Cruising from Reykjavik to Southampton on the Norwegian Prima

I can't remember which ports the cruise is stopping at. Akureyri and Reykjavik is my guess.

Just to throw a wrench into this, and maybe I asked before and forgot, but have you considered at least an overnight tour to either Snaefellsness or the south coast? That would allow you to see much more of the country and not have to plan it yourself, or drive. If you did this, you would still have time for Reykjavik itself.

Yes, Center Hotels have always served us well, but there are other great hotels as well so don't limit yourself to those. Hotel Fron and The Centrum are other ones we have had great stays at.

If you did an overnight tour, you could choose one that includes a lagoon. Otherwise if you are staying only in Reykjavik, your options are very limited. Blue Lagoon is near the airport, and Sky Lagoon is in Reykjavik but not in the core area, so you would need a tai or shuttle. The taxi is about $35 from downtown.

Otherwise you could do a trip to Hvammsvik, but that is 45 minutes north of Reykjavik. They use Reykjavik Excursions as a transfer service, and it works well, but if you did this as part of a tour you would see more and it would be a better value.

If you even did a day tour to the Golden Circle you could do one that includes the Secret Lagoon, Fontana, or the new Laugaras. There is also a new one opening in this area next June. We have been to all of these that I mentioned, some many times, and they are all great and all are a bit different so it just depends on what looks good to you. I wrote up a comparison of the lagoons after our most recent trip, so check that and see if anything stands out to you and that may help you decide.

Given that you are a budget traveler and your ports include some of the very most expensive places in Europe, you are wise to save up for this trip. That $20 hamburger in Paris is going to look like a bargain.

For tours in/around Reykjavik, you'll need to do some research about mobility friendly day trips that will work for your personal situation. For example, many Golden Circle tours have several stops that require walking down paths and some have many stairs to get to prime viewing points. All of them will have some kind of easily accessed view, but any YouTube videos you are watching very likely taken from the harder to access locations. Not to discourage you, but telling you this so you can set your expectations accordingly. In my opinion most of those "influencer" videos leave out a lot of details like how long it takes to get to a place or far you have to walk to see what they are filming.

I'd also suggest you ask individual questions about topics or shore excursions in the country category (e.g., Norway, Iceland). If you add questions to this thread many will simply pass it by given the title and the fact it's posted under Iceland.

Mikliz97

Once the calendar opens to book hotels, I will do some thorough research. However I will book something soon and then keep shopping continuing to check with forum.

I am sailing from Reykjavik which is considered one of the ports. The other two ports in Iceland are the one that you mentioned with the A and one that begins with I. Is it something like Is ???? I am going to have to get used to the names

I did watch a video from a man who did the Golden Circle but included an extra two hour visit to the Sky Lagoon. I do not know if I would want such a long day. But he was allowed to do a. lot of filming in the Lagoon and it looked so wonderful.

I also think that In would want to spend a full day at a Lagoon.

Akureyri and Isafjordur would be the names of those ports.

If you want to spend all day in a lagoon I would suggest Hvammsvik or Laugaras as there is more at both of those then at Sky or others. Both lend themselves to staying longer than at others.

Hi CL

Unfortunately for me, I have CKD and my diet is limited and restrictive. I will be having to buy a lot of my food from the grocery store but I will allow myself one hot dog and some food courts. and street foods. Some fish is good so I am going to the right place.

Hot dogs are to be avoided but I plan on one.

As time gets closer, I will be posting in the countries that I will be traveling to but it is. a little soon for now

As it is, we have already had a change for Norway. We will not be going to Bergen because I think Bergen is restricting large ships. Instead we are going to a very small fishing village, Maloy, which looks to be beautiful and interesting. But we are 16 months out and we have already had a major change in our Norwegian itinerary.

Who knows what more changes are coming as more ports want to restrict large cruise ships and then of course, there is weather.

Thus far, the youtubers I have been watching have been very fair in the descriptions of the excursions such as number of stairs. I also do not limit myself to just one video. i watch many of every place I am interested in.

But because I plan to pre cruise in Reykjavik for three or four days, most of my posting in forum at least early on will probably be questions having to do with Reykjavik.

