Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
A mythic land under the midnight sun
Stretching across the top of the globe and touching eight countries, the Arctic is rife with opportunity for every type of explorer, whether you seek iconic wildlife, epic icescapes, or enriching encounters with cultures of the far North. Here are some highlights from the areas we explore to help you decide which Arctic expedition is the best fit for your interests.
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Norway: Under the midnight sun, photograph epic wildlife such as polar bears, reindeer, walruses, seals, whales, and myriad birds. Cruise and kayak beneath soaring cliffs and tumbling cascades along the Norwegian fjords.
Iceland: Take a Zodiac cruise through a basalt cave, hike the base of a fjord to a thundering waterfall, or stroll sea cliffs aflutter with gannets and puffins. Encounter local culture, tradition, and music.
Greenland: Greenland’s icescapes glitter in a dazzling tableau of iridescent icebergs and calving glaciers that we explore by kayak, Zodiac, and on foot. Go beyond the country’s icy surface to experience cultural encounters in thriving Inuit communities.
Canada: For the explorer who seeks seldom-seen lands, as well as elusive muskoxen, polar bears, walruses, belugas, and narwhals. Further south, along the rocky coasts of the maritime regions, we see a different side of Arctic exploration: traces of the peoples who settled these shorelines. Discover Viking villages, a Moravian mission, and other historical relics in a once-popular landing spot for westward voyagers.
(18) Arctic Itineraries
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NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged. More details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Aug
From
$12,280
Prices are per person
Special Offers (1)
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
A Circumnavigation of Iceland
Duration
11 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Aug
From
$12,280
Top Highlights
Experience all of Iceland’s geological manifestations: glaciers, geysers, thundering waterfalls, immense cliffs, geothermal springs, boiling mud pots, and lava-scapes of unearthly beauty
Meet local Icelandic experts ranging from economists to filmmakers and enjoy exclusive music performances.
Explore Iceland’s wild western coast; Siglufjörður in the north; the rarely visited rugged east coast; and the Westman islands in the south, among the planet’s youngest archipelagos
Actively explore by taking Zodiacs into fjords and serene bays
Customize your experience by taking an expedition extension
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$22,090
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Coastal Wonders of Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland
Duration
17 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$22,090
Top Highlights
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Encounter the Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses of Jarlshof, a prehistoric settlement in the Shetlands
Discover the unique culture of the Faroe Islands, where residents cling proudly to their Viking heritage
Observe nesting seabirds amid the towering peaks of the Lofoten islands
Sail past the dramatic sea cliffs of the Faroes to see cliff-nesting puffins, gannets, and northern fulmars
Venture all the way north to Northeast Greenland National Park in search of the Arctic’s iconic wildlife—polar bears, whales, muskoxen, and more
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Call at the seldom-visited Jan Mayen Island, where the only residents man a remote weather outpost and have this northernmost volcano all to themselves
Conditions permitting, see the spectacular Northern Lights as we sail the remote coasts of Iceland and Greenland
Visit Iceland’s colorful villages to see contemporary life, hike over geologically recent volcanic flows, and soak in the country’s iconic hot springs
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$17,860
Prices are per person
Special Offers (1)
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
Greenland
Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland
Duration
17 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$17,860
Top Highlights
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside a team of experts: glide among soaring icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord; and ponder the remains of the 11th-century Viking village at L’Anse aux Meadows
Meet Inuit artisans on Baffin Island and learn about their carving and weaving traditions
Join our naturalists to search for polar bears, caribou, arctic foxes, humpback and minke whales, walruses, and more in their natural habitat
Explore the untamed coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, discovering spectacular fjords and cliffs on foot and by kayak and Zodiac
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$39,990
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
New and Noteworthy
Greenland
New
Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada
Duration
25 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$39,990
Top Highlights
Travel well above 80º north into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of the explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore Ellesmere Island with binoculars at the ready to spot polar bears, walruses, ringed seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive narwhal
