Cruising the North Atlantic

This morning you’ll leave Reykjavík to spend the day taking in the highlights of Iceland’s Golden Circle. The tour begins with a visit to Þingvellir National Park and a gentle hike to Öxararfoss waterfall, one of the very few human-made waterfalls in Iceland. You’ll then have a short stop at Efstidalur dairy farm, where you’ll have the opportunity to taste their homemade ice creams and meet the cows. As you continue along the Golden Circle you’ll visit Geysir, the geyser that lends its name to all others around the world, and the thundering Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss is actually two connected waterfalls, their spray rises and, in the right conditions, will reflect rainbows. Your final stop is Friðheimar tomato farm, where you might enjoy a bistro lunch.

You’ll have another action-packed day today as you explore Iceland’s south coast. You’ll meet your guide and small group in Reykjavík, before making your way to the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss you have the opportunity to walk behind the waterfall (weather permitting), while at Skógafos you may wish to climb the 527 steps to the top for a bird’s eye view over the cliffs. You’ll also stop at Reynisfjara Beach to see the black volcanic sand, deep caverns and dark basalt columns before returning to Reykjavík.

You have the day to explore more of Reykjavík before boarding your cruise. You might like to stroll through the town’s Old Harbour, browse the shops of Laugavegar, admire the architecture of the Harpa concert hall or enjoy sweeping views from the top of Hallgrímskirkja cathedral. In the evening, your driver will take you to the cruise terminal to board your ship, Azamara Journey.

The first stop on your cruise is Reykjanes on Iceland’s southwest coast. From here you’ll be able to explore lava fields, volcanic craters, and bubbling mud pools at a UNESCO Global Geopark. The park is also home to the Bridge Between Continents, where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Before you leave Reykjanes, be sure to take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon.

From Grundarfjordur, you can spend the day exploring Iceland’s only coastal national park. The area is steeped in folklore, inspired by the eerie lava caves and towering glaciers. We recommend joining a tour on a traditional fishing boat to Melrakkaey, an uninhabited island with white basalt cliffs that provide an ideal habitat for Atlantic puffins. You’ll have a front-row seat to admire these charismatic little birds.

Your final port in Iceland is Isafjordur, home to the Dynjandi Waterfall, the jewel of the Westfjords. Afterwards, stop by the fishing village of Sudureyri and taste the local specialties. Or, visit a traditional turf farm to learn about historic Iceland and its traditions, many of which are still upheld today.

Your first day at sea is perfectly timed: you’ll have an uninterrupted view of the solar eclipse. Join your fellow passengers on deck to witness the rare moment the moon moves across the sky to fully cover the sun.

Today you could learn something new at one of the onboard classes, with subjects ranging from origami to line dancing. Or enjoy a bit of healthy competition with darts, ping-pong, and shuffleboard tournaments. For something more sedate, the ship has a peaceful library with lots of secluded reading nooks. You might also like to head to The Den lounge to find out more about the ports you’ll soon be visiting and the experiences available.

This afternoon you’ll sail through Prince Christian Sound, one of the highlights of cruising in Greenland. The waterway separates the southern archipelago of islands from the mainland, and has been used for centuries by sailors and explorers. Admire the natural beauty and look out for ringed seals, minke whales, and even humpbacks.

Today you’ll dock in Nanortalik, a town in southern Greenland. You might like to join a boat tour of Tasermiut Fjord to learn about traditional Inuit culture, visit historic villages, and see the vast Greenland ice sheet, which covers 80 percent of the country.

From Nanortalik, your cruise will travel up Greenland’s southwest coast to Paamuit. The town sits at the mouth of the Kuannersooq fjord, with views across the clear water and the snow-capped mountains. Paamiut has a compact town centre, making it ideal to explore on foot at your own pace. Walk through the brightly painted houses, including the small red, green, and yellow church built in the Norwegian style.

