DaveSJ711

17 minutes ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

I've read that bug repellent doesn't work for midges.  I assume that's true, but don't really know.  I just plan to wear my lovely midge netting with a somewhat broad-brimmed hat. Since the "Natural Treasures" excursion goes to Myvatn, and that translates to "Midge Lake," I figure I'll need it!

The trick to dealing with midges -- in Iceland at least -- is to bring a head net. Then the midges will suddenly disappear and you'll think you were crazy for bringing a net.

This approach worked wonders for us during our two-week trip, including to Lake Mvyatn. We each brought a net, still in the original box, and waited for the midges to swarm around us. But it never happened! The few midges we saw weren't a problem. Meanwhile, the nets are still in their boxes, unused. Go figure. 

3 minutes ago, Bejay219 said:

Opps... That is not counting loading/unloading bus and a great stop at the top of the pass! 

We drove through the pass a week ago when we spent the night at the Hotel Aldan in Seydisfjordur. Spectacular is right! Several feet of snow in places near the road. Plus, the temp dropped to 33 degrees with snow flurries. I almost wish I had brought my skis!

1 minute ago, Crockett&Darla said:

And we've read that albeit a longish ride to get there, it's a beautiful drive, and will allow us to see some things that you would only see if you would otherwise drive the ring road.

Absolutely true. The scenery on the way is the best Iceland had to offer (and that’s a high bar). I drove the Ring Road for the second time a couple of weeks ago — trust me, nobody will get bored en route.

32 minutes ago, Twitchly said:

It looks quite different in the sunshine! The icebergs we saw were massive. I wonder if they change size depending on the season?

I took this picture at the lagoon that Viking’s tour will visit. It’s closer to the glaciers, but smaller than the more famous lagoon about 10 minutes away. That lagoon does have some enormous icebergs in it!

I’ll match that!

2 hours ago, Dukefan said:

You folks in Iceland now are really lucking out, record high temperatures in many areas including Northern Iceland are possible today - temperatures in the high 70's!

We’re about to board our flight back to the US and the “record high temperatures” that await us in Seattle (108 degrees yesterday). I’ll take last week’s cool Iceland temps any day of the week.

1 minute ago, Clay Clayton said:

Us too

One of the popular tour companies out of Husavik (across the fjord from Akureyri) advertises that in their years and years of experience, tour participants have seen whales on 98% of the trips. Of course, that leaves the other 2%…

One more Iceland waterfall picture to whet your appetite.

17 minutes ago, MarkTapley said:

Dave,

 

We are driving around the island before getting on our August 14 cruise.  I’ve been looking into taking the ferry to Heimaey from Landeyjahofn, to give us more time there than we’ll have from Sky.

How did you get around the island, once you got off the ferry?  Is it walkable?  Or did you put your car on the ferry?

 

 Thanks,

 

Jerry

 

I would definitely bring a car unless you have a private tour lined up to take you around the island. Our car cost us about $50 RT as I recall, in addition to the same cost for two passengers . That gave us flexibility to drive the perimeter of the island, stop for pix, and spend a lot of time at the south end where we could see puffins, the other Westman Islands, and the volcanic landscape around Heimaey. You can walk up the volcano from the main town, but it’s a long slog from there (and the town itself isn’t that interesting except to grab a great lunch at Gott restaurant, highly recommended). Better to drive a bit out of town and catch the trail a little higher up. Don’t miss the Volcano Museum!

Note of caution however: Go online and make an advance booking, because car space on the ferry does sell out — and there aren’t many runs during the day. Good luck!

10 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

 

With all of our cruises on HAL, which are considered medium-size cruise ships, we have had to tender in 9 ports. On 8 of 9 all we did was pickup our number to disembark, and embark at the end of the day without delay. #9 was Kotor, Montenegro. Those who have been to Kotor are probably familiar with the 20 minute tender ride. That one time we did have to wait for 45 minutes to re-board as we were on the  Nieuw Statendam for its first-time port call at Kotor. Crew familiarity may have been an issue as when it got to be our turn in line, we actually rode a local tender boat that they had contracted and added. Someone was thinking on their feet.

 

Holland America ships are considered medium-size cruise ships with 1450-2600 passengers but also carry more tenders than VO ships plus use two platforms on the side of the ship. The process moves very quickly.

