September 3-20, 2011: 17-day expedition voyage from Reykjavik, Iceland to Toronto, Canada

03 Sep 2011 Sat Reykjavik, Iceland 5:00 PM
04 Sep 2011 Sun Day At Sea
05 Sep 2011 Mon Skjoldungen Fjord, Greenland
06 Sep 2011 Tue Prince Christian Sound, Greenland
07 Sep 2011 Wed Qaqortoq, Greenland
08 Sep 2011 Thu Day At Sea
09 Sep 2011 Fri Day At Sea
10 Sep 2011 Sat ST. ANTHONY
10 Sep 2011 Sat L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada
11 Sep 2011 Sun Gros Morne National Park, Labrador, Canada
12 Sep 2011 Mon Cruise Magdalen Islands
13 Sep 2011 Tue BONAVENTURE ISLAND
14 Sep 2011 Wed HAVERE ST.PIERRE
15 Sep 2011 Thu Day At Sea
16 Sep 2011 Fri Québec City, Québec, Canada
17 Sep 2011 Sat Montréal, Québec, Canada
18 Sep 2011 Sun Cruise St. Lawrence River
19 Sep 2011 Mon PORT DALHOUSIE
19 Sep 2011 Mon TORONTO 8:30 PM
20 Sep 2011 Tue TORONTO

Expedition Highlights:
- Cruise into deep fjords, alongside glaciers and amongst icebergs
- Photograph pristine landscapes of rugged mountains and waterfalls
Watch for whales, seals and polar bears
- Explore the ancient Viking site at L’Anse aux Meadows
- Identify birds including eagles, osprey, ptarmigans, puffins and a colony of 122,000 northern gannets
- Observe the Mingan limestone monoliths
- Learn of Quebec’s French culture
- Discover Montreal’s scenic Laurentian Mountains
- Experience Niagara Falls

Day 1 — Reykjavik, Iceland
Embark the Prince Albert II and depart on your exciting 17-day Silversea Expedition – Viking Routes & Fall Colours. This evening, you will be introduced to your Expedition Leaders and receive a Zodiac briefing.

Day 2 — At Sea
Spend the day crossing the iceberg-laden Denmark Strait, which connects the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Meet some of your fellow explorers as you become acquainted with the luxurious amenities found onboard the Prince Albert II. Tonight, we invite you to attend a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party whereat the Captain will introduce his senior officers and various members of the crew.

Day 3 — Skjoldungen Fjord, Greenland
The wild, rugged and ice-packed fjords of Greenland’s southeastern coast beckon as we begin our exploration of the Skjoldungen Sound. Surrounded by astonishing mountains, spectacular glaciers and undisturbed wildlife is a place the native Inuit call Kalaallit Nunaat or Land of the People. Today we take full advantage of the manoeuvrability and shallow draft of the Prince Albert II, anchoring at the top of the Skjoldungen fjord. Here we join the Expedition Team’s naturalists for a Zodiac exploration of the area’s remarkable splendour.

Day 4 — Cruising Prince Christian Sound, Greenland
We arrive at the entrance to one of south Greenland’s most dramatic natural features, Prince Christian Sound. The air is crisp, the water placid and the smell of ice fills the air. On either side of us, waterfalls are streaming down sharp, wrinkled mountainsides as we navigate the fjord through a sea of frozen turquoise gems on their southern route. Coming to our turning point, we glimpse the constant change and movement of the polar ice cap. Prince Christian Sound is where icebergs are born of compacted ancient snows that calve into the sound at the glacier’s edge. Like an artist’s imagination, this gallery of natural wonders is unbound by convention. Each one as different as the last and their beauty is undaunted by the sheer magnitude of their size. Time and weather conditions permitting, we set out via Zodiacs to discover this pristine world of bays, inlets and the Sermet Glacier.

Day 5 — Qaqortoq, Greenland
During lunchtime we arrive at the picturesque harbour town of Qaqortoq (pronounced ka-kor-tok), meaning ‘white place’ in Greenlandic, and go ashore for an afternoon of discovery. Southern Greenland’s largest village is populated with striking primary coloured wood colonial buildings. Our local guides and ship’s staff of experts take us to the charming town square, home to Greenland’s oldest fountain built in 1928. Surrounding it are two churches, one old and one new, an open-air fish and meat market, and the Qaqortoq Museum. The modest museum houses a superb collection of historical artefacts associated with Inuit hunting and fishing, a whaler’s gun and a collection of contemporary artwork.

Strolling through the streets of Qaqortoq is like meandering through a sculpture garden, as there are some 30 pieces of art carved into the granite bedrock throughout the town. The ‘Stone and Man’ exhibit is the realisation of a childhood fantasy. Renowned local artist and sculptor Aka Høegh, in the mid 90s gathered 18 Scandinavian artists in an effort to carve faces into the rocks, just as she had imagined as a child. Whilst the initial project only lasted two summers, it continues to draw artists each year.