Visit the “Jewel of the North,” Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for its friendly community and world-renowned soapstone carvings
Marvel at the unique volcanic black sand beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls of Disko Island, a Greenlandic island often compared to Iceland
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
From
$20,980
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Greenland
Iceland & Greenland: Edge of the Arctic
Duration
19 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
From
$20,980
Top Highlights
Hike the dramatic Dynjandi Waterfall in Iceland's remote Westfjords peninsula, and visit a farm that produces eiderdown
Explore Hvalsey and Brattahlíð, 10th-century Viking settlements founded by Eric the Red and his family in Greenland, and see the incredible Qilakitsoq mummies, preserved by freezing temperatures for some 500 years
Cruise among the dazzling icebergs calved by the Ilulissat Icefjord and encounter impressive tidewater glaciers in West Greenland
Experience local culture through visits to fishing villages and longhouses, folk performances, and tasting tours of traditional Greenlandic and Icelandic foods
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Sep
From
$15,140
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Iceland
Greenland
Iceland's Wild West Coast to East Greenland
Duration
13 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jul
Sep
From
$15,140
Top Highlights
Discover the wild west coast of Iceland with its incredible geology, quiet coves, and majestic waterfalls
Explore the largest national park in the world—Northeast Greenland National Park—and search for polar bears, musk oxen, whales, and more
Sail into Scoresbysund, ice permitting, the world’s largest and longest fjord system and home to a remote Inuit community
Learn how to capture northern lights displays, conditions permitting, with our National Geographic photographer by your side
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
From
$12,350
Prices are per person
Special Offers (3)
Highlights
Arctic
Land Of The Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration Of Arctic Svalbard
Duration
11 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
May
Jun
From
$12,350
Top Highlights
Search for polar bears and walrus alongside our skilled veteran spotters
Explore under the midnight sun—and take advantage of spectacular photo ops with tips from a National Geographic photographer
Sail up to rock-wall rookeries teeming with thousands of birds, see pelagic birds from the ship’s rail when we’re underway, and Zodiac cruise near a cloud of feeding arctic terns
Actively explore––kayak, Zodiac cruise, hike, and walk
Even discover the seldom-seen undersea via video shot by an ROV
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
From
$12,740
Top Highlights
Go aboard National Geographic Explorer and sail in the wake of early Viking explorers, learning the region’s dramatic history
Encounter the Bronze Age ruins and Viking longhouses of Jarlshof, a prehistoric settlement in the Shetland Islands
Discover the unique culture of the Faroe Islands, where residents cling proudly to their Viking heritage
Observe nesting seabirds in dramatic settings—on Iceland’s skyscraping Látrabjarg cliffs and amid Shetland's spectacular Cliffs of Noss
Sail past the dramatic sea cliffs of the Faroe Islands to see cliff-nesting puffins, gannets, and northern fulmars
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
Sail aboard our new, state-of-the-art polar ship to the northernmost coastlines of the planet, where few have explored before
Venture into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Visit one of Canada’s “jewels of the north": Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for soapstone carvings
Observe polar bears, walrus, ringed seals, belugas, and bowhead whales
Meander through the remains of historic dwellings on Herschel Island; a scattered mixture from the Inuvialuit people and the once-booming whaling industry
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$21,370
Prices are per person
Special Offers (4)
Highlights
Arctic
Norway's Fjords and Arctic Svalbard
Duration
17 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Jun
Jul
From
$21,370
Top Highlights
Sail into Norway’s spectacular fjords and explore secluded inlets and coves by kayak or Zodiac
Explore the rare northern fjords, threading the ice-carved narrows and standing on the bow as the captain noses up to glacier termini
Actively explore: hike, walk, and kayak through stunning scenery
Make for the wilds of Svalbard to see ice, bears, and Arctic wildlife
Enjoy superlative photo ops and onboard photo assistance
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
SOLO TRAVELER SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and we will waive the solo premium on solo cabins aboard select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
Book by June 30, 2023, and each child 22 and under will travel free with a full-fare paying adult on select 2023 Arctic departures. Valid for new bookings only on select departures, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
TRAVEL TO BOTH POLES AND SAVE 20% OFF YOUR SECOND VOYAGE
Book one, get the second 20% off! Book select Antarctic or Arctic departures between January 2023 and March 2024 and receive 20% off your second departure. Valid for new bookings made by June 30, 2023, subject to availability on select departures, not combinable with other offers or extensions. Calls for details.
