NATURAL WONDERS OF AND ICELAND

From majestic glaciers and icebergs floating in deep-blue water to the island’s unique indigenous wildlife, the natural wonders of Greenland are the stars of this soft adventure voyage. Whales and seals often accompany the OCEAN DIAMOND, while musk ox graze ashore.

We spend a spectacular 10 days cruising the west coast of Southern Greenland and Iceland's volcanic Westmann Islands. Icebergs, whales, Inuit culture and history are the main highlights, and the scenery is majestic too. There are plenty of shore visits planned and the on board experts will keep you informed on a day to day basis.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Welcome to Greenland! The OCEAN DIAMOND anchors off Kanglerlussuaq and embarkation is conducted via our Zodiac boats. The ship departs in the evening.

Day 2 With approx. 5,600 inhabitants, Sisimiut is the second largest town in Greenland. It is a modern settlement that maintains ancient traditions. The fishing industry still plays an important role. The natural harbor remains ice-free throughout the year which made it an attractive location for European whalers in former times.

Day 3

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Our next stop is Ilulissat, which means “iceberg” in Greenlandic. settlers and visit a reconstructed Viking longhouse and small And with good reason, as the town is located at the mouth of turf church. the iceberg-filled Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Delight in the thunderous spectacle when icebergs break off from Sermeq glacier Day 8 Day at Sea/Prins Christian Sound and plunge into the fjord. When conditions are favorable, we travel along the 70-mile (112-km) Prins Christian Sound. In this narrow, often Day 4 ice-choked channel, we come so close to icebergs you can Uummannaq is considered one of the most beautiful towns in almost reach out and touch them. Greenland. Located on a small island about 300 miles (483 km) north of the Arctic Circle, this tiny, picturesque village lies Day 9 Ammassalik Island at the foot of a heartshaped mountain. The island is characterized by several glaciers, jagged peaks, rivers, lakes and waterfalls. There are vast green valleys and Day 5 deep fjords with newly calved icebergs dropping off the ice cap The small settlement of Qeqertarsuaq is located on the South into the sea. , the largest town in East Greenland, is Coast of Disko Island. In 1773 the first whaling base was located on Ammassalik Island. With its population of founded there. Whaling has been of great importance to the approximately 2,000 people, the town is the gateway to explore town over the past two centuries. East Greenland.

Day 6 Day 10 Skjoldungen Fjord Nuuk is the capital of Greenland and its oldest town. Founded The Skjoldungen Fjord is bordered by towering mountains tipped in 1728 by Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, the city with snow, ice-scraped valley sides with serpentine rivers of ice combines Arctic traditions and European urbanity. With around plunging into the sea. It is highly likely that the fjord was 16,000 inhabitants, Nuuk is considered a modern, bustling inhabited by Paleo-Eskimo (Inuit) nomadic people as early as metropolis compared to the rest of Greenland. Visit the city 4,000 years ago. Surrounded by wild and pristine nature, it is sights on a walking tour that ends at the National Museum, quite common to see whales, bearded seals and various kinds which exhibits the famous mummies of Qilakitsoq. of birds in the area.

Day 7 Day 11 Day at Sea/ Strait In the evening we reach the small settlement of Qassiarsuk to Today we sail across the Denmark Strait towards Iceland. This anchor for the night. Qassiarsuk was founded by notorious route was used by Norse settlers traveling to Greenland around Viking who named this area “green land” because 900 years ago. of the inviting green valleys around Qassiarsuk. During our stop here you can learn about the lives of the island’s early Norse Day 12 Reykjavik

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com After breakfast, we bid farewell to the OCEAN DIAMOND as we sail back into Reykjavik.

Please Note: All routes and excursions are provisional and subject to change – weather, sea and ice conditions may affect the itinerary.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: OCEAN DIAMOND

YOUR SHIP: Ocean Diamond

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The 224 passenger vessel was completely refurbished in Norway in 2012 and is perfect for our exploration being large enough to provide stability, speed, spacious cabins and ample landscapes. Public areas and facilities include an observation public space, yet small enough to manoeuvre in remote areas. lounge with bar, a fitness centre, pool with bar, sun deck, The vessel is outfitted with the most current navigational and lecture threatre with state of the art audio visual equipment, communications technology as well as with retractable library and lounge. The restaurant serves all passengers in one, stabilisers for smooth sailing. The vessel is ice strengthened and open seating and cuisine onboard is international. There is also features 18 Zodiacs for our forays ashore. a gift shop, clinic and a spa onboard. Your Cabin/Suite With a maximum of 210 passengers, the Your Dining The single sitting restaurant is located on the Lower Ocean Diamond offers cabins across its five decks. There a Deck and is both spacious and light. Breakfast and lunch are range of cabins and suites available and all feature outside served buffet style and dinner is served to your table. All meals views (porthole, window or balcony), full private en-suite include a vegetarian option. Afternoon tea also served daily bathrooms featuring bathtub and shower, a writing desk, around the afternoon excursions and coffee, tea and water are individual temperature control, in-room safe, refrigerator, available complimentary around the clock. Weather permitting, satellite phone access, hairdryer and flat-screen television and there will be the opportunity to dine outside on occasion. DVD player. Cabins range in size from 17 square metres to 30 Life Onboard The atmosphere onboard is focused on exploration square metres. and discovery with all the creature comforts you would expect Your Space The Ocean Diamond features spacious public areas from a vessel of this calibre. The onboard crew offer excellent and ample deck space from where you can admire the beautiful service and in addition the expedition team will enrich your passing experience with their knowledge of the region. Through a lecture programme and shore expeditions, they will share their expertise

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com and passion with you. After a day of exploration ashore, you will return to the comfort of a sophisticated ship with a friendly crew and informal atmosphere. A fleet of Zodiacs are used for landings and nature cruises, and during your voyage you will have the opportunity to visit the Captain and Officers on the Bridge to learn more about your journey, further fostering the expeditionary nature of our voyage. Some Deck Plans may vary from what you see below. The vessel complies with all MARPOL (Marine Pollution Act)regulations. The vessel has a Garbage Management Plan to deal with garbage accumulated during a voyage. As for human waste, the vessel is equipped with a Sewage Treatment system that processes the waste generated onboard. The treated waste water is discharged at sea or shoreside. If discharged at sea it is done according to strict International standards and Class required protocols that include distance from shore, depth of the water, speed of the vessel and rate of discharge.

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com INSIDE YOUR SHIP

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com PRICING

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com