Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are entirely our own, and we have not been compensated in any way for these opinions.
We have been on several river cruises with Viking, including sailings on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. All of the river cruises have been excellent, and if you have not sailed on a Viking River Cruise, we encourage you to give it a try. You can find articles about some of our river cruise experiences here, under the Viking tab.
We enjoyed our river cruises so much, we decided to book an ocean cruise with Viking. Unfortunately, the pandemic struck a few months before our first scheduled cruise in May, 2020, and we had been waiting for an opportunity since that time.
In early 2021, Viking announced several Welcome Back cruises, including a cruise around Iceland, which happened to be one of our ‘bucket list’ destinations. For us, a totally vaccinated ship along with Viking’s extensive virus protocols were enough for us to jump at the chance to travel internationally again. So, we are excited to share with you the incredible experience we had this past July.
Before we get started with the cruise itinerary, let’s take a brief look at Viking’s history and ocean ships. This snapshot will only be a high-level look at the ships. In the coming months we will be writing a more in-depth comparison of Viking’s Ocean and River ships. So, if you would like to learn more about sailing with Viking, keep an eye out for that upcoming article.
Viking Cruises
Founded in 1997, Viking Cruises has grown to be the world’s leading river cruise line and has expanded to include an ocean fleet that now sails around the world. In January 2022, Viking will launch new expedition voyages, sailing to Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes. Also in 2022, Viking will expand its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of Mississippi River cruises. You can see all of their cruise options on their site here.
• Why You Should Give Viking a Try – One of the reasons we love Viking, and there are many, is that so much is included, with very few additional charges. For one price you will have a beautiful stateroom, all your meals, a free excursion in every port, unlimited wine and beer with lunch and dinner and free WiFi. You will only pay for drinks outside of lunch/dinner, gratuities and any optional excursions that you elect to take.
• Preparing for Your Ocean Cruise – To ensure you get the most from your ocean cruise experience, we recommend a number of things that you can do to enhance your trip, and it all starts from the time that you book your trip.
For example, Viking offers the option of booking your flights directly through Viking. Typically, their pricing is very competitive and they even offer free air fare on some cruises. For a small additional fee, you can even work with Viking to select your specific flights, including options for stopping over in other destination cities on the way to and from your cruise. You can also enhance your trip by taking advantage of pre and post extensions, allowing you to spend additional time before or after your cruise in some spectacular destinations.
You can find more information about booking tips in one of our previous articles, Tips for Booking a Viking Cruise
• Life on Board Viking’s Ocean Ships
The Viking ocean ships have no more than 930 passengers and never feels crowded. There are several areas to relax, take in the sights and have a libation. But there are a few things you will not find on a Viking ocean ship. First, everyone must be age 18 or over, so there are no children. There is also no casino. There is a theater, exercise gym, spa, salon and shops. You can think of the ship as a luxury hotel that takes you from destination to destination.
– Dining – The primary, full-service dining area is simply called The Restaurant and is the main dining venue. But unlike the river ships, there are several other dining options on the ocean ships. The other main venue is the World Café, which is a buffet style restaurant. Due to the pandemic though, the World Café is no longer self-service. Instead, servers behind the counter will serve you whatever you select.
There are also two specialty restaurants that include Manfredi’s (an Italian restaurant) and The Chef’s Table, which offers a fixed menu that changes every few days. Reservations are needed for both of these restaurants. However, unlike other cruise lines, specialty restaurants are included in your cruise package.
There is also the option to eat on the Aquavit Terrace, which is an outside venue located next to the World Café, or at the pool bar, which has a very good selection of lunch options.
Mamsen’s is a small dining venue near the Explorer’s Lounge, offering Norwegian specialties for breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack or evening treat.
And finally, Viking provides included 24/7 room service with a very extensive menu.
TIP: Although reservations were not needed in the past for the main dining venue, The Restaurant, protocols arising from the pandemic may require advanced dinner reservations.
– Lounges – There are a lot of wonderful little spots all over the ship where passengers may relax and enjoy a libation, but we will just point out a few of them.
