Docking / Tendering question (and warning about Isafjordur in Iceland)

[Steerpike58]

We just sailed VO to Norway and Iceland (Great cruise, overall).  Our original schedule showed tendering at Flam and Geiranger (the little 'anchor' symbol on the document).  But we didn't have to tender in Flam. We did tender in Geiranger, even though a much larger ship was docked there.  And finally, we had to tender in Isafjordur (Iceland), even though no 'tender' symbol was on the schedule.  

 

So I'm concluding that the info on the schedule is obviously not very accurate when it comes to tendering.  I'm assuming now that some smaller ports are going to require tendering no matter what, while other ports are hit/miss based on what other ships are on the schedule. I'm surprised, though, that a schedule issued 2 months ahead of sailing was not accurate, given that all or most cruise ships must surely be predictable by then.  In Isafjordur, another VO ship was docked while we had to tender.  Luckily, the tendering experience wasn't as bad as I expected (this was my first). 

 

One note about Isafjordur, Iceland - there is NOTHING ... not one shelter, or even a bench to sit on ... at the port (there is a basic toilet). No shops, nothing.  We took the instructions in the Viking Daily seriously and left about 50 minutes ahead of our scheduled excursion. Tendering took all of 5 minutes, so we were on shore 45 minutes ahead of the excursion.  The wind was howling (this was Iceland ...) and the rain was starting to fall (or rather fly). It's at least a 10 minute walk into town (through the grim industrial port) where one might find shelter, so we chose to huddle against a wall and wait it out. By the time our coach arrived, we were frozen.  So if you find yourself in Isafjordur, and you have to tender, don't leave earlier than you have to if the weather is not good. 

[CurlerRob]

5 hours ago, Steerpike58 said:

 I'm surprised, though, that a schedule issued 2 months ahead of sailing was not accurate, given that all or most cruise ships must surely be predictable by then.  In Isafjordur, another VO ship was docked while we had to tender.

 

This is not unusual for any line. Berthing is always at the discretion of the port master and frequently changes right up to (and sometimes after ...) arrival, for any number of reasons, foreseen or unforeseen. You are not only competing with other cruise ships, but anything else that happens at the pier.

 

On a recent cruise, we were switched to tendering at the last minute due to a NOAA ship with an engine failure occupying the only dock. We have also been told to change berths on an overnight stay.

 

As we often take DIY excursions, we always build in a solid buffer of time at both ends of the stay - little is predictable about cruising. Glad you enjoyed the trip overall. 🍺🥌

[OneSixtyToOne]

 

13 hours ago, Steerpike58 said:

One note about Isafjordur, Iceland - there is NOTHING ... not one shelter, or even a bench to sit on ... at the port (there is a basic toilet). No shops, nothing.  We took the instructions in the Viking Daily seriously and left about 50 minutes ahead of our scheduled excursion. Tendering took all of 5 minutes, so we were on shore 45 minutes ahead of the excursion.  The wind was howling (this was Iceland ...) and the rain was starting to fall (or rather fly). It's at least a 10 minute walk into town (through the grim industrial port) where one might find shelter, so we chose to huddle against a wall and wait it out. By the time our coach arrived, we were frozen.  So if you find yourself in Isafjordur, and you have to tender, don't leave earlier than you have to if the weather is not good. 

We were in Isafjorder yesterday and was not our experience at all. We docked in the morning with a light rain falling but were prepared for the cold wind. The town and shopping is literally a block away. Later the sun came out and a small open air souvenir stand opened right at the port entrance.

Edited August 10 by OneSixtyToOne

[uktog]

Isafjordur was one of our favourite ports - we also enjoyed the Viking included excursion which took us to these beautiful places. Some ports are small and it’s a good idea to take the included trip to highlight what you might explore in your own later 

 

 

 

 

[OneSixtyToOne]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

Isafjordur was one of our favourite ports - we also enjoyed the Viking included excursion which took us to these beautiful places. Some ports are small and it’s a good idea to take the included trip to highlight what you might explore in your own later 

 

 

 

 

Did you drink from the waterfall?

[uktog]

2 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Did you drink from the waterfall?

I did indeed so pure

[Planning to cruise]

I have enjoyed Isafjordur twice and will be there again next year.  Surrounding scenery is wonderful.  There were a couple of shops and small museum on our visits, pre Covid

Be aware this is northern Iceland, a fairly remote town where good footwear and weatherproof clothing may be sensible. 

[Mich3554]

We had a fabulous ATV excursion in Isafjordur last year.  The first time, the excursion was via Viking and on the way up the mountain we encountered rain, driving sleet and snow.  The top was fully socked in by fog/clouds.  The guide said he had gone up about 4 hours earlier and the views were spectacular.  What we did manage to see was pretty damn good.  We got the guide’s card and made arrangements for a private excursion on our next trip (about a week later…we were on a back to back).  The excursion was twice as long for half the price, and it was much more personal.  
The first photo is a radar station that used to be used by NATO.  The views from this place were spectacular.  The guide (guy on the right was the guide, this was a photo trip for DH and he stopped wherever DH wanted to take photos).