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Four Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen & Norway
19-day voyage from Iceland via Northeast Greenland and Spitsbergen to Tromsø
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Best Price Guarantee
Length
19 Days
Ship category
Classic
Ship type
Small Ships
Capacity
108 Passengers
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Plancius is one of those ships we recommend when the expedition itself matters more than polished hotel theatre. Built in 1976 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Netherlands Navy and rebuilt for passenger voyages in 2009, she still feels purposeful: compact, sturdy and designed around looking outward. With 108 guests, the atmosphere is sociable without becoming anonymous, and recent traveller feedback repeatedly describes the ship as characterful, comfortable and refreshingly unpretentious.
The cabins follow the same philosophy. Every category has a private bathroom, but this i … Read more about Plancius
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Bar
Mudroom
Lecture Theater
Observation Deck
Zodiac Fleet
Observation Lounge
Medical Services
Library
Internet/Wifi
Dining on Plancius is reassuringly straightforward: one main dining room brings everyone together, and the same space is also used for lectures. Published voyages include all meals, snacks, coffee and tea, so food follows the expedition day rather than competing with it. After a cold Zodiac ride or landing, that shared, informal rhythm feels exactly right.
Recent Plancius feedback repeatedly praises the variety and quality of the meals, often noting fresh fruit and vegetables and the ability to accommodate vegetarian or gluten-free diets. We treat that as a useful pattern, not a promise about a particular menu. Supplies, service and dietary arrangements can vary by voyage, so our specialists will confirm important requirements for your departure before booking.
We would not choose Plancius for restaurant choice or formal dining. We would choose her for generous, sociable meals, conversation with fellow expedition travellers and an easy return to the lounge or outer deck when the next wildlife announcement comes.
When booking online, you can choose the option to "Upgrade to single occupancy". This will guarantee you the whole cabin to yourself, for an additional fee. If you don't select this option, then another traveler of the same sex might be placed into the same cabin with you. Exceptions may apply.
Voyage aboard Plancius as described in the itinerary
All meals aboard, including snacks, coffee and tea
All shore excursions and activities by Zodiac during the voyage
Lectures by naturalists and leadership by the experienced expedition team
Complimentary use of waterproof neoprene expedition boots and snowshoes
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges during the program
AECO fees and governmental taxes
Comprehensive pre-departure material
Complimentary Wi-Fi with 1.5 GB per guest per day, reset every 24 hours
Complimentary Dopper water bottle for use during and after the expedition
Any scheduled or charter airfare
Pre- and post-voyage arrangements
Passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes
Meals ashore
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance, which is strongly recommended
Excess baggage and personal expenses such as laundry, bar, beverages and telecommunications
Supplement for the six-hour charter-bus transfer from Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík to the ship in Akureyri; it must be booked and paid in advance
Customary gratuities for stewards and other service personnel; guidelines will be provided
The optional six-hour Reykjavík–Akureyri bus costs extra and must be booked and paid in advance
Day 14 is the Longyearbyen turnaround joining the two official voyage legs
The 12 km Sydkap long walk is optional; non-walkers follow the official second-excursion arrangement
Landings, Zodiac cruises and routes depend on sea ice, weather, wildlife, permissions and AECO rules
Aurora and wildlife are possible but never guaranteed
After completing your booking, you will receive an invoice from your travel specialist by email. A deposit of 30% of the trip price is required to secure your booking. Payment can be made through bank transfer or by credit card through a secure payment link.
Full payment is expected 30 days before your trip. Payment can be made in installments.
This trip generates 5.7 t CO₂e. Polartours regularly measures and monitors the carbon footprint of its journeys and actively reduces emissions through sustainable travel design: no unnecessary flights, fewer feeder flights, integration of rail and public transport, and promoting longer stays for a more balanced relationship between travel distance and impact.
From 2018 to 2024, we supported carbon reduction projects equivalent to the emissions generated. Recognizing the limits of traditional offsetting, we now focus on active environmental protection through our own rainforest project, Forest Guardians.
More information on our climate and environmental responsibility: https://www.venturatravel.org/impact
All cruises in the polar regions operate to itineraries that are more-or-less fixed. We say "more or less", because wildlife (breeding, seasonality) and weather always play an important role in routing. Most cruises will offer a range of land-based and water-based activities that you will enjoy at various points in your cruise, including:
All boats carry English speaking, scientifically trained guides. They will lead you on your excursions, allowing you to learn as much as possible about the unique wildlife and habitats of the Polar Regions.
