Question for those of you have done an Iceland cruise?

[anricat]

For those that have done Iceland were you able to see the Northern lights or is the itinerary too late in the year to do so?

I don't think it gets dark enough that time of year for the most part, but I think sometimes folks get lucky in the middle of the night.

 

[kathi]

I think that depends on what you want to do in Iceland. I'm a geologist and we enjoy hiking. You are not going to get very far off the major tourist attractions if on a cruise. We are splurging and going to Iceland for a week of hiking around the ring road (no trouble booking hotel as long as you do it well in advance) and then we are flying to UK to sail the Norwegian Fjords on the Dream. Not cheap - but we have been saving for a big bucket list trip.

 

[kathi]

For those that have done Iceland were you able to see the Northern lights or is the itinerary too late in the year to do so?

It literally doesn't get dark in the height of summer (land of the midnight sun). Spring and fall you have a slight chance. We are visiting in August to hike but assume some day we will return to see the aurora.

 

[Hubie]

I think that depends on what you want to do in Iceland. I'm a geologist and we enjoy hiking. You are not going to get very far off the major tourist attractions if on a cruise. We are splurging and going to Iceland for a week of hiking around the ring road (no trouble booking hotel as long as you do it well in advance) and then we are flying to UK to sail the Norwegian Fjords on the Dream. Not cheap - but we have been saving for a big bucket list trip.

Hello,

I'm a retired geologist from Wis. Hope you have good weather. The hiking the country offers and, of course, the geology is so spectacular. Wish we could have been there for the last eruption!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

For those that have done Iceland were you able to see the Northern lights or is the itinerary too late in the year to do so?

We were there in late August. One night was clear enough for the northern lights to be visible in the wee hours of the morning (around 1AM). The other nights were foggy or too cloudy. The northern lights we saw were too weak for the naked eye. But, they did show up on our GoPro.

 

[msmama]

My first visit to Iceland was via cruise several years ago. We did all the major highlights (our cruise had an overnight in Reykjavic). Day 1 we did the golden circle tour, day 2 the blue lagoon. I kind of thought that was enough at the time.

But, we're headed back this fall on our way to Scotland (and an eventual WBTA Disney cruise). Iceland air offers stopovers in Iceland on your way to Europe. We've only got a few days so our plan is to focus on the city of Reykjavic (possibly we'll drive out to see black sand beaches, still in early planning stages) and do museums.

There is a part of me that would love to drive the whole way around Iceland, but at the same time, I feel like I've gotten the highlights and there's a lot more of the world to see.

Our trip was Norway, Iceland, and I will say Alesund was our least favorite Norway stop (though it was an adorable little town). The way I travel, the first cruise mentioned would be a much more indoor trip (museums and walking tours) while the second would be more outdoors (seriously, so many waterfalls in Iceland).

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

But, we're headed back this fall on our way to Scotland (and an eventual WBTA Disney cruise). Iceland air offers stopovers in Iceland on your way to Europe. We've only got a few days so our plan is to focus on the city of Reykjavic (possibly we'll drive out to see black sand beaches, still in early planning stages) and do museums.

Might I suggest looking into spending some time in south/eastern Iceland? This area is stunning, and is completely different than the natural sights you can see near Reykjavik. It's a pretty easy overnight (or very long) day trip from Reykjavik. Also black sand beaches are everywhere, you don't have to go anywhere special in Iceland to see them. The "famous" ones make the lists, but really the sand in Iceland is almost always black so most beaches will tick off that mark.

 

[sheilafri]

I did a three day stopover in Reykavik. It was amazing. You’ve got good comments to help you decide. My only advice is to definitely go on one of them. You wont regret seeing that beautiful country.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

For those that have done Iceland were you able to see the Northern lights or is the itinerary too late in the year to do so?

We did our trip there end of August / early September. We were able to see the Northern Lights one night, near Lake Myvatn. They weren't quite like you see in the amazing photos with the green hues - ours were white and more faint - but we felt really lucky to see anything at all. There is a forecast for Northern Lights, and you can check the likelihood each day and decide if you should stay up to watch for them (assuming it's not cloudy). I've also heard of hotels that will wake guests up when there is Northern Lights activity.

 

[kathi]

I'm so excited to hear you were able to see the aurora in August. We will be there for a week and are driving the Ring Road. It's a new moon - so that should also help with darkness!

 

[kathi]

Hello,

I'm a retired geologist from Wis. Hope you have good weather. The hiking the country offers and, of course, the geology is so spectacular. Wish we could have been there for the last eruption!

We are hoping for an eruption when we are there. I have our first and last days near the active volcano so we will get 2 shots at it a week apart.

 

[MrMagoo]

We were also on the this last August cruise with others that have already replied here.

The northern lights were only visible through our phone cameras. Otherwise they just looked like a haze in the sky.
It was also 2-3am their time so you will have to get up in the middle of the night to see them.

We also had private tours in Reykjavik for the 2 days we were there so we could see more at our pace.
We would not do a Disney shore excursion at Iceland now after doing our own, much better.

We were looking forward to Ísafjörður but still enjoyed our 2 days in Reykjavik.

As for which cruise to take, I personally would take the 10 night Iceland cruise as I believe it is more fascinating.
If you enjoy Iceland, you can always go back on your own so you can see more.
I would love to go back but if I don't, at least I made it there once.

Northern Lights:


Can't remember the name of this waterfall. Could walk behind it!


Godafoss Falls

 

[Mango7100]

We were also on the this last August cruise with others that have already replied here.

The northern lights were only visible through our phone cameras. Otherwise they just looked like a haze in the sky.
It was also 2-3am their time so you will have to get up in the middle of the night to see them.

We also had private tours in Reykjavik for the 2 days we were there so we could see more at our pace.
We would not do a Disney shore excursion at Iceland now after doing our own, much better.

We were looking forward to Ísafjörður but still enjoyed our 2 days in Reykjavik.

As for which cruise to take, I personally would take the 10 night Iceland cruise as I believe it is more fascinating.
If you enjoy Iceland, you can always go back on your own so you can see more.
I would love to go back but if I don't, at least I made it there once.

Northern Lights:
View attachment 760727

Can't remember the name of this waterfall. Could walk behind it!
View attachment 760728

Godafoss Falls
View attachment 760730

The middle pic is of Seljalandsfoss, all the waterfalls are amazing! i hope to go back some time!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I have done the Baltic itinerary (similar to yours but back when you could visit Russia before they invaded their neighbors) and also last summer we spent 3 days in Iceland on a stopover to Barcelona. I highly recommend both. It has been touched on above but for most people, the shore excursions in Iceland will be more active, more nature, and probably longer—I also really love that you end in Copenhagen, one of our favorite cities in Europe (with excellent hotels, restaurants, and bakeries). The ports on the Baltic cruise will have lots of museums, churches, historical sites, etc., though there are many beautiful options for natural beauty as well.

Eventually, I want to do the Iceland cruise in June-July mostly for very long evenings enjoying 5 hour sunsets that turn into sunrise (bundled up, because it’s cold!) on our verandah.

One thing to consider is if you’re paying a big premium to sail DCL, you’re likely to have more time on board to actually enjoy the ship and entertainment on the less port intense itinerary.

 

[Mini Sorcerer's Mom]

We are deciding between the two and indeed they both look fabulous. The cruise is easier if you want to see multiple places and have the agenda set. Either way is a win. Flip a coin and have a magical time!