Today, enjoy some free time before transferring to the port to board the ship. This afternoon, as you embark on your journey, be sure to have your camera ready on deck—the coastal waters here provide superb opportunities to spot bottlenose and white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and minke whales.

The U.K.’s most remote inhabited island, the extraordinary Fair Isle, is situated midway between the Shetland and Orkney Islands. With its rugged beauty, Fair Isle features a diverse landscape of fields and moors dominated by seaside cliffs, along with an impressive number of sea stacks, natural arches, and caves.

Despite its small size, the island offers activities for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and photography aficionados. Visit the museum to explore local artifacts, photos, knitwear, and other historic memorabilia.

In terms of wildlife, orcas are native to the waters around Fair Isle and sometimes approach in pursuit of seals. However, the island is best known for its coastal cliffs teeming with seabirds in spring and summer. The star attraction is the Atlantic puffin, a clown-like bird that nests in burrows on the grassy flat tops of the island’s cliffs. Photographers will delight in capturing their amusing expressions, and Fair Isle’s easily accessible grassy banks make it one of the best places in the Shetlands (if not the entire Scottish Isles) to observe these colourful creatures. Northern fulmars, kittiwakes, storm petrels, razorbills, and guillemots can also be seen soaring over the open waters.

Visitors to this community of crofters, artisans, and artists may have the opportunity to pick up a traditional Fair Isle sweater to keep warm during the remainder of the Arctic voyage.

Known for its stunning, untouched landscape, with lush pastures leading to rugged, steep cliffs, the Faroe Islands have a rich history, though the details of the archipelago’s early days remain mysterious. The first settlers may have been seventh-century Irish monks seeking solitude on these remote islands. Their isolation ended in 800 AD with the arrival of Norse farmers, and Norwegian colonisation continued throughout the Viking Age. Today, many inhabitants of the Faroe Islands, now a self-governing country within the Kingdom of Denmark, are descendants of Norwegian Vikings and speak Faroese, a language derived from Old Norse.

There will be two days to explore this seldom-visited archipelago, composed of 18 rugged islands situated about halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The mighty North Atlantic is ever-present, with no place on the Faroe Islands farther than 3 miles (5 km) from its shores. The sea has always dominated life on the Faroes, as much today as throughout history: rich fisheries, breathtaking ocean views, and thriving seabird colonies make up this rare Nordic gem, often referred to as Europe’s best-kept secret.

One day will be spent exploring the outer islands of the archipelago, separated by narrow sounds and fjords, and enjoying their surreal landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and rock formations. Green valleys enclosed by steep mountains protect picturesque villages with colourful turf-topped homes. Wind, weather, and sea conditions will influence and shape activity options, but marine and bird life, especially the iconic Atlantic puffin, will always be in sight.

The second day in the Faroes will be dedicated to the capital city of Tórshavn, where the Vikings established their government in 825 AD. One of the world’s smallest capitals, the charming Tórshavn offers a relaxed vibe and a variety of historical and cultural sites. Wander through the maze of narrow lanes in the Old Town, admiring the quaint wooden houses with traditional sod roofs and white-paned windows. For those seeking more action, a hike to historic Kirkjubøur not only unlocks some of the country’s best medieval history but also rewards with sweeping views over the southern islands of Koltur, Hestur, and Sandur. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the charming harbor, filled with cafés, pubs, and old warehouses, and simply gaze out at the sea while sipping a latte.

Bid farewell to the Faroes as the journey continues towards Jan Mayen, the world’s northernmost volcanic island. While at sea, there are numerous activities to keep you entertained. Learn to identify seabirds gliding alongside the ship, attend engaging presentations by the Expedition Team, relax in the polar library, or simply spend time on deck admiring the ocean views. With binoculars and camera in hand, stay alert for the blow of humpback, blue, or fin whales. Encounters with minke whales or orcas are also possible, as their curiosity often brings them close to the ship. If fortune smiles upon you, harp seals might even make an appearance.

North of the Arctic Circle, about 450 km, east of Greenland and 550 km north of Iceland, the enigmatic Jan Mayen rises from the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean. Often enveloped in thick fog, this small mountainous island was declared a nature reserve in 2010 and is rarely visited, except by the 18 rotating personnel of the Norwegian military and Norwegian Meteorological Institute, who are the only year-long inhabitants, with additional personnel in the summer.

Landing here will depend on the weather and sea conditions. If conditions allow, as the approach begins, keep watch on deck as the spoon-shaped island’s highest summit comes into view. At 2,277 meters, the breathtaking Beerenberg volcano features a symmetrical cone shape and impressive glaciers that spill into the sea. During the summer months, the island’s lower landscape is covered with grass, moss, and a scattering of hardy flowers that add a burst of colour to the otherwise barren black lava terrain.

One site hoped to be visited is Olonkinbyen and the surrounding area. Named after Russian-Norwegian polar explorer Gennady Olonkin, it’s the island’s only settlement and the location of the meteorological station. Here, there may be a chance to learn about polar research and see how weather is monitored at the top of the world. Another option might be the black sand beach at Kvalrossbukta, where remnants of a 17th-century Dutch whaling station and a large northern fulmar colony can be found. In 1632, two Basque ships landed at the small bay and plundered the station. A Dutch party was sent here the following year to protect the land stations during winter, but all seven men perished from scurvy. Whaling in the area came to an end about 20 years later.

If conditions permit, viewing the volcano and the stratified cliffs of the spectacular north coast while Zodiac cruising around the island is possible, searching for wildlife. Designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the large numbers of breeding seabirds, Jan Mayen supports colonies of northern fulmars, little auks, glaucous gulls, kittiwakes, and black and Brünnich’s guillemots (thick-billed murres). With some luck, the “sea parrots,” the Atlantic puffins, may be seen again. The waters here are rich feeding grounds for marine life, so keep a lookout for minke, fin, blue, or humpback whales.

Sail farther north, spending some time with your shipmates in the lounge, swapping stories and photos, or take the opportunity to learn about the area with your knowledgeable Expedition Team.

Rugged, wild, and within the Arctic Circle, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago is truly unforgettable. From immense glaciers to lush tundra to polar deserts, the landscape here is as varied as the wildlife.

As the exploration of the fjords in the southwestern corner of this magical island begins, it will quickly become evident why Spitsbergen is known as the “wildlife capital of the Arctic.” Some areas hoped to be visited include Hornsund and Bellsund fjords, as well as the Hornbreen Glacier.

The possible landing sites at Hornsund, the island’s southernmost fjord, have rich histories. A visit to Isbjornhamna, a bay at the entrance of the fjord, is anticipated, where colonies of delightful little auks can be explored. Svalbard reindeer may also be spotted, and a hike to a viewpoint for views of calving glaciers is possible.

A 20 km long sound, Bellsund once lured miners a century ago to its natural resources. Today, visitors come to Bourbonhamna and Calypsobyen to see historic mining and trapper sites and marvel at the magnificent vistas. Hiking along the colourful tundra, dotted with flowers bursting for a taste of sunshine, and discovering old whale bones may also be possible.