The Explorer’s Lounge, with its two-story lounge at the front of the ship, was our favorite spot before dinner. With huge windows and incredible views, it is easy to sit here for hours taking in the sights.
Another favorite spot was the Viking Living Room. This lounge is set up with many small ‘rooms’ and areas to sit that felt quite private. There is also atrium seating on the two levels above the living room that offer quiet areas to sit and talk.
For late night drinks and entertainment, Torshavn is a lively music venue reminiscent of romantic jazz lounges of 1940’s Hollywood. It is a small venue and definitely worth a visit.
Lastly, the pool bar offers very private seating with comfortable lounge chairs and is a perfect spot for watching the scenery.
– Sun Deck and Pool– There are two pools, the main pool has a retractable roof that can be opened on nice days. This pool area is large and has plenty of seating, so the pool area never feels crowded at all. There is also a small infinity pool and hot tub located on the Aquavit Terrace which provides fantastic views off the back of the ship.
We know that first time cruisers may have many more questions about what to expect during the cruise itself. You can find some additional information in another article, Viking Cruises Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland’s Natural Beauty – Itinerary
Now that we have discussed some of the general information, let’s get started with the Iceland’s Natural Beauty cruise itinerary.
• Embarkation
Our trip occurred in mid-July, and was the fifth Welcome Back Cruise in Iceland. At the time of our cruise, there were no COVID test requirements to enter Iceland. Our flight arrived about 9 AM, and Viking representatives were there to greet us. However, since embarkation of the ship was not scheduled to begin until 11 AM, Viking took us by bus to the Harpa Center in downtown Reykjavik. Once we arrived at the Harpa Center, we went through the check in process, and had a complimentary breakfast.
At 11 AM we boarded our bus for a short tour of Reykjavik, on the way to the ship. The tour was quite helpful since it provided the orientation we needed when we ventured out on our own later that day. Once on board, we were given a temperature check and some brief COVID-related information. We were issued our contact tracing devices and then proceeded to our stateroom. For the duration of this cruise, Viking protocol called for wearing a mask everywhere onboard unless in our stateroom or sitting down for food or drink. Honestly, it wasn’t really that big of a deal.
When we arrived in our stateroom, we found the Viking Daily newsletter on our coffee table. This newsletter is delivered each evening throughout the cruise and provides information regarding the events for the next day, including meeting times for excursions, along with any other general announcements. Above is a picture of the Viking Daily we received on the first day, along with a sheet that included all of the tours during the cruise and which ones were sold out.
Once in our stateroom, we took our first PCR test. (No worries, it is a simple saliva test – not a nasal swab!) Once we did that, we were free to leave the ship. The whole arrival and embarkation process went fairly smoothly and we were ready to leave the ship by about 2 PM. Viking provided shuttle buses that took us back to the Harpa Center for our own exploration of Reykjavik.
We just wanted to take a moment to address the question of the weather in Iceland. Many people are surprised by the weather. They expect it to be much colder than it is, even in summer. During our trip, lows ranged from 48 F to 54 F and the highs were from about 55 F to 62 F. That said, rains and wind can come up at any time. So, layers and a rain jacket are needed. We were lucky in that it only rained one day while we were sailing and we had almost no significant winds during the entire trip.
• Ports of Call
We are both outdoors-type people and like to hike, so we tried to select excursions that tended to lean toward more demanding physical activity. However, Viking offers plenty of excursions that are not as physically demanding, but still allow folks to see all the iconic sights. With so many excellent excursions, it was difficult to choose! But in this article, we are recapping only the activities and excursions that we selected for our itinerary.
– Reykjavik
We spent the first afternoon on our own walking around Reykjavik and seeing the sights. Reykjavik is a very walkable city and sights are very close together. Following is a brief review of what we did while in Reykjavik, but for a more complete review of the capital city, please read our article, Reykjavik – A Perfect Introduction to Iceland.
