Magic of Iceland

by **Sweetie** on Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:27 pm

We are booking to go on the Celebration in July. Has anyone done this trip? We usually do our own thing when we go off ship so any tips, advise etc. would be welcome. The cruise goes to the Faroe Islands, Reykjavik, Isafjord, Akureyri, Flam and Bergen. Don't know what the weather will be like so clothing suggestions would be welcome.

by **bountycat** on Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:19 am

Hello Sweetie

I went on the Fire and Ice Cruise last year, which has the same itinerery.

You are in for a treat particularly if the weather is reasonable. Hopefully you will see dolphins and/or whales from the ship as it sails along the Icelandic coast. I did not go on any organised excursions; I prefer to do my own thing with the help of a Lonely Planet or similiar guidebook. Local tourist office staff usually greet the ship at each port and give out free street maps and other tourist leaflets.

Torshavn - I really enjoyed walking around the town. Those who did go on orgainised excursions spoke highly of the Vestmanna Cliffs walk although some found it hard going. Appropriate footwear is required.

Reykjavik - I arranged an independent trip to the Blue Lagoon with the local bus company having previously researched it online. They picked me up from the ship. We got longer in the Blue Lagoon than those on the organised excursion and it was cheaper. The bus took us back to the city centre where we had a couple of hours prior to getting the ship's shuttle bus back - the quay is about 45 minutes walk from the city centre otherwise.

Isafjord - a small town which is the centre of the remote West Fjords region. Scenery is superb - I was just happy to walk as there are plenty of walking paths - I went to Tungudalur beyond the head of the fjord.

Akuyeyri - a larger town at the head of a long fjord. At the tourist office, we met up with some fellow passengers who were keen to explore so ended up sharing an eight person taxi which took us to Godafoss waterfall and the Lake Myvatn volcanic area - at a considerably lower price per head than the organised excursion. This was the highlight of the trip.

Flam - I have been here on three cruises - it is better when there is only one cruise ship in as two result in long queues and a more restrictive choice of trains on the Flam railway - the railway is expensive but is worth the money. Last year we did the Norway in a Nutshell round trip to Voss by ferry and bus, back by train - again expensive - tickets from tourist information. The railway can be done as part of an even more expensive organised excursion but in one direction only. The sail out of Flam, which is approximately 5 hours sailing from the open sea, is absolutely stunning.

Bergen - can be done independently with ease. The old town, (Bryggen), harbour area and waterfront market are interesting. If it is not in cloud, a trip up the Floibanen funicular is recommended - good views and marked walking trails on the top.

You cannot predict the weather - we got cloud and drizzle in the Faroe Islands, beautiful weather in Iceland and rain in Norway - although I have had good weather in Flam on previous visits. It was not cold - between about 10 and 20 degrees centigrade. Walking boots/shoes/trainers are essential together with a waterproof jacket. If you intend going to the Blue Lagoon remember to pack a swimsuit and towel.

I hope this is helpful.

by **Sweetie** on Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:42 am

This is brilliant information. Thanks so much. How did you organise the trip with the local bus company?

by **g1992** on Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:01 pm

If u look on the 'fire and ice' forum you may find somemore information if you wish, it's practically the same itinerary so the information we discussed there will be relevent.

I went on that itinerary last year and enjoyed it very much, i don't really need to explain it as bouncycat has done that for me! Clothing, well you will need jackets, jumpers and things for all the places, especially bergen, where your lucky to get good weather!! It can be quite cool in iceland, infact when we read the weather forecast it said that Isafjord was going to be -2!! but we were lucky we didn't get that.

If i can help with anything else just give me a shout!!

by **bountycat** on Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:50 pm

Hello Sweetie

I went to the Blue Lagoon with Pingvallaleid Bus Service (www.bustravel.is). I e-mailed them in advance to enquiry about costs, details etc - they communicate well in English but rang them when I arrived in Reyklavik to tell them where the ship at docked. They collected me from the quayside in a minibus (they accept payment by credit card - the bus fare includes entrance into the Blue Lagoon). They then picked up a few more tourists from a campsite and a couple of hotels before heading for the Blue Lagoon. The return journey was via the airport which is beyond the Blue Lagoon as tourists staying in Reyklavik often visit the Blue Lagoon on their way back to the airport - this is an extra bonus and you see a little more of Iceland.

by **northumbrian** on Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:47 pm

Hi Sweetie, We are also booked for this cruise and found all the information excellent. We would like to do the Blue Lagoon trip so if you say what time you are going we will book for the sams then the bus need only do one pick up. The Godafoss trip sounds good perhaps we could find a toltal of 8 persons to do this trip. When we join the boat I will leave a letter for you at reception giving you our cabin number and we could arrange to meet. Geordie Lass

by **bountycat** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:07 pm

Hello Sweetie and Northumbrian
Godafoss and Lake Myvatn are well worth doing - I recall sharing an 8 person taxi worked out about �35 a head last year. The driver also took credit card and was happy to provide individual bills. There are also 4 person taxis - if you cannot find 8 people.
Hope you enjoy the cruise - I certainly did!

by **northumbrian** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:18 pm

Hello Bountycat,
Thankyou for your advice. When you say remember to pack swimsuit and towel if going to the Blue Lagoon , do I understand that you cannot take one of the swim towels from the boat??

by **bountycat** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:21 pm

Hello Northumbrian

We took our own towels. However I noticed that quite a few of the people on the organised excursions took the ship's swim towels....not sure if you are supposed to take them off the ship. If you do this, then it is best to leave them in the changing room locker as there is �10 is added to your shipboard account for every swim towel that is missing at the end of the cruise. As the towels are all identical, people who leave them at the side of the lagoon, could easily pick the wrong towels up.

by **Sweetie** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:34 pm

Hi to you both

Thanks for the brilliant advice Bountycat. It is what makes these sites so good isn't it. Geordie lass - we would love to join up to do trips. Perhaps as time goes on we will find 8 people. Not looked into anything yet for booking the trips to know about times. Have you researched anything? We have bought the Lonely Planet book but need some time to read it now! Let us know what you have any more details and I will do the same. Sweetie.