Day 1 — Reykjavík, Iceland

Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, inhabited by one half the country’s total population of 350,000. Board the ship late this afternoon and cruise towards the southern coast tonight. Take advantage of the summertime midnight sun to enjoy the scenery as we sail. (D)

Day 2 — Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar

Sail to Iceland’s southern coast, arriving at Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands, at midday. Heimaey serves as a summer home to millions of seabirds—puffins, fulmars, guillemots, and others—whose eggs have traditionally been an important source of food for the islanders. Observe many of these birds nesting on the cliffs that surround the harbor. Then set off on your choice of two excursions. On a tour of this rugged outpost, pass through the Herjólfsdalur Valley, dotted with ruins of Viking farmhouses; and look out at the world’s youngest island, the World Heritage site of Surtsey, formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963. Stop at the puffin nesting ground of Stórhöfði and visit the fascinating Eldheimar Museum to see the excavated remains of a house buried by a massive volcanic eruption in 1973.  (B,L,D)

Day 3 — Snaefellsnes Peninsula

The tiny village of Grundarfjördur is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Arriving by boat means you’ll get a closer view of this cone-shaped lava-stone rock, which stands like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay. Spend the day discovering the many natural wonders of the peninsula, from the black-pebble beach of Djupalonssandur to the mystical glacier Snaefellnesjökull, made famous by French writer Jules Verne in his 1864 novel, A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Pass the cliffs of Londrangar the way to the fishing village of Arnarstapi, where we’ll take a walk to view splendid multicolor lava formations and abundant birdlife. Visit Budir, set among black lava fields at the edge of a long beach, before crossing the peninsula back to Grundarfjordur. Alternatively, enjoy a whale watching excursion in search of orcas, dolphins, and humpback, minke, sperm, and pilot whales. (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Grímsey

Grímsey is Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, bisected by the Arctic Circle. From its only village, Grímseyjarhreppur, set out to explore its emerald hills, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. Despite its Arctic latitude, the weather on Grímsey is mild year round. You will see thriving populations of seabirds, especially auks. Their black and white coloring is similar to a penguin’s, but auks have the ability to fly above and dive into the Arctic waters. With luck, we’ll see puffins that come to nest on the island’s basalt cliffs from April to August. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Akureyri and Lake Myvatn

Dock in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest town, and travel across the country’s extraordinary northern landscapes to Lake Mývatn, a haven for many rare migratory birds and 14 species of duck. Then experience some of the area’s fascinating geological phenomena, including the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of bubbling mud pots, steam vents, boiling springs, and fumaroles. Walk among the surreal lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the mythic source of Icelandic folklore. After lunch in Skútustaðir, explore the town’s distinctive pseudo-craters formed when hot lava flowed over the wetlands 2,300 years ago. On the way back to Akureyri, stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall of the gods.” According to legend, this spectacular waterfall earned its name when an Icelandic chieftain threw wooden statues of Norse gods into its crashing waters, signifying his conversion to Christianity. Alternatively, choose an excursion to the thermal baths at Húsavík that includes a stop at Godafoss. Relax in the mineral-rich waters of the GeoSea SeaBaths, taking in views of mountains, fjords, and sea. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Isafjördur

Awaken in the stunning Westfjords region, a rugged peninsula that juts out of Iceland’s northwest coast. Drive along the coast to the tiny town of Bolungarvik, perched on a picturesque bay and bathed by the Isafjardardjup, the largest fjord on the Westfjords Peninsula. Visit the Osvör Maritime Museum, a cluster of old turf-and-stone fishing shacks restored in 1988. Here, examine everyday items that tell the story of the hardy community that eked out an existence catching and salting fish in this remote place. At the town’s Hólskirkja ("church on the hill"), see two grand bells meant to drive away the demons that live on the heath. Listen to traditional Icelandic folk songs performed by a local group of singers. On your return to Isafjördur, admire the 18th-century buildings of the old town, then tour the excellent Isafjördur Maritime Museum, a historic monument in itself, and enjoy a tasting of local specialties. Alternatively, ride a boat to the abandoned village of Hesteyri, a 19th-century whaling community located near the rugged landscapes of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Learn about the region’s unusual flora and fauna on a village tour, and stop at an inn for a traditional meal. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Reykjavík

Return to Reykjavík this morning and set out to see the trio of scenic wonders known as the Golden Circle. Begin at the World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park, a lava plain where the world’s oldest legislative body first convened in AD 930. Next, marvel at the “golden waterfall" of  Gullfoss, where the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two stunning cascades. Continue to Geysir, a geothermal area that gave rise to the word “geyser.” Strokkur, the most active geyser here, erupts every few minutes. After lunch, make a stop in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. End the day back in Reykjavík, admiring sweeping views of the city from the viewing deck of the glass-domed Pearl. Alternatively, set off from Reykjavík’s harbor on a whale-watching cruise in search of humpback, minke and sei whales. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Reykjavík /Return Home

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Day 1 — Reykjavík, Iceland

Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, inhabited by one half the country’s total population of 350,000. Board the ship late this afternoon and cruise towards the southern coast tonight. Take advantage of the summertime midnight sun to enjoy the scenery as we sail. (D)

