Friday 7th August: Flight to Glasgow
We fly to Glasgow and transfer to our overnight hotel or make your own way and join us at the hotel.
Meals: None
Saturday 8th August: Coach transfer from Glasgow to Dundee for Embarkation
After breakfast, we join the coach and make our way to Dundee Port to board the cruise ship Ambition for our special voyage. After embarkation, there’s time to settle into your cabin. This evening, we get to know our fellow passengers, friendly expedition team and crew at a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of a thrilling adventure to Iceland.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Sunday 9th August: On board Ambition at Sea
We head north, up the coast of Scotland with our sights set on the wonderful Faroe Islands. This is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with Ambition. On deck, enjoy the coastal views or explore the facilities on offer, including a wellness centre, gym, two swimming pools and a range of shops, perfect for peaceful days at sea.
Later, we gather for our ‘Welcome to the Eclipse Cruise Presentation,’ with expert astronomer, Pete Lawrence. Pete explains what to expect when viewing the Eclipse from a moving ship and reviews the weather prospects for a full totality.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Monday 10th August: Runavik, Faroe Islands
As we near our first port, we head to the observation deck, eager for the first view of the rugged coastlines and bright green grass of the beautiful Faroe Islands.
wAs we approach the Port of Runavik, we are struck by the many different shades of green all around us. The breathtaking Faroe Islands are part of an archipelago of 18 volcanic islands, halfway between Norway and Iceland. The largest settlement on Eysturoy Island, Runavik is nestled along the Skálafjørður fjord. We have the day to explore the charming harbour, see the traditional Faroese fishing boats and stroll through the quaint streets, lined with colourful houses. (something we will see a lot of in Iceland!)
For those interested in history, a visit to the local museums provides a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the Faroe Islands. Learn about the Viking history, maritime traditions, and the unique way of life that has been preserved over the centuries.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tuesday 11th August: On board Ambition at Sea
The Ambition continues her journey towards Greenland and we enjoy a day at sea taking in the spectacular views and bracing air. In the afternoon, we gather with our expedition team for the Photographing the Eclipse Presentation. Pete demonstrates the best way to take photographs from a moving ship and explains special viewing considerations to improve picture quality. In the evening, we enjoy an Omega Exclusive cocktail party with our expedition members, where discussions about the big day will undoubtedly be the main topic of conversation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wednesday 12th August: Eclipse Viewing Day
Ambition continues toward our viewing position of the south coast of Greenland, (the nearest settlement to this location is called Ittoqqortoormiit).
A further Eclipse presentation this morning from Pete will discuss the weather prospects, timeline and safe viewing advice. Excitement builds as we gather on the deck in anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime event. Our location offers an expected duration of totality (2 minutes and 15 seconds) In the afternoon, under the watchful eye of Pete, with cameras and special equipment at the ready, weather permitting, we experience the full glory of the total solar eclipse.
During a total solar eclipse, the Moon entirely covers the Sun, revealing the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, in a breathtaking display. The sky suddenly darkens, stars and planets become visible, and the temperature drops, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. This experience differs significantly from a partial eclipse, where the sun is only partially obscured, and the dramatic effects of totality are absent.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thursday 13th August: On board Ambition at Sea
After the thrill of the Solar Eclipse, we enjoy a day at sea and take full advantage of Ambition’s facilities. There is so much to enjoy on our cruise ship! Take in a show in the tiered main theatre or discover your hidden talents in the card room, library or craft studio, there is plenty to discover on board the ‘Second Lady of the Sea.’
In the afternoon we get together with Pete for an Omega Exclusive Presentation - a review of past Omega Eclipses.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Friday 14th August: Reykjavik, Iceland
We arrive at Reykjavik in the early hours of the morning. As the northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavik offers a stunning array of natural beauty, including geothermal springs, rugged coastlines and breathtaking views of the Northern Lights.