Your next stop is Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the surrounding arctic landscape. You might like to explore the fjords on a fishing expedition or take on the mountains in a UTV. For those that like a challenge, hike to the summit of Ukkusissat or join a backcountry hike ending with a local food tasting as your reward.

As your ship makes its way to Canada, you have two days at sea to spend as you wish. You might like to try out the panoramic jogging track, before lounging by the pool. In the evening, sip a cocktail in the Cabaret Lounge while enjoying a post-dinner show.

Today you might like to attend a lecture or Q&A session hosted by one of the ship’s expert destination speakers. You could also head to the Living Room to listen to live music, test your knowledge at trivia, or simply enjoy afternoon tea with views across the sea.

This afternoon your cruise will arrive in Canada and make port in St. John’s, North America’s oldest city. You might like to join a coastal hike to Singal Hill and Cabot Tower, where the first transatlantic wireless message was received in 1901. You’ll then continue along the North Head Trail. The trail is a gradual descent to a path carved into the cliff face, offering hikers views across the Atlantic.

For your second day in St. John’s, you might like to explore independently in the morning. Walk through the harbour and downtown area to admire the brightly painted rows of ‘jellybean’ houses. In the afternoon, you could visit the nearby fishing village of Quidi Vidi to enjoy a brewery tour and tasting, or listen to live music in some of St. John’s atmospheric old pubs.

Today you’ll be docked at the harbour island of Saint Pierre. This French archipelago offers visitors a fusion of two different cultures, and has a fascinating history. You might like to take a walking tour to hear about how this small island kept the drinks flowing in America during the prohibition. Or, take the short ferry ride to Île-aux-Marins (Sailor’s Island). The island was abandoned and is now a living museum that chronicles life in the early 20th century, when villagers depended on religion and fishing to survive.

You might like to use your final sea day to unwind. Enjoy a treatment at the Sanctum Spa before relaxing on the spa’s private terrace complete with a thalassotherapy pool. In the evening, you could try one of Azamara’s speciality restaurants: you could have steak cooked to perfection at Prime C or taste Italian-inspired cuisine at Aqualina.

This morning you’ll cruise through Saguenay Fjord on your way to Saguenay. Stretching over 100 kilometres inland, the fjord is surrounded by high cliffs and rich greenery. Keep your eyes peeled for beluga whales: during the summer months, they gather in larger groups than normal to feed in the fjord.

Today you’ll sail up the Saguenay River and dock in the picturesque city of Saguenay. While the area’s natural beauty and wildlife are a big draw for visitors, the city also has a rich history and a proud tradition of culinary crafts. You could join a guided tour to learn about Saguenay’s 17th-century past while tasting traditional dishes. Or, if you would prefer to explore independently, look out for blue fork symbols that indicate shops and restaurants selling local produce.

You’ll have an extended destination day in Québec City which gives you plenty of time to see everything this charming city has to offer. Your cruise has a range of tours to help you uncover the history and culture of the city. However, if you want to explore at your own pace, we recommend taking a walk along Dufferin Terrace past the turrets of the Fairmont Château Frontenac and overlooking the river. You could also browse the shops on Rue Petit-Champlain, a fairytale-esque street that’s home to local artisans and quaint cafés.

The final stop on your cruise is Montréal. You’ll disembark your ship in the morning and make your own way to your hotel, which is located right next door to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal. You then have a free day today to explore the city. We suggest a stroll around Jardin Botanique, Montréal’s Botanical Garden, or head to the viewpoint at the top of Mount Royal Park for views across the city.

This morning, you’ll join a small group walking tour of Old Montréal with a local guide. You’ll learn about lesser-known history while visiting some of the city’s hidden gems. Begin by skipping the line for entry to the basilica. You’ll see the ornate interior before venturing through part of the world's longest underground tunnel network. You’ll also stop off in Chinatown for a bite to eat, before moving on to the Red-Light district to learn about its notorious past. The tour will finish in the trendy Lower Main district. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure, perhaps using recommendations from your guide.

On-board your international return flight home.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.