Luxury Expedition Cruise in Greenland and Iceland | National Geographic Endurance

Atlantic puffin captured mid-flight above a rocky, moss-covered cliff, its orange feet tucked back and wings spread as it leaves the ledge.
July 23, 2026
Jen Mitchell

A Luxury Expedition Cruise Through Greenland and Iceland

Some trips are memorable. Others are transformative. My voyage aboard National Geographic Endurance was truly unlike any trip I have ever taken, and what made it so special was not just the destination, but the way the expedition team adapted the journey in real time to create something extraordinary.

National Geographic Endurance is one of Lindblad’s newer polar expedition ships, built for remote regions and designed for comfort as well as capability. It is a purpose-built expedition vessel with an ice-strengthened hull, a high ice class, and the kind of modern design that makes it ideal for exploring Greenland and Iceland in changing conditions. Even with all that rugged capability, the ship still feels refined, comfortable, and beautifully suited to the luxury adventure traveler.

The original itinerary changed because of wind, seas, and weather, but that only deepened the adventure. Instead of simply scenic cruising in Greenland, we were able to go ashore early and enjoy a full day in Greenland that not every sailing on this itinerary gets to experience. The seas on the way to Iceland were remarkably smooth thanks to the careful planning and expertise of the captain and expedition team, which set the tone for a voyage that felt both adventurous and incredibly well managed.

A Luxury Beginning in Iceland

We started the cruise with a first-night stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, which was the perfect way to ease into Iceland with a spa day and a truly restorative start. Our last night was spent at The Reykjavik EDITION, a stylish luxury hotel that made for a seamless and elegant finish to the trip.

Starting with Blue Lagoon set the tone perfectly. The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is known for its luxurious setting, geothermal lagoon, and spa-focused experience, which made it an ideal way to recover from travel and shift into vacation mode. Ending at The Reykjavik EDITION also felt very intentional, since it gave us a polished base in the heart of Reykjavik near the harbor and downtown.

Greenland Days We Won’t Forget

One of the highlights of the voyage was our time in Greenland. We enjoyed a zodiac cruise in Kivioq Fjord and scenic cruising in Nansen Fjord, both of which felt wild, remote, and completely immersive. Then came Ryberg Fjord, which was easily one of the best days of the entire trip, with hiking, kayaking, and a polar plunge after kayaking that afternoon.

The skies were blue, the icebergs were glowing, and everything about the day felt surreal. That is the beauty of expedition travel: when conditions cooperate, the experience becomes unforgettable in a way that no traditional cruise can match.

Iceland’s Unexpected Treasures

In Siglufjörður, we visited the Herring Era Museum and got to see a funny, lively song-and-dance demonstration that showed how herring used to be salted. It was playful, unexpected, and a wonderful cultural stop.

One of the most magical surprises of the trip was our stop in Flatey, which, to our knowledge, was not visited by any other expedition ship at the time. The island was absolutely breathtaking, with seas of yellow flowers, an old lighthouse, a church, and puffins everywhere. It was a photographer’s dream and one of those rare places that feels almost too beautiful to be real.

In Húsavík, we enjoyed hikes, GeoSea, and touring, which balanced adventure and relaxation perfectly. In Borgarfjörður Eystri, I spent hours photographing puffins and playing with my manual settings on my new Canon Mark IV. It was one of those days that reminds you why having the right camera in the right place matters so much.

Scenic Cruising and Weather

We had hoped for a volcano hike in Heimaey, but the winds were too strong, so we shifted to scenic cruising instead and watched Surtsey from the ship. While it was disappointing to miss the hike, it was also a reminder that expedition travel is shaped by nature, and that flexibility is part of the magic.

That same spirit of adaptability is what makes these voyages so remarkable. The best expedition teams know how to read the weather, protect the guest experience, and still deliver unforgettable moments even when the plan changes.

What Made the Ship Special

What made this journey so special was not just the places we visited, but the people who brought the experience to life. The expedition team was so much more than crew — they were true experts in their fields, and by the end of the voyage, they felt like friends. They guided us on hikes, shared meals with us, gave incredible lectures, and made every day feel more personal and meaningful.

