Reykjavik, founded by Viking settler Ingolfur Arnarson around 870 C.E., marks Iceland's first permanent settlement. By 1703, a census recorded Reykjavik as a small community of 69 residents, consisting mainly of a farm and a church. In the heart of the city, the statue of Leif Erikson proudly honors Iceland's Viking roots. "Reykjavik" translates to "smoky bay," inspired by the geothermal steam that rises from the surrounding landscape.

Nestled in the heart of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the picturesque fishing village of Grundarfjordur offers convenient access to nearby attractions like Stykkisholmur, Snaefellsbaer, and the stunning Snaefellsnes National Park. Its most iconic feature is Mt. Kirkjufell, or “church mountain,” a striking, often-photographed peak. In summer, the town hosts a Viking Village in its center, bringing Icelandic history to life with frequent re-enactments. Every July, during the A godri stund town festival, the 900 residents decorate their homes in vibrant shades of red, blue, yellow, and green, creating a lively, kaleidoscopic display.

Included Snaefellsnes National Park Experience

Discover Iceland’s only coastal national park, where immense natural beauty awaits. Begin at Djupalonssandur’s striking black sand beach, then head to Malarrif Visitor Center with its unique rocket-shaped lighthouse and walk the cliffs to Londrangar’s towering rock pillars. At Arnarstapi, enjoy a scenic path with fascinating rock formations and vibrant birdlife. After lunch at a local restaurant, relax on a panoramic drive back to the pier.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

The remote island of Flatey is located in Breidafjordur Bay in the northwestern part of Iceland. "Flat Island" is 2 km long and 1 km wide, with only one road through the quaint little old village. Sheep and seabirds are the most numerous inhabitants, including large numbers of Atlantic puffins and Arctic terns. The island is a bird-watching paradise, and it has over 30 species during the breeding season.

Welcome to the Westfjords, a secluded and untamed region of Iceland, as you set course for Arnafjordur, a sprawling fjord that meanders in myriad directions.

A jewel in the crown of this fjord is the magnificent Dynjandi Waterfall, also known as Fjallfoss. This natural spectacle cascades down a mountain for approximately 100 meters (about 300 feet), its silhouette from afar resembling a bridal veil. Dynjandi, along with the grasslands at its base, forms a vital habitat for various seabirds and ducks, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.

Included Expedition:

Zodiac Landing: Join your expert Expedition Team for an exciting visit to the foot of the awe-inspiring Dynjandi Waterfall. Watch for common eiders and their chicks nestled in the kelp beds along the shoreline as you land. Arctic terns have made their homes near the waterfall's base, their elegant white figures a sight to behold against the backdrop of the falls. Embark on a journey up the falls, traversing as many levels as you desire. Prepare to be enveloped by mist and spray as you ascend - after all, Dynjandi translates to 'thunderous.'

Siglufjordur is the northernmost town on the Icelandic mainland, a small fishing village of 1,200 people. Founded in 1918, it was the capital of the North Atlantic herring fishing industry in the past. The Sildarminjasafnid Herring Era Museum, one of Iceland's largest seafaring and industrial museums, houses three different areas where one can learn about both the traditional and the modern herring industry. A collection of many historic fishing vessels and artifacts is proudly displayed by the people of Siglufjordur, detailing how herring was salted, processed, and collected. The small harbor, with its colorful fishing boats and the red-roofed steeple of the Lutheran church, dominates the village scene.

Included Herring Heyday of Siglufjordur Experience

Explore Siglufjordur's Herring Era Museum, where the town's fishing legacy comes to life. Walk with your guide to the museum, enjoy the Herring Salting Show, and sample local herring with rye bread and Icelandic schnapps before returning to the ship.

