The Greenland Explorer: Iceland to Greenland Expedition
CRUISE ID # SWANV2228080112
Reykjavík TO Kangerlussuaq Havn









Embark on the Iceland to Greenland luxury cruise, a captivating trip that blends raw Arctic beauty with rich cultural history. The journey commences in Reykjavik, Iceland's vibrant capital, and takes you across the icy North Atlantic to the breathtaking landscapes of Greenland. As you navigate from Reykjavik, you'll conclude your adventure in Kangerlussuaq.
Throughout the Iceland to Greenland luxury cruise, you will visit numerous remarkable sites. Explore Reykjavik's iconic Hallgrímskirkja church and Harpa Concert Hall, marvel at Greenland's majestic fjords, and wander through the historic streets of Nuuk. Experience the otherworldly beauty of Skjoldungen’s ice-filled fjord and the vibrant Inuit village of Aappilattoq. In Disko Bay, witness the stunning glaciers and wildlife at the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord. This extraordinary Iceland to Greenland luxury cruise offers a variety of immersive activities for every traveler. Participate in onboard lectures and refine your photography skills with expert guidance. Discover the thrill of observing marine life in their natural habitat or enjoy an optional kayaking experience with the expedition team. Each stop presents an opportunity to engage deeply with the region's stunning landscapes and vibrant cultures.
$10,711
WITH SPECIAL SAVINGS APPLIED
FARES SHOWN ARE PER GUEST
Suites & Fares
CHOOSE START DATE
: August 01, 2028
Itinerary
Sprawling Reykjavík, the nation's nerve center and government seat, is home to half the island's population. On a bay overlooked by proud Mt. Esja (pronounced eh-shyuh), with its ever-changing hues, Reykjavík presents a colorful sight, its concrete houses painted in light colors and topped by vibrant red, blue, and green roofs. In contrast to the almost treeless countryside, Reykjavík has many tall, native birches, rowans, and willows, as well as imported aspen, pines, and spruces.Reykjavík's name comes from the Icelandic words for smoke, reykur, and bay, vík. In AD 874, Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson saw Iceland rising out of the misty sea and came ashore at a bay eerily shrouded with plumes of steam from nearby hot springs. Today most of the houses in Reykjavík are heated by near-boiling water from the hot springs. Natural heating avoids air pollution; there's no smoke around. You may notice, however, that the hot water brings a slight sulfur smell to the bathroom.Prices are easily on a par with other major European cities. A practical option is to purchase a Reykjavík City Card at the Tourist Information Center or at the Reykjavík Youth Hostel. This card permits unlimited bus usage and admission to any of the city's seven pools, the Family Park and Zoo, and city museums. The cards are valid for one (ISK 3,300), two (ISK 4,400), or three days (ISK 4,900), and they pay for themselves after three or four uses a day. Even lacking the City Card, paying admission (ISK 500, or ISK 250 for seniors and people with disabilities) to one of the city art museums (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, or Ásmundarsafn) gets you free same-day admission to the other two.
Located on Greenland’s relatively rarely visited rugged east coast, Skoldungen Fjord has enchanting scenery with towering mountains tipped with snow, ice-scraped valley sides and sculptured icebergs in shades of white and blue. At the top of the fjord one can easily see the retreating state of the Thrym Glacier. The U-shaped fjord offers spectacular scenery and as an extra perk, it is not uncommon to see whales in the fjord.
The transit through the Sound is one of this voyage’s highlights. Connecting the Labrador Sea with the Irminger Seat, Prince Christian Sound or “Prins Christian Sund” in Danish is named after Prince (later King) Christian VII (1749-1808). 100 km (60 miles ), long and at times just 500 m (1500 ft) wide, this majestic and spectacular fiord throws you back into a Viking era – flanked by soaring snow-topped mountains, rock-strewn cliffs and rolling hills, it is as if time has stood still and one easily forgets that this is the 21st century. As you marvel at the sheer size of the mountains that surround you, with the Arctic waters lapping deceptively at the hull, revel in the silence enveloping you. Icebergs float serenely by, carrying with them the ages of time. Be sure to wear warm clothing as this is one spectacle that you do not want to miss.
