Cruise Itinerary

Domain of the Norse thunder god, Thor, and shaped by fire and ice, Iceland’s volcanic landscape is a spectacular collage of lava fields, craters, waterfalls, and imposing mountain ranges. Vast geothermal springs power the spray of geysers, provide residents with the hot water that heats their homes, and fills the warm public pools where locals go to relax and catch up with friends. Visitors are encouraged to join in the fun. Reykjavik itself is a 21st century European city, with fine restaurants, cozy cafes, and intriguing museums and galleries.

Sitting in the finger-like scenery of the Westfjords - which flays out from the mainland to form one of Europe’s most westerly points, Patreksfjordur has barely 700 inhabitants and - like so many Icelandic communities - is built on time-tested fishing traditions. Discover wonderful crowds of birdlife clinging to the dramatic cliffs, as you embark on adventures amid the Westfjords, discovering flat-topped mountains, cutting inlets and evocative, windswept beaches. View less With their bright beaks and amiable features, puffins are some of the most beautiful birds in the world - and they nest in huge quantities on Látrabjarg cliff, close to Patreksfjordur. Vertically steep and imposing, the birds are safe from predators like foxes here, as they live and breed on the dramatically steep drop-offs. Wander to see them thriving in their natural habitat, clinging to cliff ledges. You can also encounter gannets and guillemots, as well as an estimated 40% of the world’s Razorbill population. Rauðasandur beach is one of Iceland’s more unusual sights, a huge copper-red stretch of sand. Wander the dreamy shoreline, and photograph the remote, colourful collision of sea and sand. You’re also close to the majestic veil of Dynjandi waterfall, which fans out across 60 metres as it descends. After a tough day’s hiking, return to Patreksfjordur to admire fjord views and soak your muscles in an outdoor pool, as the stars begin to appear above. Or head to the muscle-relieving, naturally-heated, geothermal pools that murmur nearby.

Often described as the capital of north Iceland, the country's second-largest city is both vibrant and pretty, and serves as an ideal hub for exploring the incredible landscape that surrounds it. Located at the head of a 60-kilometer fjord—the country’s longest—and surrounded by snow-streaked mountains, Akureyri was originally settled in the 9th century and was first officially mentioned as a city in the 16th century. Today it boasts a population of around 17,000, a scenic harbor and an array of interesting shops, buzzy cafés and upscale restaurants. Its main sights include the Akureyri Church, a wonderful botanical garden (founded in 1912) and the fascinating Akureyri Museum. From here it’s possible to explore some of the country’s most memorable landscapes, starting with Akureyri’s own fjord, Eyjafjörður, where you'll find several museums (including the Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum), fishing villages like Grenivík and plenty of dramatic mountain scenery. Farther afield are the island of Grímsey, the volcanic wonderland of Lake Mývatn and a whole host of waterfalls, gorges, churches and saga sites.

Nestled within a deep fjord and surrounded by dramatic snow-capped mountains lies Seyðisfjörður—a quirky, charming enclave on Iceland’s eastern coast. Built on the back of the Icelandic herring fishing industry, there’s nowhere on Earth quite as picturesque, peaceful, or peculiar as Seyðisfjörður, and, with Azamara®'s smaller ships, we think we fit right in.

Djúpivogur, a quiet fishing village with fewer than 500 residents, sits on the eastern coast of Iceland and dates back to the days of the Vikings. Despite the fearsome reputation of those who first established Djúpivogur, today what draws visitors to this remote corner of the country is its dramatic natural setting. Located on Berufjörður, it is near stunning natural wonders like the Hofellsjökull Glacier and the Valley of Waterfalls. Wherever you journey in the region, you'll come upon stunning vistas and a landscape shaped by glaciers and geothermal activity. The village itself is home to intriguing sites like Langabúð, a log house built in 1790 that now houses artifacts related to Iceland’s long-held folk traditions. (These include a belief in “hidden folk” who live in the ancient windswept landscapes of rock, glacier and lava.) You can also journey to nearby Papey Island and meet some of eastern Iceland's seabird population including cute and quirky puffins. These birds are so beloved in Iceland that they were long the symbol of the national airline and actually outnumber the country's human population by some 25 to 1.