Before leaving, we enjoy a traditional Greenlandic kayak demonstration. The kayak has long been an important mode of transportation in Greenland and in the 10th century was used as a hunting board by members of the prehistoric Thule culture.

Days 6–7 — At Sea
We bid farewell to Greenland and sail towards the Americas following in the wake of the Vikings who made this journey centuries ago.

Binoculars in hand, watch for massive icebergs littered throughout the strait, whales feeding in the rich waters and polar bears drifting aboard ice floes. Onboard, a variety of diversions are offered and include spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences.

Day 8 — St Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada
L’Anse Aux Meadow, Labrador, Canada
Our day begins on the northern tip of Newfoundland with an exploration of St Anthony. This area was once the staging point for many northern expeditions. Arctic explorers used its sheltered harbour to take on sled dogs and other supplies as the world raced for the North Pole. We will visit the Grenfell Interpretation Centre and the Grenfell House to learn of Dr. Wilfred Grenfell, a young English doctor renowned for bringing medicine and education to the Inuit and poor European settlers along the harsh Labrador Coast, and view the artefacts gathered from his life of Arctic adventure and global philanthropy.

This afternoon, a traditional Viking feast is served in the great hall at Liefsburdir overlooking Fishing Point. Our dining hall is a replica of the 1,000-year-old Leif Erickson home at the nearby L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. Leifsburdir is covered in sod and nearly invisible from the outside, but inside it takes you back to a time when the Vikings roamed the land. We will enjoy the theatrics of a rowdy but merry band of Norse hosts. The meal features a number of authentic Norse dishes including local game and fish plus a local berry dessert.

Following lunch, we travel by coach to L’Anse aux Meadows (Land of Meadows) where we encounter the ruins of an entire Viking village dating back to the year 1000. Norseman Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, established this colony in the New World some 500 years before the likes of Christopher Columbus and John Cabot. In 1978, this village was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Much of the L’Anse aux Meadows archaeological site remains natural and unspoilt. Three buildings have been reconstructed near the original site in order to provide visitors insight into the lifestyles of these hardy explorers.

During lunch, the Prince Albert II will reposition to Le Anse aux Meadow where it will await our arrival at the conclusion of our excursion ashore.

Day 9 — Bonne Bay, Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
This morning we anchor off Gros Morne National Park, where we see firsthand the geological past of our planet. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both exceptional natural scenery and distinctive geological history, Gros Morne National Park is filled with transition. Our staff geologist, Juan Carlos Restrepo, will show us evidence of the turmoil between Europe and North America when antediluvian oceans disappeared and modern ones were created, shaping these two continents, as they exist today.

Via Zodiac, we go ashore for a day of discovery. We board a coach and pick up a few local guides to help maximize our understanding of this dramatic park, which is mostly comprised of coastal lowlands bordering the Gulf of St. Lawrence and alpine plateaus of the Long Range Mountains, an outlying part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Weather permitting; we visit Western Brook Pond, a freshwater fjord that was carved by glaciers about 10,000-25,000 years ago. A reason why so many different varieties of birds live and visit here in this Canadian Wildlife Service bird sanctuary. Species include: ospreys, terns, Greater yellowlegs, Spotted sandpipers, ptarmigans, Harlequin ducks, Bald eagles, Red-throated loons, cormorants, herons, ibises, cranes, owls and many, many more. Land mammals found in the park, range from shrews, bats, hares, squirrels and beavers to black bears, lynx, caribous, moose, and foxes.

Whilst wildlife seems to flourish, flora is less fortunate. In summer, the mountainsides turn green and some colourful plants grow, but because of the harsh weather few survive year-round and those that do have had to learn to adapt. Tuckamores, as the locals call them, for instance, are a slow-growing, low-lying clump of trees, usually evergreens, which are continually ravaged by the full force of the savage winds coming off the Gulf of St. Lawrence. These trees become a tangled forest protected in the winter by drifting snow, but any branch extending beyond the drift is frozen and killed by winter winds.

Day 10 — Magdalen Islands, Canada
Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, just north of Prince Edward Island, the Magdalen Islands are a group of nine main islands and numerous islets. Magdalen Islanders, who are known for their generous nature, are intimately familiar with their fellow residents, the harp seals. During our tour this afternoon we learn about life on this small island beginning with a visit to the Fumoir d’antan smokehouse where we will enjoy a guided tour and tasting. We next visit the Fromagerie Pied de Vent cheese factory that produces artisan raw milk cheese. Crossing the Chemin des Montants, we will discover a small valley and a panoramic view of Havre-aux-Maisons. At the South Dune Beach we will walk through amazing red sandstone underground caves, sculpted naturally by the sea.

