Iceland
Discover the Wilds of Iceland On Board the Ocean Albatros
Program No. 24633RJ
Circumnavigate Iceland and immerse yourself in its natural wonders and rich history as you join us for our Floating Campus onboard the Ocean Albatros.
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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & PRICES
Sep 9 - Sep 19, 2025
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11 days
10 nights
27 meals
10B 8L 9D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
Arrive Keflavik, Perlan, Embark Ship
Reykjavik
4
Siglufjordur & Grimsey
At Sea
8
Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar
At Sea
11
Program Concludes
Reykjavik
At a Glance
A land of geologic marvels teeming with fjords, volcanoes and lagoons, Iceland’s incredible landscape is a must for any great explorer to experience — and we can’t think of a better way than on this exclusive Road Scholar Floating Campus voyage! Board the Ocean Albatros for a voyage that begins in Reykjavik and leads you on a journey to the Westman Islands, Akureyri, Grimsey island and beyond. Immerse yourself in the wildlife and geology of the region as your onboard instructors offer their insight during lectures, Q&A sessions and casual discussions. In true campus style, take part in onboard activities like a book club or photography instruction, enjoy a live performance and get to know other Road Scholars who share your love for learning and exploration.
Activity Level
Choose Your Pace
This program offers two activity levels to choose from on every departure date: one that has more walking and standing and one at a less active pace. Must be comfortable getting in & out of tender boats and zodiacs, feel comfortable navigating around the ship and handle stairs while on board.
PLEASE NOTE: The ship is not suitable for wheelchair/electric scooter use.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Spend two nights in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik before your voyage begins to explore landmarks like the National Museum, Höfði House and Perlan-Wonders of Iceland Exhibition Center.
- Add to your birding life lists as you sail along the coasts of Grimsey island and Westfjords, known for their vast populations of seabirds.
- Explore Westman Islands, known for volcanic activity and as the home of the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in the world.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of other Road Scholars as you take in private lectures, unique field trips and take part in educational onboard activities on this exclusive Floating Campus voyage.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll enjoy a true campus feel as we have the entire ship to ourselves and welcome a maximum of 150 Road Scholars, and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups of 35. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy a book club, onboard activities, a live performance and the camaraderie that can only be found with an entire ship full of fellow Road Scholars! Please note that we need a minimum number of participants to enroll in this program to have exclusive use of the ship. In the unlikely event we do not meet the minimum number, then the cruise line may have its own passengers on the ship, though they will not be part of any Road Scholar activities.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Eleni Petroutsou
Eleni Petroutsou was born in Athens and has always been intrigued by the wider world. In school, she learned English, Italian, German, and some Spanish. After studying archaeology and history at university, she graduated from the State School of Tour Guides. Her three-plus decades of experience as a group leader have taken her to Asia, the Middle East and beyond. She says leading Road Scholar programs gives her “the opportunity to share my knowledge with well-traveled, educated, polite and interesting people!”
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Eleni Petroutsou
View biography
Eleni Petroutsou was born in Athens and has always been intrigued by the wider world. In school, she learned English, Italian, German, and some Spanish. After studying archaeology and history at university, she graduated from the State School of Tour Guides. Her three-plus decades of experience as a group leader have taken her to Asia, the Middle East and beyond. She says leading Road Scholar programs gives her “the opportunity to share my knowledge with well-traveled, educated, polite and interesting people!”
Jill Rosenfield
View biography
Jill Rosenfield lives in Jerusalem and works full time as an Israeli official guide and Road Scholar group leader. For the past 25 years, she has led a wide variety of groups. She loves introducing the historical, cultural, and culinary wonders of Israel. Jill grew up in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, before moving to South Africa to finish her schooling and university. After graduating, she emigrated to Israel and worked for many years as a special education teacher, then changed careers and became a licensed Israeli guide.
Carolyne Larrington
View biography
Carolyne Larrington is an Emeritus Research Fellow at St John’s College, Oxford and former professor of medieval European literature at Oxford University. She has been visiting Iceland and studying its literature for more than forty years. She has translated the most important collection of Old Norse mythological poetry, the Poetic Edda, and has written two books on Old Norse myth. Carolyne has been honored by the President of Iceland for her services to Icelandic literature, and is a member of the Order of the Falcon.
Ann Carr
View biography
Ann Carr, after careers as an officer in the Royal Air Force then an flight attendant, joined a major UK travel company in an operational role, handling incoming American groups. She later served as head of enrichment for a cruise line. Experienced in all aspects of planning, she trained as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has over 30 years of practical experience leading groups. She is a food and wine expert, and has a passion for sports and theater.
