Iceland's Natural Beauty General - 2022

[Heartgrove]

Looking at the Faxahloahafnir sf (Associated Icelandic Ports) website today, it appears to have been edited down compared to what I read a month ago. It still is not 100% correct though as it shows Viking with 21 visits where as Viking's website has only 19 cruises listed. Previously more ships were shown that have since cancelled cruises due to a later than anticipated startup. But it still shows - for the whole season - 34 ships for 99 visits (Viking Sky with the most at 12 and Viking Jupiter 9) that will bring a total of 103,598 passengers and crew. That breaks down to 71,050 passengers and 32,548 crew.

 

I get the feeling that Viking DID NOT think this through entirely. It seems that they thought "if we get a ship (or two) over there, we will be able to sail them around Iceland." Somehow the Sales Department appears to have overruled the Operations Department with sensible logistics. Maybe one ship for the season may have been more tolerable to the Iceland tour industry. Remember this all seemed to start when the Viking Jupiter was thrown into the mix. No offense intended towards those passengers! A number of cruise lines regularly do sail to Iceland including Viking. But these "Natural Beauty" cruises are interlopers.

 

Jack

July 17-24 cruise

 

 

Edited June 1, 2021 by Heartgrove

[Heartgrove]

4 hours ago, ValarieDennis said:

I'm on your cruise and i too have been checking MVJ multiple times a day.

 

I think the challenges with shoreX really are out of the control of both the Country of Iceland and Viking. No one imagined that the world would shut down 15 months ago and stay that way. No one could predict which countries would re-open and when and how.

 

In a pre-COVID world, any cruise line would put in place contracts with on-site providers months or even years in advance. That wasn't possible here. Also, Iceland only has a population of 350K in the whole country. Some of the small towns we are visiting have populations in the hundreds of people. Also, there are travel related companies that have gone out of business so there are less available tour spaces.

 

Viking couldn't predict in April that people would be interested in sailing to Iceland in June or July of the same year. They couldn't commit to contracts with any available on-site tour operators in advance because they didn't have passengers sailing or shoreXs booked. Then it was wildly popular and they added additional sailing and 2 more cruise lines entered the space - making more demand. 

 

Viking can't/won't sell something they can't deliver. I really believe they are trying very hard to deliver quality products to the passengers.  

 

We all will have a decision to make on day 15 before we sail - are we going or not, based on what we know on that day. I do feel for the travel reps at Viking, as no one going into a service industry knowing that they might no be able to provide that service. 

 

It seems that the latest response from Viking that conditions in Europe are having an impact on the availability of shore excursions for Iceland has now been spread to the British cruises. I just read through a few postings. Strange how I read through the Hurtigruten website for their six cruises around Iceland. There are excursions listed for each port and no mention of a bubble.  Hmm?

[philw1776]

2 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

The test required is given in Iceland.  Here is what Delta says about vaccinated passengers.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong. Is the Moderna vaccine listed here?
And if not....WTH?

Edited June 1, 2021 by philw1776

[SantaFe1]

6 minutes ago, philw1776 said:

Is the Moderna vaccine listed here?

Here is from the official Iceland website.  Yes, Moderna!

 

https://www.covid.is/sub-categories/certificates

[philw1776]

Good point. However the airline decides if you can board or not. Does Delta list Moderna?

[SantaFe1]

This is all so confusing, but Moderna is the same formula as Pfizer, it is within the first formula listed.

“The Moderna COVID‑19 vaccine, codenamed mRNA-1273, is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna. “
iceland accepts it and so will delta.  The last one in the list, is actually the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.  It is just listed by formula, rather there name.  But I suppose you could call Delta.

[TERRIER1]

34 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

 

 

I get the feeling that Viking DID NOT think this through entirely. It seems that they thought "if we get a ship (or two) over there, we will be able to sail them around Iceland." Somehow the Sales Department appears to have overruled the Operations Department with sensible logistics. Maybe one ship for the season may have been more tolerable to the Iceland tour industry. Remember this all seemed to start when the Viking Jupiter was thrown into the mix. No offense intended towards those passengers! A number of cruise lines regularly do sail to Iceland including Viking. But these "Natural Beauty" cruises are interlopers.

 

 

I agree that this was too quick to get all the ducks in a row for Viking. I love Viking and I understand getting back to cruising. Iceland is a spectacular country with a small population. Outside of the capital there are few and far between offerings for escorted tours. Once beyond the Golden Circle most tourists rent cars and drive staying at huts, campgrounds, airbandb and the occasional hotel along the ring road. Most sightseeing is DIY after you leave the Golden Circle or part of land tours.  Is this Viking's first rodeo into Iceland? If it is then they have a learning curve in additional to sailing in a very unusual time and developing contacts.

