Disko Bay - In the Heart of Greenland

As today is Embarkation day, we recommending arriving in to Rekyavik at least 1 or 2 days prior to travel. It is a wonderful city to explore.

Explore the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavík

Packed full of art, culture and history, delightful Reykjavík is well worth spending time discovering either before or after your cruise to Greenland.

Take a stroll along Laugavegur with its boutiques and outdoor shops, head to the striking Hallgrímskirkja

church or fascinating Reykjavík Art Museum. Or why not book a Pre-Programme with us and discover the stunning waterfalls, hot springs, geysers and national parks nearby.

MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you in Reykjavík Harbour. After collecting your complimentary expedition jacket, it's time to settle into your cabin. Your adventure has begun.

In the wake of Vikings

We sail to Greenland across the Denmark Strait, the route taken by Erik the Red, supposedly the first European to have settled there. Time to relax and explore the stylish onboard facilities of our hybrid electric–powered ship.

Your Expedition Team will explain the protocols of respectfully visiting wildlife habitats and indigenous Arctic communities. In the Science Center, you can learn more about Greenland's geology, or join one of our Citizen Science projects. Then hit the gym, swim in the infinity pool, book a treatment in the wellness area or enjoy a delicious meal in one of our three onboard restaurants.

Culture and history in Qaqortoq
Visit one of Greenland's most beautiful towns

Our Greenland expedition cruise begins in earnest in a town has been settled since prehistoric times. The colourful houses and lush scenery of Qaqortoq provide a beautiful setting in which to discover its rich culture.

Explore the local museum, with its rare Inuit artifacts, or enjoy the beautiful green scenery on a walk to a nearby lake. Join an optional excursion to meet friendly locals and hear their stories at a traditional kaffemik social gathering.

You can also join one of our excursions to get even more insight into local culture.

Qaqortoq Excursions to choose from (additional costs may apply):
- Great Lake Walk
- Kaffemik
- Great Greenland Tannery

Exploring Kvanefjord
Discover the glacial beauty of the west coast fjords

Experience your first sight of Greenland’s sublime west coast fjords as we reach Kvanefjord in Sermersooq, meaning 'Place of Much Ice'.

Have your camera ready for glistening icebergs and semi-submerged glacial ice – pure white with undertones of crystalline blue. These sculpted ice blocks are some of Arctic nature’s finest creations.

Few people venture into this remote fjord, making it even more special to spend the day exploring here. The Expedition Team will select places to venture ashore and enjoy the beautiful scenery on a nature walk, or head out in boats to scout for wildlife.

Fascinating Maniitsoq
A historic trading post in a dramatic setting

Today our expedition cruise reaches Maniitsoq. Nicknamed the 'Venice of Greenland' for its natural canals, the surrounding mountains deliver awe-inspiring views. You might even spot pods of humpback whales from shore.

Once a regional hub for trading reindeer hides, people have lived here for 4,000 years. Discover figurines carved from walrus ivory, traditional Greenlandic costumes and many works of art in the local museum.

Maniitsoq has many hiking options with different viewpoints to discover. And don’t miss an opportunity to chat to the town's welcoming locals.

Spectacular Sisimiut
Enjoy a warm welcome in Arctic Greenland

We reach spectacularly situated Sisimiut, just 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where you'll experience the Midnight Sun at the height of summer.

Old traditions are alive and well here, and you can learn more about the ancient Saqqaq artifacts in the local museum. If you're looking for a special souvenir, pick up a scarf, hat or mittens made of qiviut, the inner wool of a musk ox, said to be 10 times warmer than sheep wool.

One of the best things you'll experience on your expedition cruise to Greenland with us is meeting the local communities in the places we explore – authentic interactions that make for fantastic memories.

UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord
Nature's artwork in UNESCO-listed icefjord

Our expedition cruise reaches Disko Bay – a haven for whales and seals. The Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, regularly tops the list of things to see and do in Greenland, and today you'll find out why. Enjoy breathtaking scenery as you walk to the ice fjord and the old Inuit settlement of Sermermiut.

