A Grand Journey from the Wilds of Canada to Iceland’s Volcanic Lands

Itinerary

Day 1 May 18, 2028 Quebec City, Canada Departs 21:00 For centuries, a native Iroquois village occupied the cliff-top site of what is now Quebec City. The first permanent European settlement began in 1608 when Samuel de Champlain established a fur trading post. By 1663, New France had become a royal province, administered by a council appointed directly by the crown and answerable to the king's council in France. Long-brewing European struggles between England and France spilled over into the colonies, prompting the construction of Quebec's formidable fortifications. The Seven Years War put an end to French reign and left the city in English hands. The English successfully warded off an American attack in 1775, and for the next century Quebec quietly earned its livelihood as a center for shipbuilding and timber trade. By 1840, when it was declared the provincial capital of Lower Canada, the accessible supplies of timber had run out. The final blow came with the appearance of steamships that could travel as far as Montreal, while sailing ships found it difficult to proceed beyond Quebec City. Losing its importance as a major port, the city experienced a decline but remained a center of small industry and local government. Later years saw a tremendous rise as tourism made use of Quebec's fantastic location and appearance. Being Canada's most historic city and the only walled city in North America earned it the classification of World Heritage Treasure by UNESCO in 1985. Today, the visitor is greeted by an authentic, profoundly French city, where 95% of its half million people are French-speaking. Both parts of the city - Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville (Upper and Lower Town) - feature winding, cobbled streets flanked by 17th- and 18th-century stone houses and churches, graceful parks and squares and countless monuments. Croissants and steaming cups of coffee at sidewalk cafés conjure images and aromas of Paris. Great emphasis has been placed on Quebec nationalism; as a result the city has become a symbol of the glory of French heritage. The motto "Je me souviens" (I remember) is inscribed above the entrance to the Parliament Building and on the license plates of Quebec cars. As you come ashore, endless pleasures await you in this marvelous city. Quebec City, Canada port guide Search cruises visiting Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City, Canada photo — Day 1 May 18, 2028 Quebec City, Canada Departs 21:00 For centuries, a native Iroquois village occupied the cliff-top site of what is now Quebec City. The first permanent European settlement began in 1608 when Samuel de Champlain established a fur trading post. By 1663, New France had become a royal province, administered by a council appointed directly by the crown and answerable to the king's council in France. Long-brewing European struggles between England and France spilled over into the colonies, prompting the construction of Quebec's formidable fortifications. The Seven Years War put an end to French reign and left the city in English hands. The English successfully warded off an American attack in 1775, and for the next century Quebec quietly earned its livelihood as a center for shipbuilding and timber trade. By 1840, when it was declared the provincial capital of Lower Canada, the accessible supplies of timber had run out. The final blow came with the appearance of steamships that could travel as far as Montreal, while sailing ships found it difficult to proceed beyond Quebec City. Losing its importance as a major port, the city experienced a decline but remained a center of small industry and local government. Later years saw a tremendous rise as tourism made use of Quebec's fantastic location and appearance. Being Canada's most historic city and the only walled city in North America earned it the classification of World Heritage Treasure by UNESCO in 1985. Today, the visitor is greeted by an authentic, profoundly French city, where 95% of its half million people are French-speaking. Both parts of the city - Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville (Upper and Lower Town) - feature winding, cobbled streets flanked by 17th- and 18th-century stone houses and churches, graceful parks and squares and countless monuments. Croissants and steaming cups of coffee at sidewalk cafés conjure images and aromas of Paris. Great emphasis has been placed on Quebec nationalism; as a result the city has become a symbol of the glory of French heritage. The motto "Je me souviens" (I remember) is inscribed above the entrance to the Parliament Building and on the license plates of Quebec cars. As you come ashore, endless pleasures await you in this marvelous city. Quebec City, Canada port guide Search cruises visiting Quebec City, Canada

Day 3 May 20, 2028 Sept-Iles 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore One of Quebec’s most northerly towns, Sept-Iles lies on the cusp of wild and wonderful scenery - from island-speckled archipelagos to rivers flush pink with salmon. This small city enjoys dramatic staging, perched on a bay overlooking the wide St. Lawrence River, as it begins to open up into the Atlantic. The heavy industry that powered the city's growth has gradually been overshadowed by the majesty of nature, and with sweeping panoramas and dramatic coastline spreading all around, Sept-Iles is one of Quebec's most attractive assets. Sept-Iles port guide Search cruises visiting Sept-Iles