 

We stopped at Djupjvigor when we drove Iceland and there is nothing there. Very lovely spot but the town is tiny. You need to go far to see the real tourist sights like the Lagoon and Diamond Beach. There was a National Geo ship at the dock that day but they have less than a 100 people. I believe Hurtigruten has been to Iceland before and probably has a history and contacts and also small passenger count.

 

This reminds me of my French Polynesia cruise with Oceania. We cruised 900 miles or so to get to the Marquesas which are beautiful . We were suppose to stop at Nika Huva and Nuka Oa. Nuka Oa was cancelled since there was "no infrastructure" to support tourism. No kidding. They couldn't see that in advance lol.

 

I hope everything works out but the best way to see Iceland is a land tour driving and on your own schedule. Bring waterproof shoes and clothes lol

[FoggyEthan]

8 minutes ago, TERRIER1 said:

I hope everything works out but the best way to see Iceland is a land tour driving and on your own schedule. Bring waterproof shoes and clothes lol

Without negating what you've said or your perspective, I'd like to present a nearly completely opposite take.

 

I was well aware, back when I booked this, that any international travel in 2021 would be iffy and subject to uncertainties throughout. I accepted this because I wanted desperately to travel this year. As long as I believe that Viking is doing their best and isn't outright malicious or incompetent, then I'm satisfied with them.

 

But with a cruise, I don't have to worry about whether all the restaurants in the area have closed and I can't get food unless I drive 3 hours. Whether the only hotel that is open is a fleabag. i.e. while the travel industry resets itself, it's not my problem. I can just eat and sleep on my ship.

 

If Djupivogur's excursions aren't interesting, then stay on the ship! There are no sea days on this sailing, so I think many people will pick one day somewhere during the cruise to stay on board, or maybe just do the short included option.

 

And as to the best way to see Iceland, the Ring Road is set up such that most people will spend one day or MAYBE two per hotel before moving on. No such burden with the cruise. The ring road is also a ton of driving with no option to just "take a day off" since you'll still be in the same place the next morning. Not everyone wants all that driving time.

 

Admittedly, it would be better if we could arrange our own excursions privately. But that's 2021 for you. First-world problems, as they say.

[SantaFe1]

37 minutes ago, philw1776 said:

Does Delta list Moderna?

At the bottom of the Delta page listing the accepted vaccines, it says for more info click here.  If you click it, it takes you to a page that lists Moderna.  I am on the first cruise, and I’m not worried about Delta accepting Moderna.  I’m worried about a lot of other things, but not that.  

[MarkTapley]

4 hours ago, azdrydock said:

Currently United and Delta require a PCR test less than 72 hours prior to departure from the US to Iceland. 

Actually not true for United, if the passenger is vaccinated.  Here’s the information listed for our  booking for our United flight from ORD to KEF:

 

 “A COVID-19 test is not required for nationals and residents of Iceland, passengers younger than 16 when traveling with a parent/guardian, or those holding Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 or confirmation of previous COVID-19 infection along with a certificate of recovery or documented proof of presence of COVID-19 antibodies measured by ELISA serologic assay.”

 

Edited June 2, 2021 by MarkTapley
Clarification

[id4elizabeth]

Terrior1 - Iceland with 4 ports has been on Viking's itineraries for YEARS as "Iceland's Majestic Landscapes" (Bergen to Reykjavík).  At least 4 of the ports should have been more or less a slam dunk.  Djup and Westman islands are the only 2 new ports.

 

FoggyEtan - I don't for a minute think Viking is malicious.  But I am beginning to think incompetent might be applicable! 

 

I still haven't figured out why the 1st 3 sailings have had their ShoreX for 3 weeks and for some reason everything ShoreX came to a complete stop for the 4th.  All 4 sailings were announced and booked at the same time.  And Viking has continued to ADD ShoreX for the 1st 3 sailings and the rest of us have gotten ZIP.  And the best reason they have come up with is "world events in Europe "

 

Sorry if I'm beating a dead 🐎 horse, but !!!

 

 

[DaveSJ711]

38 minutes ago, FoggyEthan said:

 

And as to the best way to see Iceland, the Ring Road is set up such that most people will spend one day or MAYBE two per hotel before moving on. No such burden with the cruise. The ring road is also a ton of driving with no option to just "take a day off" since you'll still be in the same place the next morning. Not everyone wants all that driving time.

