Discover Iceland: What a Day on Expedition is Like
An otherworldly realm that is surprisingly close to home, Iceland showcases the drama of the living Earth like nowhere else. In this land of geological treasures, the brightest gems are found in hidden corners and coves, where waterfalls flow through mossy canyons, glaciers tumble from mountaintops and fjords carve aqueous paths from the sea to timeless fishing villages. Here's what any given day might look like on expedition in the land of fire and ice.
Breakfast: Feast Your Eyes on a Fjord
Iceland’s rocky coast is carved with more than 100 fjords, many of them found along the country’s remote western and eastern shores. After leaving Reykjavík, you’ll wake up in a new one nearly every day—and they make the perfect backdrop for a fresh breakfast of made-to-order eggs, fresh pastries and oatmeal and yogurt parfaits with all the fixings.
Photo: Andrew Peacock
Morning Excursion: Witness the Earth in Action
Amid Iceland’s elemental landscapes, there are a multitude of ways to interact with the living Earth. On a morning excursion, you might walk along a fjord to a thundering waterfall, Zodiac cruise around basalt cliffs studded with seabirds or climb to the rim of a volcanic crater.
Photo: David Vargas
Downtime: Scenery at Sea
There’s plenty to see from the ship, and while you’re relaxing, you may hear your expedition leader call out notable landmarks over the loudspeaker. Among them are Surtsey—one of the world’s youngest islands—and the monument on Grímsey island that marks the border of the Arctic Circle. Whales are also plentiful in these parts, and your captain may stop the ship to watch a pod of orcas, humpbacks or fin whales.
Photo: Kim Nesbitt
Lunch is Served
Select from a lunch menu of diverse options that can be tailored to your taste and dietary preferences. Many meals start with a robust soup to ward off the Icelandic chill.
Photo: Oivind Haug
Chat With the Captain
Attend a naturalist talk in the lounge or take advantage of the ship’s amenities: read up on geology in the library, test out high-tech cameras from the complimentary OM System Photo Gear Locker or visit the open Bridge to chat with the captain about Arctic navigation. Young travelers in the National Geographic Expeditions Adventurers program are invited to join their certified field educator in using the ship microscopes to examine plankton gathered on the morning Zodiac cruise.
Photo: David Vargas
Afternoon Excursion: Local Icelandic Life
Voyages offer a rare look at the age-old customs that thrive in the country’s remote rural corners. Alongside local Icelanders, delve into traditions like eiderdown processing and herring fishing. Your expedition may also feature a special cultural expert—such as a professor or politician—who joins you throughout the journey to share insights into local Icelandic life.
Photo: David Vargas
More to Explore: Get the Perfect Puffin Photo
Several landing sites harbor puffins,* and when you spend time at the edge of their nesting cliffs, keeping as still as possible, they get used to your presence and flutter about their business. Post up alongside your National Geographic photographer and they’ll show you how to adjust your shutter speed to get the perfect picture.
Photo: Andrew Peacock
*Puffins can be seen in Iceland between mid-April and mid-August.
Ready for Recap
Meet in the lounge over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and settle in for the daily recap, featuring presentations and slideshows on the day’s adventures and a preview of tomorrow’s activities.
Photo: David Vargas
Dinner and a Show
Nosh on Nordic cuisine at dinner, sampling a local fish sustainably caught and perfectly prepared by your ship’s chef. This evening’s entertainment features a local musician hand-selected by the fleet’s ethnomusicologist, Jacob Edgar, who curates unique performances that incorporate traditional elements of Icelandic culture.
Photo: David Vargas
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