Circumnavigating Iceland & Crossing the Arctic Circle

Your journey begins in the world’s northernmost city, Reykjavík, where you’ll be greeted at the airport and escorted to your 6-star ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht. If time allows, arrive a day early to allow time to visit Reykjavik’s museums and see its distinctive church and street art. Upon boarding, be warmly greeted by Scenic Eclipse’s world-class crew and raise a glass of champagne with fellow guests on the Observation Deck as you sail along the Icelandic rugged coastline. Please book your flight to arrive into Reykjavik prior to 02:00 PM.

Feel the excitement building as the Discovery Team explains how your optional helicopter^, submarine^, Scenic Freechoice and other Discovery Excursions will work in the coming days. You’ll get to meet some of the experts who will share with you their passion and knowledge about this fascinating region. Explore the small, flat and car-free Flatey Island by foot. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere as you walk past colourful and meticulously maintained homes built more than a hundred years ago. In the evening, cruise along Europe’s largest bird cliff, the towering Latrabjarg Cliffs. The midnight sun allows for easy after-dinner viewing of the cliffs that are home to up to 40% of some of the world’s cliff dwelling populations, including razorbills. Use the Swarovski telescopes on the Observation Deck to see young birds in their nests. If you have any questions, the expert Discovery Team will be on hand to help.

The village of Patreksfjörður only has around 650 people but it is still the biggest town in the southern Westfjords. Watch local fishermen bring in the day’s catch in a town that was once a pioneering force in Icelands fishing industry before exploring local shops and coffee houses.  Delight as you watch the fjord views change as we set sail.    Weather permitting, we will visit the jewel of the Westfjords, the Dynjandi waterfall, led by expert guides with an on shore excursion or simply stay on board and view these beautiful falls from the luxury comfort of the observation deck as Scenic Eclipse manoeuvres close by. Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yachts use GPS Dynamic Positioning, which allows the ship to maintain position without the use of an anchor, protecting this sensitive ecosystem. The sun only sets at 11pm today, so take the opportunity to take in the Icelandic views from the Observation Deck before and after dinner.

The second largest island in Ísafjörður Bay, Vigur Island has only one family living on the island year-round. Learn how farmers live off the land and collect eiderdown and eggs for their primary income. Visit Iceland’s only surviving windmill, which is owned by the National Museum of Iceland. See puffins, black guillemot and eider birds nesting on the island and send a post card from the smallest post office in Europe. As we sail out in the afternoon enjoy a drink before dinner in one of your Discovery Yacht’s nine all-inclusive bars. Sip French Champagne in Lumière’s Champagne Bar, an aged whiskey at the Scenic Lounge Bar or a cocktail in your cabana beside the Sky Bar. Your in-suite mini-bar is re-stocked daily with premium beverages, so you can also relax in your own private oasis with your favourite drink in hand.

On the southwestern shore of Skagafjörður Fjord, the town of Sauðárkrókur was officially settled in 1871, but its history dates back to the ancient Grettis Saga. Discover some of Sauðárkrókur’s Nordic myths and legends in its well-preserved old town where you will find museums and interactive exhibitions along with local artisans and restaurants. On board unwind after a day of exploring on your Discovery Yacht by indulging in a massage, body treatment or facial in the Senses Spa. Enjoy the Scandinavian inspired plunge pools, infrared saunas and the KLAFS custom Salt Therapy lounge, where you can relax on heated beds while aromatherapy scents work their magic.

Iceland’s ‘capital of the North’ is the second largest settlement outside of Reykjavik but with only around 20,000 residents it still feels like a friendly town. Akureyri is a photogenic spot with colourful homes set on green hills at the base of a volcanic mountain chain. See the striking Akureyri Church, and stroll through one of the world’s most northerly botanic gardens. Go kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in one of the longest fjords in Iceland or explore the fjords stunning landscpae from above in one of our two helicopters^. Some of the quietest in the sky, the Airbus H130-T2 helicopters feature wrap around windscreens and wide windows as well as Bose® noise cancelling headphones. Conditions allowing, you may also delve below the surface in our custom-built Scenic Neptune submarine^.

Today you can walk across the official Arctic Circle on Grimsey Island, about 40km off the north coast of Iceland. This small island only has around 100 people living in a village by the harbour and is a highlight for bird watchers with around a million seabirds nesting in the island’s cliffs. Use the Swarovski telescopes on the Observation Lounge to take a closer look at the puffins, razorbills, black guillemot and other cliff nesting birds. Celebrate crossing the Arctic Circle with expertly made cocktails at the Sky Bar or share a champagne toast in Lumières Champagne Bar before a seven-course French fine dining experience paired with world-class wines.

Join the Captain on the bridge as we sail through the large fjord of Vopnafjörður to the village of the same name. The open bridge policy provides an unrivalled opportunity to learn about the technical abilities of your Scenic Eclipse while enjoying one of the best viewing areas on the ship. Vopnafjörður means ‘bay of weapons’ and was created by a massive glacier in the last Ice Age before it was first settled by Vikings in the late 9th century. Today, you may be able to join a hiking excursion or a Zodiac cruise with expert naturalists, or attend in-depth lectures about the geology and history of the fjord in your ultra-luxury yacht’s state-of-the-art theatre. In the evening we will sail into Seyðisfjörður, where the fjord and the town at its innermost corner share the same name, for your overnight stay.

Considered the heart of culture, heritage and hospitality in East Iceland, Seyðisfjörður features colourful 19th century timber houses perched on the side of the lagoon and is home to a flourishing art scene. Keep an eye out for wandering reindeer along with seals and porpoises following the shore. Seyðisfjörður could be another outstanding opportunity to go kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding and to soar above the horizon in one of your Discovery Yacht’s helicopters^ or dive below in a luxury submarine^ built for up to six guests. This evening, savour new flavours and culinary experiences. With up to ten dining venues, including contemporary French fine dining at Lumière, steak and seafood at Elements, and sushi or Asian fusion at Koko’s, you can enjoy a new culinary journey every night.

In 1973, Heimaey’s volcano Eldfell, meaning “Hill of Fire”, erupted for 157 days, leading to the temporary evacuation of the island. The island’s history is best explored on an excursion led by local experts. The Westman Islands are one of the best places in Iceland to see orcas and beluga whales. Look for them on a Zodiac tour or spot them through one of the Swarovski telescopes on the Observation Deck and Lounge. Then sail around the World Heritage-listed site of Surtsey, a volcanic island created by an underwater volcano in the 1960s.

Your journey ends this morning back in Reykjavík, where the city may be the same, but you may feel forever changed by everything you have seen and experienced in the past days. Savour one last breakfast in your suite or in the Yacht Club before saying goodbye to your new friends and the crew who shared your voyage. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport where magical memories of Iceland and the Arctic will keep you company for your flight and many years to come. Please book your flight to depart out of Reykjavik after 12:00 PM. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.