Harpa Concert Center – This structure is one of the most remarkable buildings in Reykjavik. In fact, the Harpa Concert Center has won awards for its unique, modern architecture. The exterior of the building consists of honeycombed glass panels that shimmer like miniature rainbows. It’s an amazing sight, especially in bright sunshine. As we previously mentioned, if you arrive before your scheduled embarkation time, Viking will take you to the Harpa center for check-in and breakfast. You may even have time to walk along the waterfront and begin getting acquainted with Reykjavik.
Solfar Sculpture – Only a short walk down the city’s beautiful waterfront area is the Solfar Sculpture. Known in English as the Sun Voyager, this well-known landmark is located right along the water on Skulagata Street. The modern sculpture was created by Jon Gunnar Arnason, an Iceland native, and pays homage to the promise of discovery, progress and freedom.
Skolavordustigur Street – From the Solfar sculpture we walked back past the Harpa Center and made our way to Skolavordustigur Street. This is a very colorful street, with its rainbow pavement and brightly painted shops. The street leads to Hallgrimskirkja Church, which is a fantastic spot for some great photos!
Hallgrimskirkja Church – Perhaps Reykjavik’s best-known and certainly most visible landmark is the Hallgrimskirkja Church. The 245-foot church is one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, located on a hilltop near the center of the city. The church was constructed over a 42-year period and was completed in 1986, and is quite a departure from the typical churches and cathedrals found elsewhere in Europe. Architect Guðjón Samúelsson intended the church’s exterior to represent Iceland’s landscape of trap rocks, mountains and glaciers. The church is open to the public, so be sure to step inside to see the soaring ceilings and large pipe organ.
Statue of Leif Erikson – The statue of Leif Erikson is located directly in front of the Hallgrimskirkja Church and was actually there long before the church. The statue was a gift from the United States in 1930 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of what is considered to be the world’s first parliament that was convened in Iceland in 930 AD.
Laugavegur Street – A few blocks from the church you will find Laugavegur Street. It so happens that Laugavegur Street is one of the oldest in the city, and is remembered for being the route that locals took to reach the hot springs for washing laundry. Things are a little different today! If you feel like doing a little shopping, be sure to walk the length of the Laugavegur. You will find all sorts of shops, including typical tourist souvenir stores to upscale clothing stores and galleries.
You will also find a whole host of pubs and restaurants in this part of the city. For many years, brewing beer was not legal in Iceland. It was only in 1989 when the laws changed that beer became legal. It’s evident though that Icelanders have been quick to master beer making. We tried a couple of the local brews, including Gull and Viking and they were great!
So, while you are out walking around the city, be sure to stop for a coffee, brew or a snack. It was great fun to sit outside and people watch. We also recommend keeping an eye out for a lot of friendly pups too. It seemed like everyone was out walking their dogs while we were there!
After our walk around Reykjavik, we made our way back to the Harpa Center for our short bus ride back to the ship. We decided to dine at The Restaurant on our first night, and our dinner of caramelized sea scallops was excellent!
– Reykjavik: Golden Circle Tour – The Golden Circle is a circular route around the southern portions of Iceland that connects some of the most iconic scenery in the country. The Golden Circle is a must-do if you are in Iceland. We signed up for an 8.5-hour excursion, and it was one of the highlights of the entire cruise. This tour is very popular and so many people choose this excursion that some of the tour buses make the tour in reverse, in order to spread out the crowds. If you are interested in this excursion, be sure to sign up for it as soon as possible!
Haukadalur geothermal area – The drive from the ship to the Haukadalur geothermal area takes about 1.5 hours. On our way, we stopped for a short restroom break. While there, we were able to see an example of one of the geothermal wells that are so common in Iceland. A gentleman demonstrated how the well works and released the steam from a pipe. It was pretty amazing to see the amount and force of the steam that escaped.
From there we continued to the Haukadalur geothermal area. Haukadalur is home to bubbling mud pots, as well as many geysers, a couple of which erupt every few minutes. If you have seen the hydrothermal areas of Yellowstone, then you will find that this landscape is similar. During your visit, you will be able to hike as far as you like in the area and see the many different geothermal features. We hiked up a hill far enough to get a few good pictures of the geyser area.
