DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
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Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
Rates are listed per person
|
Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Embarking
in Glasgow (Greenock)
DAY 2 Elegant
Belfast
DAY 3 Enigmatic
Isle of Man
DAY 4 Islay's
whisky and nature
DAY 5 West
coast exploration
DAY 6 The
spirit of Iona
DAY 7 Isles of
Skye and Canna
DAY 8 Wild St
Kilda
DAY 9 Stalwart
Stornoway
DAY 10
Highlights of Orkney
DAY 11
Far-flung Fair Isle
DAY 12
Lerwick’s past and present
DAY 13 Arrival
in Bergen, Norway
DAY 1
Embarking in Glasgow (Greenock)
Explore the city of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
A former industrial powerhouse, Glasgow has reinvented itself as a
cultural hot spot, packed with museums, galleries and parks. Discover
the splendid Art Nouveau architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
before your expedition cruise begins.
MS Spitsbergen, one of our smaller vessels and built for close up
exploration, will be waiting for you.. Locate your cabin and explore
the ship before meeting your Expedition Team, your guides on your
adventure ahead. Enjoy your first dinner aboard as we sail towards the
Irish Sea and Belfast.
DAY 2
Elegant Belfast
Discover Northern Ireland's capital
We sail into Belfast, a city with a proud ship-building history and the
birthplace of the Titanic. History buffs will enjoy the Ulster Museum
and Belfast Castle, while nature lovers can visit the Botanic Gardens.
Stroll the cobbled streets of the chic Cathedral Quarter, with its
elegant Victorian architecture, and pop inside St Anne’s
Cathedral to see its beautiful mosaics. In Donegall Square, you'll find
the historical landmarks of City Hall.
INCLUDED
Visit a nature reserve, home to Northern Ireland’s largest
population of water and migrant birds.
DAY 3
Enigmatic Isle of Man
Explore this independent island kingdom
As we approach the Isle of Man, you’ll be struck by the
imposing ruins of Peel Castle above the pretty seaside town that bears
its name.
You'll have plenty to see in Peel, the 14th century former Manx
capital. Motoring buffs will enjoy its vintage car museums –
a nod to the island's modern racing heritage. Or visit the House of
Manannan to discover more about the island’s Celtic, Viking
and maritime past.
The Isle of Man is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and home to a huge
variety of birdlife, including Hen Harriers, Red-billed Choughs,
peregrines, Black Guillemots, Manx Shearwaters, puffins, Arctic Terns
and many more.
INCLUDED
Join a beach clean-up in Douglas on the Isle of Man and help keep a
UNESCO Biosphere area litter-free.
INCLUDED
Wander the narrow streets of Peel, discover picturesque Peel Castle and
relive history at the House of Manannan.
DAY 4
Islay's whisky and nature
Fire up your spirit of discovery on 'whisky island'
Islay is the proud home of world-famous peaty single malts –
but that's far from the only reason to visit. Here you'll discover
fascinating ancient monoliths and the enigmatic settlement of
Finlaggan.
Today, Islay is a wildlife paradise, home to over 200 species of birds
– including oystercatchers, gannets and Golden Eagles. From
its sandy beaches, you can sometimes spot dolphins and basking sharks.
Port Ellen is the gateway to three of the island’s nine
distilleries. Of course, no trip to Islay is complete without a 'wee
dram' from one of these famous and historic whisky producers, including
Laphroaig and Ardbeg.
INCLUDED
Port Ellen – Islay Coastal Walk
DAY 5
West coast exploration
Experience charming Oban, Tobermory or Loch Sunart
Today, we'll make the most of local opportunities along the west coast
of Scotland, where there are many beautiful places to explore.
We might visit Oban's busy fishing port, Dunollie Castle and Oban
Distillery. Or sail to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull – a
charming fishing village of brightly coloured Georgian houses.
Depending on conditions, we'll take out our small expedition boats to
explore Loch Sunart – a Marine Protected Area known for
otters, dolphins and porpoises. Your expert Expedition Team will make
sure that today is a memorable day.
DAY 6
The spirit of Iona
See Iona's sacred abbey and Fingal's Cave on Staffa
Your adventure continues to Iona, off the coast of Mull in
the Inner Hebrides. You can visit the restored 6th century abbey, one
of Scotland's oldest and most sacred Christian pilgrimage sites. Or
enjoy a hike with the Expedition Team up Dùn I for
breathtaking views of St Columba's Bay - and take a sip from the 'Well
of Eternal Youth'.
Next, we sail to the Treshnish Isles – home to Atlantic
Puffins, razorbills and Atlantic grey seals. At nearby Fingal's Cave,
you'll marvel at the hexagonal basalt columns, superb natural
acoustics, and mesmerising coloured waters.
INCLUDED
Enjoy a leisurely tour of Iona Abbey and learn the history of St
Columba.
DAY 7
Isles of Skye and Canna
Get set for beaches, bird colonies and wild scenery
Sail to Loch Scavaig on the Isle of Skye, where dramatic scenery
surrounds you. “The wildest scene in the Highlands”
– that's how the Victorian poet Lord Tennyson described Loch
Coruisk and the surrounding craggy peaks of the Cuillin Mountains.
We'll put on our hiking boots to explore the loch with the Expedition
Team.
Our next stop is the Isle of Canna. Here, you'll find historic
settlements and beautiful beaches. The spectacular sea stacks of
Dùn Mòr and Dún Beag are home to a
colony of breeding puffins, while fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots,
razorbills and shags nest on the cliffs
INCLUDED
Join a nature landing by expedition boat and explore Canna in the
Scottish Hebrides.
DAY 8
Wild St Kilda
Discover the untamed beauty of St Kilda
A visit to this UNESCO double World Heritage Site is an unforgettable
experience. If conditions allow, we'll spend the day here.
