Expertly curated cultural expedition cruises with Swan Hellenic. Four exceptional "Northern Lights Journeys" across the Arctic aboard their ice-class vessel SH Vega.
Iceland, East Greenland and the Northern Lights, from August 18 to 30, 2024
A 12-night circumnavigation of Iceland that explores the interior from 5 very different destinations.
Departing from and returning to Reykjavik, guests will have ample opportunity to enjoy the capital's diverse attractions, including the nearby Blue Lagoon, renowned for its therapeutic geothermal waters. Ísafjörður is the first port of call, a fishing town nestled in the heart of the dramatic Westfjords region.
At this point, the SH Vega sails north for an extensive foray into the wilds of eastern Greenland, from the remote town of Ittoqqortoormiit to the Scoresbysund fjord network and Kong Oscar fjord.
Heading south again, the next stop is Seyðisfjörður, the cultural heart of eastern Iceland, surrounded by the rich Skálanes Nature Reserve. Then comes the fishing village of Djupivogur, with its Viking origins and the nearby Vatnajökull National Park, a wild expanse home to Europe's largest ice cap, the Vatnajökull glacier, thundering glacial rivers, and active volcanoes.
Finally, Heimaey's "puffin island" immerses guests in exciting birdwatching experiences before their return to Reykjavik.
This cultural expedition cruise can be combined with the SH Vega's next voyage, Greenland in Depth, to enjoy more opportunities to see the Northern Lights and expeditions discovering Greenland, the world's largest island.
Greenland in Depth, from August 30 to September 9, 2024
Set sail from Reykjavik, Iceland, on a 10-night journey through Greenland, immersing guests in its exciting wild landscapes and inspiring cultures and traditions.
The expeditions begin immediately with the uninhabited coastal island of Skjoldungen and the Prins Christian Sund fjord. Here, magnificent views await, with the possibility of spotting bearded seals and fin, blue, and minke whales.
Next, the Inuit fishing and hunting village of Aappilattoq offers a cultural perspective that contrasts sharply with the following day's visit to the deserted mining town of Ivittut. Nuuk, Greenland's capital, blends a modern outlook with a vibrant arts scene, a historic colonial port, and traditional wooden houses alongside cutting-edge architecture.
Sisimiut, just north of the Arctic Circle, continues the cultural immersion, inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Inuit, the Dorset and then the Thule.
Days eight and nine are dedicated to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat glacial fjord and Disko Bay, home to the Inuit for millennia, before the cruise ends to explore Kangerlussuaq for two days.
Kangerlussuaq, a World War II airbase at the head of the fjord, is now a welcoming gateway to Inuit culture, with its dedicated museum and frozen tundra teeming with wildlife.
Canadian Northwest Passage and the Northern Lights, September 9-25
A 16-night cultural expedition cruise that sails from and returns to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and travels through much of the Northwest Passage, passing first through Sisimiut, Greenland's northernmost city, Ilulissat and then Qeqertarsuaq, the largest city on Disko Island.
The sixth day offers mountainous views of Pond Inlet, on the north side of Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. It's a narwhal breeding ground, but also famous for traditional Inuit crafts and the ancient qarmaq houses of Qulalukat.
Dundas Harbour, the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage on Devon Island, is next, followed by Croker Bay and Radstock Bay, closely linked with the exploration of the Canadian High Arctic undertaken while searching for the missing crew of British explorer Sir John Franklin's ill-fated expedition to the Northwest Passage in 1845-46.
SH Vega brings guests closer to his story the next day on Beechey Island, where the expedition wintered.
Next, the ship stops at Fort Ross on Somerset Island, the northernmost fur trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company, now abandoned, where Sir James Clark Ross located the Magnetic North Pole in 1829.
Passing through Bellot Strait and across Peel Sound, this unforgettable cruise arrives at Coningham Bay on Prince of Wales Island, in the heart of the Northwest Passage. It then completes the return leg to Kangerlussuaq via Sam Ford Fjord and the remote and beautiful community of Qikiqtarjuaq on Baffin Island.
To further enrich the experience, this trip is part of Swan Hellenic's Maris Culinary Discovery at Sea series , in collaboration with JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, the gourmet organization for chefs under 40 who have already gained international recognition.
chef Alexandra Müller, awarded a Michelin star, will accompany guests throughout the cruise, serving a different dish each night as a prelude to a sumptuous gala dinner created to showcase her creativity and skills.
Furthermore, this cruise is part of Explore Space at Sea , in collaboration with the SETI Institute. Renowned astronomer Dr. Uma Gorti, an expert in star and planet formation, will accompany guests both onboard and ashore throughout the cruise, and will deliver two lectures during the voyage: “Star and Planet Formation” and “Astrochemistry.”
Northern Lights is Canadian Arctic and Northern Lights, September 25 to October 10, 2024
Set sail from Kangerlussuaq on an epic 15-night journey to discover the grandeur of Greenland's glaciers, fjords, and icebergs, as well as the wilderness and Inuit cultures of Canada's northern coast.
Initially exploring from Qeqertarsuaq, Ilulissat, Disko Bay and Sisimiut, the SH Vega then sails south to Nuuk, before crossing the Labrador Sea to Iqaluit in the Everett Mountains of Baffin Island.
The exploration of Baffin Island continues along the coast to the uninhabited Lady Franklin Island, a haven for black guillemots, night herons and gulls, with walruses and belugas nearby.
Continuing south to Torngat Mountains National Park in Newfoundland, staffed entirely by Inuit, visitors can hear firsthand accounts from their people about the spirits and traditions of their ancestral homeland.
The remote Arctic outpost of Hebron, followed by a day at sea sailing to L'anse Aux Meadows, with its 1,000-year-old Viking settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before this cruise concludes in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
As part of Explore Space at Sea , in collaboration with the SETI Institute, this cruise will also have the privilege of hosting Bill Diamond, the institute's CEO, who will accompany guests throughout the cruise, both on board and ashore.
Bill will give two talks during the trip: “The search for life beyond Earth: how it works, how it goes and why it matters” and “Astrobiology, field expeditions and the search for life beyond Earth.”
SH Vega
The SH Vega is a 5-star expedition cruise ship with an ice-strengthened hull, Scandinavian-designed interiors, ample outdoor spaces, and expedition-focused facilities.
With capacity for 152 guests in 76 spacious suites and cabins, most with large balconies, it features a swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, spa, panoramic sauna and three restaurants: the Swan Restaurant, the Club Lounge and the Pool Bar & Grill.
Patrizia Iantorno, Commercial Director of Swan Hellenic, comments: “We are very proud of these Arctic Northern Lights voyages with their exceptional onboard experiences. They not only offer unparalleled access to the beauty, history, and cultures of these remote and pristine regions, but also provide special opportunities to witness the Northern Lights from both land and sea. We can't wait to welcome you aboard! ”
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