Day 1 - Travel to Dundee and Embark
Your holiday begins as you travel to Dundee Cruise Terminal to board your ship. Once you’ve checked in and settled into your cabin, you’ll have time to explore the decks and get a feel for life on board. With the excitement of departure building, you can enjoy your first evening at sea, make the most of the ship’s restaurants and lounges, and watch the lights of the waterfront fade as your cruise adventure gets underway.
Day 2 - At Sea
A full sea day on Ambition is the perfect chance to get into the rhythm of the ship. There are plenty of spots to relax with a coffee or a drink, and you can dip in and out of the daytime programme as much as you like, with activities running throughout the day.
One of the real highlights on this sailing is having the ORCA team on board - they run guided deck watches, talks and smaller activities, so even a simple stroll on deck can turn into a brilliant wildlife-spotting moment.
Day 4 - Runavík, Faroe Islands
Runavík is a lively little harbour town, and it’s a lovely first introduction to the Faroes - colourful waterfront views, fishing boats coming and going, and an easy stroll around the marina with cafés and a real sense of everyday island life. It’s also a handy place to pick up local tips and get your bearings before heading out to explore more of Eysturoy.
If you fancy scenery, this area is all about small villages and dramatic viewpoints rather than big “attractions”. Many people use the day to head out across Eysturoy to places like Gjógv, known for its striking natural harbour-gorge, or other picture-perfect settlements nearby, where you get those classic Faroese views of mountains dropping straight into the sea.
Day 5 - At Sea
This is a great day to focus on feeling good. Ambition has a wellness centre with gym facilities, plus swimming pools and hot tubs, so you can start the day with a workout or a swim, then take it down a notch as the ship cruises onwards.
If relaxation is more your thing, the Green Sea Spa is made for sea days, with a calm atmosphere and facilities like the sauna and steam room, as well as treatments if you fancy making it a real switch-off day.
Day 6 - Reykjavík, Iceland
Reykjavík is a brilliant port for a free day because it’s compact, walkable, and packed with recognisable sights. Many visitors start with Hallgrímskirkja for panoramic views, then wander down towards the harbour to see Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture - it’s an easy route that gives you the “I’m really in Iceland” feeling without rushing.
If you want something extra memorable, Reykjavík’s old harbour is a popular base for whale watching trips, and you can still keep plenty of time for browsing the main shopping streets and stopping in cosy cafés afterwards. It’s a city that’s great for mixing a few big landmarks with a bit of relaxed wandering.
Day 7 - Ísafjörður, Iceland
Ísafjörður is a brilliant Westfjords port because it feels small and real, but still gives you plenty to do with a free day. A lovely way to spend the morning is simply wandering the harbourfront and town streets, then popping into the Westfjords Heritage Museum to get a proper feel for the area’s fishing and trading past.
If you want a bit of scenery without committing to anything too intense, the Naustahvilft viewpoint, often nicknamed the Troll Seat, is a classic local highlight looking out over the fjord and town. And if you fancy something bigger, many visitors choose a trip out to Dynjandi, the famous multi-tier waterfall that’s often the headline sight in this part of Iceland.
Day 8 - Akureyri, Iceland
Akureyri is an easy place to enjoy at your own pace - a pretty waterfront town with shops, cafés and a relaxed feel, set on the Eyjafjörður fjord. A lovely way to start is to wander up to Akureyrarkirkja for the views back over the town, then drop into the Botanical Garden for a surprisingly colourful stroll so far north.
If you fancy something more “only-in-Iceland”, Akureyri is one of the country’s best bases for whale watching, with trips heading straight out into Eyjafjörður where humpbacks are a real draw. It’s the kind of day where you can mix a bit of town wandering with something properly memorable on the water.
Day 9 - Seydisfjordur, Iceland
Seyðisfjörður is one of those places that feels instantly memorable - a small, colourful town tucked right at the head of a dramatic fjord. Most people start with the famous blue church and the rainbow-painted street leading up to it, then spend time pottering between little galleries, cafés and craft shops that suit the town’s creative vibe.
If you want scenery without going far, the views around the fjord are the main event, and you can get a real sense of east Iceland just by being outdoors for a bit. Gufufoss waterfall is very close by and makes an ideal quick stop for that classic Iceland moment of mist, roar and big open landscape.
Day 10 - At Sea
By this point, you’ll know what you like most about the ship, so it’s an easy day to make your own. You might keep it simple with a slower morning, a wander around the shops, and a long lunch in one of the dining venues before heading out on deck for fresh air and sea views.
Later on, the entertainment really comes into its own, with live shows and evening performances that give the ship a lovely buzz after dinner. It’s the kind of night where you can enjoy a proper show, then carry on the evening in the bars and lounges.
Day 11 - At Sea
Your final sea day is ideal for ticking off anything you have not got round to yet. A lot of people use it to mix a bit of activity with a bit of calm - perhaps a gym session or a dip in the pool, then a quieter hour with a book or a game in one of the more relaxed indoor spaces.
And, if you enjoyed the ORCA sessions earlier in the trip, this is another great chance to join the deck watches and talks while you’re back in the waters where sightings can happen. It’s a really simple thing to do, but it often ends up being one of the most memorable parts of the crossing.
Day 12 - Dundee Cruise Terminal and Return Home
After breakfast, you’ll arrive back into Dundee Cruise Terminal and disembark from your ship. It’s a chance to take a final look over the waterfront and reflect on an unforgettable journey through the Faroes and Iceland.
Once everyone is safely off the ship, you’ll rejoin your coach for the journey home, bringing your cruise holiday to a close.