The city is also famous for its innovative architecture and bustling arts scene. Notable landmarks include the Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa Concert Hall and the National Museum of Iceland. All worth a visit. Whether you're interested in outdoor adventures or cultural experiences, Reykjavik beckons with its Nordic elegance and Arctic wonders. Take in the stunning architecture of the Hallgrímskirkja church, soak in the nearby Blue Lagoon's geothermal waters and explore the city's vibrant street art scene against a brisk North Atlantic backdrop.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Saturday 15th August: Grundarfjordur, Iceland
After a nighttime cruising, we arrive in the picturesque, fishing town of Grundarfjordur, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Grundarfjordur is a small town renowned for its dramatic landscapes and stunning natural beauty. It’s a definite must-visit destination and offers simply stunning views of the famous Mt Kirkjufell next to it – often dubbed the most photographed mountain in all of Iceland!
For art enthusiasts, don’t miss the Liston Art Gallery and look for stone sculptures by the town's most famous artist. We would also be remiss in telling you to keep an eye out for the Orca in the middle of Grundarfjordur. This sculpture was created by Unnsteinn Guðmundssonis and modelled after a special male orca named ‘Thunderstorm’.
Sunday 16th August: At sea & Aurora Borealis Viewing
On our day at sea, we enjoy all the facilities on offer, there is plenty to fill our time. From viewing the stunning Icelandic landscapes on deck to relaxing in the spa, we are spoilt for choice. This afternoon we take a seat with our expedition group for an Omega Exclusive – The Aurora Borealis Presentation by Pete – explaining where the Aurora comes from, what it looks like and the prospects of seeing this natural phenomenon in the days ahead.
In the late evening, we head to the deck to explore the night sky in search of the Aurora Borealis. This fantastic aerial phenomenon is striking in its otherworldly beauty. From the deck of our ship in Iceland, we are in the best possible spot to see this mesmerising, natural light show.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Monday 17th August: Seydisfjordur, Iceland
We spend a day exploring Seydisfjordur, a small town nestled at the end of a long fjord, considered to be one of Iceland’s’ cultural centres. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the colourful wooden houses stand out. In the summer months, the town is alive with visitors, the atmosphere quirky yet peaceful, with most eyes fixed on the iconic blue church at the end of the street, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja.
Tonight, we join our expedition members and Pete for another Omega Exclusive presentation on The Aurora Borealis. We gather, cameras at the ready for Pete to show and explain to us the best ways to photograph the Aurora Borealis. Later, we join all passengers on deck and look to the stars, for a second night of stargazing in the hope of seeing the magical Northern Lights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tuesday 18th August: On board Ambition at Sea
Ambition continues its southeasterly heading towards the Shetland Islands. As we journey across the seas, we have time once more to enjoy the facilities our cruise ship has to offer. After a full day of relaxation and pleasure, we change into our best clothes for an Omega Exclusive event – Dinner in the Holyrood Restaurant with Pete and the team.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wednesday 19th August: Lerwick, Shetland Isles, UK
The last stop on our cruise is Lerwick, the main town of the archipelago and just 222 miles from Bergen in Norway. While it was established in the 17th century to service Dutch herring and white fish fleets, the majority of the waterfront buildings date from the 18th century. The wooden huts which once stood here were burned twice, firstly by the angry residents of Scalloway who were displeased with fishermen’s ‘immorality’, then again later on by a French fleet.
Nowadays, Lerwick plays host to Up Helly Aa, an annual Viking fire festival, which marks the end of Yule season and culminates in the visually striking burning of a Viking galley ship. The town also had a starring role in the BBC series, Shetland, and its atmospheric streets made famous by DI Jimmy Perez are perfect for a leisurely wander.
In the late evening, we join our fellow passengers on deck for a third night of stargazing in the hope of seeing the wonderful Aurora Borealis appear across the night sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thursday 20th August: At sea
We wake up to enjoy our last day aboard the Ambition, a last chance to enjoy all the facilities on board. Whether you fancy a relaxing spa treatment, entertainment or some quiet time in the library reflecting on the past day’s events, there is plenty to do.