Sept-Iles photo — Day 3 May 20, 2028 Sept-Iles 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore One of Quebec’s most northerly towns, Sept-Iles lies on the cusp of wild and wonderful scenery - from island-speckled archipelagos to rivers flush pink with salmon. This small city enjoys dramatic staging, perched on a bay overlooking the wide St. Lawrence River, as it begins to open up into the Atlantic. The heavy industry that powered the city's growth has gradually been overshadowed by the majesty of nature, and with sweeping panoramas and dramatic coastline spreading all around, Sept-Iles is one of Quebec's most attractive assets. Sept-Iles port guide Search cruises visiting Sept-Iles

Day 4 May 21, 2028 Havre St. Pierre (Quebec), Canada 08:00 – 15:00 7.0 hrs ashore "The otherworldly, limestone structures of the Mingan Archipelago await at Havre St. Pierre, Quebec's most northerly call. Perched on the northern shore of the mighty St Lawrence River's gaping jaws - and looking out across the vast stretch of water to the distant Anticosti Island - where white-tailed deer stalk dense forests - Havre St. Pierre is a feast of staggering scenery and diverse wildlife. View less The Mingan Archipelago's monolith treasures have been carefully, painstakingly sculpted by Mother Nature's hand - using ocean, wind and ice erosion to create towering rock outcrops, which stand improbably counterweighted and precariously balanced over the waters. Sail between the scattered array of islands and formations, and keep your eyes peeled - you may be joined by pods of friendly minke whales as you weave between skerries and rocky isles. Look out for eagles soaring overhead too, and the colourful puffins which nest on the sheer cliffs. Back at Havre St. Pierre, stroll isolated river beaches, and wander the wooden boardwalk to soak in panoramas of the world's largest estuary - which lures the world's mightiest animal, the blue whale, to feast in its krill-rich depths. A walk out to the quaint lighthouse which crowns the shore is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, or you can take some time to learn a little more about the culture and traditions of the region's Inuit people."

Day 5 May 22, 2028 Corner Brook, Newfoundland 09:00 – 17:00 8.0 hrs ashore "Plunge into Corner Brook’s thrilling land of adventure and outdoor exploration, as you roam an island of pine-fresh scents, soaring mountains and roaring rapids tumbling down from the Appalachian Mountains. Corner Brook is the gateway to the some of the wildest wonders of Newfoundland’s West Coast – from epic Viking trails, which cut across the rugged coastline, to waters washed blue by icebergs and whales. Sat on the banks of the Humber River’s salmon-blessed waters, Corner Brook is somewhat dominated by its giant paper mill, but its historic inns pin down a far quainter side. Chances are you’ll be escaping the city’s limits to explore the natural wonders before long anyway, and adrenaline lovers are primed for a fix in the Humber Valley, where zip lines are strung out between mountainsides. White-water river rafting here offers exhilarating rides through the scenery, as you gulp down lashings of Canada’s fresh air while negotiating frothing flows. Pick your way across the nearby Gros Morne National Park with its tectonic Tablelands and etched fjord, and follow the winding Captain Cook trail, which meanders along 30 miles of coastline. You can pluck wild berries, chat to friendly locals, and soak in the raw natural seascapes along every mile. After all of that hiking and wilding, Corner Brook will warm you with hearty Newfoundland cuisine like fried cod tongues, cold water lobster, and partridgeberry jam. Giants move through the waters of Newfoundland, and whether it’s blue whales or wandering icebergs, extraordinary natural sights are everywhere. Drink in the bergs – quite literally. Local brewers chip ancient frozen water to make crisp pale beers, made using some of the cleanest waters anywhere in the world."

Day 6 May 23, 2028 L'Anse aux Meadows 08:00 – 14:00 6.0 hrs ashore Located at the most northerly tip of Newfoundland, L'Anse aux Meadows is nestled near the fishing village of St. Anthony. It is the site of the first European settlement in the New World, approximately 500 years before Columbus' arrival. Other Norse groups had relocated from their homelands to the New World. In 1961, explorer and writer Helge Instad discovered a group of large mounds in the countryside. These mounds were excavated revealing the remains of a Norse settlement. This site became L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Park in 1977 and is noted on the UNESCO World Heritage List of important cultural properties. The site at L'Anse aux Meadows has been completely excavated allowing visitors to see the remains of the homes, a smithy, and various worksheds. The park's interpretive center displays Norse artifacts from the excavation which include iron rivets, a flywheel and the floorboard of a boat. Researchers still debate as to whether the site at L'Anse aux Meadows is Leif Eriksson's 'Vinland,' a lush, beautiful area where he settled in for the winter around the year 1000. Parks Canada will greet you on disembarking the ship and you may explore at leisure this first settlement of the New World. L'Anse aux Meadows port guide Search cruises visiting L'Anse aux Meadows