We then met at the restaurant across the road for lunch. Lunch consisted of delicious cream of white asparagus soup along with a main course of perfectly poached salmon. Of course, we had to try some local Icelandic Gullfoss beer to go with lunch! The meal and drinks were included in the excursion price.
Gullfoss Falls – After only a short ride, we arrived at Gullfoss Falls. Enormous, gorgeous, and awe-inspiring are the words that come to mind. Depending on how much you want to hike, visitors can view the falls from multiple spots above, below and even right in the middle of the falls. But the views are outstanding from every viewpoint. If you do want to hike down near the falls, you will likely want to wear a rain jacket to avoid getting soaked!
Thingvellir National Park – After leaving Gullfoss Falls, Thingvellir National Park was just another short ride away. Among other things, this park is the spot where you will be able to see the tectonic plates in action. The North American and Eurasian plates meet here and you can walk amongst the rock outcroppings on both sides of the rifts between the two plates. The plates are slowly pulling away from each other, so instead of the rocks piling up, it is as if you are walking through a giant chasm. It’s absolutely amazing!
After leaving the National Park, we made our way back to the ship. It was a long day of touring, but if you go to Iceland, these are truly iconic sites that you must not miss!
– Isafjördur – The town of Isafjördur is located in the Westfjords peninsula in a remote area of Iceland. The views while sailing into the fjord, especially since we have never done that before, were magnificent. With the towering mountain walls on both sides and numerous water falls tumbling down toward the fjord, it looked like a postcard picture. While small, Isafjördur is very picturesque and we sat on the balcony to take in the views while the ship docked.
Dynjandi Waterfall – We departed early in the morning for our 5-hour excursion to the Dynjandi Falls. Only a few miles out of town we entered a tunnel through the mountains. Unlike other tunnels we had been in, this tunnel was more than 6 miles long and even had an intersection with another road right in the middle of the tunnel. We learned that travel over the mountain to get from one fjord to the next was almost impossible during the winter months. So, tunnels were created to connect the towns. It was a very interesting trip through such an engineering feat.
We exited the tunnel in Arnarfjörðour, where we reached the Dynjandi Waterfall, the largest of its kind in the Westfjords. The water cascades from more than 300 feet above and tumbles down in the form of a flowing bridal veil. Visitors can see the entire falls from the parking lot. However, visitors are also permitted to hike up the side of the cascading falls. However, as you climb it gets a little tougher and we had to scramble over some large rocks. We hiked most of the way to the top, and we were able to get some spectacular pictures.
Upon leaving Dynjandi Falls, we took the other branch of the tunnel to reach Suðureyri. Suðureyri is a remote fishing village with a population of only about 300 people, and it was the hometown of our guide. During the tour, his cat even found him and wandered amongst everyone looking for some scratches. We toured the small village, including the fishing docks where we learned how fish was processed and sold. We even saw the traditional structures that Icelanders used to dry fish during the winter. After the tour we stopped at a small restaurant for coffee, some of the best we had on the trip. We then boarded our bus and journeyed through that amazing tunnel back to the ship.
Isafjördur and Bolungarvik Village – After lunch on board the ship, we joined the included excursion that traveled down the Westfjords peninsula to Bolungarvik Village. On the way we stopped at the Ósvör Maritime Museum, a replica of an old fishing outpost that offers a glimpse of the lives of Icelandic fishermen until the early 20th century. An Icelandic fisherman dressed in old-fashioned, traditional fishing gear, gave us a short lecture on what it was like back in the day. It was fascinating to hear his stories and to see the replicas of some of the buildings from times past.
– Akureyri – Set at the end of the spectacular fjord, Eyjafjordur, sailing in to the beautiful city of Akureyri was another breathtaking visual experience. As Iceland’s second largest city, Akureyri is known as ‘The Capital of the North’. For the day’s excursion, we selected ‘Northern Iceland’s Natural Treasures’. This is another all-day, 7-hour excursion that takes in 4 more must-see spots.
Godafoss Waterfall – This fall is one of the largest and most picturesque that we have ever seen. The walk is very easy and you can get very close to the falls from many different viewing spots. We walked to several areas to admire the view, and they were all fantastic. We also had time to walk through the very nice café and gift shop that was near the falls.