James Hickey
View biography
James Hickey is a researcher and senior lecturer in geophysics and volcanology at the University of Exeter. His research specializes in aiming to better understand active and restless volcanoes, having worked on volcanoes in Japan, Ecuador, Bolivia, the Caribbean, Iceland, and New Zealand, amongst others. He was also invited to join the response to the 2021 eruption on La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. James combines his research with a passion for education and science communication, and regularly enjoys engaging in science outreach activities.
Sinisa Diklic
View biography
Sinisa Diklic started working in travel at the age of 17 while studying law at Zagreb University. He was a sport animator and resort representative before becoming a group leader. After residing in London and the Costa del Sol, Sinisa now in lives in Zagreb, Croatia. He is fluent in Croatian, English, Spanish, and Italian, and is interested in history, cultures, arts, music, food, tennis, and skiing.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Discover the Wilds of Iceland On Board the Ocean Albatros
Program Number: 24633
A History of Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland
Scandinavia from prehistory to the present with chapters on the Viking and Lutheran kingdoms, medieval times, monarchies, the World Wars and modern period, emphasizing the common cultural, political and social backgrounds.
The Prose Edda: Tales from Norse Mythology
Written in Iceland a century after the close of the Viking Age, The Prose Edda is the source of most of what we know of Norse mythology.
The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings
Twelve leading scholars draw on the latest research and archaeological evidence to provide the clearest picture yet of this fabled people. Painting a fascinating portrait of the influences that the "Northmen" had on foreign lands, the
contributors trace Viking excursions to the British Islands, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and the northern tip of Newfoundland, which the Vikings called "Vinlund."
The World of the Vikings
This book explores Viking life and culture in detail: their appearances, warfare, targets, crafts, and weapons, as well as their stunning pattern-welded swords and helmets.
The Blue Fox: A Novel
Winner of the Nordic Council Literature Prize, Sjón is a celebrated Icelandic poet and novelist. Set in 1883 in Iceland, follow the priest, Skugga-Baldur, on his hunt for the enigmatic blue fox.
Names for the Sea, Strangers in Iceland
A stranger in a strange land, British novelist Sarah Moss captures the spirit of Iceland in this tale of a year in Reykjavik with her husband and two children.
Insight Guide Iceland
This guide emphasizes culture and history, with wonderful photographs, maps and essays from experts.
The Sagas of Icelanders
Nine sagas and six tales composed between the years 1000 and 1500, including an account of Leif Eriksson's voyage to North America, all newly translated.
Hrafnkel's Saga and Other Icelandic Stories
This collection of the most famous of Icelandic sagas includes stories with titles like Thorstein the Staff-Struck and Ale Hood. Dating from the 12th century, these tales vividly recreate the society of medieval Iceland.
Letters from Iceland
Written with fellow poet Louis MacNiece, this quirky, under-appreciated masterpiece captures the spirit of Iceland, its people and landscapes.
Independent People, An Epic
Rich in local color, this great mock-epic by the Icelandic Nobel Prize-winner features the indelible Bjartur of Summerhouses, a hard-headed, independent-minded sheep farmer.
The History of Iceland
Gunnar Karlsson, Icelands premier historian, chronicles the age of the Sagas, consulting them to describe an era without a monarch or central authority.
Nordic Runes: Understanding, Casting, and Interpreting the Ancient Viking Oracle
A comprehensive and practical guide to the ancient oracle based on the runic alphabet of the Norse. Nordic runes are a potent and profoundly transformative magic system that gives contemporary readers access to the ancient wisdom tradition of Northern European cultures.
North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland
Catering to a rising interest in Nordic cuisine, this cookbook celebrates Iceland’s food alongside its haunting landscapes, portrayed in starkly beautiful, full-color photos.
Beyond the Northlands: Viking Voyages and the Old Norse Sagas
Beyond the Northands explores this world through the stories that the Vikings told about themselves in their sagas.
A Viking Voyage
An unforgettable adventure story that will take you to the heart of some of the most magnificent, unspoiled territory on earth, and even deeper, to the heart of a journey like no other.
Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings
The history of the Vikings told through a series of innovative maps and excellent photographs. This book traces the routes of the ninth-century Viking merchants and explorers throughout Europe and onto the New World.
Iceland: Land of the Sagas
Circumnavigating Iceland in summer and winter, Krakauer and Roberts encounter tales of monks and Vikings, outlaws and adventurers, trolls and witches. While touring and photographing, they discover the myths and legends of Iceland's stirring history.
Song of the Vikings, Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
Brown brings to life not just the great Norse tales of medieval Iceland but also the life and times of the worldly Icelandic chieftain, known as the "Homer of the North."
Ring of Seasons, Iceland, Its Culture and History
A longtime resident of Reykjavik, Lacy weaves tales of family life, anecdote, lore and history into this illuminating personal portrait of Iceland.
Program No.
