Iceland

Discover the Wilds of Iceland Onboard the Ocean Albatros

Program No. 24633RJ
Join others who love learning as much as you do as you circumnavigate Iceland onboard the Ocean Albatros, and immerse yourself in the country’s natural wonders and rich history.

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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 brand-new 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.

What You'll Learn

  • Spend two nights in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik before your voyage begins to explore landmarks like the National Museum, Höfði House and the Blue Lagoon.
  • Add to your birding life lists as you sail along the coasts of Grimsey Island and Westford, known for their vast populations of seabirds.
  • Explore Westman Island, known for its 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
Profile Image
Brian Williams
Brian Williams is Emeritus Professor of Geology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He has published more than 100 papers and several books. He is also a consultant to the oil industry and small geological companies. His studies have taken him to all corners of the globe, giving him the opportunity to share his enthusiasm for rocks and earth processes with adult education classes, industry personnel and students alike. When he is not "geologizing," Brian is passionate about rugby, American jazz, literature, film and travel.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Brian Williams
Brian Williams View biography
Brian Williams is Emeritus Professor of Geology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He has published more than 100 papers and several books. He is also a consultant to the oil industry and small geological companies. His studies have taken him to all corners of the globe, giving him the opportunity to share his enthusiasm for rocks and earth processes with adult education classes, industry personnel and students alike. When he is not "geologizing," Brian is passionate about rugby, American jazz, literature, film and travel.
Profile Image of Carolyne Larrington
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.
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.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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11 days
10 nights
27 meals
10 B 8 L 9 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Keflavik, Perlan-Wonders of Iceland Exhibition Center
Reykjavik
B,L,D
Reykjavik Natura Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m.

Breakfast: Coffee/Tea and pastries/cookies near the Keflavik airport.

Morning: Once all participants have joined us at the hotel near the Keflavik airport, we will board our coaches and drive to Perlan-Wonders of Iceland Exhibition Center, where we will have Free Time to explore the various exhibits on our own. This iconic building is a one of a kind nature exploratorium. Discover this learning laboratory and learn about Icelandic nature through science and human perception. Enjoy the views from the Observation Deck or just relax in the cafe.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will reboard the motorcoach and ride to central Reykjavik to check in to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Orientation. Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
3
Golden Circle
Reykjavik
B,L,D
Reykjavik Natura Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 60 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll set out from the hotel by bus for a full-day field trip around the Golden Circle. Our field trip will begin with an exploration of Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. It was here that the Althing, an open-air representative assembly, was established in 930 CE. It is the world’s oldest existing parliament. Thingvellir is considered the most sacred place in Iceland due its historical significance and for the fact that this is also the meeting point of the American and European continental plates.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Moving on, we’ll reach Gullfoss — golden falls — the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Water from the Langjökull glacier flows into the Hvítá (White) River. When it reaches the great Gullfossgljúfur canyon, it falls in two stages more than 100 feet (32 meters). We’ll then continue our ride to Geysir, where the active Strokkur geyser bursts forth every few minutes in a cloud of steam. Returning to our hotel in the late afternoon, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
National Museum of Iceland, Embarkation
Reykjavik
B,D
Ocean Albatros

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 60 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and board a bus and ride to the National Museum of Iceland. The charming museum traces the history of this remote island nation from the Settlement era to the modern day. Our field trip will continue with riding and walking in Reykjavik. We will see sites such as the historic Höfði House, site of the 1986 summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev that precipitated the end of the Cold War. We will also drive by Lake Tjornin, a small lake in downtown Reykjavik known for its birdlife, as well as walking through the Parliament House and City Hall with its large topographic map of Iceland.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Transfer to the port and board the Ocean Albatros. After completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax and start becoming familiar with the ship. There will be a mandatory passenger briefing and safety drill. Expedition ships — more rugged than traditional sailing vessels — are designed to venture into remote landscapes, enabling us to seek opportunities for getting up close to nature and wildlife. These educational adventures have flexible schedules. The itinerary may change daily based on weather, sailing conditions, and potential wildlife sightings. There may also be serendipitous occasions to experience something unexpected.

Dinner: Aboard ship. Dinners always include a meat option, fish option and vegetarian option. Water, tea, & coffee is available 24 hours a day. Any other beverages will be charged to your cabin. The ship has a fully equipped onboard bar & offers a wide variety of cocktails, beers, non-alcoholic beverages and bottled water.

Evening: At leisure. You might like to check out the library or the jacuzzis or swimming pool.

