• Eight stateroom configurations, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
• A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare
• All beer and wine included with dinner
• Health and wellness options including an onboard spa, swimming pool, and gymnasium
• Expert cultural lecturers and curated performances
• Knowledgeable expedition staff by region
• Separate, intimate space for all of your group’s private dining needs (available upon request)
• Environmentally friendly standards with reduced emissions into air and sea and lower energy consumption
• Dynamic positioning technology
• State-of-the-art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
• Rolls-Royce stabilizer system; “Safe Return to Port” technology
• Multiple launching platforms to allow for easy and quick loading of expedition landing craft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards
• Small passenger-to-crew ratio
• Onboard medical doctor
• Boutique
• Elevator from bottom to top deck

Let your expedition leaders guide you on soft adventures in some of the world’s most rugged locales.

• Trek the Westman Islands, a location carved from lava, and visit the inhabited island of Heimaey, where half-buried houses remain from a violent 1973 eruption
• In Kulusuk, Greenland, hike to the top of tall hill known as Isikajia Mountain for jaw-dropping views of the town below, and the fjords and icebergs that adorn the coast
• Visit the adventure capital of Nanortalik in South Greenland, and choose from a variety of outdoor pursuits

All activities on this adventure are dependent upon weather and local conditions, and will be coordinated by your expedition team leaders. These will entail exploration in urban centers as well as in remote coastal and subarctic locales, often on foot. Make use of the boots, trekking poles and other equipment that are on loan for your ship. After an active day, your deluxe ship and hotels all offer plenty of soothing amenities such as pools, spa facilities and more to help you feel refreshed. Here are some other activities you may participate in:

• Travel to remote rookeries and pristine coves onboard motorized Zodiac landing craft
• Get a good workout at your ship’s gym and the fitness centers of your hotels
• Enjoy the infinity pool on board the Ocean Explorer
• Hike in a bevy of north Atlantic islands and in Iceland and Greenland
• Utilize your free time to explore destinations by foot — or borrow one of the bikes on board the Ocean Explorer

This trip exposes you to a broad array of artistic and cultural traditions across two continents.

• Learn about the Scottish art of piping during a bagpipe performance and try your hand at playing one
• Spend a day in the remote Greenland settlement of Isotorq, and learn about the Inuit culture that has existed there for centuries
• In the Orkneys, admire the curlicue decorations and bright white façade of the charming Italian Chapel at Lamb Holm. This fanciful church was built during WWII by Italian POWs, who wanted a place to worship
• Take advantage of your complimentary Concierge services to secure tickets for a play, concert or festival in Edinburgh or Boston

Travel across the northern seas to unspoiled, subarctic regions that few people ever get to see, but where thousands of birds and marine and terrestrial wildlife find a welcoming home.

• Watch for dolphins, whales, orca, seals, walruses, reindeer, polar bears and more
• Visit rich bird rookeries and keep an eye out for kittiwakes, eagles, ravens, black guillemots, fulmars, puffins, Arctic terns and many more avian species
• Visit a Shetland farm to see the iconic, small but sturdy Shetland ponies that are bred here
• In the Westman Islands, off Iceland, take in the beauty of the Herjolfsdalur Valley, the “Valley of Magic,” with its amphitheater-like slopes, rocky cliffs, rich bird life, and dramatic seascapes

Traveling across the Atlantic from Europe to North America, you will be reprising the journeys made by Viking raiders, Irish monks, great explorers, and European settlers. Here are a few of milestones to look forward to:

• See the imposing castles, fortifications, and elegant townhouses of the Old and New towns of Edinburgh, a UNESCO-listed site
• Learn about the Shetland Bus, a WWII-era covert operation that smuggled refugees from Nazi-occupied Norway to the Shetland Islands, and provided arms to the Resistance
• Follow the arc of Viking migrations as you cruise from the Orkneys to the Shetlands, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland and beyond
• See Iron and Bronze Age archaeological sites as you explore the UNESCO-listed Heart of Neolithic Orkney
• In UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, see where Iceland’s Viking-era settlers established one of Europe’s first parliaments

Grab your GoPro and have your favorite camera ready to capture the North Atlantic’s stupendous scenery and rich wildlife. Your onboard expedition team features an expert nature photographer who will be share top tips in onboard workshops and during your excursions. Here are a few tips:

• Make the most of the “golden hour,” the time frame before dawn and dusk that offers warm, camera-friendly lighting that’s flattering for everyone
• Don’t be afraid of the dark! Exploring cities and landmarks at night offers unique new perspectives — just make sure you have a tripod or your camera comes equipped with a night feature
• Use a bean bag, tripod, or other stabilizing device to capture moving targets like birds and other wildlife
• Change your perspective. Try shooting from a different angle. For example, climb a stairwell and shoot a landscape from up high; or get low and shoot from the ground. Wherever you are, embrace artistic challenges by getting out of your comfort zone!
• Take selfies! You’ll want to have some mementoes of your milestone journey
• Look beyond landmarks. Sometimes everyday scenes are more revealing of the spirit of your destination. But in deference to cultural norms here, remember to ask your subjects if they mind being photographed before snapping

During your onboard meals, shore excursions and independent exploration, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste the traditional regional cuisines as well as the trendy “New Nordic” cooking that uses fresh farm-to-table (or hook-to-table) ingredients, and which has its exemplars even on the most remote North Atlantic islands.

• Taste the best Bloody Mary ever when you visit an organic tomato farm and greenhouse outside Reykjavík
• On your own and during included meals, savor the bounty of the Canadian Maritimes—sweet lobster, clam chowder, flaky salmon, fresh blueberries and more

• Complimentary biking options — take a spin alongside your Concierge, who will lead small-group bike rides, or explore independently with our complimentary locks, helmets, and biking maps
• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment, lectures, and cooking demonstrations

Your onboard Vantage Concierge will be available throughout your entire cruise to help you customize your journey. Here are just a few services your Concierge can provide:

• Do you have a special birthday, anniversary, family reunion or other important event you want to celebrate on board? Let your Concierge know and he or she can make all the special arrangements, whether it’s a private reception in your suite, a gathering in the lounge, a celebration in the Captain’s Club, and more
• Restaurant reservations. Just notify your Concierge of your interests, and he or she will be happy to make recommendations, and will call ahead to reserve your table
• Special excursions. Would you like a limo to take you for a special night in Québec? Perhaps you’d like to look up long-lost relatives in Edinburgh. Or need reservations for one of Montreal’s hottest restaurants. Your Concierge is here to help!
• Extend your stay! Your Concierge can help modify your hotel reservations and flights if you decide to stay on
• Tickets to local concerts, exhibits, theater, sporting events, and more.
• Concierge-guided bike tours using the 20 available complimentary bicycles your ship has on board

Take advantage of this free, start-to-finish service by making your requests prior to your journey or during your journey. Call 1-888-982-6824 or email Concierge@vantagetravel.com to speak to a Concierge today, or simply log into MyPortfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.