2 rear outdoor viewing areas, an outdoor viewing area at the front of the vessel, a bar, lounge, presentation room and dining area all lined with windows. There is also a gym on-board as well as a library and media centre.
Days 1 – 2 Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Welcome to Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard and starting point of your Arctic expedition! At the Longyearbyen airport, you will be greeted by staff and transferred to a quality hotel, which has been arranged and is included in the price of the itinerary.
The following day, the morning is yours to enjoy Longyearbyen. Take in the views of icy fjords and glaciated mountains surrounding this historic former coal-mining town. Take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. For lunch, Longyearbyen offers quick and easy meal options including the most northerly pizzas and kebabs in the world.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier where you will be warmly welcomed aboard the deluxe expedition vessel M/V Sea Spirit. Get settled in your spacious suite and explore the ship that will be your comfortable home during the extraordinary adventure to come. After getting underway, a full schedule of events kicks off with informative briefings and introductions from your expedition staff. After the first of many delicious dinners on board, step out onto the open decks to admire the gorgeous scenery in 24-hour daylight as we pass through the wildlife-rich waters of Isfjorden.
Day 3 – 5 Svalbard
Svalbard is a true High Arctic wilderness and this part of the voyage is a real expedition. Our route and exploration opportunities here are heavily dependent on the weather and sea ice conditions we encounter. The experienced captain and expedition leader decide the itinerary and continually adjust plans as conditions and opportunities warrant. You can be sure that the best possible advantage will be taken of the circumstances presented to you by Nature in this wild and remote corner of the Arctic.
You will likely explore the northwestern part of the island of Spitsbergen. This area contains the archipelago’s most impressive scenery and some of the Arctic’s best wildlife viewing opportunities. Deep fjords and narrow channels are flanked by jagged snowy mountain peaks. Immense tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into turquoise waters. Fields of flowering tundra are home to grazing reindeer and playful Arctic fox. Bountiful inshore and offshore waters are home to a wide variety of marine mammals. Polar Bears can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Svalbard.
Also in this area is Ny Ålesund, a former mining town that is now home to an international community of Arctic researchers, complete with museum, gift shop, and post office. This was also a staging area for historic attempts to discover the North Pole.
Days 6 – 7 Greenland Sea
From Svalbard we head southwest across the Greenland Sea toward East Greenland. In these far northern latitudes it is possible to encounter sea ice any time of the year. All along the way we remain vigilant for sightings of marine mammals such as whales and seals.
Days 8 – 10 East Greenland
This expedition cruising is at its most authentic. Your itinerary and exploration opportunities in East Greenland depend on weather and sea ice conditions. Rest assured, the experienced captain and expedition leader will seize every chance for exceptional wildlife viewing, discovering incredible scenery, and going ashore wherever possible. You will navigate through the world’s largest national park, home to the Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord systems, and explore Scoresby Sund, the planet’s most extensive fjord system.
These ice-bound regions showcase the Arctic’s most breathtaking landscapes, emphasizing the natural splendor and the significant influence of climate and geography. Beyond the scenic vistas, your expedition explores the Arctic’s rich cultural heritage, from ancient Thule sites to the contemporary Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit.
Day 11 Solar Eclipse
This trip isn’t just about seeing beautiful places; it’s also about experiencing a rare celestial event—a total solar eclipse. It will happen on August 12, 2026 and will pass over the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, and northern Spain. Your ship, the Sea Spirit, will anchor in the best location in the waters of Greenland to ensure you enjoy this moment to the fullest. The journey is further enriched by astrophysicist Paul Sutter. Known for his ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging, Paul will enhance your eclipse experience with expert insights, making the moment of totality on August 12, 2026, even more unforgettable.
Day 12 Denmark Strait
After your amazing time in East Greenland, you will cross Denmark Strait toward Iceland, crossing the Arctic Circle on the way. Presentations and workshops by the expert staff, as well as a range of onboard recreation facilities, ensure that this day at sea is not idly spent. Seabird viewing and whale sightings can be enjoyed from panoramic open decks as well as exterior stateroom windows and balconies.
Day 13 Westfjords, Iceland
Your last expedition day is spent in the beautiful Vestfirðir (Westfjords) of Iceland. This remote and sparsely populated region of crenulated coastlines, voluminous waterfalls and rugged mountains sees only 10% of Iceland’s visitors. Deep fjords are home to whales while estuaries abound with seals and birdlife.
Day 14 Reykjavik, Iceland
After breakfast, you will say farewell in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and ending point of our expedition. You are provided with a transfer to the airport or to the city center if you wish to spend another day or more in Iceland before flying home.
Reykjavík is home to a wealth of cultural institutions such as museums, galleries, and the Hallgrímskirkja church. Leisure possibilities inside the city include parks, gardens, and thermal baths. You can also take advantage of Reykjavík’s wide range of shopping possibilities, excellent dining options, and famous nightlife. And of course the entire country of Iceland is accessible through day tours or longer journeys by rental car. The options for additional adventures are endless!