DAY
5
Westfjord
At Sea
B,L,D
Ocean Albatros

Activity note: Zodiac landing: possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking distances up to 2 miles on uneven and hilly terrain.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: We will board Zodiacs for the ride to the pier. Once we disembark from the Zodiacs, we will board our coaches and head out to explore the remote rural Westfjords, with a visit to the thunderous Dynjadi waterfalls, the highest and most impressive waterfall of the area. On the way back to the ship we will have the chance to enjoy the magnificent landscapes of the Westfjords.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.

DAY
6
Siglufjordur & Grimsey
At Sea
B,L,D
Ocean Albatros

Activity note: Zodiac landing: possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Walking distances up to 2 miles on uneven and hilly terrain.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: This morning we’ll visit Siglufjördur, sometimes referred to as the "Klondike of Iceland", and enjoy a walking discovery of the town. We will also visit the award-winning Herring Museum and learn the rich and important history of this small unassuming fishing village of Iceland‘s economic progress in the 19th century.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: This afternoon we’ll travel to the island of Grimsey via Zodiac. This island just barely sits on the Arctic Circle making it one of the world’s eight Arctic nations. Search for wildlife living on the island including gulls, puffins, and guillemots.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.

DAY
7
Akureyri, Lake Mývatn
At Sea
B,L,D
Ocean Albatros

Activity note: Getting on/off a coach; driving about 150 miles throughout the day, approximately 3.5 hours riding time. Walking distances up to 2 miles; uneven, hilly terrain. Bring bathing suit and towel (from ship) for Mývátn Nature Baths; lockers are available for rent.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: We will board our coaches and ride to one of the most beautiful spots in northern Iceland, the Lake Mývátn area. Today’s field trip will take us through an area of extreme contrasts, teeming with fauna, We'll ride to the pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar, and the impressive lava formations of Dimmuborgir, said to resemble a collapsed citadel. In Icelandic folklore, Dimmuborgir is said to connect the earth to the infernal. The mineral-rich water of the lake is an ideal habitat for fish and birds.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: To complete our field trip, we’ll visit the Mývátn Nature Baths in the Lake Mývátn geothermal area with an opportunity for a relaxing geothermal bath in the quiet of the countryside. We’ll return by motorcoach to our ship in Akureyri.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.

DAY
8
Husavik, Whale Museum
At Sea
B,L,D
Ocean Albatros

Activity note: Walking distances up to 2 miles on uneven and hilly terrain.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: This morning we will explore Húsavík, considered the capital of whale watching in Iceland due to it‘s wide open bay, rich marine life and excellent spotting rates. We will visit the world renowned Whale Museum.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: As we sail away from Husavik, keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins and birds and enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.

DAY
9
Djupivogur, Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlon
At Sea
B,L,D
Ocean Albatros

Activity note: Zodiac landing: possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 220 miles, approximately 5 hours riding time. Getting in/out of amphibian boats. Wear warm waterproof clothing; boats are not enclosed. Walking up to 1 mile; uneven terrain.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Today’s field trip from Djupivogur will take us to the magnificent Glacier Lagoon of Jökulsárlon. Huge blocks of ice constantly break off the Breidamerkurjokull glacier, and these large icebergs float on the lagoon. The lagoon itself is not very wide, but it is up to 750 feet deep which makes it the deepest lake in Iceland. Breidamerkurjokull is an outlet of the Vatnajokull glacier. We’ll board a specially-equipped boat and ride amid the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlon.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Our field trip will continue. We’ll then ride back to the ship. Later in the afternoon enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.

DAY
10
Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar
At Sea
B,L,D
Ocean Albatros

Activity note: Zodiac landing: possibility of rough seas; bumpy sailing; splashing water; may get wet; getting in/out of Zodiac with assistance from staff. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 13 miles approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking up to 1 mile; uneven, little hilly terrain.Wear warm waterproof clothing; boats are not enclosed.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Enjoy the activities of your choice aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: We will board Zodiacs for the ride to the pier. Once we step ashore at Heimaey, board our coaches for a panoramic exploration of this unique and fascinating landscape. The effects of the 1973 volcanic eruption are still visible, with half-buried houses and a dramatic crater. Heimaey is also known for its diversity of birdlife. We’ll finish our field trip at Eldheimar Volcano Museum. This unique museum tells the story of the 1973 Heimaey eruption, the emergence of Surtsey island in 1963, and the geology of the Vestmannaeyjar Islands.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.

DAY
11
Reykjavik, Disembark Ship, Transfer to Keflavik Airport
Reykjavik
B

Activity note: Ship scheduled to arrive in Reykjavik at 6:00 a.m. For those who purchased airfare through Road Scholar, there will be transfers to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) based on final flight times

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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