elainemasey61 Posted December 31, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 31, 2016 I've always wanted to do an Arctic circle cruise but lately I've been thinking a lot about Iceland. Traveling with DH and DS20 and the more I look at the Norway/Arctic Circle I'm afraid it's mostly scenery and not enough adventure/ shopping to keep the boys interested. Is that correct? In your opinion, is it better to do an Arctic Circle cruise or a cruise that has some Norway and some Iceland? Thank you for any thoughts on these two destinations. Elaine Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewon Posted December 31, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 31, 2016 While the tour of Iceland we did last year was land based, we found it a fascinating country. We haven't been to the Arctic Circle, but I do not think you'd be disappointed in Iceland which is a country on two continents moving in opposite directions. We learned a lot! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted December 31, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 31, 2016 The scenery in Norway is spectacular, but we did a cruise with 3 stops in Iceland last year. We really enjoyed it as it was different. We also sailed into the Arctic Circle on the cruise. There are cruises which do both Iceland and Norway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneBK Posted December 31, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 31, 2016 We've done both. Like both. But, I think Iceland is better suited to a land exploration, not really laid out to show it's best features on a cruise. Norway, in contrast, is ideal for a cruise.....SO much scenery and character right on the thousands of miles of coast and fjords... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljandgb Posted December 31, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Why not take advantage of IcelandAir's stopover program and spend time in Iceland on the way to/from Norway? The best of both worlds. I've been to Iceland twice, land tours only. I agree it is not an ideal cruise destination, in that there are few ports, and the beauty is the land itself. Within most of those ports there will be little to no shopping - only excursions to enjoy nature. Either ride out to see it, or be more adventurous and "do" it - glacier hiking, super jeep tours, diving the tectonic plates, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted December 31, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 31, 2016 We are looking to do both as well, but are focused on Norway. Both are not cheap, but agree that Iceland should be a land based vacation. We have Norway planned for my 40th in 2020. If saving goes well, we can hopefully do Iceland the following year. Good luck in your decision making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elainemasey61 Posted January 1, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Thank you all. Lots of thinking to do. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frcia Posted January 3, 2017 #8 Share Posted January 3, 2017 We're thinking of doing a 7 to 10 day land tour of Iceland. Can anyone recommend or suggest a tour company ? Thanks Fred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNW Traveler Posted January 3, 2017 #9 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I spent significant hours researching Iceland land tours versus cruise. Take a look at Icelandair's land tours. I found their itineraries, options and pricing to be attractive. Reviews were excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitemare Posted January 3, 2017 #10 Share Posted January 3, 2017 tons of good advice about Iceland land tours over at Tripadvisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gourmet Gal Posted January 3, 2017 #11 Share Posted January 3, 2017 You could always do a cruise that includes Norway and starts or stops in Iceland then just add days for land touring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmjnh Posted January 4, 2017 #12 Share Posted January 4, 2017 We did a self guided land tour of Iceland in 2015. We loved it so much that we are going back this summer but are taking a small boat cruise circumnavigating the entire island, including a visit to the arctic circle in Grimsey. This cruise gives opportunities in each port for adventurous and not so adventurous excursions inland. The ship is small, accommodating only 199 passengers so it can get into small ports. I am really excited to explore Iceland during this cruise. This is an expedition type cruise, not unlike the Nat Geo cruises but for a lot less money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted January 4, 2017 #13 Share Posted January 4, 2017 We did a self guided land tour of Iceland in 2015. We loved it so much that we are going back this summer but are taking a small boat cruise circumnavigating the entire island, including a visit to the arctic circle in Grimsey. This cruise gives opportunities in each port for adventurous and not so adventurous excursions inland. The ship is small, accommodating only 199 passengers so it can get into small ports. I am really excited to explore Iceland during this cruise. This is an expedition type cruise, not unlike the Nat Geo cruises but for a lot less money! What ship/line are you using? We also did a land tour and loved it. Should be interesting to circumnavigate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmjnh Posted January 4, 2017 #14 Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) Hi Diane, We booked with Iceland ProCruises. Here is the link: http://www.icelandprocruises.com/ Edited January 4, 2017 by pmjnh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted January 4, 2017 #15 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Hi Diane, We booked with Iceland ProCruises. Here is the link: http://www.icelandprocruises.com/ Thank you! And please come back after your cruise and let us know how it went. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmjnh Posted January 5, 2017 #16 Share Posted January 5, 2017 (edited) Thank you! And please come back after your cruise and let us know how it went. I certainly will do that. There are reviews on the "Other Cruise Lines" forum If you want to read through them. Edited January 5, 2017 by pmjnh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane.in.ny Posted January 5, 2017 #17 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I certainly will do that. There are reviews on the "Other Cruise Lines" forum If you want to read through them. Will do! Looked at the details and this just may be on the agenda for 2018 :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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