24633
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Reykjavik
Program Concludes
Reykjavik
Activity Level
At a Glance
A land of geologic marvels teeming with fjords, volcanoes and lagoons, Iceland’s incredible landscape is a must for any great explorer to experience — and we can’t think of a better way than on this exclusive Road Scholar Floating Campus voyage! Board the Ocean Albatros for a voyage that begins in Reykjavik and leads you on a journey to the Westman Islands, Akureyri, Grimsey island and beyond. Immerse yourself in the wildlife and geology of the region as your onboard instructors offer their insight during lectures, Q&A sessions and casual discussions. In true campus style, take part in onboard activities like a book club or photography instruction, enjoy a live performance and get to know other Road Scholars who share your love for learning and exploration.
Best of all, you'll...
- Spend two nights in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik before your voyage begins to explore landmarks like the National Museum, Höfði House and Perlan-Wonders of Iceland Exhibition Center.
- Add to your birding life lists as you sail along the coasts of Grimsey island and Westfjords, known for their vast populations of seabirds.
- Explore Westman Islands, known for volcanic activity and as the home of the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in the world.
- Enjoy the camaraderie of other Road Scholars as you take in private lectures, unique field trips and take part in educational onboard activities on this exclusive Floating Campus voyage.
General Notes
This learning adventure is part of Road Scholar’s Floating Campus. You’ll enjoy a true campus feel as we have the entire ship to ourselves and welcome a maximum of 150 Road Scholars, and enjoy field trips onshore in smaller groups of 35. Onboard experts will be on hand throughout the voyage and will offer instruction during exclusive lectures, Q&A sessions and discussions. Enjoy a book club, onboard activities, a live performance and the camaraderie that can only be found with an entire ship full of fellow Road Scholars! Please note that we need a minimum number of participants to enroll in this program to have exclusive use of the ship. In the unlikely event we do not meet the minimum number, then the cruise line may have its own passengers on the ship, though they will not be part of any Road Scholar activities.
Featured Expert
Eleni Petroutsou
Eleni Petroutsou was born in Athens and has always been intrigued by the wider world. In school, she learned English, Italian, German, and some Spanish. After studying archaeology and history at university, she graduated from the State School of Tour Guides. Her three-plus decades of experience as a group leader have taken her to Asia, the Middle East and beyond. She says leading Road Scholar programs gives her “the opportunity to share my knowledge with well-traveled, educated, polite and interesting people!”
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Jill Rosenfield
Jill Rosenfield lives in Jerusalem and works full time as an Israeli official guide and Road Scholar group leader. For the past 25 years, she has led a wide variety of groups. She loves introducing the historical, cultural, and culinary wonders of Israel. Jill grew up in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, before moving to South Africa to finish her schooling and university. After graduating, she emigrated to Israel and worked for many years as a special education teacher, then changed careers and became a licensed Israeli guide.
Carolyne Larrington
Carolyne Larrington is an Emeritus Research Fellow at St John’s College, Oxford and former professor of medieval European literature at Oxford University. She has been visiting Iceland and studying its literature for more than forty years. She has translated the most important collection of Old Norse mythological poetry, the Poetic Edda, and has written two books on Old Norse myth. Carolyne has been honored by the President of Iceland for her services to Icelandic literature, and is a member of the Order of the Falcon.
Ann Carr
Ann Carr, after careers as an officer in the Royal Air Force then an flight attendant, joined a major UK travel company in an operational role, handling incoming American groups. She later served as head of enrichment for a cruise line. Experienced in all aspects of planning, she trained as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has over 30 years of practical experience leading groups. She is a food and wine expert, and has a passion for sports and theater.
James Hickey
James Hickey is a researcher and senior lecturer in geophysics and volcanology at the University of Exeter. His research specializes in aiming to better understand active and restless volcanoes, having worked on volcanoes in Japan, Ecuador, Bolivia, the Caribbean, Iceland, and New Zealand, amongst others. He was also invited to join the response to the 2021 eruption on La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. James combines his research with a passion for education and science communication, and regularly enjoys engaging in science outreach activities.
Sinisa Diklic
Sinisa Diklic started working in travel at the age of 17 while studying law at Zagreb University. He was a sport animator and resort representative before becoming a group leader. After residing in London and the Costa del Sol, Sinisa now in lives in Zagreb, Croatia. He is fluent in Croatian, English, Spanish, and Italian, and is interested in history, cultures, arts, music, food, tennis, and skiing.
Activity Level
Choose Your Pace
This program offers two activity levels to choose from on every departure date: one that has more walking and standing and one at a less active pace. Must be comfortable getting in & out of tender boats and zodiacs, feel comfortable navigating around the ship and handle stairs while on board.
PLEASE NOTE: The ship is not suitable for wheelchair/electric scooter use.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List: 20 Books
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768