Included Hvanneyrarskal Valley Hike Experience

Enjoy a hike up to the charming Hvanneyrarskal Valley, where you come across wonderful views into town and across the fjord. The guide will discuss the town's history, fascinating flora and fauna, the purpose of the snjoflodagardur, and other interesting subjects. The guide will meet the group at the harbor and return the group to the harbor.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

The small Icelandic island of Grimsey is the most northerly inhabited part of Iceland, sitting right under the Arctic Circle. There is a monument where the Arctic Circle was a few years ago, and due to Earth's oscillations, the Polar Circle now lies further north.

The quaint Icelandic island of Grimsey is the northernmost inhabited part of Iceland. A few years ago, the Arctic Circle was marked by a monument on the island, but due to Earth's oscillations, it now lies further north. This small island is home to a close-knit community and hosts bustling colonies of seabirds.

Included Expedition:

Zodiac Landing, Exploration Ashore, and Bird Cliffs
Embark on a Zodiac to make landfall at Grimsey. Set out on foot from the small boat harbor or hop on a local bus to journey towards an Arctic Circle monument. Beyond that lie rocky cliffs that serve as a haven for myriad seabirds. This spot provides an exceptional opportunity to observe and photograph Atlantic puffins as they return to their burrows with small sand lance fish.

Husavik curls around the semi-circular Skjalfardi Bay on Iceland’s northern coast. It was the first Norse settlement in Iceland, founded in 870 A.D. The name means ‘bay of houses,’ no doubt referring to the first farmstead on the island. The town’s skyline is dominated by the tall steeple of its picturesque, gingerbread-style church, built in 1907. Tourism has become increasingly important, and the bay has a well-deserved reputation for terrific whale-watching as several species frequent its waters. The Whale Museum capitalizes on that aspect. Other museums tout the history, including some ancient boats, and the history of human exploration, including a monument to astronauts. Nearby natural features include the horseshoe-shaped canyon Asbyrgi and several waterfalls.

Included Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Experience

Head south from Husavik through northern Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, sculpted by ice and fire. Stop at the impressive Godafoss waterfall, where glacial waters plunge over a crescent-shaped cliff. Continue to Dimmuborgir, a striking lava field with rock formations, and finally visit Namaskard’s geothermal field, where hot springs and bubbling mud pools create a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere. Enjoy scenic views on the return journey to Husavik.

Included Asbyrgi Canyon Hike Experience

Departing from Husavik, journey through the Tjornes peninsula’s stunning cliffs and hills to reach the remarkable Asbyrgi canyon in Vatnajokull National Park. Begin your hike at Eyjan, a central basalt rock with panoramic views, then continue deeper into the canyon to the serene Botnstjorn Lake, encircled by lush vegetation and cliffside bird nests. After exploring this peaceful haven, return to Husavik by coach.

Included Entrance Ticket- Whale Museum- Independent Experience

Just steps from the harbor, the Husavik Whale Museum offers engaging exhibits on whale ecology and human interactions, featuring 11 full-sized skeletons, including a narwhal and blue whale. This ticket grants self-guided access to the museum’s exhibits and a documentary screening at your own pace. Maps are provided for easy navigation.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

Papey, Celtic for ‘Friar’s’ Island, is 5 kilometers (3 miles) off of the eastern coast of Iceland. Although the largest island in Eastern Iceland, it is only 2 square kilometers (0.77 sq mi) in area. Its windswept, grassy slopes rise to 58 meters (190’), culminating in a rock formation called the Castle. Rocky sea cliffs surround much of the island, providing excellent habitat for nesting sea birds. Guillemots occupy Papey until mid-summer, while Atlantic puffins abound until mid-September. Seals and eider ducks can be found here during breeding season.

Unfathomably beautiful and mysteriously tucked away, Torshavn is a quaint and pleasant town. Serving as the gateway to the Faroe archipelago, it has been called ‘Europe’s best-kept secret.’  The 18 jagged, volcanic Faroe Islands are an idyllic escape, peacefully furnished with lush green valleys, imposing basalt cliffs, grand treeless moorlands, and waterfalls plunging directly into the wind-crested ocean. Norse settlers established their parliament here in AD 850, ensuring Torshavn as the capital of the Faroe Islands. By the outbreak of WW1, the cod fishing grounds off the coast of Iceland saw regular visits by Faroese fishermen.

