Viking Oceans Cruises – Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada (Iceland, Greenland, Canada, United States) 15 Days

Reykjavík, Iceland
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Reykjavík is the world’s northernmost capital city yet captures the distinctive feel of a fishing village. The Kentucky-sized island is Europe’s westernmost nation and one of the wildest places on earth. It is also lauded as one of the cleanest and most civilized countries, committed to finding the perfect balance between day-to-day living and harnessing its natural resources with eco-friendly practices. Vikings landed on this pristine land during the 9th century; their arrival is well chronicled in the medieval Sagas preserved at the Culture House.

Heimaey, Iceland
Heimaey is the only populated island in the Westman Islands. The scenery is stunning with its volcanic landscapes, moss-covered clifftops and picturesque homes with brightly colored rooftops. A number of breathtaking natural sights are a result of the volcanic eruption that took place here in 1973, which saw the evacuation of all 5,000 residents to the mainland. Each summer, millions of puffins pay a visit and countless other species migrate here to feed and breed. Several efforts are underway to protect the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea.

Shore Excursions – Heimaey On Foot
Duration: 2 hours
Get a deeper understanding of the geology of Heimaey and visit the Eldheimar Museum. Meet your guide at the pier and set off on foot as you explore the island’s nature. During your walk, your guide will explain the recent volcanic activity, including the story of the last eruption that took place in 1973 less than a mile from the town of Heimaey. On this eventful night, all 5,000 inhabitants had to evacuate the island and escape to the mainland. Hear the story of how the local townspeople rebuilt their island from the ground up and witness the result of their efforts. Stop at the Eldheimar Museum and view the moving collection of photographs that showcase the memories of the people from Heimaey. After your tour, return to your awaiting ship.

Shore Excursions – Snapshots of Heimaey
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Enjoy a panoramic tour of the island of Heimaey and visit the Eldheimar Museum. Embark on a scenic drive with your guide and see the main sights. Marvel at the towering cliffs—home to multitudes of puffin, fulmar and guillemot, and the natural harbor below. Fishing has played an integral role in the lives of local residents since their arrival on this isle; today you will learn about how they continue to make their living from the sea. Stop at the Eldheimar Museum and learn about the volcanic eruption that struck the island on January 23, 1973. View the exhibits that showcase the events that took place and hear the story of how the local townspeople rebuilt their community. After your tour return to your awaiting ship.

Djúpivogur, Iceland
Djúpivogur lies on Iceland’s east coast and has been a trading center since the 16th century. The town is presided over by the towering Búlandstindur; a mountain famed in local folklore for its ability to grant wishes during the summer solstice. Dotted around the town, several cultural sights can be explored, including The Tank and the Eggs of Merry Bay. Residents here favor embracing a slower pace of life. The town has adopted the cultural trend known as “Cittaslow” which is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable living, improving the quality of life for its residents.

Shore Excursions – Cultural Sights of Djúpivogur
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Explore the cultural sights of Djúpivogur and its local displays of art. See the famous Eggs of Merry Bay, a set of sculptures that showcase the eggs of 34 bird species that nest along the coastlines of Iceland. Continue your stroll to The Tank, a disused storage facility that once held locally produced fish liver oil. Now, it is a celebrated cultural venue that supports local musicians and artists, and boasts unique acoustic features—step inside the tank and exercise your vocal cords to see for yourself. Pass one of the town’s art galleries, Bones, Sticks and Stones, where collections of stones and minerals are used to create wonderful handicrafts. You will also walk past Langabúð; now the town’s heritage museum, it is the oldest building in the village, built in 1790. After your tour, return to your awaiting ship.

Seydisfjördur, Iceland
Seydisfjördur enjoys a mountainous setting at the end of a fjord. It traces its origins to the early days of Viking settlements. Though the town is tiny, it boasts an impressive history. It hosted the world’s first modern whaling station and pioneered international communications when it welcomed the first telegraph cable, linking Iceland to Europe. Colorful wooden homes line the streets, overseen by starkly picturesque slopes and the soaring summits of Mounts Bjólfur and Strandartindur.