Aappilattoq is a small settlement near the western end of Prins Christian Sund in southwestern Greenland. In the local Greenlandic language the name means, "sea anemone". This small village of 130 inhabitants, hidden behind a prominent rock, offers a good insight into the life of Greenlandic Inuit. A stroll through the village will reveal a small school and a church, along with the likely possibility of seeing a polar bear skin drying in the wind behind a local dwelling. People have lived off the land in the area around Aappilattoq since the 19th century. The tradition continues today as most people here hunt and fish to make a living.
Nuuk, meaning “the cape”, was Greenland’s first town (1728). Started as a fort and later mission and trading post some 240 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, it is the current capital. Almost 30% of Greenland’s population lives in the town. Not only does Nuuk have great natural beauty in its vicinity, but there are Inuit ruins, Hans Egede’s home, the parliament, and the Church of our Saviour as well. The Greenlandic National Museum has an outstanding collection of Greenlandic traditional dresses, as well as the famous Qilakitsoq mummies. The Katuaq Cultural Center’s building was inspired by the undulating Northern Lights and can house 10% of Nuuk’s inhabitants.
Known as the birthplace of icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord produces nearly 20 million tons of ice each day. In fact, the word Ilulissat means “icebergs” in the Kalaallisut language. The town of Ilulissat is known for its long periods of calm and settled weather, but the climate tends to be cold due to its proximity to the fjord. Approximately 4,500 people live in Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland after Nuuk and Sisimiut. Some people here estimate that there are nearly as many sled dogs as human beings living in the town that also boasts a local history museum located in the former home of Greenlandic folk hero and famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen.
Known as the birthplace of icebergs, the Ilulissat Icefjord produces nearly 20 million tons of ice each day. In fact, the word Ilulissat means “icebergs” in the Kalaallisut language. The town of Ilulissat is known for its long periods of calm and settled weather, but the climate tends to be cold due to its proximity to the fjord. Approximately 4,500 people live in Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland after Nuuk and Sisimiut. Some people here estimate that there are nearly as many sled dogs as human beings living in the town that also boasts a local history museum located in the former home of Greenlandic folk hero and famed polar explorer Knud Rasmussen.
Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut is the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of ice in the winter. Yet it is also the southernmost town where there is enough snow and ice to drive a dogsled in winter and spring. In Sisimiut, travelling by sled has been the primary means of winter transportation for centuries. In fact, the area has been inhabited for approximately 4,500 years. Modern Sisimiut is the largest business center in the north of Greenland, and is one of the fastest growing Greenlandic cities. Commercial fishing is the lead economy in the town‘s thriving industrial base.
The name Kangerlussuaq means "Big Fjord" in the local Kalaallisut language. The settlement of about 500 people is located in western Greenland on flat land at the head of a fjord with the same name. Kangerlussuaq is the site of Greenland's largest commercial airport and most of the economy here is dependent on the air transportation hub and tourism. The rugged lands around the settlement support terrestrial Arctic fauna including muskoxen, caribou, and Gyrfalcons.
About the Ship
Name
SH Vega
Operator
Swan Hellenic


Named after the first ship to cross the Arctic Northeast Passage, SH Vega was designed to journey to faraway places and remote polar regions in style and comfort.
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When it comes to dining on your expedition cruise, our ships have a variety of welcoming venues.
From the gourmet offerings of the Swan Restaurant, and the Pool Bar & Grill’s delicious dishes, to the relaxed tapas-style dining of the Club Lounge, you’ll find exquisite cuisine, skillfully prepared by top chefs. Plus, our carefully curated in-room menu offers a relaxing dining experience in the comfort of your own stateroom.
Crafted Menus
Our menus please the most discerning palates, showcasing healthy, fresh, local ingredients. We cater to most dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan and diabetic, as well as gluten-free options.