Mývatn Volcanic Lake Area – After leaving Godafoss Fall, we proceeded to the Mývatn Volcanic Lake Area to view the Skútustadir pseudo craters. These impressive craters were not created by volcanic eruptions. Instead, they were formed by gas explosions that occurred 2500 years ago. A path connects the pseudo craters with overlooks at each crater, as well as the beautiful Lake Mývatn. After spending about 30 minutes walking through the craters, we had lunch at a restaurant just across the road. We were served some delicious Arctic Char and veggies, along with another local brew – Viking beer.
Dimmuborgir Lava Labyrinth – Just east of Lake Mývatn, is Dimmuborgir, which loosely translates as ‘dark castles’. The walking path forms a labyrinth of interesting lava formations. You will encounter lava pillars, caves, rugged crags and towering rocks. Using your imagination, you can see several trolls among the formations. There is an excellent viewing area next to the restaurant and restrooms. From this slightly elevated position, you can get a very good view of all the lava formations.
Námaskard – Just to the south of Námaskard is Hverir Geothermal Area, a strip of hot springs where you can walk around a series of fumaroles, mud pots and pools that range in color and are ever-changing. The landscape in this geothermal area was unlike anything else we saw in Iceland. Hot, steaming and looking more like the surface of Mars than anything on Earth, be prepared for the strong smell of sulphur as you explore the area.
TIP: As you can see, our first few days in Iceland were packed with excursions. The days can be long, and after a few of these long days, you might get very tired. So be careful how you plan your time. Try to schedule some time to just stroll around your port or even just relax on board the ship.
– Seydisfjordur – Sailing into the long fjord to Seydisfjordur was one of the highlights of the trip. With the beautiful blue sky and towering mountains, we could not wait to explore this lovely small town. We decided, after a few long days, to relax and take our time exploring the town on our own rather than accompany the included tour group. From the balcony of our stateroom, we watched the small Viking groups circle the town, so just followed that same path on our own.
Our first stop was the ‘blue church’ with a colorful walkway that reminded us of a mini version of the colorful Skolavordustigur Street in Reykjavik. Strolling up the street we passed colorful neighborhood houses and a small restaurant with outdoor seating. It was a little early in the day for a beer, so we continued exploring.
Continuing on to Ranargata Street, we found a beautiful waterfall cascading down into the town. We followed a short, easy trail to get closer to the beautiful falls.
Adjacent to the area of the falls is a large barren area. We learned that in December of 2020, Seydisfjordur experienced a devastating mudslide that swept down the mountain after record rainfall saturated the mountainsides. Fortunately, no one was killed. However, many residents were displaced from their homes, some permanently. There was a lot of property destruction and it is all still quite visible. Still, the folks that we talked to seem to be resilient and eager to get their lives back to normal.
After our walkabout, we made our way back to the ship. The day was too gorgeous to stay inside, so we made our way to the Aquavit Terrace. We had lunch along with a bottle of champagne, as we soaked up the Iceland sun and scenery.
– Djúpivogur – A small town on the eastern coast of Iceland, Djúpivogur is the quintessential small, remote Iceland town. Sailing in to the fjord on a cloudless beautiful morning offered more incredible views. Disembarking in Djúpivogur provided our first opportunity to take the tenders to shore. The tendering process was very organized and the trip was short and smooth.
We participated in the included excursion, which included a walk around the small town. With a population of only about 400 residents, our ship quickly more than doubled the size of the town! Djúpivogur is best known for the Eggs of Merry Bay, a set of large sculptures that showcase the eggs of 34 bird species that nest along the coastlines of Iceland.
Another interesting experience was a visit to the nearby Tank, an old storage facility that once held locally produced fish liver oil. Now, the Tank is a cultural venue that supports local musicians and artists, and boasts unique acoustic features. We were treated to a live performance inside the Tank. A woman dressed in traditional Icelandic clothing sang a number of folk songs. The acapella performance, enhanced by the special acoustics, was truly amazing.
