Southern Greenland Discovery (Swan Hellenic)

Founded as a naval base in 1749, Halifax’s seafaring history is well-grounded with the Canadian Museum of Immigration, where one million Europeans landed up until 1971, and the Noon Gun that has fired from the Citadel fortress since 1857. When the Titanic struck the iceberg at 11:40 pm, April 14, 1912, ships set sail from here. Many victims are buried at Fairview Lawn Cemetery, while the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic displays rescued artefacts.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

St. John’s, North America's easternmost city and capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, traces its history to John Cabot's 1497 voyage. Thriving in the 18th and 19th centuries with the cod fishing industry, the town's architecture, like the row houses on George Street, echoes its maritime past. Water Street, once a bustling port, now hosts shops and galleries in converted warehouses. Signal Hill provides views of the city's colourful houses.

The 1,000-year-old Norse settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows (Meadows Cove), on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, is the first and only authenticated Viking site in the Americas, believed to have been occupied by Leif Erikson. He was the first European to explore Canada's east coast in around 1021. Some of the 800 original Norse artefacts and eight sod houses are on view during a tour of the recreated village, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Qaqortoq is the largest city in South Greenland and the perfect base to explore the Norse (Viking) ruins encompassed by the extensive UNESCO-listed Kujataa World Heritage Site, a sub-arctic farming landscape. The town is home to 18th-century colonial buildings and the oldest fountain in Greenland; completed in 1932, it depicts whales spouting water out of their blowholes. Qaqortoq Museum in the town's oldest building focuses on early settlers.

Narsarsuaq, a gateway to South Greenland with a WWII air base, is rich in history and biodiversity. Close to the Greenland Ice Sheet and Erik the Red's Norse settlement, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, it bears reminders of its wartime past. The Greenland Arboretum, a wooded haven, flourishes with wildflowers in summer, guiding paths to viewpoints, all within 6km of the impressive Greenland ice sheet.

Colourful Nordic houses stand against snow-tipped mountain ridges, encircling Aappilattoq, a remote Inuit village in Greenland. Nestled within the icy wilderness of Prins Christian Sund, accessible by boat or helicopter, Aappilattoq is home to around 100 rugged individuals who make a living through fishing and hunting. Considered the southernmost inhabited area in Greenland, Aappilattoq is in fact at the midpoint of the west and east coasts

CRUISE PRINS CHRISTIAN SUND

A beautifully dramatic fjord in the south of Greenland, Prins Christian Sund offers breathtaking vistas of Greenland's icy wilderness. Magnificent glaciers and granite cliffs plunge into crystal-clear waters.Fin, blue and minke whales are a common sight, feeding on the rich krill blooms., while shaggy-coated muskox, polar bears and bearded seals are well-adapted to this harsh Arctic climate.

A beautifully dramatic fjord in the south of Greenland, Prins Christian Sund offers breathtaking vistas of Greenland's icy wilderness. Magnificent glaciers and granite cliffs plunge into crystal-clear waters.Fin, blue and minke whales are a common sight, feeding on the rich krill blooms., while shaggy-coated muskox, polar bears and bearded seals are well-adapted to this harsh Arctic climate.

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

The largest town in the southern part of Iceland’s striking Westfjords region, Patreksfjörður was a pioneering force in Iceland’s fishing industry. Today commercial fishing remains the town’s primary industry. One of Patreksfjörður’s main draws is the nearby Látrabjarg Cliff, Europe’s largest bird cliff and one of the world’s best seabird watching spots where the puffins are protected so they have little reason to fear humans.

Your cruise ends in Reykjavík. Make sure there is sufficient time before you begin your journey home to explore this diminutive but dramatic capital city. Despite its small size, you won’t be short of things to see and do. To get your bearings, take the elevator to the top of Hallgrímskirkja. This church, designed by famed Icelandic architect Gudjón Samuelsson is one of the most distinctive buildings in town. When you return to earth, visit the city’s other renowned building Harpa Concert Hall, located at the heart of Reykjavík's regenerated harbour – also the home of the Maritime.