Cruising the Land of Fire and Ice

Written by Blue Water Holidays - Monday 12th November 2018

Magical Iceland is still being shaped by mighty forces; geysers gush, volcanoes rumble, waterfalls cascade down majestic mountains and huge glaciers carve great pathways through the landscape. Iceland’s culture is rich and appealing and celebrates a literary legacy that ranges from medieval sagas to Nobel Prize-winning contemporary thrillers, as well as enjoying a lively music scene, contemporary visual art and traditional handicrafts.

The Perfect Cruise Destination

Cruising to Iceland offers the opportunity to discover a number of Iceland's highlights such as the cosmopolitan capital of Reykjavik, which is home to a cutting-edge art scene, lively nightlife and of course the world-famous Blue Lagoon. The small volcanic island of Heimaey in the remote Westmann archipelago is known as the ‘Pompeii of the north’ due to its volcanic activity and Akureyri with its glorious green pastures and whale-filled bays is the starting point for excursions to the mighty Godafoss waterfall, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland.

Extraordinary Landscapes & Nordic Culture

From the small town of Ísafjörður, perhaps explore the fascinating natural history museum, stop by the wonderful Dynjandi Waterfalls or visit the unique Sea Monster Museum in Bildudadur. From Djupivogur, see the awe-inspiring Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe, explore the Vatnajökull lagoon or hike through the beautiful natural habitat that surrounds the town. In Seydisfjordur, embrace the Icelandic culture during an exploration of this unique village which is distinguished by its colourful Norwegian-style wooden houses.

 

Wonderful Wildlife

Icelandic waters are home to an abundance of marine life, and the summer months are a perfect time to sight humpback whales, orcas and dolphins. Husavik, the oldest settlement in Iceland, is recognised as one of the best places in the world to see whales. Iceland is also extremely rich in birdlife making it popular with ornithologists who journey to the country during the summer nesting season to see dozens of unusual bird species. It is home to many intriguing seabirds, including puffins, skuas, and kittiwakes who nest on cliffs around the country. Hornbjarg Cliff in particular, features an array of bird species which can be seen from the deck of the ship.

The Hurtigruten Experience

Expedition cruise line Hurtigruten offers a number of superb expedition voyages to Iceland on board their modern purpose-built ships. Each voyage includes captivating lectures on board and many fantastic shore excursions to explore the country’s diverse landscapes, history, culture and traditions. Polarcirkel boats are also available to reach remote islands such as Grimsey, where the Arctic Circle meets Iceland and Latrabjarg, a promontory on Flatey Island and home to millions of birds, from guillemots to puffins and northern gannets. Hurtigruten also provide guests with a wind and water-resistant jacket as well as complimentary tea and coffee throughout the cruise.

We currently have a fantastic deal on our Mythical Iceland cruise departing 29 May 2019, now from just £2164pp when booked by 30 November 2018. This 11-night circumnavigation of Iceland on board MS Spitsbergen includes visits to Reykjavik, Stykkisholmur, Husavik, Bjargtangar, Isafjordur, Hornjarg Cliff, Haimaey and more. View our Mythical Iceland cruise