On the north side of the islands, we find Belle Anse with its steep red sandstone cliffs that show the effects of year after year of erosion. Upon arriving at La Côte, we will enjoy some time to browse the boutiques and chat with the local craftsmen and fishermen. Here at the interpretation centre we can also learn how about the raising of mussels and scallops in the lagoon. To conclude our excursion, we head to the Artisans du Sable for a whole new way to look at sand, and then visit the historical meeting place of La Grave that today offers an aquarium, museum of the sea and several boutiques.

Day 11 — Bonaventure Island, Canada
Today we will visit Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock National Park – home to the largest migratory bird refuge in North America. Its colony of 122,000 northern gannets is the most accessible and the largest in size in the world. Without a doubt, the high point of our visit will be the sight of 250,000 birds nesting on the island. The island also offers four hiking trails and a historic heritage trail that reflects Bonaventure Island’s prosperous past. Percé Rock is a massive limestone stack containing millions of marine fossils from the Devonian period. Here, we will talk geology and hope to take advantage of a low tide to point out interesting beach organisms.

Sisimiut, Greenland (photo credit: Katrina Barre)

Icebergs in Greenland (photo credit: Katrina Barre)

Day 12 — Havre-Saint-Pierre, Canada
Havre-Saint-Pierre is among the Mingan Islands that lie along the North Shore of the Gulf of St Lawrence on the coast of eastern Quebec. Our adventure today leads us to the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve where the ecological integrity of unique “flowerpot” monoliths is protected and preserved. Together with the ship staff and local Canada Parks Rangers, we will search for osprey, families of eider duck, Atlantic puffins and various other shore birds. Botanists amongst us will delight in the woodlands, bogs, orchids, insectivorous plants and arctic-alpine flora.

Day 13 — At Sea
Our knowledgeable Lecture Staff members are experts in a variety of scientific fields. Gather in The Theatre to hear their fascinating tales of adventure and to learn more about the region’s endemic wildlife and remarkable nature. Be out on deck with binoculars and camera in hand as we hope to catch good views of the whales that call the waters off the St Lawrence River home during the summer and fall months.

Day 14 — Québec City, Québec, Canada
Canada’s great historic city and the only walled metropolis in North America, Québec provides a taste of authentic, profoundly French culture. Our full-day tour combines the highlights of historic Québec with an adventure into the picturesque countryside. Highlights include the magnificent Château Frontenac castle, the beautifully restored Place-Royale market square of typical 17th and 18th century stone architecture where we find the oldest standing Catholic church in North America: Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, and National Battlefield Park, Cap-Diamant – site of the 1759 battle between France and Britain now a beautiful 250-acre park. We will also visit the Shrine of St-Anne-de-Beaupré. With over 1.5 million visitors and pilgrims making their way to the shrine each year, Ste-Anne has become one of the most important catholic sites in North America. After a narration by our guide en route, we will wander through the lovely grounds and explore the Basilica, Scala Santa, and Memorial Chapel. Montmorency Falls, our next stop, cascades down a 272-foot cliff and is 1½ times as high as Niagara Falls. Then we take a step back in time at Île d’Orléans where we will enjoy a scenic drive through traditional rural Québec villages. During our tour, we will savour a delightful French lunch at a typical Quebecois restaurant and spend some time shopping along the narrow cobblestone streets of charming Petit-Champlain.

Alternatively, enjoy a half-day morning drive into the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains to renowned Lac-Beauport. This sparkling lake, surrounded by emerald forests, is an unforgettable place to soak up the beauty of autumn’s fall foliage. We then take a step back in time as we cross the bridge into Île d’Orléans and drive through the picturesque villages of traditional rural Québec. Passing the tip of the Island, we will see the lovely 19th-century resort homes of Québec’s rich merchant class with spectacular views of the Québec skyline. Québec is well known for its production of maple syrup, and we will have the opportunity to visit an authentic sugar shack where we will learn about the production of maple products and sample sweet maple taffy. Our final stop for the morning is Montmorency Falls, which cascades down a 272-foot cliff, and is 1½ times as high as Niagara Falls. At the top of the falls, we will enjoy tea and pastries at the elegant Montmorency Manoir. Take in the panoramic views of the falls and surrounding autumn colours, visit the interpretation centre or browse in the unique boutiques. This half-day tour returns to the ship for lunch onboard. This afternoon, explore Quebec at your leisure.