In the afternoon we gather for a presentation for all passengers, one last gathering and farewell. Although it is sad to see our expedition come to an end, we have undoubtedly made new friends and have memories to last a lifetime. We raise a glass of fizz to future Omega events and look forward to our next adventure together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Friday 21st August: Disembark & Edinburgh
In the morning, we arrive in Dundee and after breakfast, disembark. We say farewell to the Ambition and travel by coach to the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. Here, we can enjoy exploring the bustling city centre, which offers an extraordinary blend of shopping and fascinating historical and cultural attractions. Afterwards, we continue to our overnight hotel in Glasgow.
Meals: Breakfast
Saturday 17th August: Check out and return flights from Glasgow
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
At the beginning and end of our tour, we’ll stay at a selected hotel in the Glasgow area (JG3 rating).
Our Iceland cruise will be on board Ambition, part of the Ambassador fleet. Known as ‘The Second Lady of the Fleet,’ the ship is aptly named to emphasise Ambassador’s commitment to inspire and delight every guest with an authentic and sustainable cruise experience. Ambition carries up to 1,200 passengers with 680 cabins, 215 of which have balconies and are suites with up to 62m2 of living space, providing passengers with comfortable accommodation.
All cabins are en-suite with air-conditioning, a shower unit and ample storage space with room under the beds to store suitcases. Cabins include tea and coffee-making facilities, a hair dryer, a personal safe, UK three-pin electrical sockets and USB ports. There is also a flat-screen TV for all your entertainment needs including a range of house movies, news, documentaries and ship information channels.
Dining on board Ambition offers venues for every mood. From traditional teas to gala dinners alongside the ship’s Officers or Captain – providing opportunities for guests to be surprised and delighted throughout the journey. Facilities include four bars, two main restaurants, speciality dining options* and a more casual, relaxed bistro. Other facilities include a tiered theatre, card room, library and craft studio.
Ambition offers a wide range of entertainment programmes at The Palladium and wonderful storytelling at the Ambassador Theatre. There is also Grafton Street, an arts and crafts activity area, Aces & Eights, ideal for a hand of cards, Brontë’s Library and the shopping galleria.
There is also a wellness and fitness centre with a walking track, gym, two swimming pools and the Green Sea Spa with a sauna, steam room, hair salon and a range of restoring spa treatments.
*Dining venues include:
Buckingham Restaurant & Holyrood Restaurant – serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast and lunch in Buckingham are generally served on an open seating basis, giving guests flexibility on when to dine to suit them. At breakfast, you can expect a full buffet with one special served to the table and for lunch, there will be a starter, soup and dessert served buffet style with the main course served to the table. At dinner, there are two sittings, which can be requested upon booking and will be the standard 5-course dinner served full table service.
Borough Market – serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
Taking inspiration and serving cuisine from all over the world, Borough Market offers casual buffet-style options, allowing guests to craft their own unique dining experience.
Lupino’s – Mediterranean speciality restaurant serving dinner.
This restaurant pays homage to Michelle Lupino – the Ambassador’s much-missed colleague, with Mediterranean-style cuisine in a relaxed setting. Guests can expect fresh salads, mezze and more. Supplementary charges apply. Please book on board.
Saffron – a speciality Asian restaurant serving dinner.
A firm guest favourite serving Asian cuisine in an intimate setting. Expect top-quality personalised service and incredible flavours of India and Goa. Supplementary charges apply. Please book on board.
Chef’s Table – an intimate, exclusive dining experience hosted every other night.
Considered the ultimate culinary experience, featuring multi-course a la carte dining and the option of wine pairings, Chef’s Table is a must when on board Ambition. Serving nine courses of carefully curated dishes designed to delight with every bite, plus five perfectly matched wines, this experience is a highlight for many guests. Supplementary charges apply. Please book on board.
Alfresco Grill – serving casual eats.
An option for those wanting a casual meal in the afternoon, the Alfresco Grill serves burgers, hot dogs, pizzas and chips.