The National Geographic photographers were a true highlight for me. I picked their brains throughout the cruise and absorbed as much as I could for my own hobby, which made the trip feel both inspiring and educational. National Geographic Endurance is also designed with expedition life in mind, with comfortable spaces, excellent viewing areas, and wellness features that make time onboard feel as enjoyable as time ashore. We especially loved the recap before dinner each evening, where we learned more about where we had been and got excited about where we were headed next.

The ship was very nice and included amenities like deep tissue massage, sauna, and hot tub time before dinner. That rhythm became one of our favorite parts of the day.

Reykjavik Highlights

Back in Reykjavik, we made time for a few fun experiences that rounded out the trip beautifully. We visited the chocolate factory, did FlyOver Iceland, saw the Lava Show, and explored the Perlan exhibit. We also enjoyed a great meal at the food hall near the Parliament Hotel, where the sushi and bao buns were a favorite, and, of course, we had to stop at the famous hot dog stand.

Those little city moments were the perfect contrast to the wildness of Greenland and the fjords. They made the whole trip feel balanced, luxurious, and deeply memorable.

Why This Voyage Stood Out

What made this journey so special was not just the places we visited, but the way it all came together. Weather changed the route, but it also created opportunities we never would have had otherwise. We got a fuller Greenland experience, an unexpected stop in Flatey, and a trip that felt exclusive in the best possible way.

For travelers who love luxury expedition cruises, this is exactly why these voyages are so compelling. They are not about rigid schedules. They are about access, expertise, and the ability to turn changing conditions into once-in-a-lifetime experiences. National Geographic Endurance reflects that spirit beautifully, pairing expedition capability with comfort, thoughtful design, and the kind of onboard experience that elevates the entire journey.

Closing Thought

This voyage aboard National Geographic Endurance reminded me that the best travel stories are often the ones that unfold differently than expected. From The Retreat at Blue Lagoon to Greenland fjords, puffin colonies, and scenic cruising past Surtsey, every part of the journey felt intentional, beautiful, and unforgettable.

Discover an unforgettable luxury expedition cruise aboard National Geographic Endurance through Greenland and Iceland, featuring fjords, puffins, scenic cruising, and expert guides.
  • Pair of Atlantic puffins on a grassy cliff, one stretching its wing while both display bright orange beaks and feet against a rocky backdrop.
  • Atlantic puffin standing in grass, wings slightly open to the side, showing its black back, white belly, and vivid orange beak.
  • Close-up portrait of an Atlantic puffin with a colorful orange beak and crisp black-and-white plumage against a dark blurred background.
  • Three hikers posing with arms raised on a grassy ridge above a blue bay, surrounded by steep green mountains under a bright sky.
  • Four women sitting on the sunlit steps of a simple building, laughing and relaxing in outdoor gear with a stormy sky and yellow flowers in the background.
  • Photographer in outdoor gear standing on a grassy path through a field of yellow flowers, aiming a telephoto lens toward distant farmhouses under a dramatic sky.
  • Woman dancing and laughing with a local man on a wooden dock in front of a red historic building during a lively herring museum performance.
  • Expedition guide in rain gear and backpack standing at the base of a towering basalt rock wall, observing the geometric columns.
  • Smiling woman in a blue expedition jacket standing at a viewpoint above a wide, powerful waterfall cutting through a rocky green canyon.
  • Woman sitting inside a glass igloo-like dome, gazing out over calm water and distant snow-capped mountains with a camera resting on a blanket.
  • Dramatic snow-streaked mountain reflected in still, icy water, scattered with floating ice chunks under a low gray sky.
  • Expedition bridge scene with a woman using binoculars beside crew at the helm, scanning the bright horizon through large windows.
  • Sunlight glints off a calm Arctic bay as low clouds and fog wrap around dark, rugged mountains rising from the water.
  • Two orcas surface in choppy gray-blue Arctic water, their black dorsal fins and white eye patches breaking through the waves.
  • Four women smiling and relaxing in milky blue geothermal water, backed by dark volcanic rock walls at a spa pool.
  • Map showing a National Geographic Endurance expedition route around Iceland and into Greenland’s fjords, with labeled waypoints for wildlife sightings and key stops.
  • Atlantic puffin captured mid-flight above a rocky, moss-covered cliff, its orange feet tucked back and wings spread as it leaves the ledge.
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