 

I am interested how the tendering is to be done at Heimaey Island as we will anchor outside the channel that leads into the port. Winds are currently at 9 knots and seas at 3 Beaufort and 5 C.  If the Viking Sky anchors were I have seen photos of other cruise ships anchoring when calling, it looks to be approximately a 1-1/4 mile (2.03 km) ride on the tender. In the past we have had tender-only ports cancelled on us due to conditions. This not my photo but at the ferry to the island at the opening of the channel. This is probably similar to current conditions. Hopefully on the days the cruises are stopping there, all are beautiful!

 

 

 

We took this ferry to Heimaey two weeks ago and the water was glassy calm — no problem entering the very narrow channel to the inner harbor. I suspect you won’t have problems, either — but no guarantees!

2 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Watched it too.  Did you notice the family by that red building on shore?  Kids had shorts and T shirt on.

I wore shorts all day yesterday and today on our trips to Reykjavik and the Reykholt Valley. Call me crazy, but that’s what this former Alaskan likes to do in balmy Icelandic conditions!

2 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Spectacular!  Lots of people will be so happy.  Warm?  All reports is that the temps were maybe 10 or 12 C.  That is in the 50's.  Warm because it was sunny?  Also showed no wind to speak of.  Just trying to gauge weather "reports" with actual experience. LOL on the port webcam I saw a family at that little red building on the far side from ship.  Family with kids had shorts and T shirts on kids.  Just figured they were Icelanders so...

That’s warm for Iceland. It’s not Puerto Rico warm.

24 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Nice! 🏳️‍🌈 but it’s missing a indigo!

They ran out of room — design flaw! Look how the six stripes take up the entire street, from the planter box on the left to the curb on the right. No space to add a seventh stripe. Clay, you should have hired yourself out as the architect!

One last picture — the Pride street in Reykjavik.

This morning we received the Covid test that’s required no more than 72 hours before we fly home. We went to a facility in downtown Reykjavik, and the test was a breeze — no line, in and out, and a negative result for each of us. Now we can fly back to Seattle on Tuesday to endure the worst heat wave in the region’s history. We’ll miss Iceland’s cool temperatures!

30 minutes ago, Australia08 said:

I just chatted with another agent. Just got a different answer. He said I can book my own air. Now - what to believe????

“You pays your money and you takes your chances.”

26 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

I will try to do this today!

We’ll be stopping by the ship in about 2 hours. Remember to throw us that cinnamon roll! We’ll be the ones looking up wistfully at you lucky passengers.

Every person on CC has a different opinion regarding drinking on a Viking ship. And every person has the right to his or her opinion.

My wife and I are moderate drinkers. In my case, my attitude toward alcohol consumption is influenced, in part, by the fact that my sister died at age 52 from acute alcoholic hepatitis. In lay terms, she drank herself to death. So I try hard to limit my own consumption.  
 

We’ve taken four Viking cruises since 2019. In September, we’ll sail on a Viking cruise that, for the first time for us, includes the SSBP — not because we paid for the package, but because Viking rolled it into the cruise price. Will we use the package? If so, will we enjoy it? I don’t know the answer to either question. Time will tell. 

2 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

Flight was completely full!

That’s amazing. We arrived on June 14, and our flight from Seattle was no more than one-third full.

1 hour ago, TayanaLorna said:

I asked when we were there in 2018.  I seem to recall they were a kind of lupine.

See #2253.

I’ve done 4 Viking cruises, but almost 50 land-based international trips — including the one I’m on right now (in Iceland). I’m used to, and enjoy, all of the planning and preparation. And I enjoy dealing directly with Viking. At this point, I can’t imagine retaining a TA even if I do leave some money on the table.

11 minutes ago, vslparis said:

Lovely photo !  I meant to ask our guide today what those flowers are.  They seem to be everywhere across large batches of the landscape.

Alaska lupines. They’ve proliferated in Iceland, to the joy of many and the consternation of others. (The plant is an invasive species.)

Here’s a picture to make you remember why you’re coming to Iceland. The ship will travel down this fjord en route to Akureyri.

5 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

Why stop there? Couple of eye-openers before you brush yout teeth, couple of beers after breakfast, couple of martinis at the port talk, ----------------------------

I like to put a double shot next to my bed in case I have insomnia. The Silver Spirits package comes in handy for that; I take a gulp of my favorite drink and slip blissfully into slumber. 😀

48 minutes ago, ericfromri said:

i've been here a month.  no need for any cash, you can use credit for anything.  haven't seen anyone use cash

I went to an ATM when we arrived 11 days ago and withdrew the equivalent of US$130. As of today, I’m down to about $0.50 or so. It was my choice to use cash money on occasion, just so I could look at the great scenes on the Icelandic currency.