20% SAVINGS
Book by June 30, 2023, and receive 20% off your cabin fare on select 2023 departures. Valid for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on extensions or airfare, and may not be combined with other offers. Call for details.
It is a privilege to visit the Arctic, one of the planet’s most interesting places, and to this privilege, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Resolution add the luxury of comfort—a quality of shipboard life and a philosophy of wellness designed to relax and rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.
Iceland's Volcano: Eruption Updates with Geologist Ralph Lee Hopkins
Director of Expedition Photography Ralph Lee Hopkins spent two weeks obsessively devoted to capturing the mood swings of the world’s newest and most active volcano.
In the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in western Greenland, the icebergs are so concentrated that they fill the landscape. It’s a stunning combination of ancient and ever-changing: the ice that forms those bergs might be 250,000 years old, but your view will transform every hour as they shift, roll, and jostle towards the ocean.
With enhanced hunting abilities, seemingly white fur (it’s actually clear, but some cool optical tricks make it look white) to camouflage them in their icy environment, and black skin to soak in the sun’s rays, polar bears are the Arctic’s apex predator.
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Explore the Arctic with a team of naturalists—many of them polar veterans—with a variety of specialties: zoology, biology, ornithology, geology, polar history, and more. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Discover what lies beneath the waves withan undersea specialist aboard who can dive into the cold waters to shoot video of what lies beneath the waves or deploy an ROV to depths of 1,000 feet to explore never-before-seen regions.
Travel and photograph with a bona fide National Geographic photographer. These top pros are at your side and at your service—providing advice, tips, and slideshows. Access to photographers of this caliber will help you improve your skills and ensure you’ll go home with incredible photos.
Certified Photo Instructor
Every Arctic expedition also offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to help you become a better, more confident photographer—and to help you understand the movements of wildlife so you can create top shots.
Video chroniclers accompany every expedition and shoot vivid HD footage—with no recycled footage ever—to provide you with a professionally edited and completely authentic memento of your expedition. Working during the day and editing into the night, they have your DVD ready for preview prior to—and available to purchase at—disembarkation.
National Geographic Endurance awoke surrounded by the heights of a Norwegian fjord. Choosing Loen as our first destination, guests set out to explore the mountainous landscapes and the treasures within. A highlight was the local sky lift, which sent our explorers to a height of 3,000 feet in a matter of minutes. This true feat of engineering led to a most spectacular view. From such a height, our mighty vessel looked small as a child’s toy. Perhaps the grandest reward of the day was the perfect weather. A day of sunshine and reflections, whereas often southern Norway is one of the wettest places in continental Europe. It was a great start to what is certain to be a spectacular voyage. Photographers: Paul North, Dr. Rebecca Smith-Coggins, and Ezra Siegel
We awoke to the gentle voice of expedition leader Stefano Pozzi, who greeted us to an overcast day in the city of Bergen. After a wonderful breakfast, many of us spent the morning in Bergen, either exploring the city on our own or on one of two guided trips. Two buses left to visit the beautiful Fantovt Stave Church from the year 1170. Another stop was made at the Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, home of composer Edvard Grieg for 22 years. Guests more interested in hiking visited Fløyen, one of the mountains in Bergen. The funicular "Fløibanen" ascended 300 meters (984 feet) over a total track length of 850 meters (2,789 feet) to a viewing platform that offered stunning views of Bergen and its environs. Luckily, the weather and visibility were good, which are not givens in a place that "enjoys" 239 rainy days a year. Two hikes went to the pond "Skomakerdiket," and some guests chose to explore the area on their own. After returning to the ship, we enjoyed the first of many delicious lunches in one of the ship’s two restaurants. Soon the ship set sail! Whilst enjoying afternoon tea and / or a "mandatory nap," we steamed along the green coastline of southwestern Norway, which is sprinkled with holiday cabins and small settlements. During the afternoon, Stefano called us into the ice lounge for an introduction to our knowledgeable expedition staff. This was followed by the first lecture of the trip. Photo instructor Steve Morris gave an introduction to smartphone photography. Right afterwards, Captain Aaron Wood welcomed us to the ship during the official Captain’s welcome. He introduced us to some of his team before sending us to a marvelous dinner in Two Seven Zero, one of the ship’s restaurants. Sated and content, most of us headed off for an early night, knowing we’d rise fairly early the next morning for new adventures!