Marvel at giant icebergs floating past in the deep blue waters, as they take on different hues of white, grey and blue. Even amateur photographers will return to the ship with the most enviable images. Back in pretty Ilulissat, perhaps enjoy a hot drink among the colourful houses by the water.

Go wild in Vaigat Sound
Remote, untamed landscapes and bountiful nature

Rugged Vaigat Sound is our most northerly point, and you'll feel like the first person to walk here. We're in the hands of Mother Nature today and the Expedition Team will identify the best landing sites to explore.

If possible, we'll take the expedition boats out on shore landings, or go on optional kayaking trips between icebergs. You may visit Camp Frieda, trek across tundra and get up close to a glacier and learn how it moves.

Have your binoculars and camera ready as wildlife sightings in Disko Bay can include orcas and bowhead whales, as well as harp, hooded, bearded and ringed seals.

Beguiling Evighedsfjord
The ethereal beauty of Evighedsfjord

Our expedition cruise is now heading back south. You'll enjoy an exploration day in magical yet imposing Evighedsfjord near Kangerlussuaq. We'll determine on the day what exciting adventures lie in store for you.

The 'Fjord of Eternity' is fed by an ice cap that calves huge icebergs into its 2,300 ft deep waters. It's surrounded by mist-cloaked mountains with beautiful white ridges, punctuated by crystal blue ice caves.

Nature reigns here. The only settlements in this region are tiny fishing hamlets clinging to the shores. As ever, we'll be on the lookout for Arctic flora and wildlife, including whales and seabirds.

Nuuk, Greenland's capital
Experience Greenlandic culture, old and new, in Nuuk

After several days exploring remote, idyllic icescapes, you'll cruise into Nuuk, Greenland’s colourful capital. With a population of 18,000, it has a striking mix of old and new buildings.

Compare the old buildings – such as Hans Egede House and Nuuk Cathedral – with the ultra-modern architecture of the Parlaiment of Greenland building.

Visit the national museum to gain fascinating insight into life here 500 years ago and see the six Qilakitsoq mummies, Or, join a long nature walk through Paradise Valley and around Mt. Lille Malene as part of an optional excursion.

Forgotten town
Ivittuut's fascinating WWII history

As you wander around the abandoned ruins of this ghost town, it’s hard to believe that Ivittuut, a former mining outpost, once played a pivotal role in the course of history.

During WWII, the US secretly stationed troops here to prevent rare cryolite – used to make aluminum alloys – falling into enemy hands. Supplies were instead shipped to the UK to manufacture aircraft, used in the Battle of Britain.

Here, you can walk among the area's deserted buildings. Once the last Viking settlement in Greenland, these days the only inhabitants you’re likely to see are musk oxen.

Prince Christian Sound
Breathtaking panoramas and abundant wildlife

We aim to explore the incredible waters of the 60-mile-long Prince Christian Sound today. Sharp-peaked granite mountains provide a stunning contrast to the bright white glaciers. Look out for calving icebergs and colourful houses in the village of Aappilattoq.

Nature is abundant here. Keep an eye out for ringed and bearded seals resting on the ice, and Glaucous Gulls and Black Guillemots soaring above. You may even spot minke and humpback whales.

If sea ice prevents us entering the sound, we'll head to craggy Cape Farewell, the southernmost point of Greenland.

After exploring exhilarating Greenland, we set course back to Iceland. Spend the days at sea recapping your experiences, having fun in the Science Center or just relaxing on deck, looking at the sea birds which follow our ship or maybe even spotting whales.

You arrive back in the Icelandic capital early in the morning. If you want to explore more of the country, add one of our Post-Programmes before you head home, or simply extend your stay to enjoy the trendy city and its surrounding geothermal features.

We recommend staying overnight in Rekjavik as flight times are not confirmed until closer to travel

All planned activities are subject to weather and ice condition
Excursions and activities are subject to change