The Wild Arctic: cruise from Svalbard to Iceland
15 Days - SH Vega
Explore the remote Arctic wilderness from Iceland's hot springs, spouting geysers and gushing waterfalls, to the fjords and glaciers of Svalbard. Our journey takes us to the rarely visited Jan Mayen Island on your way across the Norwegian Sea. Whether zodiac cruising past massive glaciers and icebergs, or searching for elusive wildlife such as polar bears, walruses, whales and puffins, this polar adventure is a once-in-a-lifetime exploration.
from NZD $15549pp
Home » 15 Day SH Vega: The Wild Arctic: cruise from Svalbard to Iceland
Itinerary Highlights
- Keep your eyes peeled for Arctic residents such as polar bears, walruses, ringed seals and seabirds.
- Marvel at spectacular carpets of wildflowers in tundra fields.
- Uncover the fascinating stories of early trappers by discovering historic old trapper's huts.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen
- Day 2: Fly Copenhagen to Longyearbyen & board your cruise
- Day 3 and 4: Svalbard
- Day 5 and 6: Day at sea
- Day 7: Jan Mayen Island
- Day 8 to 10: Scoresbysund - Ittoqqortoormiit
- Day 11 and 12: Day at sea
- Day 13: Kalsoy Island
- Day 14: Day at sea
- Day 15: Disembark & Fly Reykjavik to Copenhagen
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen
Upon arrival in Copenhagen Airport, you will be met by the cruise representative and driven on the group transfer to your hotel (SKT Petri Hotel Copenhagen or similar).
Day 2: Fly Copenhagen to Longyearbyen & board your cruise
This morning you will take the group transfer from your hotel in Copenhagen to the airport and board the charter flight to Longyearbyen. Upon arrival, you will take the group transfer to the port and board your cruise.
The world's most northerly town, Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, also claims the most northerly high street and pub. It's home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum chronicling early pole-reaching efforts by air. Nearby, Svalbard Global Seed Vault preserves duplicate seeds from gene banks worldwide. Arctic waters around are populated by whales, including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling out.
Day 3 and 4: Svalbard
Svalbard is the kingdom of the polar bears, deep in the Arctic Circle, featuring varied polar landscapes and gargantuan glaciers. Beyond magnificent fjords in the north, the remaining sea ice serves as prime hunting grounds for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, tundra and beaches replace snow and ice. Alongside 600 polar bears, this Arctic hotspot is home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seals and arctic fox.
Day 5 and 6: 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 7: Jan Mayen Island
The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, this Norwegian island's only residents are the Norwegian Armed Forces or meteorological station staff. Purple saxifrage and endemic dandelions grow next to the black sands, while northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make Jan Mayen an important birding area.
Day 8 to 10: Scoresbysund - Ittoqqortoormiit
The vast Scoresbysund fjord network is framed by imposing basalt mountains. Serving as a barrier against Arctic winds, the mountains create a haven for Greenland's wildlife, including muskoxen, Arctic foxes and mountain hares. The area teems with birdlife like little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, Greenlandic gyrfalcons and great black-backed gulls. Seals and whales are common sightings in the fjord's waters.
In the southeastern part of Greenland, the city of Ittoqqortoormiut appears, on the territory of which only 500 people live. A thick layer of sea ice prevents ships from approaching the city's port for nine months of the year, so he arrived in this remote city. Ittoqqortoormiut was founded in 1925 by the Danish explorer Einar Mikkelsen and a group of about 80 Inuit, covering a vast hunting ground. There is still hunting and sea fishing. The territory of Ittoqqortoormiit is home to white foxes, bears and seal colonies.
Day 11 and 12: 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 13: Kalsoy Island
Kalsoy, meaning “Man Island” in Old Faroese, is sparsely populated with dramatic landscapes. Its northernmost village, Trøllanes, which featured in the James Bond film “No Time to Die,” lies in a deep valley accessed by tunnels and is the starting point for a hike to Kallur Lighthouse. The island's rugged terrain, with steep basalt cliffs and fertile valleys, supports a population of sheep and offers hiking and exploring opportunities.
