Green and purple northern lights illuminate the sky and reflect in the ocean in front of the ship for the arctic sights cruise
A zodiac navigates large icebergs in calm still waters with snowy mountains off in the distance
Hikers dressed in red jackets navigate massive water walls that tower over them and fill the whole wall in white water
Green and blue northern lights illuminate the sky and the ocean just off the side of the ship for the arctic sights cruise
Travelers in red jackets watch the pink and yellow sunset off small cruise ship
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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Arctic Sights & Northern Lights

Arctic culture and landscapes come alive on the Arctic Sights & Northern Lights aboard the 114-guest expedition ship M/V Sea Spirit. For 12 days, search for whales and Arctic wildlife while cruising round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland, through breathtaking fjords flanked by steep mountains along eastern Greenland. Across the Denmark Strait, explore the stunning Scoresby Sund fjord complex to discover unbelievable scenery, historical sites, massive icebergs, a contemporary Inuit village and of course the mesmerizing northern lights. Visit the unique Westfjords of Iceland. Every night on this voyage brings another excellent chance to experience the northern lights in a beautiful setting.

Kayaking is available at an added cost for those who wish to experience this paddler’s paradise. The islands and fjords of the High Arctic closely guard some of the world’s most unique and magical sea kayaking opportunities. Experience cathedral-like icebergs in Greenland, labyrinthine expanses of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean and rugged coastlines in remote waters that very few people have ever paddled. Photographic instructions, lectures and opportunities from expert photographers and guides are included in every departure.

Sailing aboard the 114-guest Sea Spirit is like floating aboard a fine hotel that is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating narrow bays and icy channels. Add in the incredible amenities, a generous crew, expert leaders and onboard photography lessons and this voyage is complete. If icebergs, Arctic culture and wildlife, and the aurora borealis are your polar interests, then this Arctic Sights & Northern Lights itinerary is the trip for you!

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruises, Arctic trips, Greenland cruises, Iceland cruises and specialty northern lights cruises.



Itinerary

Arctic Sights & Northern Lights Itinerary

This 12-day Arctic expedition sails round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland and explores East Greenland, spending one extra day in Scoresby Sund.

Route map of Arctic Sights & Northern Lights cruise round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland, across the Denmark Sea to Scoresby Sund in East Greenland.
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Day 1
Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland

Welcome to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland and starting point of your Arctic expedition! The drive from the Keflavik International Airport to the city center takes around 45 minutes by airport shuttle or taxi. After checking into your hotel, which has been pre-arranged and is included in the price of the itinerary, you will be free to explore this attractive, friendly and quintessentially Nordic city.

For an excellent overview of Iceland’s history and culture, consider starting at the superb National Museum and Culture House. You will also want to visit the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík’s most famous landmark. For those interested in natural history, consider the Whales of Iceland museum, which houses full-sized models of the 23 species of whale found around Iceland. For dinner, Reykjavík offers countless options for an authentic Icelandic meal.

Accommodations

Grand Hotel Reykjavik

Meals

n/a

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Day 2
Embark Reykjavik

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is yours to enjoy Reykjavík. Take a leisurely stroll through a peaceful garden or a relaxing soak in a thermal bath. Nature lovers will appreciate the abundant birdlife at Tjörnin, a placid lake in the heart of the city. You can also take advantage of shopping for souvenirs or some last-minute necessities such as cold-weather gear. Just remember, you will soon receive your very own parka to keep and waterproof boots to borrow on board the ship.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the pier and warmly welcomed aboard the ship. 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 views as you sail through Faxaflói, where it is possible to encounter your first whales.

Accommodations

Sea Spirit

Meals

breakfast, dinner

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Day 3
Across Denmark Strait

As the ship sails north across the Denmark Strait to East Greenland, celebrate this crossing of the Arctic Circle. Keep a continuous lookout for great whales and flocks of seabirds feeding in the productive waters near the sharp rise of Greenland’s continental shelf. After nightfall there is the first of many opportunities to see the aurora borealis overhead.

Accommodations

Sea Spirit

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 4 - 9
Scoresby Sund, Greenland

This part of the voyage focuses on the spectacular fjords, coasts and islands of Scoresby Sund, also known as Kangertittivaq in the Greenlandic language. This area contains some of the world’s most impressive scenery and Greenland’s best wildlife viewing. The exact schedule and route will be shaped by weather and ice conditions. Polar bears and other quintessential Arctic wildlife can be spotted anytime, anywhere in and around Scoresby Sund.

Scoresby Sund is the largest and longest fjord system in the world. This area contains some of the Arctic’s most impressive scenery with deep fjords and narrow channels flanked by rock walls up to 6,561 feet high. Colossal icebergs—calved by immense glaciers and sculpted by wind and water into fantastic shapes—drift throughout the intricate fjord system in striking contrast to sparkling blue waters and polychromatic mountains capped with fresh snow. From verdant coastal plains to ice-clad peaks all the way to the glaciated heart of Greenland, a trip through Scoresby Sund sets a new standard for scenic.

