Longyearbyen is the world’s most northerly town and with it comes the world’s most northerly high street and pub. On Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s largest island, Longyearbyen is home to The North Pole Expeditions Museum which chronicles early efforts to reach the pole by air. The nearby Svalbard Global Seed Vault preserves duplicates of seeds held in gene banks worldwide. The surrounding Arctic waters are populated by whales including bowheads and narwhals, while walruses are regularly seen hauling.

Located deep inside the Arctic Circle, approaching the Svalbard archipelago feels a lot like sailing towards the edge of the world. Known as the kingdom of the polar bears, we’ll be hoping to spot some of its subjects as we explore some of the most varied polar landscapes in the Arctic. Down in our Zodiac boats, we’ll get close to the gargantuan glaciers, rapidly retreating from the oceans that they feed. In the north of the archipelago, past the magnificent fjords, the remaining sea ice offers the perfect hunting ground for polar bears. Closer to Longyearbyen, the landscape is punctuated with large areas devoid of snow and ice alongside vast tundra and exposed beaches. Alongside Svalbard’s 3,000 polar bears, this Arctic wildlife hotspot is also home to walrus, Svalbard reindeer, ringed seal, the arctic fox and many species of marine mammals and seabirds.

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

The snow-covered stratovolcano Beerenberg dominates the ice cap and glaciers at the northeast end of Jan Mayen Island. Halfway between Svalbard and Iceland, the only residents on this Norwegian island are members of the Norwegian Armed Forces or working at the meteorological station. During a nature walk to the station, and along the black sandy beach, you can see numerous plant species. Nesting northern fulmars, Brünnich’s and black guillemots and little auks make the island an important birding area.

Over the next few days, we’ll explore the vast Scorebysund fjord network. The imposing basalt mountains create a striking backdrop against the brilliant white ice floating in the mirror-like waters. The mountains offer protection from the Arctic winds, providing excellent shelter for an abundance of Greenland’s iconic wildlife. We’ll be hoping to spot muskoxen, Arctic foxes and mountain hares along the frozen shores. Birds also thrive in this delicate ecosystem. With the help of our expedition team, we’ll be looking out for little auks, Atlantic puffins, fulmars, snowy owls, the Greenlandic gyrfalcon and great black-backed gulls. Seals and whales are also common sightings in the fjord waters.

One of the most remote towns in the world, thick sea ice makes Ittoqqortoormiit inaccessible by ship for nine months of the year. Founded in 1925 by Danish explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen and a group of 80 or so Inuit, the town’s 450 present-day residents are largely self-sufficient. Hunting and fishing at sea are the only ways that this community can survive. Although a small number of residents now also work service industry. Ittoqqortoormiit is also the gateway to the Scoresbysund fjord system; the world’s largest fjord network with an area of just under 40,000 square kilometres.

You can spend your days at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board experts.

Kalsoy, meaning “Man Island” in Old Faroese, is sparsely populated with dramatic landscapes. Its northernmost village, Trøllanes, which featured in the James Bond film “No Time to Die,” lies in a deep valley accessed by tunnels and is the starting point for a hike to Kallur Lighthouse. The island's rugged terrain, with steep basalt cliffs and fertile valleys, supports a population of sheep and offers hiking and exploring opportunities.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

In the centre of Iceland’s sprawling capital city, the modern organ-pipe-shaped Hallgrimskirkja church dominates the top of town. Cosy bars, cafes and shops line the surrounding streets heated by Iceland's geothermal waters. The regenerated harbour is home to a striking modern concert hall. Popular trips include to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa near the village of Grindavik, and the Golden Circle tour taking in Gullfoss Waterfall and the mighty Strokkur geyser in Thingvellir National Park.