Choosing the right ship for a cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic seems difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Our fleet is over 30 vessels, we are sure that there is the perfect one for you. Please, follow these simple steps, and you will be able to find your ideal ship:
In addition: We work with responsible partners who provide a great experience for their passengers. All of our providers are committed to sustainability and to preserving the beauty of the polar regions. You don’t need to worry about the impact of your cruise, because we’ve already taken care of it.
We love to help people find their dream vacation to the Arctic and Antarctic. Whether you give us a call, contact us via email, or use our website inquiry form, one of our Polar travel experts will be more than happy to answer any questions, recommend ships and itineraries, and walk you through the whole process!
Step 1: Find your perfect trip. If you have already started looking for Polar Cruises, you will have quickly noticed that the sheer amount of options can be quite overwhelming. To help you navigate the countless departures and itineraries that our fleet offers, we have put together a great filter page for Antarctic and Arctic Expedition Cruises. Use this page to filter all trips by price, date, ship category, and even destinations you wish to visit. We update all dates, prices, and availabilities daily, and are proud to host what is doubtlessly the world's most complete collection of information.
Step 2: Found something you love? We'll hold your spaces, free of charge! If you find a cruise you like, you can either inquire directly with us or make an unbinding booking online. We will then reach out to the shipowners to put a hold on your spaces for a limited time, free of charge. Once we have confirmed your block with the ship, we will send you a written confirmation of your reservation and include full payment details in an invoice. Typically, we are able to hold unpaid reservations for up to 1 week*. This gives us time to clarify all your remaining questions, and also ensures that no other passengers can book your spaces, while we continue our conversation.
Step 3: Confirm your booking. In order to confirm your booking, we ask for a deposit payment. You can pay via bank transfer or credit card. Keep in mind, that we can only hold your spaces for a limited amount of time. If we don't receive your payment after this time, we can no longer guarantee that the places will be available or that the price won't increase. To prevent disappointment, we will automatically cancel your reservation if we don't receive your deposit by the due date stated on your booking reservation.
Step 4: Booking confirmation & Payment. As soon as we have received your deposit and a completed passenger information form, we will be pleased to send your booking confirmation and updated invoice, along with your trip itinerary, important information, and other great tips for your cruise.
Step 5: Final payment. In your initial invoice, we will define a final payment date by when you need to pay us the remaining amount of your trip. Once we have received your final payment we'll send you your cruise documents and voucher. As your trip approaches, we make sure to pass along all necessary information, so you feel super prepared and stress-free.
*For last-minute bookings, we might not be able to hold your spaces for so long. We will also require the full payment of your cruise upon booking.
An expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic is a big deal! Most people plan for this type of trip at least 8 months in advance. This means the earlier you book, the better chance you'll have to reserve your prefered cabins. Early bird discounts are also popular and a great way to get 10-30% off your cruise.
Most expedition cruises offer optional activities like camping and kayaking, but the spaces are limited. A cruise with 120 passengers can have only 10-15 spaces for kayaking. These are reserved on a first come first served basis. The earlier you book, the higher your chance of grabbing a spot.
Even though last minute deals do occur, keep in mind that the airline prices will be much higher if you purchase them last minute. You may save a few hundred on your cruise, but you may end up paying the most for airfare.
4.9
(37)
Price
Upon Request
37 Reviews
Scoresby Sund
Northeast Greenland
Hornsund
Bjørnøya
Best Price Guarantee: Find a better price elsewhere, and we’ll match it.
Polar Expedition Specialists: We focus exclusively on polar voyages, with advice rooted in real, firsthand expertise.
Travel that gives back: Every booking directly funds our mission to protect and restore global rainforests.
Sail aboard Plancius from Iceland into Scoresby Sund and remote Northeast Greenland, then cross to Spitsbergen, Bjørnøya and northern Norway. The 19-day combination voyage brings together giant icebergs, tundra walks, polar history, sea-ice watches, Hornsund and possible late-season northern lights. Every landing, Zodiac cruise, route and wildlife encounter depends on ice, weather, wildlife, permissions, AECO requirements and the expedition leader.
