Thinking of exploring Iceland by ship? It’s no surprise you’re looking for a Viking Iceland cruise review. A cruise is one of the best ways to experience Iceland’s coastal towns, cascading waterfalls, pristine fjords and wildlife. Here’s our take on what you’ll see, where you’ll go, and what we did and didn’t enjoy on our Viking Iceland cruise.
Our first trip to Iceland and seven-night Viking Iceland cruise began with a bang – literally – when an earthquake woke up a nearby volcano on our first night in Reykjavik. It was a dramatic start to our “Iceland’s Natural Beauty” cruise, which kicked off with an overnight stay on our ship docked in Iceland’s capital.
With at least one complimentary guided excursion available at every port, our immersive itinerary circumnavigated the entire country and packed plenty of wildlife wonders, active adventures, and stunning scenery into a short amount of time.
There were loads of waterfalls too. At Ísafjörður, our guide handed us cups of ice-cold water from the falls that were said to grant everyone who drank it ten years of good luck. On another afternoon, a waterfall across from where our ship was docked grew bigger and bigger as snow melted under the summer sun and water tumbled down the cliff. Faxi Waterfall shimmered and the famous Gullfoss Waterfall thundered so loudly that we could barely make ourselves heard above the sound of the water.
While Iceland’s landscape was almost devoid of trees, it remained vibrant and colourful during summer when the sun shone almost 24 hours a day. Purple lupine flowers imported from Alaska to hold the crumbly volcanic soil together with their strong root system created a purple carpet across the landscape and the perfect foreground for photos of the lava fields and dramatic scenery at Thingvellir National Park. Even when we were just driving to and from the ship, the scenery was dramatic.
At Námaskard, jet-black mud pools bubbled like a demon’s cauldron and the lunar-like landscape popped with myriad shades of orange and shimmering pearlescent white. There were designated paths but little else to protect everyone walking across the geothermal area’s barren plains, which were ruggedly beautiful.
It was impossible not to be awed by the sheer power of nature on display in Iceland, and the locals’ almost casual acceptance of it. It was simply a part of life for them. Speaking of the locals, while there was no denying the thundering waterfalls, steaming craters, and dramatic scenery were impressive, it was the people who called Iceland home who made our cruise truly memorable. They were generous when it came to welcoming visitors and providing insight into what life was like there.
We met a student from the local university who told us stories about living in a remote coastal town. There were picnics with friends as the Northern Lights flashed across the sky, and most people sang or played an instrument (or both), so everyone got together at the community hall for jam sessions. It wasn’t unusual for the entire town to turn up during the winter months when the nights were long and the residents were often snowed in.
The entertainment for cruise passengers also involved plenty of music, with live performances each evening in the bars and theatre, and shore excursions featuring local musicians. Iceland can be an expensive country to visit, so these complimentary daily excursions offered by Viking Ocean Cruises were especially welcome on this itinerary and helped stretch our holiday budget further. This is another reason to do a Viking Iceland cruise as many other cheaper cruise lines don’t include excursions.
However, we still couldn’t resist booking two ‘must-do’ for-a-fee experiences through the ship (even though these were expensive). The Northern Iceland’s Natural Treasures excursion didn’t live up to expectations due to a lacklustre guide, but the RIB boating adventure around the base of a glacier was one of the best ship’s excursions we had ever done.
The drive from the port was packed with sweeping views, and after an hour or so we could see the glacier glinting in the distance, as if it was daring us to come closer. As soon as we reached the carpark, everyone hurried to pull on waterproof jackets and life vests and raced down to the Zodiacs, which took us out into the ice-blue water to gaze up at one of Europe’s largest glaciers.
After making sure we were hanging on to our cameras, our guide manoeuvred the boat to the best spot for taking photos of the jagged icy wall, keeping a safe distance from the glacier in case it calved while we were there. In between willing a chunk of ice to break off and watching shimmering blue icebergs float past, we took turns sitting at the front of the boat and snapped photos of each other beaming at the camera.
Our last port day was Heimaey in the Westman Islands, which was home to the world’s largest puffin colony and only accessible by sea. We cruised past cliffs where puffins were nesting during breakfast, watched the tiny birds zoom past from our balcony, and went on a puffin-spotting tour. However, it wasn’t the puffins who provided the most spectacular wildlife moment of the day.
As my husband and I and our fellow passengers gathered in the Explorer’s Lounge to enjoy a drink on the final night of our cruise, a whale surfaced in front of Viking Star and waved its tail in the air like it was bidding us farewell. It was a fitting finale to what had been a wildlife and wonder-packed week in Iceland.
Disclosure: The writers sailed as guests of Viking Ocean Cruises.
Want to know more about sailing in Iceland? Here’s why Iceland is worth visiting (even though your wallet will take a hit) and how to make the most of an Iceland cruise if you decide to go.
