Seaharvest

We used Spain Day Tours twice on the cruise we just took and both were excellent. We would highly recommend them. 

I agree with Clay. We do take advantage of many of the included shorex and find they are usually well done and educational but they aren't all we do.  They are  usually short so you can add on another, more active optional excursion. Like Clay we stayed in the Viking bubble on this cruise and took only their optional shorex and several of them were exceptional. On other cruises we often book independent excursions and have found them to be smaller, more flexible and maybe cheaper. If you want to get away from the port towns and into nature you are likely going to have to go with an optional excursion. 

13 hours ago, travelordie said:

We're on the August 28th sailing.  Does anyone know whether Viking will provide us with disposable masks or are we expected to bring them aboard?  We have cloth masks for the flights but don't know what sort of masks are expected on board.

We were on the July17 sailing and there were 20 masks in our cabin when we checked in. And you can get them from staff at almost any desk or maitre d stand.

17 hours ago, BarbRN said:

I doubt they will give you a hard time. Many men wear a shirt under those. It wouldn’t upset me. I’m sure you look great. 

I think the point is to have nicer clothing for dinner. So I would think a nice V-neck sweater would be fine. Probably not a V-neck sweater with some large logo or saying on it. 

9 minutes ago, whipperwilleo said:

I'm wondering about the trip to the ice lagoon. How challenging is the ride in the zodiak? is it ok for someone who is not very agile?

I would not call it challenging. The walk down to the lagoon is on uneven gravel but good shoes and a buddy to help should make that doable. They bring the Zodiac right up to the shore line so you don’t have to get your feet wet. There is a staff person there who can tell you the ways to get in and out and help if needed. Once in the Zodiac you sit on the edge and hold on to a rope with your feet solid on the floor. It does not go fast or make sharp turns so that isn’t difficult. Just be careful as you twist and turn to take in all the natural beauty that is everywhere. 

1 hour ago, Snit13 said:

Thanks for the information on Minneapolis Terminal.  Were you on Delta?  Do Terminals have names or letters?  I researched the Minneapolis Terminal a week or so ago but could not accurately tell where we would land and then where we would go for takeoff to Iceland.  Many terminals have separate domestic and international terminals.

We were on Delta when we flew. We were on the 7:30 pm flight. The plane started to board at 6:30. We flew out of Terminal 1, gate F8. I am not sure which gate we landed at when we arrived at MSP but it was Delta’s domestic terminal. It was a long walk but we knew we had plenty of time ( more than 2 hours) so walked it before getting on the plane for that long flight. 

6 hours ago, susanlik said:

Thanks for great discription

Did you really me the lake was only 50 degrees F....yoh obviously did not swim in it....correct

I did. It felt great after being in the hot water for a while. Then the cool water then back into the hot. While I was in the lake I met a man from a nearby town so we talked awhile. Try it!

7 hours ago, bardstowntraveller said:

Did you wear a bathing suit coverup or just go straight from locker room into baths?

Just straight in. It is a short walk to the in lake pools and you could lay your cover on the railing if you wanted but there is no need.

19 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

I'm fine with the laid back cabaret-style and I like the Abba show, but the cast currently on the Sky is not one of the better casts I have seen/heard on board.

I agree. I have enjoyed the show more in the past.

2 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

First, I think people are being more compliant with mask wearing after the Covid positive cases on some cruise dates.  We can all forget sometimes so a polite "please wear your mask" reminder helps.

 

Dynjandi Waterfalls is all outside so other then the bus ride.  Your meal is a snack bag so you dont go to an inside dining room.

 

Northern Treasurers is amazing, don't miss it.  Again all outside walking at all the stops.  We had a very nice lunch at the Fosshotel Myvatn.

 

Vok Baths very nice and relaxing and a spectacular drive up and over the snow topped mountains that we were always looking up to from the water.  People spread out into the 3 pools and, other then in the locker room at times, it is not crowded.

 

I was more concerned being seated too close to others in The Restaurant then on the bus with masks.

I would just add re: Vok baths that the changing rooms were very crowded but I think if you got out of the pools a little early you could avoid the rush. I don’t know about the men’s room but the ladies room had nice, private showers. The big crush was around the lockers. Oh, and the lake water is really not that cold so do jump in then get back in the hot water. Wonderful!  And I agree the Northern Treasures and Dynjandi Falls are not to be missed.

4 hours ago, Conrmom said:

Hi, long time reader, first time poster here.  Thank you all very much for your helpful posts. I am wondering if you would comment on packing for this trip. Anything you took but didn’t really need? Anything you didn’t take but wish you had? Thanks in advance.

I think this a hard one. I wish I had taken another short sleeve t shirt and a pair of lighter pants but we had very nice weather. I didn’t use my base layer pants but would not have wanted to be without them in case we had the cooler, damp weather that is common. It is all so weather dependent. So that really isn’t much help is it? Lol

1 hour ago, Buddysmom10 said:

First Viking cruise on the Sky coming up very soon!  On prior cruises we often ordered room service for breakfast and tipped the person who brought it to our room.

 

Now due to social distancing and perhaps Viking might recommend otherwise, would it be better to add the tips on at the end of our cruise in addition to the regular amount?  

We only ordered room service once and tipped the server at the time of delivery. He didn't seem to have a problem handling the money. If you left it at the end, it might not get to the person who actually brought you the food. 

2 hours ago, id4elizabeth said:

It was 79 F degrees in Akureyri today.  No AC in our bus.  Bring shorts and T-shirts.