 

I drove the Ring Road in 2011, and my wife and I are doing it again later this month. It's about 850 miles around the country, or less than the driving distance from Seattle to the Bay Area (and far more scenic). Plus, we're spreading the drive over 15 days, with several two-night and three-night stops. We can handle it.  

[VI_Lounger]

4 minutes ago, id4elizabeth said:

Terrior1 - Iceland with 4 ports has been on Viking's itineraries for YEARS as "Iceland's Majestic Landscapes" (Bergen to Reykjavík).  At least 4 of the ports should have been more or less a slam dunk.  Djup and Westman islands are the only 2 new ports.

 

FoggyEtan - I don't for a minute think Viking is malicious.  But I am beginning to think incompetent might be applicable! 

 

I still haven't figured out why the 1st 3 sailings have had their ShoreX for 3 weeks and for some reason everything ShoreX came to a complete stop for the 4th.  All 4 sailings were announced and booked at the same time.  And Viking has continued to ADD ShoreX for the 1st 3 sailings and the rest of us have gotten ZIP.  And the best reason they have come up with is "world events in Europe "

 

Sorry if I'm beating a dead 🐎 horse, but !!!

 

 

I feel your pain. We booked our July 3 cruise on May 12th and promptly found out that the excursions were released on May 7th and all were listed as sold out when we tried to book them. We struggled for help for two weeks before finally seeing more open up and then we got all that we wanted. I truly hope that the delay for you is just Viking working out the kinks that the first 3 cruises experienced so they are trying to release them in a more organized fashion. We are crossing our fingers for you and the good news is we can continue to be the 'testers' and can share the scoops we discover with you! 

[id4elizabeth]

Thanks VILounger!!!

[librarylady19]

1 hour ago, FoggyEthan said:

Without negating what you've said or your perspective, I'd like to present a nearly completely opposite take.

 

I was well aware, back when I booked this, that any international travel in 2021 would be iffy and subject to uncertainties throughout. I accepted this because I wanted desperately to travel this year. As long as I believe that Viking is doing their best and isn't outright malicious or incompetent, then I'm satisfied with them.

 

But with a cruise, I don't have to worry about whether all the restaurants in the area have closed and I can't get food unless I drive 3 hours. Whether the only hotel that is open is a fleabag. i.e. while the travel industry resets itself, it's not my problem. I can just eat and sleep on my ship.

 

If Djupivogur's excursions aren't interesting, then stay on the ship! There are no sea days on this sailing, so I think many people will pick one day somewhere during the cruise to stay on board, or maybe just do the short included option.

 

And as to the best way to see Iceland, the Ring Road is set up such that most people will spend one day or MAYBE two per hotel before moving on. No such burden with the cruise. The ring road is also a ton of driving with no option to just "take a day off" since you'll still be in the same place the next morning. Not everyone wants all that driving time.

 

Admittedly, it would be better if we could arrange our own excursions privately. But that's 2021 for you. First-world problems, as they say.

Well put! Iceland - pre-covid was very expensive and nothing has changed about that. We seriously considered a “land trip” there before Viking announced these cruises and opted not too due to logistics, uncertainty and expense. Im happy to leave the planning to Viking. Another benefit this year will be the relatively small number of people visiting vs the  usual number. 

Edited June 2, 2021 by librarylady19

[bardstowntraveller]

Just got off the phone with Viking. I sent an email to Tellus regarding the lack of shore excursions for sailings after the first 3 and a representative called me back. I wish I could say I was reassured but I really didn’t get a lot of info about when shore excursions would be made available. I told the rep that many people were frustrated by the lack of information and that some were considering cancelling if shore excursions were not made available prior to the 14 day guarantee date. She assured me that shore excursions would be made available prior to that date for each sailing and that everyone was guaranteed booking on the included excursions. She said an email would be sent out when shore excursions were open but I am not sure I trust that.

[Cruiser1854]

1 hour ago, bardstowntraveller said:

She assured me that shore excursions would be made available prior to that date for each sailing and that everyone was guaranteed booking on the included excursions. She said an email would be sent out when shore excursions were open but I am not sure I trust that.

Thats exactly the same answer I received a couple of weeks ago.  A company scripted response.

Note they guarantee their included excursions, which is VO’s standard guarantee.  I don’t think many people would be happy with a 1.5 to 2 hour excursion and then stay on the boat the rest of the time.

I guess we will just have to wait and see and cancel prior to the 14 days if we are not satisfied.

It seems futile to even bother asking customer service about it.  