Shore Excursions – Seydisfjördur on Foot & Viking Festival
Duration: 2 hours
Venture out on foot during a stroll around picturesque Seydisfjördur and enjoy the Viking Festival. Meet your knowledgeable guide at the pier where you will set out for a leisurely walk. Stroll amid colorful streets and view the striking Blue Church as your guide explains more about the town’s culture. Brimming with creativity and rich in history, the town boasts a flourishing arts scene. Gain insight during a visit to the Herðubreið Community Center, where you will enjoy a musical performance of traditional Icelandic songs. You will also admire art exhibits showcasing works by local artists; various display pieces are available to for you to purchase, should you wish. Cap your tour with a tasting of typical Icelandic cuisine, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Akureyri, Iceland
Nicknamed the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri is set at the end of the Eyjafjördur and enjoys a mild climate, unusual for a northern city just 62 miles from the Arctic Circle. Folk culture is robust in Akureyri; the Vefarinn dance was invented here to celebrate the harvest. Other points of pride include the Public Park and Botanic Garden, where some 2,000 plant species grow, and the hilltop Akureyrarkirkja, the local church that is home to a stained glass window that originated in a church in London, England, prior to World War II.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Akureyri
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Enjoy the fjord setting and alpine backdrop of Akureyri, one of the most attractive Icelandic towns. You will be welcomed at the dock by your knowledgeable local guide to Iceland’s undisputed “Capital of the North.” Influences of its Danish trading past prevail, evident in the many contrasts in the town’s varied architecture. Pass by Akureyri Church; one of the town’s proud symbols, which houses many interesting artifacts including a stained glass window above the altar that was part of a set originating in England before being brought to Akureyri for safekeeping during World War II. Explore the historic midtown area and continue to Akureyri’s Public Park and Botanic Garden; the excellent botanical garden was opened within the park’s grounds in 1957. Two thousand species of local and foreign flowers grow here thanks to Akureyri’s warm microclimate.

ĺsafjördur, Iceland
ĺsafjördur was founded in the 9th century by the Viking Helgi Magri Hrólfsson. Foreign merchants arrived in the 16th century and set up trading posts here. Today, ĺsafjördur is home to one of the largest fisheries in Iceland and, despite its remote locale, boasts a cultural scene rich in music and drama. The oldest house in Iceland is here, built in 1734, as is the country’s largest concentration of old timber-frame homes. Many visitors explore farther afield, delving into the surrounding wilderness of Hornstrandir or discover the fishing heritage of charming coastal towns.

Shore Excursions – Ísafjördur & Bolungarvík Village
Duration: 2 hours
Discover the wild beauty of Iceland’s northwest corner, and the culture and history of the region’s small towns. Embark on a scenic drive around Ísafjördur, the principal town of the Westfjords peninsula. Surrounded by mountains that offer endless opportunities to enjoy nature and wilderness during all seasons of the year, the town is also known throughout the country for its rich cultural life. The fishing industry, however, has traditionally been the mainstay of the town and surrounding municipality, known as Ísafjardarbaer. Visit the Ósvör Maritime Museum, a fascinating replica of an old fishing outpost that offers a glimpse of how life treated the Icelandic fishermen until the beginning of the 20th century. Continue to Bolungarvík and enjoy a guided tour of the village before returning to Ísafjördur.

Shore Excursions – Ísafjördur & the Önundafjördur
Duration: 2 hours
Visit the coastal village of Flateyri and view the golden sands and dunes of Holt Beach. Meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive along the picturesque Önundafjördur. Arrive at Holt Beach and pause for photos of the sweeping bay, with its remote beach, tranquil waters and mountains that form a protective circle around the fjord. The grassland area is a breeding ground for eider ducks, who nest here during the early summer months. Visit the village of Flateyri and take a stroll around its harbor. This small town has a long history dating back to the 9th century; it was once a major fishing and trading center, and many of the historic buildings here reflect this legacy. En route back to your ship, you will stop at a viewing point for photos of the beautiful vistas over the fjord.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Nanortalik, Greenland
Nanortalik is nestled on an island near the mouth of a fjord on the southwestern shores of Greenland. It was established in 1770, though a small group of Vikings led by Erik the Red first arrived in the 10th century and called it “Grœnland,” or Greenland, in hopes of attracting more settlers. Today, the Inuit people dominate this austere and picturesque landscape and hold fast to their long Inuit traditions by fishing for crab, hunting hooded seals and welcoming visitors with a festive kaffe–mik, a coffee party with plenty of their famed Greenlandic cake.

Shore Excursions – Nanortalik & Its Fascinating Museum
Duration: 2 hours
Experience the tranquil setting of Nanortalik at your leisure, and visit the open air Nanortalik Museum. You will disembark amid starkly beautiful vistas, a treeless landscape near the mouth of the Tasermiut Fjord overlooked by the dramatic contours of towering peaks. Stroll through the charming streets at your own pace and step inside the quaint wooden Nanortalik Church for a choir performance that captures the warmth and spirit of the local community. In the old colonial port, visit the open air Nanortalik Museum, one of the most interesting museums in Greenland. As you walk among old trade buildings on the harbor, observe the simplicity of life in the Danish colony that thrived here during the 19th and 20th centuries. You will also enjoy tales of exploration and a performance of traditional drum dancing, that brings Inuit heritage to life.