Day 15 — Montreal, Québec, Canada
Montreal’s skyline of glass and concrete rises above churches and monuments in a medley of European styles as complex as Montréal’s social blend. Today we head away from the city and into The Laurentians, one of the oldest mountain chains in the world, just twenty miles north of Montreal. The region has been developed to preserve its natural setting, huge forests, picturesque villages, cosy valleys and crystal-clear lakes. We will browse the shops in typical villages like St-Sauveur and have lunch in the heart of the mountains at the Cabane a Sucre (Sugar Shack). Dressed in traditional clothing, the local tenants will describe the traditional techniques for processing and producing a variety of maple products. During our family-style meal we will be entertained by live traditional music and folk dancing. There will be some free time in Mont-Tremblant, the region’s foremost resort. Here, a ride to the top of the mountain in a gondola is the perfect way to have a scenic view of the region. In the old part of the village, we can observe artists at work.

Alternatively, join for an excursion that explores the historic character and charm of Old Montréal. Our walking tour takes us along narrow cobblestone streets and past the charming waterfront district. We will discover the splendid architecture of one of the oldest cities in North America as we learn about the fortifications, the seigniorial system, and religious institutions. We will see the first financial district, City Hall, the historic and new Courthouse and Jacques Cartier Square – an area of café terraces and old world charm. We will then follow our local guide through the walkways of the underground city. Montreal has the world's largest interior pedestrian network and we will see the unique fountain at Place Riopelle, the Palais des congrès and the "Lipstick Forest", and the World Trade Center. We return to the Prince Albert II for lunch. Enjoy free time to explore the city on your own this afternoon.

Day 16 — Cruising St Lawrence Seaway and Thousand Islands
The St Lawrence River is about 745 miles (1,200 km) long and is the main outlet into the Atlantic of the Great Lakes. It rises in northeastern Lake Ontario and flows northeast to the Gulf of St Lawrence. In its upper course, which includes the scenic Thousand Islands, the river forms the boundary between Ontario and New York state. At Montreal the river expands to create Lake St Louis, and below Sorel it forms the much larger Lac Saint-Pierre (Lake St Peter). Below Quebec City the St Lawrence broadens from a width of about 2 miles (3 km) to one of 90 miles (145 km) at its mouth. The waters of the St. Lawrence support a large population of marine mammals, including several species of seals.

Day 17 — Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Canada and Toronto, Canada
The Canadian side of the spectacular Niagara Falls is our destination today. Observation decks on the backside of the 13-storey-high water curtain offer amazing views, but cannot compare to our tour aboard the Maid of the Mist where we will cruise almost under the Falls, raincoats provided! Following our visit to Niagara Falls, we return to the Prince Albert II and sail into Toronto for an overnight in port.

Day 18 — Toronto, Canada
After breakfast, disembark the Prince Albert II.

Early Booking Rates
Oceanview suites from USD 9447 per person plus $325 in taxes

We offer the right Greenland expedition at the right price. Call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to How to Book

Prince Albert's deck plan and cabin/suite descriptions (pdf file)

PRINCE ALBERT II DISTINCTIONS
- Superior accommodations in a large suite
- Superlative service and genuine hospitality
- Crew to guest ratio of nearly 1 to 1
- Expert naturalists and special guest lecturers
- Complimentary, hosted adventures ashore
- Complimentary parka
- Fares include all onboard gratuities
- Complimentary fine wines, champagnes and spirits served throughout the ship
- In-room beverage cabinet stocked with your complimentary selections
- Casual/informal attire – no formal nights
- Open-seating dining
- Gourmet menus by Relais and Chateaux
- Complimentary 24-hour room service
- Spa, fitness centre, two top-deck whirlpools, live evening entertainment
- Ship-wide Internet access and cellular phone service (fee applies)

ABOUT PRINCE ALBERT II
Embark on a luxurious expedition to the best far-flung destinations in the world aboard Prince Albert II, a purpose-built expedition ship unlike any other. Designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations, including both of earth’s polar regions, the 6,072-ton vessel boasts a strengthened hull with a Lloyd’s Register ice-class notation (1A) for passenger ships. With eight Zodiac boats, her 132 privileged guests can visit even the most off-the-beaten path locations. Experience the thrill of a true expedition aboard Prince Albert II. Venture deep into regions where other vessels cannot go whilst enjoying a privileged lifestyle that is simply second-to-none.

Onboard Luxury
Savour a convivial cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities usually found only on larger ships, including a spacious Library with an Internet Café, boutique shopping, a full-service spa, beauty salon, fitness centre, sauna, live evening entertainment and two top-deck whirlpools. The Prince Albert II even features The Humidor, where connoisseurs can enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs - a diversion offered by no other expedition ship.

More information and photos of Prince Albert II

Prince Albert II expedition video

Sailings in Svalbard, near the North Pole, on Prince Albert II

Prince Albert's deck plan and cabin/suite descriptions (pdf file)

Other Greenland Programs

We offer the right Greenland expedition at the right price. Call 1-800-334-6544 (U.S.) or +1-212-480-4521 (International) or go to How to Book