We’re you on bus 18? No AC on our bus. Fortunately I had on a t shirt and lighter weight long pants. It was pretty warm but beautiful and I really enjoyed the tour. The spray from the waterfall felt terrific.  

Just now, Wander58 said:

Are you on the Jupiter or Sky voyage starting today?  Sounds like all is OK on the Jupiter and they are  able to enjoy  Seydisfjordur.  Please keep us posted on the current sailings now that Clay is on his way home.

Just boarded the Sky today.

16 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

I made 84 masks over a year ago for a mask making group in the DC area (distributed to groups who asked for them), and I made at least 25 for myself and spouse. So I really don't know why I'm asking this, BUT:  I read that people on one of the sailings got a care package in their room, and it contained more than the required test tubes!  It apparently included what was described as a "classy black mask."  So now I'm curious - has anyone on board received one?  

We got ten masks that are like the standard blue ones except black. I guess it would go well with my little black dress except I didn’t bring one. 😁. We got 4 tubes in our cabin. One for each of us for today and one apiece for tomorrow morning. 

10 hours ago, BarbRN said:

Me too

We are on board and all is well. They are letting folks leave the ship to wander on their own if they want. 

Thank you to all those who sent us information from the Sky this week. Thank you for taking the time out of your cruise  to keep us updated.  It was helpful and hopeful. Safe travels home. 

2 hours ago, mhb1757 said:

We are having a Beautiful sunny and warm day in Djupivogur. Started out a bit iffy but couldn’t be nicer now. I have been in short sleeves since mid morning. Here are a couple of tidbits for future cruisers…

if you are using Apple devices (iPhone, iPad etc) don’t plan on using the Viking Voyager app for much. Android users don’t seem to be having issues but the app shuts down every time you try to use it for anything. If you delete the app and then reinstall it, it will work for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours then you have to do it all over again. You can just ask your cabin steward for a paper copy of the daily health survey if you get tired of messing with the app. 
 

Don’t lose sleep if you can’t get the dining reservations you want in advance. We were able to get both Manfredis and Chefs Table on days and times that worked for us after boarding. No need for reservations at the Restaurant. Haven’t seen any appreciable wait any evening yet. 
 

Also if you want to dine at a table with others…no problem. Just show up at the same time and request a table for whatever party size you want. They are happy to seat you. 
 

we also had no trouble making reservations at the spa for the thermal suite. We have been every day except today. 1 hour blocks. It is very nice since they limit it to 6 guests per hour. 
 

they are keeping a waiting list for sold out shore excursions on board, so if you want one and have not been able to book it be sure to get on the waiting list when you board. I was chatting with the lady next door. She waitlisted for both of the ATV excursions and got on both of them. 
 

And last but not least I would strongly suggest packing some insect repellent and sun screen. I didn’t think I had been out in the sun long enough to burn, but my face got way more than I expected. Really high UV index I’m guessing! And the bug spray made me a very popular person on a couple of excursions. It helped a lot. 
 

it has been a great week so far. Hoping those of you sailing in the weeks to come have such amazing weather. 

Thank you so much for the information. And I am glad you are having beautiful weather and a fun time on board. I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise and have a good flight home.  

Can someone please comment on the kayak shore excursions in Isafjordur? We’re you able to see many puffins?  Thanks

1 hour ago, shipster60 said:

Should we take dryer sheets or some kind of softener?

Actually this was discussed earlier in the stream and I learned that dryer sheets leave a residue in the dryer that may cause a reaction in people with sensitive skin. So, for the sake of others, dryer sheets should not be used, not even scent free ones. You learn all kinds of things here.

36 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

Seaharvest.  We also are signed up.  At least we will meet then.  What other earlier excursions are you on?  Dynjandi Waterfall any chance?  Looked up your MI town, know the area.  Fond childhood memories of vacations with parents and then as a young adult with friends in Traverse City.  We were born and raised in Chicago - there 35 years before venturing afar.

Tatyana let me respond to this in our roll call just in case others want to join in and make some plans to meet.  I will go there now.

4 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:

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. 

For the sake of the group I will bring my well worn net and will gladly not have to use it. 😁

54 minutes ago, Bejay219 said:

SPECTACULAR drive up the mountain with amazing view of the ship in the valley, then winded our way down to the valley.  Viking rented the entire place for us so it never felt crowded! We had 2 buses, spaced nicely apart, beautiful facility, clean private showers, large dressing rooms with lockers that lock.. It was so cool as there were 3 pools different temperatures, two of which were designed as infinity pools to look like it was part of the lake.  They had stairs like in a pool that you could ease yourself into the lake or just jump right in!  (I chose to lower in quickly, and dunk under!) 

They had a swim up type bar with drinks for purchase. Also a sauna room outside then you go out to cold rain water shower.  These are Nordic traditions and we thought it was fun! Tea and water when your done. 

But the drive.... Beautiful, lots of snow still high up, with too many waterfalls to count. A lovely relaxing morning with great company! 

Thank you so much for the description. We are signed up on the 7/17 sailing and can’t wait.

1 hour ago, trhattan said:

you can keep them out of your mouth & nose by wearing your covid mask.

We have midges here in Northern Michigan so if folks are still reporting swarms I will bring my net face hat/covering. It doesn’t fog up my glasses like my COVID mask. 😂 

12 minutes ago, Seaharvest said:

 

I am not sure why my comments didn’t come through last time so I will try again. I asked that question earlier and some nice person answered, sorry I don’t remember who, and said no. I too was hoping they had been retrofitted.  I have some hanging shelves I am bringing.