Qaqortoq, Greenland
Qaqortoq is a repository of Viking, Inuit and Danish history. Greenland’s largest and best-preserved Viking settlement lies 12 miles out of town at Hvalsey, established by Erik the Red’s uncle in the 10th century. The Inuit soon followed, and left behind many artifacts from their early days. The Danish colonial era, too, is finely reflected in historic buildings, including an 1804 blacksmith’s shop and the harborside 1797 black tar log building. Qaqortoq lends itself to leisurely strolls and its spectacular setting attracts outdoor enthusiasts.

Shore Excursions – Qaqortoq On Your Own
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Explore the history, culture and lifestyle of coastal Greenland during a self-guided walking tour. Map in hand, you will explore this tiny town, meeting local guides at various points. From your ship, walk to the Old Church, or “Annaasisup Oqaluffia,” built in 1832. Inside, admire paintings from the mid-19th-century. Pause by the town’s fountain, where a local guide will share insight on lnuit culture as you stroll past recreations of the stone-and-peat houses. Reach your next guide by the “Stone and Man” sculptures; around 30 are dotted around the town, each carved by local artists. At the community hall, learn about Norse history and modern Greenland’s evolution. Two museums will offer the opportunity to delve deeper into this fascinating region and its heritage: the Qaqortoq Museum and the Viking Museum. Visit both at your leisure, before returning to your ship.

Sail the Labrador Sea
Follow in the footsteps of intrepid Viking Leif Eriksson who famously crossed this stretch of water to become the first European to land on North American shores. As you sail, explore our well-curated Library, tucked in a private alcove of the Living Room, and select from a broad range of titles. Read a book by the Main Pool, a calming oasis in any weather with its retractable roof, allowing for year-round swimming.

L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
L’Anse aux Meadows is the site of the first Norse settlement in the Americas. Leif Eriksson’s voyage from Greenland in the late 10th century predated Columbus by 500 years. Proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the ancient village Eriksson founded provides fascinating insight into the day-to-day lives of Vikings. Each of its dwellings was constructed of a wood frame covered in sod. The site was uncovered in 1960, when a village local pointed out a series of mounds in the earth that he and his neighbors had always believed to be an ancient Native American camp.

Shore Excursions – Viking Experience
Duration: 3 hours
Visit the remarkable ancient settlement founded by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago. Here, at L’Anse aux Meadows, Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, was the first European to set foot on American soil. The Viking originally called his discovery “Vinland,” which many believe translates from Old Norse into “land of meadows.” Enjoy a self-guided visit of this finely restored village, gaining immeasurable insight into what life was like for the continent’s first Norse explorers. Park’s Canada representatives will be located throughout the site to answer your questions as you view sod houses, constructed of soil packed over wooden frames, and see evidence of carpentry and ironsmith workshops. En route back to your ship, stop to visit the recreated Viking village of Norstead to learn more about life in these northern reaches one millennium ago.

Sail the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Follow in the footsteps of 10th-century Vikings and sail the vast Gulf of St. Lawrence, an outlet for the North American Great Lakes into the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway. As you sail today, attend an informative lecture or watch a film in our state-of-the-art theater. A range of insightful TED Talks and destination-inspired seminars are offered daily.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Halifax exudes a fine European air and lies along the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors by sea are greeted by the 1758 Sambro Island Lighthouse, the oldest surviving beacon in North America. In the harborside Historic Properties district, grand and charming stone buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries grace the cobblestone streets. The city grew up around Citadel Hill, where Fort George protected the harbor. The fortress, along with the adjacent stately Halifax Town Clock, has been gloriously restored and preserved.

Shore Excursions – Sightseeing Hop-On/Hop-Off by Double-Decker
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
See historic treasures of Halifax on a hop-on/hop-off tour that lets you explore the sights that most interest you. You will meet one of the city’s distinctive double-decker tour buses at our berth. Its 11-mile loop takes you around the city, alighting your bus as you please to explore sites like the Halifax Hydrostone, Public Gardens, St. Mary’s Basilica, and Spring Garden Road. You might also peruse the excellent exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, or stop at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery to learn about the final resting place of more than 100 victims of the RMS Titanic. Tours make their rounds every 15 to 30 minutes, giving you time to linger at whatever sites you would like. Along the way, you will learn about Halifax’s fascinating history and culture from onboard local guides. Admission cost to the city’s various venues is not included.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed “there be dragons” beyond the ocean’s horizon. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

New York City, New York, United States
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.