Today was another amazing day in beautiful Norway. Overnight, National Geographic Resolution made its way farther north, and we arrived in Hardangerfjorden. And what a sight it was. Steep mountain cliffs on either side of the ship. Green trees, snowy peaks, and tiny houses that seemed lost in the vast landscape. Throughout the morning, we ventured deeper and deeper into the fjord. Cammy explained the disembarkation in Bergen planned for tomorrow, and Carl spoke about the special connection Norwegians have with nature. We sailed under a bridge that spanned the fjord and docked in Eidfjorden, a beautiful little village in the innermost part of the fjord. Here we explored the town throughout the afternoon and hiked out to a glacier lagoon with our naturalist team. Many scenic photo opportunities awaited us along with plenty of history with burial sites from the Iron Age. Back on the ship, it was time for the Captain’s farewell. But it wasn’t over yet. After dinner, we stopped by a majestic waterfall draining the Folgefonna icecap. What a sight to behold.
After five amazing days in Scotland, National Geographic Resolution crossed the North Sea overnight, and we woke up to beautiful fjord views this morning!
We woke up to a foggy morning in Lerwick, Shetland’s only town with around 7500 inhabitants. It dates from the 17th century and became the capital of Shetland in the 1830s. The Norse inheritance, and the close relationship with Norway in particular, is obvious in a number of ways. Lerwick translates to Leirvik in Norwegian, meaning “bay of clay.” After breakfast, there were several guided sightseeing options, including the town itself and bus and walking tours outside town. Topics related to history, local culture, landscapes, and birds were all covered, and those who walked got a good leg stretch. The farthest tour went south to Jarlshof, “The Estate of the Earl.” This is one of Europe’s most important archeological sites. For more than 4000 years, people lived, worked, and built at Jarlshof, and we can see how their buildings changed over time. Remains of stone buildings dating from 2500 BC to the 1600s are spread out across the headland. At noon, we all said goodbye to our great bus drivers and guides. Shortly after, we started sailing into the North Sea. In the afternoon, a couple lectures were offered. Our number one ornithologist Jim Wilson talked about bird migration and expanded on a number of mysteries connected to migrating birds. Mairi Fenton, naturalist in marine biology, gave a talk on the fisheries and protected marine areas of Scotland. We learned that establishing such protected areas is not an easy task, as fishermen and the fishing industry are concerned about the impact of new regulations. Fishing, fish farming, and related industries are core income sources in Shetland. Evening recap covered a variety of topics, including footage of marine life from our undersea specialists, the history of Viking ships, expedition cruising, and geology. This was our last day in Scotland, and we are anxious to make our next landfall on the coast of Norway, the origin of so many Scots.
The Arctic is clearly a place we should seek to better understand and appreciate—for its own sake and for the sake of the world at large.
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