North Atlantic Odyssey
12 Days - SH Diana
Explore Iceland's volcanic landscapes and the breathtaking Lofoten Islands on this unforgettable cruise. Set sail from Reykjavik to circumnavigate the land of fire and ice, and witness Arctic phenomena, such as the midnight sun, breathtaking fjords, and volcanic scenery teeming with seabirds. Then discover the remote Lofoten Islands, an archipelago just above the Arctic Circle known for breathtaking scenery, before your cruise ends in Tromsø.
from NZD $5664pp
Prices shown after discount
Home » 12 Day SH Diana: North Atlantic Odyssey
Itinerary Highlights
- Take in the soft glow of the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle.
- Witness the dramatic Látrabjarg cliffs, Europe's largest seabird cliff.
- Listen to the thunderous roar of Dynjandi waterfall as it tumbles down a series of ever-growing cascades.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Reykjavik
- Day 2: Cruising Latrabjarg Cliffs - Dynjandi Waterfall
- Day 3: Isafjordur
- Day 4: Grimsey Island - Hrisey Island
- Day 5: Husavik
- Day 6: Bakkagerdi (Borgarfjordur)
- Day 7: Day at Sea
- Day 8: Bodo
- Day 9: Svartisen, Svartisen Glacier
- Day 10: Reine - Leknes, Lofoten
- Day 11: Svolvaer, Lofoten - Cruising Trollfjorden
- Day 12: Tromso
Day 1: Reykjavik
Make sure there is sufficient timeto explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime Museum. Speaking of cultural spaces, tour the National Museum to learn the story of Iceland from past to present. The Reykjavík Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection including eye-catching pieces by Erró. And, of course, just 50 kilometres outside the city lies Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s original Viking parliament.
Day 2: Cruising Latrabjarg Cliffs - Dynjandi Waterfall
The dramatic 400-metre high Látrabjarg cliffs stretch 14 km along Iceland's and Europe's westernmost edge. As the largest seabird cliff in Europe, Látrabjarg is home to thousands of breeding birds: Atlantic puffins, gannets, guillemots, fulmar and kittiwakes as well as 40 percent of the world's population of razorbills belonging to the auk family.
Considered one of Iceland’s most impressive falls, the thunderous Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords region gives the impression of a bridal veil as it spreads down ever-growing cascades. The walk takes 15 minutes passing five smaller waterfalls. Nearby, Hrafnseyri is the birthplace of Jón Sigurðsson, 19th-century leader of the Icelandic Independence movement. The museum includes an Icelandic turf house.
Day 3: Isafjordur
Surrounded by fjords in the Westfjords region, Ísafjördur is a bustling fishing town in northwest Iceland with colourful wooden 18th- and 19th-century houses in its old town, Neskaupstadur. Nearby, Sudavik is home to the Arctic Fox Centre. Iceland’s only mammal, the arctic fox, lives on the lush tundra of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, the northernmost peninsula in the Westfjords with two of Europe’s largest bird cliffs.
Day 4: Grimsey Island - Hrisey Island
Grímsey is a remote island located 40 km off Iceland’s north coast. Many people travel here for the purpose of setting foot in the Arctic Circle, the only place in Iceland where you can. The island is also home to fewer than 100 people, but over one million seabirds. Birdlife thrives here thanks to the lack of egg predation and the well-stocked surrounding seas. Grímsey has one of Iceland’s largest tern nesting sites and largest puffin colonies.
Hrisey Island is a small island in the Eyjafjordur fjord in northern Iceland. It is home to various wildlife, including puffins, seals, and whales. Hriseyjarfjall Mountain is the highest point and offers views of the surrounding landscape and the vast expanse of Eyjafjörður fjord. Despite its size, Hrisey Island possesses a rich cultural heritage. Traditional Icelandic crafts, such as hand-knitting and woodworking, preserve the island's identity.
Day 5: Husavik
Húsavík, overlooking Skjálfandi Bay, is famed for whale watching, especially the endangered blue whale. The town's Whale and Exploration Museums focusses on Viking history and Apollo astronaut training, taking place nearby. The town also marks Iceland's first house from 860 AD. Húsavík is on the Arctic Coast Way and the start of the Diamond Circle route. Nearby, Kaldbakur pond is a popular geothermal swimming spot oddly populated with goldfish.
Day 6: Bakkagerdi (Borgarfjordur)
Known for puffin encounters, hiking trails and scenic beauty. Bakkagerði is the largest settlement in the Borgarfjörður Eystri fjord and a base for exploring the rugged wilderness. A popular trail leads to the Giant Boulders at Stórurð. The local church features a 1914 altarpiece depicting Christ on Álfaborg rock, aka the City of Elves, with the Dyrfjöll Mountains behind. Nearby Hafnarhólmi rock is a sanctuary for kittiwakes and other seabirds.
