Icy wilderness, polar plunges and majestic wildlife, our Travel Curator Nick Harrison shares his experience onboard a 5-star expedition ship in the heart of the Arctic Circle with our sister brand The Authentic Cruise Company.
One of the world’s most remote and fascinating regions, the Arctic is on the bucket list of those who crave a different type of experience, one where the surroundings are sculpted by ice and snow. solo polar bears stalk seals, and the summer skies never darken. With Quark Expeditions, Nick’s itinerary – the perfect trip for a first-time guest to the polar regions – was titled Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen and departed from Aberdeen, cruising through the fascinating Faroe Islands, before sailing across the North Atlantic to the Arctic’s rugged beauty and the dreamlike wonder of the midnight sun…
Four Incredible Destinations
| “Ultramarine headed out of Aberdeen and into the open sea. According to the Guinness Book of Business Records, Aberdeen port is the oldest existing business in Britain, with a history spanning almost 900 years. What a place to embark on a journey to the Arctic!” |
1. Fair Isle
“We cruised around the mythical Fair Isle, the U.K.’s most remote inhabited island, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands under glorious blue skies – perfect for the photography buffs. Orcas are native to the waters here, while the cliffs team with seabirds and the Atlantic puffin burrows in nests in the grassy flat tops of the island’s cliffs. We were treated to a spectacular sunset this evening after meeting Captain Juraj for the first time.”
2. Kirkjubøur, Faroe Islands
“Our next sight of land were the 18 Faroe Islands, characterised by steep cliffs, tall mountains, narrow fjords and by having more sheep than people. We trekked with a friendly local to KIrkjubour, once the centre for all religious and cultural activity, and explored the 13th century St Magnus Cathedral ruins, spotting the famous local sheep and grass houses along the way – a tradition dating back to Viking times. Sheep not lawnmowers are used to cut the grass…”
3. Torshavn, Faroe Islands
“Here, we visited Tinganes, the old part of the city crammed with wooded turf roofed buildings on a small peninsula. It is one of the oldest parliamentary meeting places in the world, where the parliament first met in the Viking ages in 825A.D. Incredibly, it is still home to the government buildings and you can wander past the Foreign Office and Prime Minister’s office and wave through the window if he is in!”
4. Funningur, Eysturoy Island
“On our second day in the Faroes, we headed to Funningur, a small village in a beautiful coastal setting which is dwarfed by the Faroes’ highest mountain. A few of us climbed through the snow and ice to the top of the mountain, while everyone enjoyed time with the hospitable locals who proudly showed us around the village and treated us to a fish stew lunch and their traditional chain dance.”
5. Jan Mayen
“We then crossed the Arctic Circle towards the island of Jan Mayen. For many, being able to land on this remote island was one of the joys of the whole cruise. It was foggy when we approached but we got to spend a magical four hours as guests of the Norwegian military who operate a base here. Why learned all about the history of Whaling from Karl, and about bird watching under the cliffs with Noah, our onboard experts. It was a truly great day!”
6. Spitsbergen, Svalbard
“After the excitement of Jan Mayen, we headed further north to Svalbard for a few wonderful days in this Norwegian archipelago. It really feels like the top of the world! At once stage, Ultramarine became the most Northerly ship in the world so we threw a party to celebrate! In Svalbard, we saw walruses resting on icebergs and Arctic foxes and polar bears wandering across the land. Every day was a new adventure, touring the coastline on Zodiacs or hiking through the snow.”
7. Longyearbyen
“The trip ended in Longyearbyen, the world’s most northernmost settlement with a population no greater than a 1,000 people. There is a surprising number of shops, museums and restaurants here but it important that you obey the polar bear warnings! We waved goodbye to our incredible Expedition Team to board our charter flight to Helsinki, ready to wake up from the dream of the last two weeks.”
| “Although I loved every second of the expedition, my highlight would have to be the days we spent in the never-ending sunshine in Svalbard. I’ve done a lot of travelling but being entirely surrounded by icy glaciers, hundreds of miles from civilisation, is something I have never experienced before and would recommend to everyone.” |
Step Onboard the Ultramarine
| “For many, it was great to be back onboard Ultramarine. For others, it was a real thrill to see the cabins and walk the decks of this luxurious ship for the first time. Quark Expedition’s newest ship is built for the harshest of climates, yet inside it feels like a 5-star hotel. The ship has a breathtaking panorama lounge, spacious suites, incredible leisure faculties and more outdoor wildlife areas than any other expedition ship of its size. It is pure bliss on water.” |
The staff were always looking after us, bringing hot chocolate onto the deck when a polar bear was spotted at 4am, remembering all of our favourite drinks, and celebrating with us for the most northerly dance party on deck!”
Ultramarine is designed to go beyond the familiar in polar exploration, to discover new places, and to immerse 199 guests in the best the region has to offer with 140 staff and crew onboard to personalise every experience. Equipped with two twin-engine H145 helicopters and 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs, it offers the most robust portfolio of adventure activities in the industry, plus an innovative mix of sustainability systems that exceeds all industry standards.
The Expedition Team
“One of the outstanding things about Quark Expeditions is the wealth of knowledgeable Expedition Crew that accompany each cruise. For this Arctic trip, the passionate bird expert Noah Strycker was on board, as well as a geologist and history expert, and an abundance of wildlife specialists. The crew feel part of the group and join you on the decks, in the lounge and in the restaurants, as well as giving talks and bar chats after dinner. It is a great way to pass the days spent at sea.“
It’s your turn
The Arctic Saga itinerary is sailing onboard Ultramarine again on 29th April 2025 for 14 days. Book now to save 29%, with limited-time prices starting from £7,040pp, including one night’s pre-cruise accommodation in Aberdeen, all in-destination transfers, and meals and drinks onboard.
Contact the team at The Authentic Cruise Company to secure your spot on the expedition of a lifetime. Call 01491 528 988 or email info@authenticcruises.co.uk
Why Book with Authentic Cruise Company?
The Authentic Cruise Company offer a bespoke personal service to perfectly match your ideal cruise escape based on your wants, needs, preferences and desires. We take the time to understand what you’re looking for from your journey, tailoring your itinerary with your tastes at the front of our minds.
Your expert advisor will curate every step of your journey, from private transfers, pre and post stays, flights and the perfect cruise, that will create a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. With our seamless service, you can have peace of mind that everything is taken care of for you, the planning stage until you return home, nothing is too much trouble. We believe the small details transform a trip into an unforgettable experience, so all you need to do is pack your bags and leave the rest to us.