Your area of exploration includes part of Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest and most northerly national park in the world. This vast Arctic landscape is a paradise for hikers who appreciate astounding views of untouched tundra wilderness. Across hillsides emblazoned with autumnal red and yellow, a flash of white reveals the flight of a snowy owl or a startled mountain hare. Tufts of the finest fleece ensnared in polar willows underfoot point the way to a nearby herd of shaggy musk oxen. You may hear the crack of horns colliding as bulls engage in fearsome battles of strength. Boreal fowl of every description are preparing to migrate south with their newly fledged chicks. All throughout the waterways of Scoresby Sund, be on constant watch for polar bears and other marine mammals, including a variety of seals, walrus and narwhal, which can be spotted at any time.

Visit ancient Thule archeological sites, including the Inuit village of Ittoqqortoormiit, the only permanent settlement in the region and host to a museum, bookstore, handmade crafts, a post office and Greenlandic sled dogs. As night falls, watch for nature’s greatest celestial performance: the Northern Lights. East Greenland is one of the very best places in the Arctic to view this otherworldly natural phenomenon. This itinerary offers a deep dive into one of the Arctic’s most scenic and soulful environments.

Accommodations

Sea Spirit

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Back to Iceland

After an amazing time in Scoresby Sund the ship heads back across Denmark Strait toward Iceland. 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.

Accommodations

Sea Spirit

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
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.

Accommodations

Sea Spirit

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
Disembark Reykjavík, Iceland

After filling up with one last buffet breakfast on board, bid the crew a fond farewell in Reykjavík. Take an included transfer to Keflavik international airport or to the city center in case you plan to extend your stay in Iceland.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

1 pre-voyage hotel night on Day 1; group transfer to the ship on day of embarkation; shipboard accommodation; all meals on board throughout the voyage; tea and coffee station 24 hours daily; all scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather and ice conditions); leadership throughout the voyage by experienced expedition leader & expedition team; branded Poseidon Expeditions parka; rubber boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise; welcome and farewell cocktails; all port fees; group transfer to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) or centrally located hotel, upon disembarkation; pre-departure materials; digital voyage Log; WiFi on board.

Exclusions

Airfare; transfer from the airport to the hotel at the beginning of the program; visa and passport fees (if applicable); luggage and trip cancellation insurance; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and celebrations; personal expenses such as laundry, telecommunication charges, etc.; staff gratuities; kayaking; Emergency Evacuation Insurance to a minimum benefit of $200,000 USD per person; the cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations required either by a national government or the operator (Poseidon Expeditions) before, during or after the cruise. Fuel surcharge may be applied for all bookings.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days – 100% of deposit
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Arctic Sights & Northern Lights voyage begins and ends in Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF). Plan flights to arrive to Reykjavik anytime on Day 1 of the itinerary. The estimated disembarkation time is between 8:00am and 9:00am on the last day of the itinerary. Plan flights to depart Reykjavik no earlier than 12:00pm noon. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit ourBooking Flights resource page.

Activities

Hiking, Zodiac cruising, lectures, workshops and an expert photography guide on board each voyage are optional and included. Optional sea kayaking is $795 per person (2025). Experience cathedral-like icebergs in Greenland, rugged coastlines and remote waters that very few people have paddled or labyrinthine expanses of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, all from sturdy and stealthy sea kayaks. Please contact AdventureSmith to reserve activity space with your booking.

Room Configuration

Single travelers wishing to book a double-occupancy cabin may do so at 1.7x the per-person listed rate in Main Deck Suite, Classic Suite and Superior Suite; and 2x the per-person listed rate in Deluxe Suite, Premium Suite and Owner’s Suite, based upon availability. Cabin share is available only in the following categories: Triple Classic, Main Deck Suite, Classic Suite and Superior Suite.

Families & Children

Children must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this trip; however, on a case-by-case basis, children ages 6-11 may be accepted with additional screening.

Travel Insurance

Emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $200,000 USD per person, but is not included in the cost of this trip. In addition to the emergency evacuation insurance, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Read this itinerary as a guide only; the exact route and program varies according to ice, weather conditionswildlife encountered and the captain’s discretion. Flexibility is the key to the success of any Arctic expedition.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Sep 15 - Sep 26, 2025
Sea Spirit • 12 days
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From $8195USD
Per Person
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Accommodation

Learn About the Small Ship on Your Itinerary

Expedition Ship
Sea Spirit

Sail aboard the all-suite Sea Spirit to experience the Arctic and Antarctica in grand style with all the amenities of a fine hotel. Carrying just 114 passengers, this outstanding vessel is the perfect home away from home.

Testimonial

Hear It From Travelers Who Have Explored With Us

"Enjoyed Every Second!"

Every aspect of this trip was outstanding. The expedition team, the staff aboard, all wonderful. A great adventure for an eighty one year old! Thanks for the opportunity.

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Accommodations
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Meals
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Arctic Sights & Northern Lights