Iceland Cruises, Expeditions & Tours

Iceland is mostly covered by grassland. Native trees include the northern birch, aspens, rowans, willows and junipers, while other species have been introduced for reforestation. The local wildlife includes Arctic foxes, mink, mice, rats, rabbits, reindeer and polar bears that occasionally travel on sea ice down from Greenland. Livestock includes the Icelandic sheep and sheepdog, cattle, chickens, goats and the Icelandic horse. Offshore, Icelandic waters are home to humpback and minke whales, orcas, and white-beaked dolphins, while coastal cliffs host Atlantic puffins and northern gannets.

On the cruises to Svalbard and Greenland, we depart or return via Reykjavík, Iceland. Depending on your chosen cruise, you can see the following gems of the Arctic:

1. Longyearbyen, Svalbard (Norway). Choose your cruise to Svalbard and you will depart from this small Arctic town. Visit the museum, shops, cafes and restaurants and get a glimpse of how people live on the remote Arctic archipelago.
2. Spitsbergen (Norway). As the biggest island of the Svalbard archipelago, it’s a great place for wildlife viewing and scenery. Immerse yourself in landscapes with fjords, snow-capped mountains, glaciers and icebergs. Stroll through the blooming tundra and spot reindeer, Arctic foxes and polar bears.
3. Northeast Greenland National Park (Greenland). Discover the Franz Josef Fjord and Kong Oscar Fjord in one of the world’s largest national parks. Explore Scoresby Sund, the largest and longest fjord system in the world, with breathtaking views and some of the world’s best northern scenery.
4. Westfjords (Iceland). Explore the remote coastline of the Westfjords from Ísafjörður, a gateway to rugged mountains, dramatic waterfalls, and secluded landscapes. Visit Dynjandi waterfall and look for wildlife along the coast, including harbor seals and Atlantic puffins. The region also offers opportunities for whale watching in its rich coastal waters.

Our small expedition cruise ship, the Sea Spirit, is perfectly suited for cruising the Arctic. With only 114 travelers, it offers a maximum level of comfort for your adventure. As an AECO member, Poseidon Expeditions follows guidelines for Zodiac landings across the Arctic, with up to three landings per day, each lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Choose from various cabin categories and enjoy the comfortable amenities. The ship features a restaurant, bar, outdoor bistro, 24-hour coffee and tea facilities, library, lecture hall and gym.

Iceland has a population of around 400,000, with approximately two-thirds living in the greater Reykjavík area. Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier by volume, covers around 8% of Iceland and is larger than all other glaciers in Europe combined. Iceland is also famous for its geothermal cuisine. Try traditional Icelandic rye bread, baked by burying a pot in the ground near a hot spring.