Expedition to Iceland - Hamburg to Reykjavík via Scotland's Northern Isles (MS Maud, 2025)

Begin your journey in the vibrant city of Hamburg, rich in history, art, and culture. Spend the morning exploring the old town, Altstadt, where you'll discover attractions like the St Nikolai Memorial and the historic Deichstraße street. Don't miss the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Chilehaus and the world's largest warehouse complex. In the afternoon, board your expedition ship, collect your complimentary expedition jacket, and meet your Expedition Team. Settle into your cabin and familiarize yourself with the ship's facilities as we set sail.

As we sail from Hamburg towards Norway's Lysefjord, take the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming destinations with your expert Expedition Team. Attend lectures in the Science Center and gain insights into the journey ahead. Spend the day at leisure, enjoying the ship's wellness area, sauna, or infinity pool. Savor delicious Nordic and international dishes in the three onboard restaurants.

Today, we sail down the 25-mile long Lysefjord, surrounded by striking vertical cliffs. From the observation decks, marvel at the sublime scenery and catch a glimpse of the world-famous Pulpit Rock and the renowned Kjeragbolten, a giant boulder wedged into a mountain crevasse. If you're up for an adventure, join our Expedition Team for an optional five-hour guided hike to the Pulpit Rock viewpoint, situated a dizzying 1,980 ft above Lysefjord.

We cruise northwest to the Shetland Islands, arriving in Lerwick, a charming Victorian-influenced fishing town nestled in beautiful scenery. Explore the narrow lanes on foot, discovering shops selling local whiskies, woolen sweaters, and fudge. Visit the Shetland Museum to see Pictish carvings and Shetland lace shawls, and explore Fort Charlotte and the regal-looking town hall. Keep an eye out for gray and common seals along Lerwick's beaches, as well as local birdlife such as red-throated divers, redshanks, and curlews.

Arrive in Tórshavn, located on Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands. Founded by Norsemen in the 10th century, Tórshavn is one of Northern Europe's oldest capitals. Wander through the cobblestone alleyways and admire the colorful, turf-roofed houses. Visit local museums to learn about the city's origins and the flora, fauna, and geology of the Faroe Islands. Don't miss the Svartafoss waterfall, located about half a mile out of town. As you stroll along the seafront, look out for eider ducks and the distinctive beige-tipped wings of the Faroese starling.

Today, we visit the picturesque village of Seyðisfjörður, nestled at the end of a deep fjord surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. Wander through the streets lined with colorful wooden houses and take a photo at the vibrant Rainbow Road. Visit the unusual Tvisongur sound sculpture or take a longer hike in the hills above the town. You can also visit Skalanes, a private nature reserve home to reindeer, Arctic fox, and mink. Keep an eye out for black-tailed godwits, golden-plovers, and gyrfalcons, Europe's largest falcon.

Today, we visit Grímsey, a remote and breathtakingly beautiful island known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island. This is the only part of Iceland that lies within the Arctic, and you'll have the opportunity to step across that line. Grímsey is also home to a wealth of wildlife and is steeped in myth and legend. By 2050, due to the northward creep of the Arctic Circle, Grímsey will lie outside the Arctic.

We sail Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, known as one of the best places in Europe to spot humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Look out for orcas, blue whales, and fin whales, too. We then arrive in Akureyri, Iceland's 'Northern Capital', situated at the base of the fjord. Visit the botanical gardens and explore the city's eateries and museums. Further inland, visit the picturesque Goðafoss waterfall and Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland's most active volcanic areas, where you can spot eider ducks and Harlequin ducks.

One of the best things about expedition cruising is the feeling of freedom. Today, we plan to spend the day in Iceland's Northwestern Region, but the day's activities will depend on the conditions. We may go cruising in our small boats, take you ashore for a hike, swim, or beach clean-up, or launch our kayaks. If we spot a pod of whales as we're sailing, we may stop to enjoy the sight. Be ready for anything! You can also join onboard lectures, visit the Science Center, get tips from our professional photographer, or take a sauna.

Arrive in Patreksfjörður, a village known for its fishing traditions. Explore the surrounding area on a hike through the fjords or visit Rauðasandur beach to see seals. Join a tour to the spectacular Dynjandi waterfalls, the largest in the Westfjords. Birdwatchers should not miss a visit to Látrabjarg, where puffins, northern gannets, guillemots, and razorbills cling to Europe's largest bird cliff.

Visit Stykkishólmur, a small fishing town in Breiðafjörður Bay, where time seems to have stood still. The colorful houses contrast beautifully with the distant mountains. Nearby, explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula National Park, known as 'Little Iceland' for its wide variety of volcanic landscapes. Visit Djúpalónssandur's black-sand beach and the Lóndrangar basalt cliffs. Ride a snowcat to the top of the Snæfellsjökull glacier, or take a guided coastal hike with a glacial cave tour.

Arrive in Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the Westman Islands, off Iceland's southern coast. The island bears the scars of a powerful volcanic eruption that nearly destroyed it. Visit Eldheimar, a museum featuring an excavated home frozen in time, to learn about the eruption and its aftermath. Take a hike to find puffins at Stórhöfði, where nearly 8 million of them nest every summer. Don't miss the chance to climb Mount Eldfell to the volcano's summit for incredible views of the town below.

As your Iceland expedition cruise reaches its conclusion, you still have one last terrific destination to explore: Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. Stroll along Laugavegur with its boutiques and galleries, admire the striking Hallgrímskirkja Church, and peruse the Reykjavík Art Museum. Consider visiting the Blue Lagoon, one of the true natural wonders of the world, where you can experience the blend of silica, algae, and minerals in its famous geothermal waters. You can also join our Post-Program and explore Iceland's beautiful south coast, with waterfalls, black-sand beaches, geothermal pools, and majestic mountains.