Welcome to my trip report about my incredible expedition cruise, Circumnavigating Iceland aboard Hurtigruten's MS Fridtjof Nansen! I was so excited to explore the breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders of Iceland, and I was not disappointed. During my journey, I was able to witness the stunning natural beauty of Iceland, including active volcanoes, majestic waterfalls, and even a few elves! I was so amazed by this incredible country and all its wonders, and I'm excited to share my experiences with you. I hope this trip report will inspire you to explore Iceland for yourself.
My group booked the 'Circumnavigating Iceland: Land of Elves, Sagas and Volcanoes' itinerary with Hurtigruten Expeditions. I selected this cruise for the small, expedition ship experience which provided an intimate, adventurous experience for everyone onboard. Small ships like the MS Fridtjof Nansen have several advantages.
Watch a video of our journey here: https://youtu.be/zebmEyc_D8o
Expedition Cruise advantages:
First, they can enter smaller ports of call than large cruise ships, getting you up close with your destination. Our ship was docked adjacent to a regular cruise ship one day when we were in Akureyri and the size difference was shocking. While Rejkyavik and Akureyri can accommodate larger ships, most of the ports we visited could not. So, if you cruise to Iceland (or other destinations) in a larger cruise ship, you will miss a lot of beautiful, interesting ports.
Second, they can pivot and change the plan for the day if weather or other conditions arise. We had a scheduled visit to Grimsey one day where we would use the onboard tenders to get onto the island. However, the seas were rough and our Captain determined that the tenders would not be safe. Instead, our onboard crew scrambled and got us a substitute port where we enjoyed an amazing day of whale watching. We even spotted a rare blue whale!
Third, it never feels crowded onboard. Our ship was relatively small in the scale of
cruise ships, but we had plenty of room to hang out on deck and in the Explorer Lounge. We enjoyed using the hot tubs on deck and did not have to fight for a seat anywhere.
Fourth, guests can develop friendships with each other as well as with the expedition team. The scientists and experts onboard had time to answer questions and spend time with everyone. We learned so much from them and i
t made out experience so interesting. Guests can participate in Citizen Science projects, use microscopes, go out on the RIBs to collect samples and more. This made for an outstanding, rich experience that I, for one, will never forget.
Fifth, you can be as active on these itineraries as you like. We enjoyed learning directly from the experts onboard. Fields such as geology, ornithology, microbiology plus history and culture were all represented.
We traveled as a group of ten adults and enjoyed hanging out together. I love being with my family, of course, but it can be a lot of fun to be with other people as well. There were several large groups of family or friends also experiencing the cruise together.
(If you are interested in booking this or another trip as a group or family, please reach out to me for assistance. I can help you select the right itinerary and manage all the details for your group.)
Additionally, I highly recommend Hurtigruten Expedition Cruises. Beautiful ship. Spacious, well-appointed cabins. Personal, elegant service. Good food. Super professional and safety conscious crew. More on this in another post. Stay tuned!
Mary Graham, Certified Travel Associate owns Trips by Mary, an affiliate of Cruises & Tours Unlimited and is celebrating seven years in business. She has extensive experience with Europe destinations, cruises, river cruises, Adventures by Disney, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and all-inclusive resorts.
Contact her by email: mary@tripsbymary.com
or call 919-817-4081.
Visit her website: www.tripsbymary.com.
Comentários