Overview
Follow in the wake of intrepid explorers through Norway and Svalbard and circumnavigate Iceland as you experience nature at its most magnificent. From quaint fishing villages to snowcapped mountaintops, witness majestic landscapes, and sail to the New World to learn about Inuit traditions as you revel in the history of Viking exploration.
Viking Neptune – Our Floating Hotel for 28 nightsExpand your horizons on our award-winning, all-veranda small ship, allowing us to dock where larger ships cannot.
- Only 930 guests
- One complimentary shore excursion in each port
- Free Wi-Fi
- Beer, wine and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner
- Self service launderettes
- Specialty restaurants at no extra cost
- 24 hour specialty coffees, teas and bottled water
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom – View the interior- View the Deluxe Veranda Stateroom (DV) in our 360° Tour
- Size including private veranda: 270 sq. ft.
- 11:00 AM embarkation / 2:00 PM stateroom access
- King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows
- 42″ flat-screen, interactive LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand
- 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports
- Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks (replenished once daily); security safe; hair dryer
- Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service
- Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floor & anti-fog mirror
- Premium Freyja® toiletries; plush robes & slippers
- Purified water refilled daily
- Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping
- Spacious closet & drawers
- In-suite binoculars, coffee brewer & traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket
Sit back, relax and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere as you sail across the planet in absolute comfort.
Highlights Include- New York
- Halifax
- Newfoundland
- Prince Christian Sound
- Qaqortoq (Greenland)
- Djupivogur (Iceland)
- Reykjavik (Iceland)
- Isafjordur (Iceland)
- Longyearbyen
- Svalbard, Tromso, Geiranger, Bergen (Norway)
Itinerary
Thursday 15 May Home – New York This evening we join our direct flight to New York, arriving the same day in the evening, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Friday 16 May New York (B,D)Today, we enjoy a full day of sightseeing in New York. There is plenty to see – Times Square, Central Park, Harlem, lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Empire State building, United Nations, Central Park. We will even have time for a harbour cruise which will take us past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Saturday 17 May New York (B,D)Today is a free day to do as much or as little as you like in this melting pot of cultural activity. Maybe walk the High Line! This free attraction is a 2.33km elevated linear park, greenway and rail trail created on a former New York Railroad spur. This evening we take in a Broadway show and dinner. Sunday 18 May New York – Embark Neptune (B,D)A relaxing start to the day, before we head to the pier and embark onboard the Neptune and settle in for the next 28 days. Monday 19 May Sail the Atlantic Ocean (B,L,D)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, relax in the Explorers’ Lounge, inspired by epic journeys of discovery. Marvel at the views through the two-story panoramic windows as you share a cocktail with friends, or settle down to read a book. Tuesday 20 May Halifax, Nova Scotia (B,L,D)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. Wednesday 21 May Sail the Gulf of St Lawrence (B,L,D)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. Thursday 22 May L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada (B,L,D)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. Friday 23 May Sail the Labrador Sea (B,L,D)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. Meet fellow guests and listen to the soothing sounds of classical music in the Living Room, an ideal setting for relaxation. Enjoy a cup of coffee or sip on a refreshing cocktail. Saturday 24 May Qaqortoq, Greenland (B,L,D)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. Sunday 25 May Nanortalik, Greenland (B,L,D)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. Monday 26 May Sail the Atlantic Ocean (B,L,D)Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed “there be dragons” beyond the ocean’s horizon. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center. Tuesday 27 May Iceland (B,L,D)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. Wednesday 28 May Akureyri, Iceland (B,L,D)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 from Coventry Cathedral in England. Thursday 29 May Seydisfjördur, Iceland (B,L,D)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. Friday 30 May Djúpivogur, Iceland (B,L,D)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. Saturday 31 May Heimaey, Iceland (B,L,D)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. Sunday 01 June Reykjavík, Iceland (B,L,D)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. Monday 02 June Iceland (B,L,D)Ísafjördur, nestled at the foot of dramatic mountain slopes, is the capital and largest settlement on the Westfjords, a large peninsula in northwestern Iceland that is connected to the mainland by a wide isthmus. This rugged, unspoiled region is home to landscapes of breathtaking natural beauty, from jagged mountain peaks, to red- and gold-sand beaches, cascading waterfalls and Drangajökull, Iceland’s only expanding glacier. The Westfjords teem with birdlife; Látrabjarg, located on the peninsula’s western shores, is the site of one of Europe’s largest bird cliffs. Tuesday 03 June – Wednesday 04 June Sail the Norwegian Sea (B,L,D)Journey to what was once believed to be the “end of the world,” where sea monsters lurked and ships were lost on treacherous waters. