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From majestic glaciers and icebergs floating in deep-blue water to the island’s unique indigenous wildlife, the natural wonders of Greenland are the stars of this soft adventure voyage. Whales and seals often accompany the OCEAN DIAMOND, while musk ox graze ashore.
Duration: 12 Days
Welcome to Greenland!
Board a flight from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq and prepare to board the OCEAN DIAMOND, where embarkation is conducted via our Zodiac boats. The ship departs in the evening.
With approx. 5,600 inhabitants, Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland. It is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. The fishing industry still plays an important role. The natural harbor remains ice-free throughout the year which made it an attractive location for European whalers in former times.
In the morning we visit the beautiful Eqip Glacier. Our next stop is Ilulissat, which means “iceberg” in Greenlandic. And with good reason, as the town is located at the mouth of the iceberg-filled Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Delight in the thunderous spectacle when icebergs break off from Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and plunge into the fjord. In the evening we visit the beautiful Eqip Glacier.
Uummannaq is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greenland. Located on a small island about 300 miles (483 km) north of the Arctic Circle, this tiny, picturesque village lies at the foot of a heartshaped mountain.
The small settlement of Qeqertarsuaq is located on the south coast of Disko Island. In 1773 the first whaling base was founded there. Whaling has been of great importance to the town over the past two centuries.
Nuuk is the capital of Greenland and its oldest town. Founded in 1728 by Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, the city combines Arctic traditions and European urbanity. With around 16,000 inhabitants, Nuuk is considered a modern, bustling metropolis compared to the rest of Greenland. Visit the city sights on a walking tour that ends at the National Museum, which exhibits the famous mummies of Qilakitsoq.
Today we visit Ikka Fjord. The underwater world is like no other, it contains a forest of remarkable mineral columns growing on the seabed. The columns formed over 10,000 years ago of the extremely rare mineral Ikait.
In the evening we reach the small settlement of Qassiarsuk to anchor for the night. Qassiarsuk was founded by notorious Viking Erik the Red who named this area “green land” because of the inviting green valleys around Qassiarsuk. During our stop here you can learn about the lives of the island’s early Norse settlers and visit a reconstructed Viking longhouse and small turf church.
When conditions are favorable, we travel along the 70-mile (112-km) Prins Christian Sound. In this narrow, often ice-choked channel, we come so close to icebergs you can almost reach out and touch them.
Today we sail across the Denmark Strait towards Iceland. This route was used by Norse settlers travelling to Greenland around 900 years ago.
Located off Iceland’s south coast, the Westman Islands were formed by submarine volcanic eruptions around 10,000 years ago. Surtsey Island emerged from the sea in 1963 and is one the youngest land masses on earth. We go ashore on Heimaey, the only inhabited island, where half-buried houses remain from a violent 1973 eruption.
After breakfast we bid farewell to the OCEAN DIAMOND as we sail back into Reykjavik. You can also simply hang out in Reykjavik, a perfect city for those who want to refresh their spirit in a place that combines invigorating outdoor activities, great food and world-class entertainment. More post-cruise programs can be found here.
| Dates | Cabin | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Aug 2019 - 31 Aug 2019 | $3855 USD | ||
| 20 Aug 2020 - 31 Aug 2020 | $3164 USD | Save 20% off 2020 departures | |
Deck 3, approx. 205sqft/19sqm, double bed or two twin beds, additional sofa bed, private bathroom with shower, television, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, hairdryer, satellite phone access and two porthole windows.
Deck 3, approx. 205sqft/19sqm, double bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, television, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, hairdryer, satellite phone access and a porthole window.
Deck 5 & 6, approx. 205sqft/19sqm, double bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, television, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, hairdryer, satellite phone access and a picture window with obstructed view.
Deck 4, 5 & 6, approx. 205sqft/19sqm, double bed or two twin beds, private bathroom with shower, television, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, hairdryer, satellite phone access and a picture window.
Deck 4, approx. 398sqft/37sqm, double or twin beds, two convertible sofa beds, private bathrooms with shower, sitting area, television, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, hairdryer, satellite telephone access and large picture windows.
Deck 7, approx. 323sqft/30sqm, double or twin beds, private bathroom with shower, sitting area with TV, wardrobe, refrigerator, individual temperature controls, hairdryer, satellite telephone access, floor-to-ceiling window and sliding glass door to private balcony.
