Bjornøya (or Bear Island) is the southernmost island of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago. The island is located in the western part of the Barents Sea, approximately halfway between Spitsbergen and the North Cape. The only indigenous land mammals are a few Arctic foxes. Despite its name, Bear Island is not a permanent residence of polar bears, although many arrive with the expanding pack ice in the winter. Occasionally, a bear will stay behind when the ice retreats in spring and remain through the summer months. Bear Island offers spectacular landscapes with amazing sea cliffs and caves, that can be visited by tender.

From Bear Island, cruise to the North Cape or Nordkapp. The Nordkapp is a 307m high cliff rising above the Arctic Ocean. Nordkapp is promoted as the northernmost point of Europe, this is however not true; the neighbouring point, Knivskjellodden, is actually 1,457m (4780 ft) further north, which can also be visited, weather permitting. Pay a visit to the Sami people who are the only indigenous people in Scandinavia that are recognized and protected under the international conventions of indigenous peoples, and are hence one of the northernmost indigenous people of Europe. Their best-known means of livelihood is semi-nomadic reindeer herding.

Spend a couple of days cruising and exploring the fjords of the Finnmark coast, passing the Svaerholdtklubben Bird Colony and the unbelievable rock formation of Finnkjerkja. Head ashore for wilderness hikes amongst the most stunning landscapes, turquoise glacier lakes and waterfalls the most impressive colonies of nesting seabirds.

The Lofoten archipelago is located north of the Arctic Circle in the county of Nordland, Norway. The archipelago is known for its exceptional natural beauty, the picturesque fishing settlements, the Rorbu (fishermen's cottages) and the stockfish. Lofoten has a very high density of sea eagles and millions of other sea birds, among them the colourful puffin. This rare wilderness outpost offers an untrammelled landscape of majestic mountains, deep fjords, squawking seabird colonies and long, surf-swept beaches. The area's diverse landscape affords many recreational activities; hiking trails, skiing, fishing, ocean rafting or scuba diving. Lofoten is also one of Norway's best sites for surfing.

Located just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodo is the largest city in Nordland County and the second largest in northern Norway. Time to bid farewell to the Captain and crew and disembark back in Bodo. Hopefully, having enjoyed the adventure of a lifetime.