 

[Peregrina651]

6 hours ago, ValarieDennis said:

Also, 2 more cruise lines are now in the space grabbing up availability. Also, I believe the 1st 3 had issues with people not getting the excursions they wanted and Viking had to try to secure additional tour space. Also, the 1st 3 cruises were at lower numbers on board than ours.

 

That issue has been taken care of. Viking has added more capacity and more choices of tours since booking opened on May 7. At this point, no one on my roll call has reported that they can't get the tours they want.

[Peregrina651]

When booking finally opens for your cruise and you find that a tour that you particular wanted has been closed out, may I suggest that you do what I have been suggesting since the pre-Covid days.

 

Viking does not keep a waiting list for its tours, so they have no way of knowing what the demand for a particular cruise really is. All they know is that they have filled all available spots. They have no idea how many people didn't get a seat on the bus and still want one.

 

Therefore, I suggest that you e-mail TellUs@vikingcruises.com. Tell them how disappointed you are the these tours that you wanted to book --and list them by name-- are sold out and ask them when they will be adding additional spaces.  

 

The more people who write, the better idea they have for just how much they miscalculated the demand for the tours.

[FLGators#1]

From the bringbacktravel.com site:

“Iceland has reopened the country's borders to tourists since June 15, 2020. Passengers will be given two options on arrival - be tested for Covid upon arrival (15000 ISK/ $110 USD) or go into quarantine for two weeks.”

I don’t recall reading anywhere else that we will be required to pay $110 per person to get a Covid test to get into the country. I read this site the other day and I don’t think that pricing was listed… It would’ve caught my attention. And if it’s factual and up to date ... are we paying or is Viking?  Yikes.

[librarylady19]

9 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

That issue has been taken care of. Viking has added more capacity and more choices of tours since booking opened on May 7. At this point, no one on my roll call has reported that they can't get the tours they want.

Black sand beaches is sold out.

[TERRIER1]

16 minutes ago, FLGators#1 said:

From the bringbacktravel.com site:

“Iceland has reopened the country's borders to tourists since June 15, 2020. Passengers will be given two options on arrival - be tested for Covid upon arrival (15000 ISK/ $110 USD) or go into quarantine for two weeks.”

I don’t recall reading anywhere else that we will be required to pay $110 per person to get a Covid test to get into the country. I read this site the other day and I don’t think that pricing was listed… It would’ve caught my attention. And if it’s factual and up to date ... are we paying or is Viking?  Yikes.

That is old. The new requirements are listed on Icelandair site.

 

https://www.icelandair.com/blog/iceland-is-open-faq/

[TayanaLorna]

13 hours ago, TERRIER1 said:

I agree that this was too quick to get all the ducks in a row for Viking. I love Viking and I understand getting back to cruising. Iceland is a spectacular country with a small population. Outside of the capital there are few and far between offerings for escorted tours. Once beyond the Golden Circle most tourists rent cars and drive staying at huts, campgrounds, airbandb and the occasional hotel along the ring road. Most sightseeing is DIY after you leave the Golden Circle or part of land tours.  Is this Viking's first rodeo into Iceland? If it is then they have a learning curve in additional to sailing in a very unusual time and developing contacts.

 

We stopped at Djupjvigor when we drove Iceland and there is nothing there. Very lovely spot but the town is tiny. You need to go far to see the real tourist sights like the Lagoon and Diamond Beach. There was a National Geo ship at the dock that day but they have less than a 100 people. I believe Hurtigruten has been to Iceland before and probably has a history and contacts and also small passenger count.

 

This reminds me of my French Polynesia cruise with Oceania. We cruised 900 miles or so to get to the Marquesas which are beautiful . We were suppose to stop at Nika Huva and Nuka Oa. Nuka Oa was cancelled since there was "no infrastructure" to support tourism. No kidding. They couldn't see that in advance lol.

 

I hope everything works out but the best way to see Iceland is a land tour driving and on your own schedule. Bring waterproof shoes and clothes lol

Viking did a partial Iceland cruise in 2019 - i don't recall if that was the first year.  It went from Bergan to Reykjavik and vice versa. In Iceland they stopped in Seydisfjordur, Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik.  The excursions for those locations are pretty much what was offered to the first 3 cruises this year - +/- a couple.  The only locations where they had to do new excursions are the last 2 stops.

[FLGators#1]

Thanks. I should have investigated farther.

[AKexplorer]

I have a question concerning timing of tours. How long does the system require between bookings? For example if I have a tour from 9:00-12:30 what is the earliest I can book my next tour? If I have 5:45 dinner reservations can I book a tour returning at 5:00 or even later?