The Best Iceland Cruises: 11 Small-Ship Lines You Should Know
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Enjoy even more marvels and mysteries with More Ashore late-night departures and overnight stays. On a Norway cruise to Alta, search for the Aurora Borealis at midnight with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Attend a summer concert at Tromsø’s Arctic Cathedral to welcome the return of the Midnight Sun. Or enjoy a 9-hour journey through Reykjavik’s landscapes on itineraries that depart later in the evening.
Viking Cruises in Iceland
The cruise industry has recognized Iceland's appeal, offering an increasing variety of itineraries that cater to different interests and time frames, including extensive circumnavigations of the island. You'll be able to see the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, from early September to the end of April, but visiting in the summer offers you the benefits of the Midnight Sun, the 24-hour sunlight that shines over the country. Located just southeast of Reykjavik's city center, the Expressionist-style church known as Hallgrimskirkja looms over the streets, mirroring the mountains and glaciers beyond.
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Such repositioning cruises that take a northern route often include additional ports of call in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. This 14-day cruise on Norwegian Prima starts and ends in Southampton and includes three Icelandic ports, including an overnight stay in Reykjavik, along with three ports of call in Norway. The most popular Icelandic cruise port is Reykjavik, followed by Akureyri in the north of the country, Isafjordur in the westfjords region, and Seydisfjordur on the east coast. Unlike a Norwegian fjords cruise, which you can enjoy without leaving the ship, Iceland cruises require additional transport to reach the most iconic sites. They are also a wise idea if you want to make the most of wildlife-watching opportunities. According to Cruise Iceland, cruise ships registered almost one million passenger visits in 2023, marking an 80% increase from 2019.
CITY CRUISIN'
Your cruise will bring you to Iceland's charming fishing towns and villages at the head of the fjords. We particularly love Seydisfjordur, population about 700, which has to be the prettiest village in Iceland with its colorful, Nordic wooden homes and mountain-backed setting. You’ll find whale watching tours in Reykjavik, as well as in most of the ports of call you’ll visit -- with sightings particularly frequent in northern Iceland. Iceland is a prime summer whale watching destination and most Iceland cruises offer a whale-watching excursion during your sailing. Depending on your itinerary, you’ll also visit Ireland, Scotland, or Greenland. Cruises depart from Southampton, England; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and Reykjavik itself.
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Try local delicacies, go snorkeling or see the natural marvels of the great European cities and Caribbean ports. If you're searching for the best shopping spots in Iceland, head to Laugavegur, also known as "The Wash Road." Reykjavik's hippest shopping street offers designer clothes, artisan wools and design-driven home goods. You can also go to the excellent Kolaportio Flea Market in Akureyri, where you'll find many shops with trendy local designer brands, fun souvenirs and high-fashion labels.
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Some small ship lines such as Ambassador, Fred Olsen, and Saga Cruises, offer departures from regional ports such as Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Rosyth. This 7-day Iceland Intensive itinerary from Celebrity Cruises begins and ends in Reykjavik and includes port calls in Reykjavik, Seydisfjordur, Djúpivogur, and Akureyri. Iceland's cold waters produce top-quality seafood, and one of the country's signature ways to enjoy the fruits of the sea is fiskisupa, or fish stew. Made with cod or haddock, potatoes, butter, milk and herbs, it's a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs way to enjoy the local bounty. We have the top 10 facts about Turkey the country, giving everything, you need to know to plan the best vacation trip. Turkish desserts are as pivotal to the experience of traveling in Turkey as a cruise through the Bosphorus Strait.
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Visit Godafoss to marvel at the magnitude of the thundering, 40-foot-tall waterfall. Experience an authentic Icelandic mud bath at Lake Myvatn, or join a whale-watching cruise to spot humpback and minke whales and orcas. A day trip to Siglufjordur is a chance to visit the quirky but wonderfully informative Herring Era Museum, one of Iceland’s best cultural attractions.
Many of those stops in North Iceland would take you hours of driving to see; no other cruise is going to get you to the stunning Látrabjarg bird cliffs. But this cruise doesn’t come cheap; the cheapest price is more than twice the cost of any other cruise. Take a sailing expedition with the National Geographic Resolution team of experts.
Both the capital Reykjavik and the Akureyri have a large variety of restaurants, where you can eat local or international dishes. Icelandic cuisine is largely based on dairy products, fish, lamb, root vegetables and herbs, so get ready for a hearty meal. Our guide covers top attractions, insider tips, and expert recommendations. Here are some Rome vacation must-sees and tips on how to navigate travel when arriving or departing via cruise through Civitavecchia. A Barcelona vacation is always a good idea, but arriving at this iconic port of call by sea is a truly unique experience. Here are some fun European cities to visit on your next European cruise — plus tips to make it a memorable, stress-free experience.
I Took My Family on a Cruise to Iceland During COVID — Here's What It Was Like - Travel + Leisure
I Took My Family on a Cruise to Iceland During COVID — Here's What It Was Like.
Posted: Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Hurtigruten is another good choice, with the option of a brand new ship and some unique science-based opportunities. You get off the ship at Akureyri, and then explore the Diamond Circle and Mývatn areas up North. The long duration of the cruise lets you get to some places the other ships skip. Windstar’s cruise is similar to Viking; trips leaves most weeks from Reykjavik, which means it’s a slightly shorter trip with fewer stops.
Encounter beauty, history and culture when you visit Bergen on your Norway cruise. Marvel at the grandeur of Hardangerfjord, the third largest fjord in the world, on a scenic day tour. Or step into a medieval assembly room at the Schøtstuene Museum, and walk down Bryggen Wharf — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves wooden buildings from the days of the Hanseatic League. Oceania CruisesThe elegant 684-passenger Sirena offers several 10-night circumnavigations plus longer itineraries that include calls to Iceland along with other areas of the Arctic and Europe. HurtigrutenThis renowned Norwegian company offers 8- and 10-night circles around Iceland round-trip from Reykjavík aboard the 570-passenger Maud and 318-passenger Fram. There are also a few itineraries between Reykjavík and other points in Europe.
Follow ancient Viking trade routes and marvel at the sheer drama of life in the “Land of Fire and Ice”. While Norway might get all of the attention for its justifiably famous fjords, Iceland has 109 equally spectacular fjords that feature on cruises to and in Iceland. Some seem to go on forever as you glide in clear water past dark cliffs, hills covered in moss, and snow-covered mountains. But the varied landscapes of Iceland mean you'll be able to combine Icelandic fjords with geothermal experiences and moonlike landscapes that you won't find in Norway. In March 2021, one of Iceland’s hottest tourist attractions erupted.
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