Killybegs has offered mariners a safe haven from the churning waters of the Atlantic Ocean for centuries. Its sheltered deepwater harbor opens out into Donegal Bay and the vast northeastern Atlantic. In ancient times, the town consisted of no more than a huddle of small beehive-style huts called “Na Cealla Beaga,” a Gaelic phrase from which the town takes its current name. Fast-forward to today, and the maritime theme is just as strong. Modern-day Killybegs is a tight-knit seafaring community with Ireland’s largest fishing fleet. This part of County Donegal is also home to a number of traditional industries and artisan workshops, where craftspeople specialize in carpet-making, weaving and knitting. Killybegs is surrounded by some of the most scenic landscape Ireland has to offer. As a stop along the 2,500-kilometer-long coastal route known as the Wild Atlantic Way, there are several stunning spots you can’t miss, including the white, sandy expanse of nearby Fintra Beach and the vertigo-inducing cliffs at Slieve League. Come here to soak up the small-town atmosphere and drink in the natural beauty that abounds.

Set on the Corrib River, with the scenic sweep of Galway Bay beyond, Galway is one of Ireland’s most charming cities, small yet vibrant, with a decidedly bohemian feel. It is also known as the City of Tribes, as its public and commercial life during the Middle Ages was dominated by a group of 14 influential merchant families, whose surnames—including Morris, Joyce, Kirwan, French and D'Arcy—are still in evidence today. Galway’s spiritual heart is Eyre Square, but the real attraction is its medieval quarter, a jumble of narrow streets and landmarks like the Spanish Arch, which perches on the quayside where river and sea meet. Take a stroll along Galway’s seaside promenade at Salthill, just west of the city center, to take in stunning Atlantic panoramas. Galway has a thriving cultural scene and has been designated a UNESCO City of Film. Its rich artistic heritage is epitomized by the annual International Arts Festival held each July, but you can find traditional music in its bars and pubs any day of the week, year round. Venture beyond the city to immerse yourself in the haunting landscape of Connemara, and get lost among its pewter lakes, lonely bogs and silver sand beaches.

Bantry Bay, framed by the Sheep's Head Hills and the Caha Mountains, offers one of the Ireland’s most magnificent seascapes and picturesque harbors. As with other areas on Ireland's south-west coast, Bantry claims an ancient connection to the sixth-century Saint Breandán the Navigator, who was, in Irish folklore, the first person to discover America. A highlight of the area is stately Bantry House and Garden Estate. The magnificent garden is laid out in the Italian style over seven terraces. In addition to the many spirited Irish pubs are the Bantry Museum and the architecture of St. Brendan's and St. Finbarr's Churches. There are pristine, white-sand beaches, interspersed with jagged outcrops of rock and bordered by the verdant-green hills that make Ireland famous. County Cork is renowned for its megalithic stone circles and standing stones. Historic castles dot the landscape. The coastline of Cork is also home to basking sharks and fin, pilot, and minke whales.

Corkonians are fiercely proud of their hometown, so much so that it’s jokingly referred to as the People’s Republic of Cork. And there is a lot to love about Ireland’s second city. Hugging the banks of the River Lee, it takes its name from corcaigh, the Gaelic word for "marshy." With its origins in the 7th century, Cork enjoyed a flourishing period as a merchant center in the 18th and 19th centuries, with grand buildings like the elegant Cork City Hall bearing testimony to this status. On the north bank of the River Lee is the quaint neighborhood of Shandon with its landmark clock tower of St. Anne’s Church. The city’s heart is set on an island sandwiched between two channels of the Lee that open out into one of Europe's largest natural harbors at Cobh. Cobh brought the city prosperity (and also happened to be the final port of call for the ill-fated RMS Titanic). And it was from Cobh that over 2.5 million immigrants caught their final glimpse of their home country as they departed in search of a better life in the United States between 1848 and 1950. There’s a more modern side to Cork, with a thriving university quarter, pubs, bars and restaurants. Whatever your interests, you will find a side of Cork to love too.

Southampton offers fast and efficient check-in areas, spacious departure lounges with seating areas, café-bars and smart washrooms. If you wish to travel by car and park for the duration of your cruise, you can pay for and reserve parking in advance directly with the relevant company. Alternatively, if being dropped off or collected by taxi or private car, they can drive right up alongside the terminal building.