Day 2 — Isafjördur

Awaken in the stunning Westfjords region, a rugged peninsula that juts out of Iceland’s northwest coast. Drive along the coast to the tiny town of Bolungarvik, perched on a picturesque bay and bathed by the Isafjardardjup, the largest fjord on the Westfjords Peninsula. Visit the Osvör Maritime Museum, a cluster of old turf-and-stone fishing shacks restored in 1988. Here, examine everyday items that tell the story of the hardy community that eked out an existence catching and salting fish in this remote place. At the town’s Hólskirkja ("church on the hill"), see two grand bells meant to drive away the demons that live on the heath. Listen to traditional Icelandic folk songs performed by a local group of singers. On your return to Isafjördur, admire the 18th-century buildings of the old town, then tour the excellent Isafjördur Maritime Museum, a historic monument in itself, and enjoy a tasting of local specialties. Alternatively, ride a boat to the abandoned village of Hesteyri, a 19th-century whaling community located near the rugged landscapes of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Learn about the region’s unusual flora and fauna on a village tour, and stop at an inn for a traditional meal. (B,L,D)

Day 3 — Grímsey

Grímsey is Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island, bisected by the Arctic Circle. From its only village, Grímseyjarhreppur, set out to explore its emerald hills, lushly carpeted with moss and grass. Despite its Arctic latitude, the weather on Grímsey is mild year round. You will see thriving populations of seabirds, especially auks. Their black and white coloring is similar to a penguin’s, but auks have the ability to fly above and dive into the Arctic waters. With luck, we’ll see puffins that come to nest on the island’s basalt cliffs from April to August. (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Akureyri and Lake Myvatn

Dock in Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest town, and travel across the country’s extraordinary northern landscapes to Lake Mývatn, a haven for many rare migratory birds and 14 species of duck. Then experience some of the area’s fascinating geological phenomena, including the geothermal field of Namaskard, full of bubbling mud pots, steam vents, boiling springs, and fumaroles. Walk among the surreal lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the mythic source of Icelandic folklore. After lunch in Skútustaðir, explore the town’s distinctive pseudo-craters formed when hot lava flowed over the wetlands 2,300 years ago. On the way back to Akureyri, stop at Godafoss, the “waterfall of the gods.” According to legend, this spectacular waterfall earned its name when an Icelandic chieftain threw wooden statues of Norse gods into its crashing waters, signifying his conversion to Christianity. Alternatively, choose an excursion to the thermal baths at Húsavík that includes a stop at Godafoss. Relax in the mineral-rich waters of the GeoSea SeaBaths, taking in views of mountains, fjords, and sea. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Snaefellsnes Peninsula

The tiny village of Grundarfjördur is located at the foot of the Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Arriving by boat means you’ll get a closer view of this cone-shaped lava-stone rock, which stands like a sentinel at the entrance to the bay. Spend the day discovering the many natural wonders of the peninsula, from the black-pebble beach of Djupalonssandur to the mystical glacier Snaefellnesjökull, made famous by French writer Jules Verne in his 1864 novel, A Journey to the Center of the Earth. Pass the cliffs of Londrangar the way to the fishing village of Arnarstapi, where we’ll take a walk to view splendid multicolor lava formations and abundant birdlife. Visit Budir, set among black lava fields at the edge of a long beach, before crossing the peninsula back to Grundarfjordur. Alternatively, enjoy a whale watching excursion in search of orcas, dolphins, and humpback, minke, sperm, and pilot whales. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar

Sail to Iceland’s southern coast, arriving at Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands, at midday. Heimaey serves as a summer home to millions of seabirds—puffins, fulmars, guillemots, and others—whose eggs have traditionally been an important source of food for the islanders. Observe many of these birds nesting on the cliffs that surround the harbor. Then set off on your choice of two excursions. On a tour of this rugged outpost, pass through the Herjólfsdalur Valley, dotted with ruins of Viking farmhouses; and look out at the world’s youngest island, the World Heritage site of Surtsey, formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963. Stop at the puffin nesting ground of Stórhöfði and visit the fascinating Eldheimar Museum to see the excavated remains of a house buried by a massive volcanic eruption in 1973. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Reykjavík

Return to Reykjavík this morning and set out to see the trio of scenic wonders known as the Golden Circle. Begin at the World Heritage site of Thingvellir National Park, a lava plain where the world’s oldest legislative body first convened in AD 930. Next, marvel at the “golden waterfall" of  Gullfoss, where the river Hvita drops 96 feet in two stunning cascades. Continue to Geysir, a geothermal area that gave rise to the word “geyser.” Strokkur, the most active geyser here, erupts every few minutes. After lunch, make a stop in Hveragerdi, where geothermal energy has been used to power an extensive greenhouse industry. End the day back in Reykjavík, admiring sweeping views of the city from the viewing deck of the glass-domed Pearl. Alternatively, set off from Reykjavík’s harbor on a whale-watching cruise in search of humpback, minke and sei whales. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Reykjavík /Return Home

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)