– Westman Islands (Heimaey) – Our last stop on our cruise, before heading back to Reykjavik, was to be Heimaey. Heimaey is the main island of the Westman Islands archipelago and is home to a population of 4,500 people. Heimaey is located about 5 miles off the southern coast of Iceland and as such, the seas tend to be a little rougher around the island. While the seas were not really rough, there were some large swells. Our captain felt that it was too rough for the tenders to be safely boarded. So, although we were looking forward to our visit to Heimaey, we instead sailed on straight back to Reykjavik.
We arrived back in Reykjavik by late afternoon. Viking had made arrangements to shuttle passengers to and from downtown Reykjavik until late in the night. We decided to stay onboard and enjoy drinks and our farewell dinner.
The next morning, we departed our ship and Viking escorted us to the airport for our long flight home. We were so impressed with Iceland and it exceeded every expectation. We enjoyed this trip and we think you will too!
We hope you found our review of Iceland’s Natural Beauties helpful and informative. And we hope you join us in the future as we explore some other Viking cruises.
Safe travels!
Thank you for sharing your Viking Iceland experience. I felt like I was there.
My soulmate, Rebecca, and I are scheduled for our first Viking Ocean cruise late 2022, Barcelona to Buenos Aires (twenty-one days). For our twentieth anniversary in 2019 we cruised Viking River (our first) fifteen days Budapest to Amsterdam with pre-cruise in Prague and post-cruise in Amsterdam. That will be our forty-first cruise, God willing.
We appreciate the feedback. Safe Travels!
Took trip in September and we were not allowed to be on our own or visit a local pub etc. had to stay with your guides. Several land tour groups not affiliated with Viking could do anything even extend their time on land on there own!
You painted a lovely story that we enjoyed but failed to state restrictions
We did our cruise in July. At that time there were no restrictions, we were able to go anywhere by ourselves, including strolling all around Reykjavik. The restrictions started in late July/early August as Covid cases increased. It was not just Iceland, but all over the world that travel restrictions were imposed. So it was not that we failed to state restrictions, but that they happened after our cruise.
Took this trip in August. My biggest disappointment was – we were not allowed to leave the ship unless we were on a tour! We love to explore on our own to museums, churches, etc. But a great trip. Love Viking!
Hi Nancy, thank you for the comment. Yes, staying in the Viking ‘bubble’ is a little disappointing. We happened to time it right (lucky) in July and could explore on our own. We love to explore places on our own, but this seems to be the cost of travel currently.
Hello, we were on the same cruise! It was a fantastic experience! We are now planning a longer driving trip around Iceland. This was only our second Viking cruise, but there will be more in the future. I feel lucky that we were able to listen to Dr. Tony Waltham’s geology lectures on both cruises. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recap of the cruise. Frank and Monica
Thanks for the comment. We have thought about returning to Iceland and doing a driving trip also.
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Just found your article! I am doing this cruise in July 2023 and can’t wait. I feel like your article has given me my own little tour guide. Thank you!!!! One question – what currency did you use in Iceland?
Thanks again.
Thanks for the comment. You will love Iceland. Iceland is pretty much a cashless country. You can use your credit card everywhere. We only needed cash for tips for the bus drivers and excursion guides. You can use dollars, but we did a quick stop at the ATM for local currency for tips.
Awesome suggestions! We head to Iceland in August and are SO excited! Can you talk about what you wore? How did layers work for you? Did you take rain gear?
You definitely want to have layers. Mornings can be cool but then warm quickly if full sun. We took rain gear but were lucky that we never needed it.
Your account has certainly wetted my appetite. We are doing this cruise at the end of June ’23. Can’t wait. Lots of useful hints and tips. Thank you
Thanks for the comment. Safe travels.
Was the water choppy on the cruise ship?
We had very smooth sailing the whole trip, but just depends on the weather.
Thank you for this wonderful blog. I am taking this trip in July. You mentioned you travelled into Reykjavik on your own. Is there a shuttle provided by Viking into Reykjavík?
Thanks for the comment. Yes, Viking ran a shuttle to central Reykjavik so it was very easy.