Keep in mind this is an expedition cruise, so your itinerary will depend greatly on the weather, amount of ice and wildlife breeding behavior.
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Board Plancius in Akureyri after the optional six-hour charter bus from Harpa in Reykjavík. The bus costs extra and must be booked and paid in advance. Sail in the early evening, with possible whales near the fjord mouth, and cross the Arctic Circle at night.
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Sail north toward East Greenland. Fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, common guillemots and whales may be seen, but sightings are not guaranteed. By evening, the first icebergs may appear near Kap Brewster.
Reach Scoresby Sund along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. A Zodiac cruise near a glacier front and a visit to Vikingebugt may be possible. Later sail past Milne Land; if conditions allow, land at Charcot Havn for a walk toward Charcot Glacier before continuing by Bjørneøer.
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See grounded icebergs that can rise over 100 metres, then make a planned landing near Sydkap for views over Hall Bredning and possible Arctic hares. The optional 12 km walk follows the shore via Nordøstbugt toward Satakajik, passing whale vertebrae and Thule remains. Non-walkers join the official second-excursion arrangement.
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Visit Ittoqqortoormiit in the morning, with time for the post office, sled dogs and traditional drying racks. In the afternoon, sail north past Liverpool Land and enter Kong Oscar Fjord at night. Shore time remains subject to local conditions and permissions.
Enter Segelsällskapets Fjord for a planned south-shore landing and a hike toward a small lake, with possible musk oxen, Arctic hares and ptarmigans. Alternatively, explore Alpefjord and possibly cruise by Zodiac near Gully Glacier. These are alternatives governed by conditions.
Pass Ruth, Maria and Ella islands, then approach layered Teufelschloss. Blomsterbugt is the intended landing site across the fjord. In the afternoon, sail among icebergs through Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord and Mackenzie Bugt; safe conditions determine the final plan.
The plan is to land at Eskimonaes on the south shore of Clavering Ø, where Douglas Clavering met a small Thule community in 1823. The landing remains conditional on ice, weather, wildlife and permissions.
Sail among a choice of historically important islands. Possible sites include Sabine Ø and Bass Rock in the Pendulum Islands, associated with Edward Sabine and the Baldwin-Ziegler Polar Expedition. Pass Shannon Ø at night; the day’s calls depend on conditions.
At Store Koldewey, try to land at historic Kap Alf Trolle or Kap Ahrend. The landscape becomes lower and more rounded in the High Arctic. Heavier southbound sea ice may make proposed sites unreachable and open different alternatives.
Depending on ice, weather and wildlife, the expedition may land at Thoms Thomsen Næs, Fyrretyvekilometersnæsset or another site in Germania Land. Musk oxen and, rarely, a lone wolf are possible but never guaranteed.
Sail eastward through or along the jagged edge of the Northeast Greenland sea ice. Watch for whales, seals, polar bears and migrating seabirds in a constantly changing environment. Ice position and safe navigation determine the route.
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Cross open sea eastward toward Spitsbergen in the northern branch of the Gulf Stream. If time and conditions allow, a late landing may be attempted at the Poolepynten walrus haul-out. No landing or wildlife encounter is guaranteed.
Spend the combination-voyage turnaround in Longyearbyen, with time to visit the church or Svalbard Museum. Through passengers remain on the voyage. In the early evening, Plancius sails out through Isfjorden, where a minke whale may be seen.
Cruise the side fjords of Hornsund beneath Hornsundtind and Bautaen. Fourteen glaciers shape the landscape, where seals and polar bears are possible. Most birds have left the cliffs by this late season, though first-year fulmars may remain.
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Reach the southeast of Bjørnøya for views of high cliffs and Perleporten. Farther north, a landing at Kvalrossbukta may reveal remains of an early-20th-century whaling station. Rendalen is another possible landing alternative; conditions determine what is feasible.
Sail south from Bjørnøya toward Norway with no scheduled landing. Watch the surrounding sea for whales while Plancius continues across open water. Wildlife remains possible rather than guaranteed.
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Continue south across the Norwegian Sea on a second full sea day. Whale watches continue from deck, and after nightfall the aurora may appear if skies and solar activity cooperate. Neither wildlife nor northern lights can be promised.
Arrive and disembark in Tromsø, the historic gateway for Arctic expeditions. The voyage ends here, with onward flights to Oslo and beyond available independently.
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