Reservations 877·97·CRAFT  (877·972·7238)

21-Day ~ Polar Ice Caps Knitting Cruise (June 2022)

Holland America Line


Start Date:

   

June 12, 2022

   

End Date:

   

July 3, 2022

Polar Ice Caps Knitting Cruise (June 2022) ~ Knitting Cruises Description

21-Day Polar Ice Cap Knitting Cruise with Beth Brown-Reinsel
June 12 - July 3, 2022

 

Embark with Craft Cruises on a journey to the Arctic Circle during the summer solstice when the days are long. The cruise begins and ends in Rotterdam. This cruise sets sail along the coast and fjords of Norway, stopping in Eidfjord, Bergen, and Molde, before traveling into the Arctic Ocean some 500 miles north of the Norwegian mainland to Spitsbergen and the Svalbard Archipelago, where polar bears reportedly outnumber the residents. The Volendam then circles Iceland, docking in the ports of Akureyri and Ísafjörður before overnighting in the vibrant capital Reykjavik. Heading back toward Rotterdam, the ship visits Kirkwall, Edinburgh, and Invergordon near Inverness.

 

From mid-Nay until the end of July, the Midnight Sun shines over the polar cap and Svalbard, a beautiful archipelago hundreds of miles north of Norway in the Arctic Ocean. Here visitors are captivated by the rugged beauty and wildlife of one of the most remote places on earth. This region is home to glaciers, jagged peaks, wildflowers, and reindeer. It is common to see beluga, humpback, orca, and narwhal, and many arctic seabirds.

 

Onboard, Beth Brown-Reinsel will offer a range of her most popular classes that highlight knitting techniques and designs with a Nordic influence, including everything from Icelandic Lopapeysa Pullovers to Swedish-Twined Knitted Mittens. Beth is the perfect instructor for this polar knitting cruise with more than 30 years of teaching experience and a passion for historical knitting. Traveling at the height of summer is optimal for visiting the Arctic Circle. From ice-carved fjords to glistening glaciers and from geysers and hot springs to waterfalls, beauty abounds. You'll almost not want to sleep and miss any sights. Knitters will be in their element as this itinerary provides unique opportunities to learn about the rich history and traditions of knitting, from Norwegian knitwear to Icelandic sweaters. Enjoy local seafood specialties, Norwegian pastries, or an ice-cold local beer. There's no better way to see the alluring North than this 21-day Polar Ice cruise, so please join us.

 

21-Day Polar Ice Cap Knitting Cruise Highlights

 

  • Stay in Rotterdam or Amsterdam before the cruise and comfortably travel by rail to explore.

  • In Amsterdam, visit world-class museums, take a historical canal cruise, see floating flower markets and go yarn shopping.

  • Tour iconic 18th-century windmills in Kinderdiijk or visit the quaint town of Delft known for its scenic canals and Delft Royal Pottery.

  • Plan a venture to Stephen & Penelope's yarn shop in Amsterdam, home of Westknits.

  • In Eidfjord view, Voringsfossen, Norway's most famous waterfall, as it tumbles some 600 feet down to the Måbø Valley, or visit the Hardanger Mountain Plateau in Norway's largest National Park. Steep yourself in Norwegian history and culture at the Hardangervidda Nature Center.

  • Take the funicular to the top of Mt. Floyen for panoramic views of Bergen and nearby islands, or stroll through the old wharf area of Bryggen, which dates from the Medieval Hanseatic trading league and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site.

  • Take a tour of the Oleana Sweater factory, located on a scenic fjord near Bergen, and shop in its outlet.

  • Visit the Dale of Norway sweater store in Bergen.

  • Throughout Norway, view traditional Norwegian costumes and shop for yarn at Husfliden, Norway's hand-craft guild stores.

  • Learn about Norway's folk history while visiting the country's largest open-air museum in Molde, the "City of Roses."

  • Visit the Rauma Yarn Mill & Troll Path in Molde for terrific yarn shopping, stunning views, and a traditional Norwegian lunch at the Trollstigen Kafe.

  • Cruise through Hardangerfjord, which, at 100 miles long, is the world's fourth longest fjord.

  • Try dog sledding in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, some 500 miles north of continental Norway and about 650 miles from the North Pole. Here, polar bears outnumber residents, thousands of endangered Arctic birds nest, cats are banned, and reindeer wander into town. The island also is home to the Doomsday Vault, the world's seed bank, and several international research centers devoted to Arctic research. Have a beer at the Svalbard Brewery or bring home local chocolates from Fruene.

  • Scenic cruise the Polar Ice Cap and stop in Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen, a tiny research settlement.

  • In Akureyri, Iceland, don't miss the wonderful botanical garden or the striking Akureyri Church nearby. Relax in local geothermal swimming pools.

  • Learn about Iceland's rich fishing history at the Westfjourds Maritime Museum in Ísafjörður and enjoy scenic cruising. Whale watch, or take a tour to Vigur Island, home to abundant birdlife, including puffins and arctic terns.

  • Shop for popular kits and Icelandic wool at Klæðakot in Ísafjörður.

  • Overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland's lively and artistic capital. Enjoy a Wild & Wooly Tour tour that includes Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir thermal area in the famed Golden Circle.

  • Time permitting, swim in the famous Blue Lagoon thermal pool.

  • Shop at Storkurinn knitting shop in Reykjavik.

  • Visit Alafoss if possible to shop for Lopi yarn and Iceland's signature hand-knit sweaters.

  • Shop for souvenir yarn at Ginger Twist Studio and Kathy's Knits in Edinburgh.

  • Walk the Royal Mile through the heart of old Edinburgh, Scotland.

  • Spend the day in the heart of The Highlands in Invergordon. This area, known for its rich Scottish heritage, is most known for Loch Ness, lush greenery, the sound of bagpipes, and rare breed sheep farms.

  • While visiting The Highlands, meet local knitters from Ripples Crafts and Loch Ness Knitting while shopping at a pop-up fiber market featuring popular indie-dyers as Black Isles Yarns, TJ Frog, Artisan Threads, and more.