Iceland--docking at Skarfabakki Harbour

Posted by merryvm on 03/30/25 08:15 PM

We are arriving on a Cruise ship on May 1 (Thursday) at 9 AM; we are leaving the following day at 7 AM.
WHAT activities do you suggest for maybe a 13 hour day? (I don't mind getting back to the ship at midnight, but that would probably be approx the latest; I'm too old to be spending an all-nighter on Iceland!! LOL

The one thing that I do NOT want to do is to snorkel in these COLD waters!! (LOL).

I HATE ship tours; so I would be open to renting a car, or some other local tour. WHAT IS FEASIBLE in your minds?? PLEASE throw out ideas!! I am soooo excited about going to Iceland, but of course just not enough time!!

THANKS in advance!!

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

03/30/25 09:17 PM

16936 posts

With only one day, I would suggest signing up for a "Golden Circle" tour. Many of the tour companies even pick up from the cruise terminal.

It gets you outside the city to see some beautiful natural wonders of Iceland. Then return to Reykjavik and have a nice dinner--or try one of their famous hot dogs. (Seriously yummy.)

Here is an idea of what the Golden Circle tour entails. (I'm not promoting this particular company just showing what it's about.)

https://www.icelandia.com/golden-circle-tours

I was just in Iceland a few weeks ago for the fifth or sixth time. Reykjavik is nice but I think the real beauty of Iceland lies outside the city. Although I like Reykjavik.

Posted by CL

Salem, Oregon, USA

03/30/25 09:37 PM

2993 posts

Frank gave you a good suggestion, you'd see some of the most iconic parts of the island and have a good hot dog (he's not joking, they're great). Have you checked Cruise Critic for suggestions for guides at that port? There are a lot of tour companies in Iceland. I'd consider springing for a private tour so you can make the most of your time but they are expensive (much more than a ship tour). I wouldn't rent a car, even in May the weather could turn and you want an experienced driver.

Posted by mikliz97

Snohomish, WA

03/30/25 10:07 PM

2999 posts

We almost always rent a car in Iceland, so that is what I would suggest. You could go at your own pace and see what you want. Weather that time of year is usually good. I would head up to Snaefellsness as that is a nice full day and far fewer people than in the Golden Circle or the south coast. It is like a mini Iceland as it offers a real variety of sights in a smaller area. If you would like to soak in a lagoon, Hvammssvik would be right on your way back to Reykjavik. That is so far our favorite commercial hot spring in all of our trips, FWIW.

If you don't want to rent a car, your options are really limited because most tours pick up their guests around 8am. So you would need either a private driver or probably a tour company that is associated with your cruise. Driving in Iceland is not difficult and as I said, this time of year the weather is usually good. That said, it is Iceland and it can be anything.