One of Europe's most important seabird colonies, St Kilda's volcanic
outcrops are home to thousands of nesting seabirds, including Northern
Fulmars, Black-legged Kittiwakes, and over 60,000 pairs of Northern
Gannets.
In 1930, St Kilda’s last residents asked to be evacuated due
to the island's wild and exposed conditions. Explore the abandoned
village and see the distinctive cleits – circular stone
buildings used to store peat, eggs and smoked puffins –
before returning to the comfort of your ship.
INCLUDED
Discover the stunning wildlife on St Kilda, the UK’s only
dual UNESCO World Heritage Site.
DAY 9
Stalwart Stornoway
Experience the Gaelic culture of the Hebrides
Our expedition cruise arrives at Stornoway, the Isle of Lewis and
Harris capital. As you explore the area around the harbour, keep an eye
out for seals, red deer, eagles and otters. You'll enjoy a visit to the
Gothic-style Lews Castle with its spacious grounds full of trails and
fantastic views.
Further afield, take in the 5,000-year-old Callanish Standing Stones
and Dun Carloway, the best-preserved Iron Age broch in Scotland. Enjoy
coastal walks along the stunning Dalmore, Dalbeg or Garry beaches, and
pick up a memento made from the famed Harris Tweed that's woven here.
INCLUDED
Learn about the Isle of Lewis on a walk around Lews Castle and a guided
tour of Museum nan Eilean.
DAY 10
Highlights of Orkney
Learn about Kirkwall's Norse heritage
Today we cruise to the Orkney Islands' largest town. You'll explore
Kirkwall, the vibrant, Viking-influenced capital of the Orkneys that's
still compact enough to cover on foot.
Visit the regal St Magnus Cathedral, made from distinctive local red
sandstone, and the adjacent Earl’s Palace to see the stone
ruins of this once-grand Renaissance building. The Neolithic settlement
of Scara Brae is also only a bus ride away.
Whisky aficionados will enjoy Kirkwall's Highland Park and Scapa
distilleries for their sublime single malts. If you fancy something
different, Orkney Distillery produces gin made from local Orcadian
botanicals.
INCLUDED
Take a tour of Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, and home to
Scotland’s ‘most beautiful high street’.
DAY 11
Far-flung Fair Isle
A scenic stop for bird lovers
Your cruise continues to the Shetland Islands as we venture to remote
Fair Isle, known for its birds and knitwear.
A magnet for birders and wildlife photographers, the island is home to
27 bird species. It's a vital stop for migrating seabirds, drawn to the
red sandstone cliffs, green fields and moors.
We’ll attempt to land so you can join a clifftop hike to a
spectacularly sited lighthouse with the Expedition Team. Gain
fascinating insights into the life and history of the 65-strong island
community at the local museum. You can support Fair Islanders by buying
genuine Fair Isle knitwear direct from local makers.
If landing isn’t possible, the scenic cruising is just as
spectacular.
INCLUDED
Enjoy a guided walk to the bird cliffs, and drink tea with lovely
locals.
DAY 12
Lerwick’s past and present
Discover Scotland's most northerly inhabited isles
On our final day exploring Scotland, we'll dock alongside Lerwick, the
capital of the Shetland Islands, and explore this friendly,
Victorian-influenced fishing town that’s set in stunning
scenery.
Navigate the narrow lanes on foot to discover little shops selling
local whiskies, woollen sweaters and fudge. By the old waterfront,
you’ll find the Shetland Museum, charting the area's rich
history. Nearby you can see Fort Charlotte and the regal Town Hall.
The wider island is home to remarkable Iron Age villages and the
Shetland Crofthouse Museum, where you'll learn about the hard life of
the local crofters.
INCLUDED
Enjoy a tour of Lerwick’s scenic town centre and learn about
its enthralling history and local life.
DAY 13
Arrival in Bergen, Norway
Visit Bergen's UNESCO-listed Bryggen district
Our Scottish Isles expedition cruise reaches its finale in Bergen, one
of Norway's most beautiful cities. After you disembark MS Spitsbergen
in the morning, we recommend spending some time exploring before
returning home.
Visit the UNESCO-listed Bryggen district and its colourful wooden
wharves and artisanal boutiques. Across from here, you'll find the
city's famous fish market.
If you have time, round off your trip by taking the funicular up Mount
Fløyen for spectacular views of the acclaimed seven
mountains, the port and the sea beyond during a hike to the top,
included in our optional Post-Programme.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- At stay in a cabin of your choice
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner including in restaurant Aune*
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Complimentary Wi-Fi on board*
- Complimentary reusable water bottle to use at water refill
stations on board
- English-speaking Expedition Team who organise and accompany
activities on board and ashore
- Range of included activities
*House beer and wine,
sodas, and mineral water
*Please note there is
very limited Wi-Fi and phone signal in the remote areas we travel to,
and streaming is not supported.
Onboard Activities
- In-depth lectures and discussions hosted by experts on the
Expedition Team
- Full use of our Science Center, extensive library and
advanced biological and geological equipment
- Citizen Science Programme where you can assist with ongoing
scientific research
- Photography tips and techniques for capturing landscape and
wildlife from our onboard professional photographer
- Use of ship's hot tubspanoramic sauna and gym
- Informal gatherings with the crew for daily briefings
Landing Activities
- Escorted landings with small expedition boats
- Loan of boots, trekking poles and all equipment for
activities
- Complimentary wind- and water-resistant expedition jacket
- Expedition photographers on hand to assist you
Notes
- All planned activities are subject to weather and ice
conditions
- Excursions and activities are subject to change
- Please make sure you meet all entry and boarding
requirements
- No gratuities expected
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Luggage handling
- Optional shore excursions with our local partners