We know how important outdoor space is, so our spacious, relaxing public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views throughout the ship. The destination will always be in view.
Take time to indulge and invigorate your senses…
Searching for a new level of clarity and connection? Swan Hellenic has teamed-up with Chopra, a leading integrative health company founded by world-renowned pioneer Dr. Deepak Chopra, to create Explore & Restore – an extraordinary new program of transformative well-being voyages…
Embracing new horizons
Inspired by the healing properties of the sea, our new approach to well-being has been designed to take you on the ultim....
As well as taking you to unusual, off-the-beaten-track destinations, Swan Hellenic offers the company of like-minded people, and acclaimed experts, who give eye-opening lectures, and are on hand to chat throughout your voyage.
Our onboard experts are renowned in their fields and bring unparalleled knowledge to your adventures. Each moment with us is enriched by real insights into the peoples, cultures, wildlife, flora, geology and geography of each amazing place we visit. Wherever you choose to go, sailing with Swan Hellenic is a voyage of discovery, which is what makes us the first choice of adventurous minds worldwide.
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No stone is left unturned when it comes to researching our shore excursion programmes. All aspects of the itinerary are carefully planned in detail by a knowledgeable, well travelled team to ensure each aspect of the cruise is delivered to the highest possible standard.
We’ve thought of all our guests, including the less mobile. Our 12-person hard-hulled zodiacs, the boats that take guests off the ship, have been designed for increased c....
When you sail with Swan Hellenic, as well as visiting remote, unusual destinations, you’ll be traveling with friendly onboard experts. Renowned in their fields, these easy going specialists are on hand throughout your journey. From historians and naturalists, to meteorologists and ornithologists, our expedition team bring unparalleled knowledge to your adventures. Whether you chat with them at dinner, grab a morning coffee together, or catch o....
One thing we’ve discovered over the years is that our inquisitive, like-minded passengers share a thirst for knowledge. Sound familiar? Well, you’ll be pleased to hear we always select our lecturers and guest speakers with this in mind. We choose experienced people who give engaging and stimulating talks on a wide range of subjects that are relevant to the places we visit…
Our guest lecturers have a wealth of specialist knowledge, which ....
Please note: there are no dedicated children's facilities on board.
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Our ships are equipped with the latest, cutting-edge satellite internet technology. Our secure and robust Wi-Fi is available complimentary for the convenience of all guests for messaging and visiting selected news websites. Details as follows:
SILVER CONNECT Complimentary
- Only text messaging to WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, WeChat as well as access to some news websites. No voice, emails, VPNs or streaming con....
On our ships, the primary “official” language spoken on board is English. Due to our international staff, many crew members speak Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French, or Russian. Lectures are generally held in English language. Depending on the actual nationality split of each cruise, we provide technical support for online streamed translation for guests of other native languages. Please ask our Expedition team for support.
Ple....
If you have any health problems, there is a modern ship's emergency room on board our ships under the supervision of an experienced ship's doctor and an assisting nurse. This service is offered by our medical services partner VIKAND. Please note the consultation hours posted on board.
Am I allowed to take certain prescriptive medication with me?
If you require and are carrying a particular medication, you will need proof in ....
Our expedition cruises are mainly concerned with what happens outside the ship, so dress codes are very relaxed, and there are no formalities at mealtimes.
At breakfast and lunch, you’ll wear the clothes you'll be wearing outside (minus the outer gear). Once you’ve changed out of your expedition gear in the evening, you’ll probably want to put on something casual and comfortable. It’s always worth having an extra layer if you want to rus....
On board
The on-board currency is the USD. Onboard spending will be added to your final bill. It is worth taking a debit/credit card in case of any problems paying your bill. Remember to tell your bank before traveling to avoid having your card refused.
Antarctica
There is no official currency as Antarctica does not belong to one country. It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) signed by various nati....














































































