Swan Hellenic has announced details of four “Northern Lights Voyages” across the Arctic aboard its ice-class vessel SH Vega.
The first of these is “Iceland, East Greenland and the Northern Lights” (August 18 to 30, 2024), a 12-night circumnavigation of Iceland that ranges inland from five destinations. Roundtrip from Reykjavik, guests will have diverse opportunities to enjoy the capital city’s attractions, including the neighboring Blue Lagoon. Highlights of the itinerary include Ísafjörður, the remote town of Ittoqqortoormiit, the vast Scoresbysund fjord network, Kong Oscar Fjord, Seyðisfjörður, the fishing village of Djupivogur, Vatnajökull National Park, and the “Puffin Island” of Heimaey. This cultural expedition cruise can be daisy-chained with SH Vega’s next voyage, “Greenland in Depth.”
The 10-night “Greenland in Depth” (August 30 to September 9, 2024) departs from Reykjavik. The expeditions start with the uninhabited coastal island of Skjoldungen and the Prince Christian Sound fjord. Guests will have opportunities for sighting bearded seals and finback, blue and minke whales. Other highlights include the Inuit fishing and hunting village of Aappilattoq, the deserted mining town of Ivittut, Nuuk, Sisimiut, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Ilulissat Icefjord and Disko Bay, and Kangerlussuaq. Once a WWII airbase at the head of the fjord, Kangerlussuaq is now a welcoming gateway to Inuit culture, with its museum and icy tundra, teeming with wildlife.
The third itinerary, “Canadian Northwest Passage and the Northern Lights” (September 9 to 25, 2024), is a 16-night cultural expedition cruise that sails roundtrip from Greenland’s Kangerlussuaq. Making its way to and through much of the Northwest Passage, the voyage first calls at Sisimiut, Ilulissat and then Qeqertarsuaq, the largest town on Disko Island. Trip highlights include the mountain views of Pond Inlet on northern Baffin Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut; Qulalukat; Dundas Harbor; Croker Bay; Radstock Bay; Beechey Island; Port Leopold; Lancaster Sound; the wildlife-rich Elwin Bay; and Fort Ross on Somerset Island. Passing through the Bellot Strait and cruising Peel Sound, the cruise reaches Coningham Bay on Prince of Wales Island. It then completes the return leg to Kangerlussuaq via the Sam Ford Fjord and the Baffin Island community of Qikiqtarjuaq.
This voyage is one of Swan Hellenic’s “Maris Culinary Discovery at Sea Series” in partnership with JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs. Michelin star chef Alexandra Müller from Switzerland will accompany guests throughout the cruise, serving a different signature dish every night.
Additionally, this cruise is also one of Swan Hellenic’s “Explore Space at Sea Series” in partnership with the SETI Institute. Astronomer Dr. Uma Gorti, an expert in star and planet formation, will accompany guests aboard and ashore throughout their cruise, giving two talks during the voyage.
The fourth of these Northern Lights cruises is the 15-night “Canadian Arctic and Northern Lights” (September 25 to October 10, 2024), which sails from Kangerlussuaq. Initially exploring from Qeqertarsuaq, Ilulissat, Disko Bay and Sisimiut, SH Vega then sails south to Nuuk before crossing the Labrador Sea to Iqaluit in the Everett Mountains of Baffin Island. Trip highlights include the uninhabited Lady Franklin Island, the Torngat Mountains National Park in Newfoundland, the Arctic outpost of Hebron and L’anse Aux Meadows with its 1,000-year-old Viking settlement, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cruise concludes in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded as a naval base in 1749, Halifax is known for its seafaring tradition and its museum with artifacts rescued from the Titanic, besides Fairview Lawn Cemetery, where many of the ship’s victims are buried.
As one of Swan Hellenic’s “Explore Space at Sea Series” in partnership with the SETI Institute, this cruise will host the institute’s CEO Bill Diamond, who will accompany guests throughout their cruise, both aboard and ashore; he will also give two talks during the voyage.
Related Stories
Alaskan Dream Cruises Introduces New Itineraries for 2025 Season
New Cruise Company Launched for Solo Female Travelers 55-Plus