Cruise and land

Posted by RC (Fort Myers, FL) on 12/06/24 08:35 PM

Months ago i saw a cruise around Iceland for what I thought a good price.
The thing about a cruise is, you really do not get all in depth in any one area (port).
So I thought I would ad some days for land, but not enough for the Ring.
Had the Ring lodging booked (now cancelled) as I think I would be driving more than seeing.
So now thinking of.....
Driving the Snaefellenes loop from Reykjavik, maybe an overnight there somewhere, and back.
After that, go south for 3-4 days (longer if needed), with a trip out to the Westman Islands (for Puffins).

What sights are a must to explore the Snaefellenes loop and where to stay?
Then south, what sights and can I use one place for a base?
My hope is to see Puffins, do a little light hiking to see sights.

We are 70 and in OK shape.
Cruising July 18-25 (2025), land preferably after.
Any information is most appreciated.

Thank you....RC

Posted by mikliz97

Snohomish, WA

12/06/24 11:20 PM

2799 posts

Yes, on cruise you will barely see Iceland.

Definitely do an overnight on Snaefellsness. I prefer Stikkisholmur and two places we have stayed there are Akkeri Guesthouse and Hotel Egilsen. Both are wonderful. There is SO much to see on Snaefellsness that I could not even begin to list it all. Just to get you started, visit Budir, hike the Arntstapi to Hellnar path and back (easy), Djupalonssandur beach, Hellisandur for the street art capital of Iceland, Olafsvik, Kirkufell, walk up Helgafell, Gerduberg Cliffs, Hvammsvik hot springs, etc. Get a guidebook or look at Iceland With A View for more ideas.

Do more than 4 days for the south coast. You can't stay in one base to see it all as it its spread out and you would be wasting significant time backtracking. That is just barely enough to get up to Jokulsarlon and back with seeing things quickly. Then add a night for Westmann since the puffins there are on land in the early morning and late at night. Otherwise a day trip doesn't work so well for the puffins there.

We have been many times, so are very familiar with Iceland.

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

12/07/24 12:31 AM

8076 posts

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/western-iceland-by-car-summer-2023

Posted by teuliano

12/18/24 07:44 PM

1 posts

Hi RC,
We're on the same cruise! Also wondering if it was a mistake, but taking 6 people on the ring road seemed challenging. My husband and I will have to go again someday. We're planning to arrive early am the day before and do some things around Reykjavik and maybe Blue Lagoon. Then for the 2d after the cruise hit the south coast as best we can :-( The cruise goes to Grunarfjordur on the Snaefellenes peninsula. I'm sure it's not nearly enough time though.
I'll be very intersted to hear what you come up with!

Tammy

Posted by RC OP

Fort Myers, FL

12/18/24 07:55 PM

93 posts

Hi Tammy,

We might not have the same cruise as we do not stop anywhere in the Snaefellenes area.
Below is our cruise.
We will go in a week before and do:
Day trip from Reyk to Golden Circle.
Then two days and one night driving the Snaefellenes loop.
After is four days of south coast (two nights in Vik and one on westerman).

Cruise:
Day Port of Call Arrive Depart
Fri Reykjavik, Iceland 7:00 PM
Sat At Sea

Sun Seydisfjordur, Iceland 7:00 AM 6:00 PM
Mon At Sea

Tue Akureyri, Iceland 8:00 AM

Wed Akureyri, Iceland 7:00 PM
Thu Isafjordur, Iceland 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
Fri Reykjavik, Iceland 5:00 AM