Day 7: Day at Sea
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.
Day 8: Bodo
Bodø highlights its Sami heritage and connects the arts to its Arctic setting. Rebuilt after the 1940 bombing in modernist "reconstruction" style, Bodø's architectural commitment endures with the 2014-built Stormen concert hall and Molobyen, a new waterfront cultural hub. Surrounded by natural landscapes, Bodø lies near the world-famous maelstrom of Saltstraumen, a powerful whirlpool on the Saltsfjorden strongest when the tides change daily.
Day 9: Svartisen, Svartisen Glacier
The mighty Svartisen glacier, Norway’s second biggest, pours down the mountain almost to Svartisvatnet lake. The glacier visitor centre is a fascinating place with access to hikes along the edge of the ice flow, up to 200 m thick. Glorious Holandsfjord is just the other end of a short channel from the lake and the ship has stirring views. The little village of Holandsvika sits across the fjord, with an 18-km lakeside path and boat trips.
Day 10: Reine - Leknes, Lofoten
With red fishermen's cabins nestled on the shores of Reinefjord amid dramatic granite peaks, Reine is celebrated as one of the world's most beautiful places. The village serves as a starting point for hikes like the Reinebringen trail, offering panoramic views of the vertical granite Lofoten Islands rising from the Arctic Sea. Nearby, the fishing village of Å houses the Norwegian Fishing Village Museum.
In The Lofoten Islands, Leknes, the main town on Vestvågøya island above the Arctic Circle, is nestled on the bay-like Buksnesfjorden. The surreal landscape features red-painted houses against craggy, mountainous isles. In summer, the white sand beaches resemble the South Seas, while the region experiences almost two months of the Midnight Sun. Tours explore the mountainous interior, while whale watching excursions venture out to sea.
Day 11: Svolvaer, Lofoten - Cruising Trollfjorden
Svolvær is a classic Norwegian fishing port, tucked away on Austvågøya in the Lofoten Islands. Surrounded by peaks and beaches, bays and craggy inlets, it’s an age-old picture, a jumble of white and red clapboard houses, the clear water filled with little, bobbing boats. Popular with mountain climbers, the town’s mountain Fløya commands a spectacular viewpoint across the harbour and Vestfjord.
Trollfjorden is unbelievable. A 100 m-wide entrance to a narrow fjord with near-vertical mountainous sides up to 1,100 m high, the passage slices through Austvågøya, on the edge of the Lofoten Islands. As the ship enters the fjord, the silence is only broken by the gentle sound of the ship's engines and the occasional cry of a white-tailed eagle soaring overhead. At the end of the fjord, the ship slowly spins, offering a final captivating view.
Day 12: Tromso
The Arctic gateway, Tromso at 69 degrees north, is renowned for the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. The Arctic Cathedral, with stained-glass windows, hosts midnight concerts. The Fjellheisen cable car offers panoramic views from Mount Storsteinen, while the historic centre features old wooden houses. The Polar Museum chronicles early polar explorations, and the thriving Alpine Botanic Garden adds to Tromso's charm.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
09 Jun 2024 - 20 Jun 2024 | NZD $5664pp | ||
Oceanview D4 | NZD $5664pp | Contact us | |
Oceanview M4 | NZD $5664pp | Contact us | |
Balcony M5 | NZD $9453pp | Contact us | |
Balcony D6 | NZD $9453pp | Contact us | |
Balcony D5 | NZD $9453pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Oceanview D4
20 m2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Oceanview M4
20 m2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony D5
28 m2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Balcony M5
28 m2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Balcony D6
28 m2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Junior Suite
35 m2
SH Diana’s Junior Suites features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area with homely flame-effect fireplace, private kitchen, luxurious en-suite bathroom and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
Suite
44 m2
Our Suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
Premium Suite
47 m2
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious en-suite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
SH Diana Deckplan
Specifications
CREW: 141
GUESTS: 192
DECKS: 9
LENGTH: 410 ft (125 m)
BREADTH: 75 ft (23 m)
TONNAGE: 12,100 GRT
CRUISING SPEED: 14.5 knots
PROPULSION HYBRID DIESEL ELECTRIC: 4x Medium speed, Polar Class PC6
REGISTERED: Malta
LIFEBOATS: 2 fully enclosed
TENDER BOATS: 2 (48 pax each)
ZODIACS: 15
Whats included?
- 3 Group return transfers (Airport to hotel, hotel to ship, ship to airport)
- One-night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
- All meals onboard
- 24-hour room service
- Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and selected alcoholic beverages available 24 hours per day
- Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
- Standard WiFi
- Self-service laundry
- Onboard gratuities and port taxes
- One selected shore excursion per non-expedition port of call
- Up to 2 expedition activities per expedition port of call
- Stainless Steel water bottle and backpack
What’s not included?
- Any items not mentioned as included.