Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Arrive in Troon and make your own way to the embarkation point. The Ocean Victory awaits in this quaint harbour town, overlooking the sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde. After the mandatory safety briefings, settle into your cabin and toast your departure as we set sail for the Inner Hebrides.
M/V Ocean Victory
Grade: Premium Boat
The Ocean Victory will drop anchor off the sacred Isle of Iona. It was here in 563AD that St Columba established Iona Abbey - bringing Christianity to Scotland. Still a site of pilgrimage, Iona Abbey may not be the largest, but is certainly one of Scotland's most holy and historic places. In the Afternoon, the ship will reposition to the Isle of Lunga, a natural paradise brimming with nesting puffins and other seabirds.
The capital of the Western Isles, Stornoway is the largest town on the Isle of Lewis. The Western Isles are the heartland of the Scottish Gaidhealtachd - and Stornoway is one of the few towns in Scotland where visitors can hear the Gaelic language spoken on a daily basis. However, the history of Lewis stretches back far beyond the Gaels - highlights of the islands include the spellbinding Callanish Stones - an ancient Neolithic stone circle and probable ritual site.
Britain's most remote archipelago, St Kilda, is Britain's only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for both its human and natural wonders. We drop anchor in the bay overlooking the Village - a unique settlement often compared to Macchu Picchu, entirely built from stone by the islanders who once called this island home. Windswept, rugged and difficult to farm, the locals of St Kilda left for less difficult lands in 1930, leaving the island to the vast colonies of seabirds and tiny ancient Soay sheep which were once the islanders\ main source of food.
Vagur is the largest town of Suduroy, the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. Treeless, windswept and rarely visited, the Faroe Islands were first discovered by Norse settlers around the year 750AD, although archaeological evidence hints at earlier settlement, perhaps from Scotland. Isolated from the rest of the Norse world, the Faroe Islands have retained a unique language and culture directly descended from the Ancient Norse. Although Vagur is a modern town with several well-known art galleries and workshops. The jaw-dropping clifftop vistas have remained the same since the age of Viking exploration.
The capital and largest city of the islands, Havn as it is called by locals, is the cultural and financial hub of the islands. The narrow winding streets of the city beg to be explored, and host highlights such as the National Gallery, the Torshavn Cathedral. No visit is complete without a stroll around Tinganes, the artfully preserved old town, where turf-roofed buildings lead to the old parliament house which overlooks the harbour, reminiscent of famous Nyhavn in Copenhagen.
As we cross the Norwegian Sea, join your Expedition Team either on deck to watch for the plethora of seabirds which reside in this region, or in the Lecture Lounge, to delve deeper into the history, culture and nature of your voyage. Alternately, book some pampering in our onboard spa and relax in the ship's hot tubs, as we approach the coast of Iceland.
Situated on Iceland's scenic southeast coast, Djupivogur is framed by fjords, mountains, and rich bird habitats. It is the closest port in the country to the Faroe Islands, Scandinavia, and mainland Europe, and is a popular port of call for vessels exploring the North Atlantic. Centered around the harbor, the town dates back to the 16th century and is known for its unique public art, including the Eggin i Gledivik - Eggs of Merry Bay - sculpture. Hikers and birdwatchers are spoiled for choice, with mile upon mile of nature waiting to be explored. One of Iceland's most beautiful black sand beaches is just a short stroll from town and features a huge variety of bird species.
Next, we visit Heimaey, the largest of the volcanic Westman Islands. Visitors can explore the dramatic lava fields of Eldfell volcano and the world-renowned bird colonies of the island. The residents of Heimaey were severely tested in 1973, when Eldfell volcano began to spew lava, threatening the town and its vital harbour. Heroic locals fought back, cooling the lava with seawater jets to save their community.
On the final day of your voyage, we arrive in Reykjavik, Iceland's vibrant capital. Famous for its modern Nordic culture, excellent food and relaxed atmosphere, Reykjavik is the ideal starting point for adventures deeper into the Land of Ice and Fire, or a convenient place to begin the journey home, brimming with memories of your North Atlantic adventure.
GMT+01:00
Type G (British) - Three rectangular prongs
Christianity (Anglican, Catholic)
GMT+00:00
Type E/F (European Schuko) - Two round pins + ground contacts
Christianity (Lutheran)
The M/V Ocean Victory is a stylish 175-passenger expedition ship, ideally suited for navigating the Antarctic and Sub-antarctic regions. With one of the highest Polar code 6 and Ice class 1A, the Ocean Victory is the ideal expedition vessel due to her sturdy construction and X-Bow® technology, providing high stability in rough weather and a much smoother passage when navigating the open seas. With a total of 93 comfortable staterooms, all with a view of the ocean, and most with their own balcony, the ship also offers many on-board comforts. Facilities include a wellness area, the Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility and a modern lecture lounge. The ship is part of a brand-new generation of low-energy vessels, with 4 diesel engines and 2 electro engines, all controlled electronically to optimize speed and fuel consumption. The ship fits well into our portfolio of ships, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for all guests on board.
The lead-in prices on our website are based on triple outward facing, Stateroom cabins. All staterooms have private bathrooms, ample storage, with twin beds. Many of the stateroom categories, have floor to ceiling windows that offer prime observation opportunities around the clock. Additionally, there are private balconies in most of the staterooms, allowing you to watch the world float past and take in the salty air of the open ocean. A full layout of the deck plan can be found under the Polar Ships section on our website. Your confirmed cabin type will appear on your Booking Confirmation, which will be sent on receipt of your deposit payment.
Meals are served in the large, spacious dining room with an open seating arrangement, perfect for swapping stories with your extended expedition family. A range of courses is offered at each meal time and you can enjoy a variety of house wines, beers and soft drinks which are included with your evening meal. Complimentary coffee, tea and snacks are available throughout the day and any additional drinks can be purchased at the fully-stocked bar.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.