Day 10 May 27, 2028 Reykjavik, Iceland Arrives 09:00 Reykjavík is mirrored in the waters of its bay, as you can see when your cruise ship sets anchor in the port. The quays along the seafront host a variety of shops, live music clubs and cafés. Take a stroll down Frakkastigur up to Lækjartorg, to admire the Sólfar, also known as the Sun Voyager, a large modern steelsculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason, that represents a Viking vessel, with the bow pointing towards the north. Go back in history as you reach the historic centre, in the districts of Aðalstræti and Suðurgata, where you can still see the remains of some primitive Icelandic dwellings. Also the church of Hallgrímur, probably the most important architectural monument in Reykjavik, is worth a visit. As you will discover during your MSC cruise of Northern Europe, geothermal energy positively conditions the life of the entire country and there is an abundance of spas. Don’t miss an excursion to the Þingvellir national park, in the south west region of the island, a UNESCO world heritage site since 2004. On the northern shores of the Þingvallavatn, the largest Icelandic lake, the Öxará river forms the Öxaráfoss waterfall in the vicinity of Almannagjá, the largest cleft in this land. If you like waterfalls, you should not miss a visit to Gullfoss, in the south east of the island: the river Hvítá here drops down 11 and then 21 metres forming the queen of all Icelandic waterfalls and then continues along a narrow gorge in the plateau. In this area we also find the Strokkur, the only geyser that regularly erupts every 4-8 minutes. Then proceed to Geysir, in the Haukadalur valley, the oldest known geyser, from which the term originates. Its eruptions spray boiling water up to 60 metres into the air, but often reach higher than 100 metres: it is the tallest of the active geysers. Reykjavik, Iceland port guide Search cruises visiting Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, Iceland photo — Day 10 May 27, 2028 Reykjavik, Iceland Arrives 09:00 Reykjavík is mirrored in the waters of its bay, as you can see when your cruise ship sets anchor in the port. The quays along the seafront host a variety of shops, live music clubs and cafés. Take a stroll down Frakkastigur up to Lækjartorg, to admire the Sólfar, also known as the Sun Voyager, a large modern steelsculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason, that represents a Viking vessel, with the bow pointing towards the north. Go back in history as you reach the historic centre, in the districts of Aðalstræti and Suðurgata, where you can still see the remains of some primitive Icelandic dwellings. Also the church of Hallgrímur, probably the most important architectural monument in Reykjavik, is worth a visit. As you will discover during your MSC cruise of Northern Europe, geothermal energy positively conditions the life of the entire country and there is an abundance of spas. Don’t miss an excursion to the Þingvellir national park, in the south west region of the island, a UNESCO world heritage site since 2004. On the northern shores of the Þingvallavatn, the largest Icelandic lake, the Öxará river forms the Öxaráfoss waterfall in the vicinity of Almannagjá, the largest cleft in this land. If you like waterfalls, you should not miss a visit to Gullfoss, in the south east of the island: the river Hvítá here drops down 11 and then 21 metres forming the queen of all Icelandic waterfalls and then continues along a narrow gorge in the plateau. In this area we also find the Strokkur, the only geyser that regularly erupts every 4-8 minutes. Then proceed to Geysir, in the Haukadalur valley, the oldest known geyser, from which the term originates. Its eruptions spray boiling water up to 60 metres into the air, but often reach higher than 100 metres: it is the tallest of the active geysers. Reykjavik, Iceland port guide Search cruises visiting Reykjavik, Iceland

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 37-day span: $6,780 · range $6,780–$7,265

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $7,265

$726 / night

Fare rows

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,265

$726 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $7,655

$765 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,010

$801 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,440

$844 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,865

$886 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,830

$983 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $10,185

$1,018 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Premier Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $10,545

$1,054 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $12,395

$1,239 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $13,820

$1,382 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence with Whirpool

Cabin grade

Available

from $14,570

$1,457 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Retreat Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $16,385

$1,638 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Serenity Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $29,140

$2,914 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cocoon Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $32,775

$3,277 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $72,850

$7,285 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $80,120

$8,012 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 27, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Explora Journeys and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 16 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Cove Residence	CO1	Suite
Cove Residence with Whirpool	COJ	Suite
Cocoon Residence	CR	Suite
Deluxe Penthouse	DP	Suite
Grand Penthouse	GP	Suite
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite	GT	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR1	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT1	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT3	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT4	Suite
Penthouse	PH	Suite
Premier Penthouse	PP	Suite
Retreat Residence	RR	Suite
Serenity Residence	SR	Suite

Ship

Your ship EXPLORA IV 5★ **72,810** GT **892** guests EXPLORA IV is the latest LNG-powered ship in our fleet, reflecting our continued commitment to decarbonising our marine operations and reducing environmental impact. A sanctuary of space and serenity, EXPLORA IV invites guests to reconnect – with themselves, the ocean, and the world around them. EXPLORA IV ship guide Search cruises on EXPLORA IV

A Grand Journey from the Wilds of Canada to Iceland’s Volcanic Lands

Itinerary

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