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant. Thursday 05 June Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (B,L,D)Explore the stunning beauty of the Svalbard archipelago, hundreds of Norwegian islands halfway between Norway and the North Pole. Stunning panoramas unfold here—dramatic fjords lead into glimmering bays surrounded by massive glaciers and rugged peaks cloaked in snow. The austere tundra unfolds to an Arctic desert where polar bear, Arctic fox and reindeer roam. Many regions have been designated Important Bird Areas by BirdLife International for the countless winged creatures that breed and hunt along the coast. Its endless wonders can be explored by zodiac, kayak and land. Friday 06 June Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (B,L,D)Svalbard’s setting is marked by stunning fjords, mountain peaks and thick glaciers that have formed over millennia, while Alkhornet mountain and its looming cliffs date back more than one billion years. Wildlife flock to this stark landscape during the summer—puffins, polar guillemot and kittiwake descend en masse each year. The Svalbard Museum showcases the vast array of special plant and animal life that reside here, as well as everyday life for its human residents, from the arrival of the whalers during the 17th century to present-day miners. Saturday 07 June Sail the Barents Sea (B,L,D)Named for 16th-century Dutch navigator and polar explorer Willem Barentsz, the Barents Sea is the gateway to the Arctic from the northernmost shores of Europe and home to an astonishing diversity of marine life.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 heated pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized. Sunday 08 June Honningsvåg, Norway (B,L,D)Honningsvåg overlooks a pristine bay of the Barents Sea on Magerøya Island. This unassuming enclave grew mainly on the fishing industry, like so many in this remote region. Honningsvåg has ample charms, including a rich Sami culture and a deep love of the birdlife that lives here. But it is the surrounding beauty that draws visitors: starkly beautiful tundra dotted with mountain birch trees, distant rocky islands and rolling slopes that ascend into mountains. One of Europe’s most stunning natural sights, Nordkapp, or North Cape, rises on the island’s rugged northern coast. Monday 09 June Tromsø, Norway (B,L,D)Tromsø is Norway’s most northerly city and has long been considered the gateway to the Arctic. During the summer months, pretty wooden houses exude an air of sophistication as they bask beneath the glow of the Midnight Sun. Winter brings pristine landscapes surrounded by snowcapped peaks and the aurora borealis, whose magical lights dance across the nighttime skies. World-renowned explorers have set sail from Tromsø’s shores; Roald Amundsen, Norway’s first son and the first explorer to reach both poles, is commemorated with a bronze statue in the city. Tuesday 10 June Lofoten (Leknes), Norway (B,L,D)The Lofoten Islands stretch 118 miles into the Norwegian Sea from Norway’s coast. Ships in the archipelago’s cozy fishing harbors are dwarfed by the hulking massifs rising from the waters. The setting was ideal for Norse settlements in the early Viking Age. Cod has long been harvested from these waters as they come here to spawn. More recently, the fish have been caught from traditional rorbus, charming cottages that hover above the waters on stilts. The Lofoten Islands are beautiful any time of year, but the summertime midnight sun illuminates their magnificent glory. Wednesday 11 June Narvik, Norway (B,L,D)Narvik is situated on the innermost shores of the Ofotfjorden, within the Arctic Circle. The small town enjoys a dramatic backdrop, encircled by mountains and a glacier that spills right to the water’s edge. The town served as a port city for the early Viking settlers. Much later, the discovery of iron ore in the nearby Swedish town of Kiruna forever shaped Narvik. Kiruna needed a year-round ice-free port from which to ship its new discovery, and so a rail link was built directly to the water. Still today, Narvik is a major exporter. Thursday 12 June Scenic Sailing: Norwegian Inside Passage (B,L,D)The Norwegian Inside Passage is a protected shipping lane that runs from Norway’s capital of Oslo, down the Skagerrak coast and around the country’s southern tip. It continues north along the coastline of the Norwegian Sea, before eventually terminating in the Russian waters of Siberia. It has been used by mariners for centuries, its channels protected from the dangers of the open water by countless skerries and the rugged coastline presenting opportunities for shelter in its many natural bays and inlets. Friday 13 June Geiranger, Norway (B,L,D)Geiranger is the gateway to some of coastal Norway’s most magnificent natural treasures. Nearby, the Seven Sisters Waterfall tumbles 1,000 feet into the fjord’s water, while directly across the fjord, the Suitor Waterfall also plunges down a steep face. The overlook known as Eagle’s Bend towers 2,000 feet above the village, accessed via a winding mountain road with 11 hairpin turns. The Norwegian Fjord Center puts all this natural splendor into perspective with fascinating exhibits. Saturday 14 June Bergen, Norway (B,L,D)Bergen is home to the Hanseatic League’s only kontor (trading enclave) still in existence. Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow wooden walkways are flanked by parallel rows of small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This is perhaps the most charming district of Bergen and a delight to explore, from its tight-knit community of workshops where artisans sell their wares to its cafés where freshly prepared smørbrød, or open-faced sandwiches, are on the menu. Tonight we enjoy our last dinner together and reflect on the amazing memories we have made on tour. Sunday 15 June Bergen, Norway – Frankfurt – Singapore (B)Sadly, this morning we disembark and make our way to the airport for the journey home. We fly to Frankfurt and then join the flight through to Singapore. Monday 16 June Singapore (D)We arrive Singapore mid-afternoon and are transferred to our centrally located hotel for our overnight stay. Enjoy dinner together this evening. Tuesday 17 June Singapore – Auckland (B)Today is at leisure until it is time to transfer back to the airport to join our evening flight. A late check out has been arranged. Wednesday 18 June Arrive Auckland We arrive mid-morning.