The National Museum of the Faroe Islands, The Nordic House, and the old grass-roofed buildings of Tinganes comprise the attractive, historic center of town. Explore the elegantly simple Torshavn Cathedral, built in 1788, painted white, and roofed with slate. Nearby, one can also discover the small fortification of Skansin, built in 1540 to defend Torshavn against marauding pirates.

Suduroy, with its quaint villages and serene fjords, exudes a tranquil charm that invites exploration. The island’s landscape is a patchwork of lush green valleys and striking mountain peaks sculpted by millennia of geological forces. The charming villages of Tvoroyri and Sumba offer an allure for the curious traveler, offering opportunities to explore traditional Faroese architecture and sample fresh Faroese cuisine.

The Isle of Noss is a small gem of an island offering one of the most spectacular wildlife sights in the world. Its striking landscape provides the perfect environment supporting a colossal number of birds. Its grass-topped, vertical cliffs, some 500' (152 m) high, plunge straight into the sea.

Lerwick, Britain's most northerly town, is a small, bustling, cosmopolitan seaport with over 7,000 people and fine architecture. Shetland Museum, located on Hay's Dock, is an award-winning attraction. Discover the island's many secrets through its exhibits, and look in the boat shed, where you can see demonstrations of traditional boat building. Also of interest is the stone-walled town hall, built in 1884, displaying an impressive array of beautifully intricate stained glass. Towering St. Magnus Cathedral, constructed in 1863, is likewise well worth a visit.

Included Lerwick & the Up Helly Aa Experience

Step back in time with a guided walking tour through Lerwick's history, from merchant trading to Viking tales. Starting at Victoria Pier, see historic landmarks like the Old Tolbooth, Lodberries, Market Cross, and Fort Charlotte, with views across Bressay Sound. Visit the Up Helly Aa Exhibition to look at this unique Viking-inspired festival, then explore Shetland Museum's extensive collections on local heritage. Conclude with a scenic stroll along the Esplanade back to your ship.

Included Jarlshof & Southern Shores Experience

Begin your journey south through Lerwick to Shetland's southernmost point, pausing to view the impressive Mousa Broch and glimpse St Ninian's Isle. Continue to the archaeological site of Jarlshof, where you can explore ancient stone structures dating back 5,000 years. Return to Lerwick, enjoying insights from your guide and keeping an eye out for Shetland's famous ponies along the way.

Included Western Shetland & Shetland Ponies Experience

Your tour begins in Lerwick's charming fishing port, then heads west to the scenic village of Hamnavoe, where a local fisherman will discuss Shetland's fishing industry and its impact. Traveling north, pass through Tingwall Valley and meet Shetland Ponies, learning about their unique traits from breeder Carol and her family. Next, visit the Shetland Jewelry workshop to see handcrafted designs and pick up a piece to take home. Enjoy your guide's insights into Shetland's culture and history as you return to Lerwick.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

This tiny island, set off Scotland's southeast coast, is dominated by its eponymous broch, one of the country's best-preserved prehistoric monuments. A unique Scottish phenomenon, brochs or fortified round towers represent the apex of Iron Age dry-stone wall construction. Hundreds of these windowless towers once peppered northwest Scotland; of those that remain, the Mousa broch stands as the finest and most famous, mentioned twice in Norse sagas. Built around 300 BC and boasting 16-foot-thick walls, the 43-foot-high broch offers commanding views across Mousa Sound. Today, the island is uninhabited – except for some 12,000 pairs of breeding storm petrels, one of the United Kingdom's largest colonies. (Many nest inside the broch.) It also offers a refuge for great skuas, Arctic terns, black guillemots, other seabirds, seals, and otters.