Day 14: 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 15: Disembark & Fly Reykjavik to Copenhagen
Make sure there is sufficient time to 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.
This morning you will disembark and take the group transfer from the port to Keflavik International Airport for your charter flight to Copenhagen.
This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change due to weather, sea state and other conditions beyond control.
Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
17 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025 | NZD $15549pp | ||
Triple Oceanview M4 | NZD $15549pp | Contact us | |
Oceanview D4 | NZD $17560pp | Contact us | |
Oceanview M4 | NZD $18659pp | Contact us | |
Triple Balcony M5 | NZD $18984pp | Contact us | |
Balcony D5 | NZD $21681pp | Contact us | |
Balcony M5 | NZD $22780pp | Contact us | |
Balcony D6 | NZD $23879pp | Contact us | |
Quadruple Suite | NZD $24214pp | Contact us | |
Suite | NZD $32286pp | Contact us | |
Premium Suite | NZD $35692pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Cabin Details
Oceanview D4
20 m2
Oceanview Staterooms feature two single beds or a double bed, a bedroom with living room area, and a luxurious bathroom.
Oceanview M4
20 m2
Oceanview Staterooms feature two single beds or a double bed, a bedroom with living room area, and a luxurious bathroom.
Balcony D5
25 m2
Balcony Staterooms feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom, and a 5m2 (54ft2) private balcony.
Balcony M5
25 m2
Balcony Staterooms feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom, and a 5m2 (54ft2) private balcony.
Balcony D6
25 m2
Balcony Staterooms feature two single beds or a double bed, bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom, and a 5m2 (54ft2) private balcony.
Suite
40 m2
Suites feature a king size bed, and have a separate living room, with a flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and walk-in shower – and a 10m2 (108ft2) private balcony.
Premium Suite
47 m2
Premium Suites have a king size bed, separate living room, and flame-effect fireplace. There’s also a luxurious ensuite bathroom – with separate bath tub and shower – walk-in wardrobe, and a 12m2 (129ft2) private balcony.
Triple Oceanview M4
19 m2
Located on Deck 4 at the bow. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds or a double bed, a bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
To make it a Triple room, the third guest will sleep on a Single Sofa bed – Dimensions of the Sofa: 1860 X 1230 mm
Triple Balcony M5
28 m2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the centre of the ship, staterooms features 2 single beds or a double bed, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
To make it a Triple room, the third guest will sleep on a Single Sofa bed – Dimensions of the Sofa: 1900 X 1380 mm
Quadruple Suite
44 m2
Located on Deck 5 and 6 at the centre of the ship, our spacious Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are a favorite with discerning guests, and those that prefer a little more space and comfort.
To make it a Quad room, the third and fourth guests will sleep on a Double Sofa bed – Dimensions of the Sofa: 1900 X 1380 mm
SH Vega Deckplan
Specifications
CREW: 120
GUESTS: 152
DECKS: 9
LENGTH: 337 ft (115 m)
DRAFT: 18 ft (5.5 m)
BREADTH: 75 ft (23 m)
REGISTERED: Panama
CRUISING SPEED: 15.5 knots in open water
LIFEBOATS: 2 fully enclosed
PROPULSION DIESEL-ELECTRIC ENGINES: 4x Medium speed, Polar code Cat A
Whats included?
- One-night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel
- 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
- Onboard gratuities and port taxes
- One selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
- Branded expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
- Branded backpack and stainless-steel water bottle
- Group transfer from Airport (CPH) to hotel
- Group transfer from Hotel to Airport (CPH) for charter flight
- Group transfer from Airport (LYR) to ship
- Group transfer from Ship to Airport (KEF)
- Return Charter flights from/to Copenhagen (CPH) - Longyearbyen (LYR)
What’s not included?
- Upgraded internet (please refer to attached WIFI leaflet)
- Spa treatments
- Optional tours
- Kayaking (USD250 pp)
- Top shelf alcoholic drinks
- Dry Cleaning (24/7/ self-service laundry is free)
- Use of onboard medical centre