Karl WP Beyer March 13, 2024 - Offers spectacular play of colors across northern landscapes the new expedition cruise ship SH Vega on routes along the Arctic Circle, around Iceland, off Greenland and off the coast of the Canadian Arctic. SH Vega will be running from mid-August to early October 2024 four “Northern Lights trips”. Nature lovers feel addressed.
Swan Hellenic - SH Vega - Photo: Swan Hellenic
The expedition cruise ship SH Vega is heading to four extraordinary destinations from mid-August to early October 2024. The chance of sighting the Northern Lights is high, as the Northern Lights are particularly active during this travel time. The SH Vega, which is designed to accommodate 152 guests and is equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid drive as well as a battery pack and SCR catalytic converter, has a high ice class and, due to its size, is able to make stops in remote fjords and bays. Guests can explore such regions using the on-board Zodiacs.
Swan Hellenic describes the four routes of the “Northern Lights trips” as follows:
On August 18, 2024, SH Vega will be in Reykjavik / Iceland for the first Northern Lights trip of the year. The route goes around Iceland. An intermediate destination is the wilderness of East Greenland. Passengers experience the remote Inuit town of Ittoqqortoormiut, the vast fjord network of Scoresbysund and the majestic King Oscar Fjord. Back on Iceland's coast, the Vatnajökull National Park with the largest ice cap in Europe and the puffin island Heimaey await travelers.
Swan Hellenic - SH Vega - Northern Lights in front of Kangerlussuaq - Photo: Swan Hellenic
The second Northern Lights expedition starts in Reykjavik on August 30, 2024. The route of the 10-night trip leads to the rugged coast of East Greenland, further south through the Prins Christian Sund to Greenland's small capital Nuuk. The ship then heads for Sisimiut, the northernmost town in Greenland. Disko Bay with its gigantic icebergs is another highlight of the trip, which ends in Kangerlussuaq on Greenland.
The last two Northern Lights trips lead to the Canadian Arctic. A 9-night expedition cruise called “Journey to the Northwest Passage” will begin from Kangerlussuaq on September 2024, 16. The Canadian coast is reached on the sixth day of the trip. The region shines with rich populations of narwhals, fulmars and ringed seals, picturesque Inuit communities and remote posts of former explorers of the High Arctic. The cruise ends in Kangerlussuaq.
The “Journey to the Northwest Passage” will be followed by an “Epic Voyage of Discovery of Northern Canada” on September 25, 2024. It ends 15 nights later after a visit to Iqaluit, Canada's northernmost city Halifax on Nova Scotia.
Travel prices – examples
August 18th to 30th, 2024 – “Island Hearts of the Arctic”, twelve nights, from/to Reykjavik, from 8.161 euros per person.
August 30 to September 9, 2024 – “Greenland in the Deep”, ten nights, from Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq (Greenland), 6.436 euros per person.
September 9th to 25th, 2024 – “Journey to the Northwest Passage”, 16 nights, from/to Kangerlussuaq (Greenland), 11.761 euros per person.
September 25th to October 10th, 2024 – “Epic Northern Canada Discovery”, 15 nights, from Kangerlussuaq (Greenland) to Halifax (Canada), 12.285 euros per person.