On July 27, 2025, the 136-guest National Geographic Endurance set sail from Reykjavik on a 12-day expedition to Iceland’s Wild West Coast and East Greenland, returning August 7. Cruise Specialists Cruise Consultants Gillian Clark and Karen McKinstry were aboard, and their firsthand experiences reveal why this was not just a cruise, it was an expedition that transformed how they saw the world.
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A True Expedition Experience
Karen put it best, “You don’t take an expedition cruise – it takes you!”
Unlike a traditional cruise with a set schedule, this expedition was guided by the whims of nature. Weather, seas, and wildlife shaped the journey, ensuring every day brought something unexpected.
Karen described the liberating feeling of handing the reins to the expedition team, who guided guests to unforgettable experiences:
- Zodiac explorations among sea ice
- Shore landings on remote beaches
- Sailing through fjords where mountains meet the sea
The silence was profound, “not hearing or seeing evidence of anyone else outside of our expedition bubble for days.” That solitude left her humbled by the vastness and beauty of the Arctic.
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Wildlife Encounters & Natural Wonders
Gillian emphasized the abundance of wildlife, with the highlight being 15 polar bear sightings, advising, “Timing was everything, late summer ensured enough sea ice for polar bears to roam, but not so much that it blocked the ship’s passage. A week later and the ice that allowed us to see so many polar bears was gone!”
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Other unforgettable moments included:
- Spotting seabirds, seals, an Arctic fox and musk ox with help from the expert expedition team
- Standing before towering icebergs, each with unique colors and formations
- Witnessing incredible geology, from patterned rock faces to sheer cliffs
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The only inhabited stop was Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland, offering a glimpse into a rugged but vibrant way of life in one of the world’s most remote settlements.
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Life On Board National Geographic Endurance
While the destinations were the stars of this voyage, the ship itself enhanced the experience. The Cruise Consultants reported back that embarking in Reykjavik was effortless—just four blocks from the hotel to the dock, with luggage already waiting in the staterooms.
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The National Geographic Endurance was designed to bring travelers closer to nature, with small-ship agility that larger vessels could not match. For example, while bigger ships had to dock an hour away from Dynjandi Falls, this ship had guests there in just five minutes by zodiac.
Once aboard, guests could enjoy:
- Spacious suites with balconies and hammocks
- A 24-hour open bridge, where guests could watch navigation in action and an ideal location to spot wildlife with naturalists on-hand to identify them
- A Kayak & Zodiac garage allowing quick deployment within 10 minutes of arrival
- Twice daily excursions on most days to go hiking, kayaking, zodiac cruising, or shore landings
- Igloos on the Observation deck for all-night Arctic views
- Two outdoor Infinity-edge hot tubs on the Observation deck
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And then there was the food—Gillian described it as some of the best she has ever had. Beyond the exceptional dining, the crew brought warmth and energy to every interaction, serving with genuine hospitality and even providing entertainment that fostered a wonderful sense of camaraderie on board. On the last evening, the atmosphere came alive with a spirited dance party, a highlight that perfectly captured the joyful spirit of the voyage.
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Karen highlighted the “easy camaraderie on board – a sense that we were all very privileged to be together on this great unknown shared adventure.” The staff and crew played a huge role in this, treating guests not as passengers, but as fellow explorers.
A Voyage to Remember
From the untouched fjords of Iceland’s Wild West Coast to the ice-draped wilderness of East Greenland, this 12-day expedition was more than a cruise, it was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature at its rawest and most beautiful.
Whether it was seeing polar bears in the wild, kayaking among icebergs, or simply standing in silence surrounded by Arctic majesty, Iceland & Greenland expedition aboard National Geographic Endurance delivered memories to last a lifetime.
See National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition Voyages >>