A Fjord Finale for the Ages

A Fjord Like No Other

What an absolutely epic way to finish our Scenic Eclipse adventure! It was one of those days we’ll be talking about for years to come—a perfect trifecta of experiences, each one more memorable than the last.

We kicked things off in the morning with a peaceful kayaking trip through a stunning fjord. The mist hadn’t quite settled in yet, and the stillness of the water made it feel like we were paddling through a painting. Towering cliffs surrounded us, with their jagged edges disappearing into the low cloud that was slowly creeping in. There were plenty of birds circling overhead—puffins, gulls, and others I’ll probably need help identifying later!

The highlight, though, was a cheeky seal that kept popping up nearby, playing what can only be described as a game of Marco Polo with us. Every time we thought we’d spotted it, it would vanish under the surface, only to reappear somewhere else, keeping us on our toes (or paddles). Thankfully, our kayak guide captured some great photos, sparing me from the anxiety of risking my camera out on the water! We half-joked that the seal probably thought we were the entertainment.

Our guide pointed out the local runway, explaining that it’s known for its tricky landings—pilots need to swoop in against the mountain on the far side of the fjord, make a sharp 90-degree turn, then another quick turn before landing. Impressive stuff—but I was glad we were floating on water instead of hurtling toward the tarmac.

Kayaking Calm

We were due to do a walking tour around Ísafjörður directly after the kayaking. The other two people on the tour weren’t due back for another hour. Part-way through, we decided that it was so beautiful kayaking that we would prefer to stay out on the water. Thankfully they agreed, and we continued to paddle around, soaking up every last moment before heading back to the ship.

From Fjord to Glacier—By Helicopter

After the calm of the fjord, it was time for something completely different—a helicopter flight to a glacier. Taking off from the deck of the Scenic Eclipse was a thrill in itself, but nothing quite prepared us for landing on a vast, untouched sheet of ice with absolutely no one else around. It was just our small group and the raw beauty of nature. Pilot advised us that we were approximately 1000 metres above sea level.

The moment we stepped out of the helicopter, we were struck by the incredible silence. No wind, no wildlife, no distant sounds—just complete stillness. The pilot advised us to all take a deep breathe in. (in other words don’t speak just listen haha) It’s a strange thing to say, but it almost felt loud, the silence was that powerful. We just stood there for a while, soaking it all in, truly humbled by the experience. With the occasional sound of water running in the glacier.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper adventure without a bit of comedy. Let’s just say, not everyone was fully focused while wandering around the glacier… and yes, someone walked directly into the side of the helicopter, because they weren’t looking where they were going! It’s not like you could not see the big black helicopter it was the only thing perched on the mound of rocks on a white glacier, in the middle of nowhere, (helicopter? what helicopter?). Don’t worry—they were fine—but their dignity might have been left somewhere on the Glacier. There’s video footage of the moment, too, which is sure to make the rounds for a few laughs later. Oh, and I got snow balls pelted at me for laughing at said person. Landing and taking off from a glacier in Iceland by helicopter, incredible experience.

Celebrating the staff

As part of the finale stuff for the day, we watched a video that the discovery team had put together of our adventures together. It covered a lot of the excursions from Ireland, Scotland, Faroe Islands and Iceland. It was great to look back on what we had done.

After the video, it was time for the Captain's Farewell drinks. It was a great opportunity to catch up with a few people and to celebrate the staff who made the trip memorable. As part of the farewell, the Captain presented an award to one of the staff - an award for staff nominated by staff. It was great recognition for the carpenter, Dias (spelling?), who has such a big role on board with staff and crew.

Finally, the final part of the celebration for staff was recognising all of the staff - from waiters, butlers, housekeeping through to engineering and maintenance people. They went from one side of the ship, through one side of the lounge and through to the other side. It was energising to see just how excited the staff were to be celebrated in this way, with all of the passengers giving them a standing ovation. The best thing though? The management didn't join in - they let the staff enjoy their moment. Kudos to Scenic.

A Dinner to Remember

The day ended with a bang—the Captain’s Table for a special farewell dinner, joined by the Captain, Staff Officer Jay, and fellow guests we’d shared this amazing journey with. Ros and I both went for the lobster tail for our main course and finished with rich, decadent chocolate soufflés for dessert. Over dinner, we swapped travel stories—including sharing our first-ever soufflé experience at Le Soufflé in Paris, many years ago—which had everyone at the table laughing.

We also spoke a bit about my pancreatic cancer journey, which led to some heartfelt conversations and unexpected connections around the table. It was one of those rare nights where the food, the wine, and the company all came together perfectly.

The atmosphere was simply brilliant—filled with laughter, reflection, and that bittersweet feeling of a great trip coming to an end. It really was the perfect way to wrap up what has been an unforgettable voyage.

I’m honestly so humbled and grateful to have been able to experience all of this, and even more so to share it with the love of my life, Ros. Moments like these are something we’ll treasure forever. xx

As I write this, we’re slowly approaching Reykjavik, ready to spend a couple of days exploring Iceland’s quirky capital before heading off to Italy for the next leg of our adventure. The trip isn’t over yet—but what a way to finish this chapter.