10/07/2022 Dover

Dover

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Depart 1800.

11/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

12/07/2022 Kirkwall, Orkney

Kirkwall, Orkney

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700.

An archipelago of mostly flat, green-topped islands ringed with red sandstone cliffs and sandy beaches, the Orkneys lie some 50 miles off the northern tip of the Scottish mainland. Although remote, these rugged and unspoilt islands offer a rich history and are home to the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic site in Europe, Skara Brae. Kirkwall is the largest town and capital, where you can visit the medieval St Magnus Cathedral or delve into the islands’ fascinating Viking heritage.

Included sightseeing excursion

See the sights of Kirkwall on an included excursion.

Optional excursions

Step back 5000 years and discover Skara Brae, the Neolithic settlement unearthed by a storm in 1850 that pre-dates Stonehenge and the Pyramids.

13/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

14/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

15/07/2022 Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, Iceland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Today you’ll arrive at the tiny capital Reykjavik where your included sightseeing tour provides a great introduction to the city. The city sprawls out from the harbour and boasts a beautiful old quarter. At its heart lies the Hallgrímskirkja church with its landmark bell tower and statue of the Viking Leifur Eiríksson, which you’ll glimpse on your included tour. Perhaps discover the city’s museums such as the National and Saga museums tracing the island’s Viking heritage or venture further afield to relax in the famous Blue Lagoon Spa, one of the country’s most impressive natural phenomenon.

Included sightseeing excursion

Explore the city of Reykjavik on an included excursion.

16/07/2022 Isafjordur ⚓, Iceland

Isafjordur ⚓, Iceland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Dwarfed by stark mountains on either side, the small town of Isafjördur is tucked away on an arm of the fjord of the same name. It boasts the largest harbour in Iceland’s Westfjord region, which saw it thrive as a trading hub from the 16th to 19th centuries. Wooden 18th-century merchant houses still stand along the harbourfront, including the oldest in Iceland, which now houses a folk museum. Another historic home is now the Maritime Museum, which further attests to Isafjördur’s close ties to the sea. Boat trips to the nearby island of Vigur are popular with birdwatchers as it has an array of birdlife.

⚓ Land by launch or tender

17/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

18/07/2022 Cruise Prince Christian Sound

Cruise Prince Christian Sound

Weave past craggy peaks and calving glaciers whilst cruising along this 66-mile-long fjord described as a “river of melted snow” by explorer John Cabot. This inland passage separates Greenland’s mainland from the Cape Farewell Archipelago, connecting the Labrador and Irminger seas. Granite cliffs on both sides close into just 1,650 feet apart at the narrowest point, and it is only accessible in summer.

19/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

20/07/2022 Nuuk, Greenland

Nuuk, Greenland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by fjords, Nuuk means cape in Inuit. The capital of Greenland was founded in 1728 by Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede. Monuments to the explorer include a statue and Greenland’s oldest building, Hans Egede’s House. The latter stands close to the colonial harbour and fish market, ‘the Board’. The landmark Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, a simple wooden structure painted dark red, was built between 1849 and 1884, gaining cathedral status in 1993. The Qilakitsoq mummies, which were frozen for 500-years, now reside at the Greenland National Museum. See some of these attractions during an included sightseeing excursion.

Included sightseeing excursion

A panoramic tour will highlight Nuuk’s landmark sights.

21/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

22/07/2022 Narsarsuaq, Greenland

Narsarsuaq, Greenland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

This settlement of under 200 people was founded as an American airbase in 1940. Narsarsuaq is less than four miles from Greenland’s Ice Sheet, which covers most of the country. Near to the airport is the unique Greenlandic Arboretum, an Arctic botanical garden home to more than 100 species and 50,000 trees. The surrounding hills are scattered with 10th to 15th-century Norse ruins and Qooroq ice fjord, where blue-hued icebergs have formed over thousands of years.

Optional excursions

The area surrounding Narsarsuaq is a tangle of fjords, islands and inlets through which the ice sheet seeps into the ocean. Board a smaller vessel to navigate Qooroq ice fjord and get up close to blue-tinged icebergs. Enjoy commentary about the natural history of the region on board and admire the Arctic scenery.

23/07/2022 Nanortalik ⚓, Greenland

Nanortalik ⚓, Greenland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

‘The Place where the Polar Bear goes’ is an apt name for Greenland’s southernmost town as these fierce animals occasionally pass by on the ice floes. Set on a small island beside the Tasermiut Fjord, the historic quarter of colourful wooden buildings contrast against a backdrop of jagged mountains. The open-air Nanortalik Museum gives an insight into the area and its culture. The town is also a hub for mountain and rock climbing, hiking and kayaking.

⚓ Land by launch or tender

24/07/2022 Qaqortoq ⚓, Greenland

Qaqortoq ⚓, Greenland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

South Greenland’s largest settlement features brightly painted colonial buildings dating back to the 18th century. The oldest building, once a blacksmiths, displays harpoons and kayaks that reflect the country’s Norse heritage. Next to it stands Greenland’s oldest fountain, Mindebronden, which was built in 1932. The open-air ‘Stone and Man’ sculpture gallery encompasses a collection of motifs carved in stone and rock throughout the town. Qaqortoq is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts as walking trails lead around the lake and into the surrounding wilderness. Alternatively, board a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view of this Arctic landscape.

Optional excursions

With a very limited road network, locals and visitors alike rely on air travel to get around. A helicopter trip will give you a bird’s-eye view of the Arctic mountains, fjords and glaciers. During the trip the helicopter will land close to the Qalerallit Glacier. Explore the surrounding ice fields and experience the peaceful atmosphere.

⚓ Land by launch or tender

25/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

26/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

27/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

28/07/2022 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Having enjoyed a 21st-century rejuvenation, Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast, is fast becoming a celebrated haven for literature, art, music and theatre – the Cathedral Quarter is at the city’s cultural heart and well worth a visit. The city also boasts a rich seafaring history and it was here that the ill-fated RMS Titanic was built. Today visitors can explore Titanic Belfast, which narrates the story of the White Star ocean liner.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing tour will reveal the highlights of Belfast.

Optional excursions

Belfast is the gateway to some of Northern Ireland’s most picturesque coastal and countryside scenery. From here, you could travel to see the geometric columns of Giant’s Causeway, created as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

29/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

30/07/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

31/07/2022 Dover

Dover

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.

Please note: Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.