Fair Isle is a haven for bird enthusiasts and lovers of traditional knitwear. Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, this tiny island is home to a close-knit community of about 70 people. The landscape is etched with remnants of ancient stone houses, turf, and stone walls, revealing evidence of Neolithic settlements dating back to 5,000 years.

Included Shore Excursion on Expedition Voyages

Visit to the Community of Fair Isle
Embark on an adventure with your Expedition Team as you Zodiac ashore to explore Fair Isle's unique community. Discover the skillful Fair Isle knitwork at the Community Centre, meet the friendly locals, and immerse yourself in the vibrant bird cliffs teeming with nesting gannets, guillemots, and puffins.

*Experiences subject to change

Included Fair Isle Experience

Situated approximately halfway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is known for the intricate and distinctive knitting patterns that originated here. It is also home to over 200 flowering plants and has abundant wildlife, with over 345 bird species recorded on Fair Isle – more than anywhere else in Britain. During your visit, be welcomed by islanders. You can have the opportunity to visit the museum, have tea, and do home baking with the islanders in the community hall.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

The Orkney Archipelago, a collection of stark, treeless islands off Scotland's northern coast, is steeped in history dating back over 5,000 years. Here, you can find Europe's densest concentration of ancient Neolithic sites and rugged coastlines framed by towering cliffs of Old Red Sandstone from the Devonian period.

Included Ring of Brodgar & Skara Brae Experience

Journey through a landscape of rich farmland, rolling hills, and moorland to explore the heart of Neolithic Orkney. Marvel at the ceremonial Standing Stones of Stenness and visit the eerily beautiful Ring of Brodgar on a windswept plain. Discover Skara Brae, Orkney's most exciting Neolithic village and the best-preserved of its kind in Northern Europe. This 5,000-year-old settlement was buried under sand until a storm in 1850 revealed its secrets.

Included Ring of Brodgar & Stromness Town Experience

Head into Mainland, Orkney's largest island, passing through the Neolithic Heartland of Orkney. Stop at the Ring of Brodgar, a massive ceremonial circle of stones dating back nearly 5,000 years. Continue to Stromness, a charming fishing village, for a guided tour along the picturesque harbor and flag-stoned high street. Your circular tour follows Scapa Flow's coastline, a famous British Naval Base in both World Wars.

Included Mull Head Hike Experience

Departing from Kirkwall, pass by St Magnus Cathedral and journey through Orkney's scenic East Mainland. Arrive at "The Gloup," a dramatic chasm formed by a collapsed sea cave, before setting off on a clifftop walking tour. Walk past "The Gloup" to the Brough of Deerness, a former clifftop settlement, and enjoy stunning views over Mull Head and nearby islands. The cliffs are a haven for birds and local flora. Conclude with a return trip to Kirkwall.

Please note: Wherever Included Experience tours are offered, guests can participate in only one included experience per call unless otherwise specified in the tour description.

Copinsay Island is one of the Scottish Orkney Islands, situated off the east coast of the Orkney Mainland. After the last residents left Copinsay Island in 1958, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds purchased the island in 1972 as a reserve in memory of the renowned naturalist James Fisher. The island reserve consists of the main island of Copinsay and the four smaller islets of Corn Holm, Ward Holm, Black Holm, and the Horse of Copinsay. The historic Copinsay Lighthouse sits atop 250' (76 m) high cliffs that extend for a mile along the coast.

Spend your days at sea, enjoying the many facilities available.

Your Seabourn Venture anchors near Greenwich Naval Observatory, on the River Thames' generous bend, southeast of London's heart. Enjoy effortless access to London and Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in maritime history and royal connections. Explore the birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I at the Palace of Placentia, now part of the Old Royal Naval College. The Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum are nearby. Along the riverfront, discover museum ships like the 19th-century Cutty Sark and the modern O2 entertainment complex, which contrasts the surrounding historical structures with its contemporary design.