If I do any excursions, they are all through Norwegian Cruise Line. The excursions are graded as 1, 2 or 3. Three is out for me. One is considered easy but often these excursions are staying seated on a bus and only getting out for a meal or taking a picture. One is geared towards elderly and or mobility issues. Two is so so. Some two's are less challenging than other two's. There are descriptions about how much walking and standing is required. You are given information on number of steps. The description might say not recommended for those with mobility issues. I have taken some Level Two and regretted it but I have had some very positive experiences when taking. Level Two excursions. Also, I am often not the only person who might have difficulty with a Level Two excursion. Other guests have to go back to the bus and wait. Other guests have to give up and find a seat till the tour starts coming back.

EDIT. I should add that most of the excursions that I take through NCL will be after we leave Reykjavik. I do not believe that NCL will offer guests who are leaving from Reykjavik any excursions in Reykjavik.

And I watched a youtube video or two about the Golden Circle. Looked so wonderful but I think it would be too long for me.

yes, if I go to a Lagoon, I want to spend four full hours minimum. I do not want to go for two hours.

Thank you for the suggestions.

Phil, if you are willing to do the reading, here is my trip report. It’s mostly about driving, but I think it will be useful to you. Check a climate website for September sunsets time and average rain & temperature.

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

The big ship assures there will be enough tours for your “activity level.” Many sights in Iceland require a modest walk through a dirt and rock parking lot, and then an improved but unpaved trail. Many people use two hiking poles, Some waterfalls require a short uphill walk.

Not about the actual travel, but about clothing.
I know it’s a long way off, but start thinking now about warm clothing .
It’s not so much freezing cold in Iceland but extremely windy at times, so you need a good jacket that will block the wind, and a warm sweater, preferably wool if you can wear it without itching.
For my trip there, I haunted the thrift stores at home first and found a couple of almost new men’s Merino wool sweaters.
Where I live I have no need for those so wasn’t about to spend $$$ on new ones.
I think they were about $3 each.
I wore them in Iceland then donated them back!
You’ll also need some good shoes/boots with good treads.
Start looking in your local thrift stores!

EDIT. I should add that most of the excursions that I take through NCL
will be after we leave Reykjavik. I do not believe that NCL will offer
guests who are leaving from Reykjavik any excursions in Reykjavik.

My comments were not about cruise ship excursions but anything you book on your own which does not have any activity level rating. Unfortunately many of the beautiful sites are quite a drive from Reykjavik city center, so the day tours are long for that reason.

This recent New York Times article (unlocked) discusses the impact of inflation especially on food and their beloved hot dog. Who knows what it will be like in 16 months. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/dining/iceland-inflation-hot-dogs.html?unlocked_article_code=1.lVA.abw9.R8XUcSpnRDJi&smid=url-share

Thank you Tim

I looked over your TR twice.

Interesting and informative.

EDIT. It sounds like you had just so so weather in late June and early July? Wonder what I will be getting in early to mid September

S J

I have been thinking about clothing. Keep in mind that I am in Central Texas.

I have some serious winter clothing but mostly in storage bags. We seldom need serious winter clothing in Central Texas. However we get some really frigid weather once or twice a year. Friends have given me scarves and hats and gloves.

I will be needing a coat but I have been needing a coat for years at this point. Guess it is time to buy one.

CL

Thank you for the article.

Who knows what will be happening in 16 months? Who knows if any of us will be going anywhere?

Even with inflation, I believe that I will be able to afford one hot dog. I love hot dogs actually.

I want to take the hoho bus around Reykjavik and if possible go to a lagoon / thermal bath. . Otherwise I will be visiting sites like museums and just walking around.

I plan to stay at least three nights in Reykjavik and possibly four. I am not planning on taking any excursions out of town but who knows?

You might consider independent shore excursions rather than thru NCL. Arcticshorex.com is who I will be using on my cruise. MUCH less expensive

I liked the Prima although the venues other than the theater are too small. Everyone who reviews the ship mentions this.

The Indulge Food Court is an innovative place to eat

Hi Bigtyke

I have been watching many youtube videos about the Prima. Have been on some large ships but none as new as the Prima.

Apparently the buffet (Garden Cafe) as I have known it on the big ships is much smaller and instead there is the Indulge Food Court which everyone seemed to like. Many compliments and the food seems to be good.

yes, there were numerous complaints about how small the clubs were especially one place called something like Syd Pour which is not the correct name. Persons seemed to really like the shows in Syd Pour???? but it was too small for the crowds and not enough seating.

Edit:. because I am platinum, I also get two free dinners in the private restaurants