If you want to do something really different this summer, plan a cruise to Greenland and Iceland. Just off the Arctic Circle, these island nations boast of unforgettable, otherworldly landscapes and experiences. You can peer into a dormant volcano, watch icebergs drift past your cabin window, bathe in thermal waterfalls, and much more. Interested - let’s find out what to expect when you’re cruising around these lands.

Discovering Iceland 
The volcanic activity around Iceland has earned it the nickname, “The Land of Ice and Fire”. The island marks the midpoint between North America and Europe. It may be relatively small but it has everything from mountains and volcanos to hot springs, underwater caves, waterfalls, and black sandy beaches. Icelanders are friendly and known for their close-knit communities, festivals, and fables.

A cruise like the Hurtigruten 7-Night Elemental Iceland cruise that circumnavigates Iceland is a great way to explore this country. This is an expedition-styled cruise where you’ll be accompanied by subject experts to give you more in-depth insights into your voyage. You’ll ride to the top of a glacier, spot whales as you cruise through the fjords, savour the local cuisine, and even visit an Atlantic Puffin colony.

Celebrity Cruises also offers a 7-Night Iceland Intensive Cruise. This is a slower-paced cruise with less intensive excursions. The round-trip cruise from Reykjavik includes 2 days at sea and stops at Seydisfjordur, Djupivogur, Akureyri, and Isafjordur. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Icelandic culture, explore lava formations, marvel at the unique flora and fauna, and experience Akureyri’s cool café scene.

If you’ve got time and want to explore Iceland at an easier pace, you could consider the Oceania Cruise 11-Night Icelandic Reaches itinerary.  After an overnight stay at Reykjavik, the cruise takes you to 6 ports across Iceland and the Torshavn - Faroe Islands in Denmark. At each port, you can choose from a variety of shore excursions for varying activity levels. There’s the half-day Nature Sail & Viking Sushi Adventure, a hike to Kirkjufell Waterfall, whale-watching packages, and much more.

Discovering Greenland
Despite its name, a large portion of Greenland is covered by ice. This is a country of contrasts. It’s got cold Arctic deserts in the north and green pastures in the south. It’s a land of Viking tales and Norse fables. A place where you might see the sun shine brightly even at midnight! There are countless reasons to visit Greenland - it’s one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, a spa wonderland with natural hot tubs, and home to a wide variety of Arctic wildlife.

The Quark Expedition’s 10-Night Adventures in Northeast Greenland is an immersive adventure. You’ll sail with no more than 200 co-voyagers. The cruise takes you on hikes through the Northeast Greenland National Park, a polar plunge and zodiac cruises. You might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

The Hurtigruten 9-Night Serene Greenland cruise is a similar expedition-style cruise but a very different experience. This round-trip cruise from Reykjavik gives you 6 days in the Scoresby Sund fjord system. As you cruise between icebergs, you’ll have a chance to seek out the Greenlandic Gyrfalcons and whales, enjoy long nature walks, and kayak tours, and visit the remote Inuit community of Ittoqqortoormiit.

Experiencing the Best of Both Worlds
Iceland and Greenland are separated by a narrow stretch of sea known as the Denmark Strait. This makes it easy to take a cruise across both countries. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has several exciting itineraries to choose from.

Their 10-Night Greenland & Iceland cruise splits time almost evenly between ports in the two countries. You’ll visit Djupivogur, Akureyri, and Isafjordur in Iceland and Qaqortoq, Paamiut, and Nuuk in Greenland. Along the way, you can explore lava fields, enjoy Viking age re-enactments, watch whales frolic in the sea, shop from local boutiques, and more.

Alternatively, you could take the 12-Night Europe: Iceland, Greenland & Canada cruise. This one-way cruise from Reykjavik to New York cruises along the Icelandic and Greenland coastline before hopping over to Newfoundland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Halifax. With experiences ranging from whale watching to kayaking, this is a great option for a family cruise!

Planning your cruise
To have the best experience, you must pick the right season for your cruise. The summer months between June and August are ideal. The sea is gentle, the weather is good, the days are longer, and clearer nights improve your chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Though the days are generally pleasant, make sure you pack a jacket as the rain can come pouring down without any prior notice.

Most cruises start from Reykjavik. Hence, you’ll need to plan flight tickets back and forth and get your visas and insurance in order. All this paperwork can dampen the fun of taking a cruise. So, let us handle it for you. At CruiseBay we can help you shortlist itineraries, pick cabins, and plan shore excursions as well as handle the administrative paperwork and even book hotels for you in Reykjavik.

Give us a call and let’s start planning.