Nitemare

6 minutes ago, Fogfog said:

TY @Nitemare

Are you living in Iceland and not in need of tips.

 

 

 

I have been there five times and talked to folks in all walks of tourism. They won’t turn down a tip, but hey think it is odd and it is unnecessary.

Me?  I don’t need tips, either. I get paid appropriately for my job by my employer.

We have a post from yesterday about how easy it was to walk from the pier to Penn Station

probably just as easy to do it the other way

You can walk, uber, or bus to whichever mansion(s) you want to visit.

On 1/25/2024 at 6:50 PM, kazganymede said:

We are seniors who are finding it very difficult to get a cc as our income is limited.

 

We'd love to rent a car in Reykjavik, but I think they all require a valid cc.

 

Any ideas if this is possible?

I've seen threads on TripAdvisor where folks have rented with a debit card, but they had to put down a huge deposit and take all the insurance as it is REALLY easy to damage a car in Iceland.

On 1/26/2024 at 2:09 PM, mort&fran said:

 

What are the suggested tips for cruise-tour guides and bus drivers? 

Tipping is not part of the culture. People are paid a fair and living wage.  Iceland is a beautiful and unspoiled country.  Let's try to keep it that way.

On 1/28/2024 at 12:08 AM, kazganymede said:

https://www.getyourguide.com/akureyri-l2028/godafoss-waterfall-tour-from-akureyri-port-t520204/?ranking_uuid=df1b76af-abc8-4db7-98f1-3a0725ffc371

 

 

We suggested you avoid third parties in case you don't dock or you need to make a change for any other reason it's much easier to contact a provider directly than relying on a third party to get your message across.

It's also nice to put all the money into local provider's pockets instead of paying a conglomerate.  It looks like a nice tour, and it says it is offered by Saga Travel.  You might want to see if you can book this directly with them, instead.  They are a good company

It's a tiny town, there aren't any tour companies there and I don't think any taxi companies.  The cruiselines will probably be using any drivers/guides within 100 miles that day.  It's annoying but you probably have to book thru the ship to get anything other than a walking tour

It is a small island.  Won't take 45 minutes to get from the further point to the tender dock, probably less.

I'd ask what the 2 hour includes that the 1 hour doesn't include.  There are lots of great wildlife opportunities on the island

You can also hike the volcano, shop in the cute shops and there are a couple REALLY good restaurants

21 hours ago, jmomma said:

Holland America changed the stop from Bar Harbor to Eastport.  Does anyone have any advise on what to see and do in Eastport?

What kinds of things do you like to do?  Are there any excursions listed you have questions about?

This active thread lists some well priced options near the Manhattan Cruise Terminal

I agree with the above.  We have dropped our luggage off super early in Reykjavik or Grindavik many times.  We then did a self guided walking tour of Reykjavik, and maybe napped in a hotel lobby or similar.

But a better plan is to book the night before in the hotel and let them know you won't be arriving until early the next morning.

11 hours ago, Slyfox16 said:

Are the Golden Circle Tours still operating or have there been restrictions put on them or road/site closures?

Why wouldn't they be operating?

If you are asking about the volcano, it is VERY localized, near the Blue Lagoon and the town of Grindavik.  That is all that is affected.

If you are asking about weather, there have been recent road closures that have impacted Golden Circle tours, but that is normal in winter.

19 hours ago, Indiansbaseball said:

September 25-27 1 bed …. $200-300. Totally okay with the subway. 
Thanks

If being close to the terminal is important, there is a Comfort Inn on 48th near the river that is ok.  But for 2 days I think you'd rather be more centrally located, so maybe consider The Edison or even the Crowne Plaza near Times Square.  If you like a 'cool vibe', the Royalton should work with or near your budget

$127 is approximately the cost of a taxi from KEF Airport, 45 minutes from the city, to Reykjavik.  It might be a bit higher than that.

For a 3 mile trip in the city I'd expect $25-30 at most.  Remember, tipping is not part of the culture.

I've used taxifarefinder for Reykjavik in the past for decent estimates

19 hours ago, Indiansbaseball said:

We booked a cruise on Carnival next September and the hotel you recommended is $400+ a night. Any other recommendations for cruising and sightseeing. We’re thinking of coming in a few days early. 
Thanks 

Jen 

What's your exact dates and how many beds are needed?

Here is the most recent Boston Parking thread.  Lots of good info here: 

1 minute ago, Wasasalad said:

Yes! The tunnel! Nothing cheap around here!

Rodeway Inn in Middleton is showing under $150.  So is the HI Express there.

Get me a nice table at Chillingsworth on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and I can get you a room at my buddy's place in Duxbury!

1 minute ago, Wasasalad said:

I live on the lower Cape in Brewster. Traffic around Fourth of July is absolutely horrendous! Hours to go a few miles. With only two small bridges to the mainland make travel very difficult. 

Oh yeah, Cape traffic.  Can you leave the Cape the night before and grab something cheap in Wareham or Carver?

Or even take the tunnel instead of the bridge?  I'm sure you have one of those Hard to get stickers!

Any hotel in the "101" postal code such as yours is well located.

Taxis are lined up at KEF like at all major airports, no need to prebook.  I'm not sure what happens with a car service if your flight is late, will they wait for you?  KEF has really good Duty Free.  You don't want/need to race to the curb to catch your car.  If you are planning on any alcohol in your time in the city, buy it at the airport.  Even Icelanders plans their trips out of the country to coincide with stocking up on booze when they return as the restaurants and few wine shops are VERY expensive.

Where exactly do you live?  We were New Englanders for many decades before we switched coasts a couple years ago.  I'm not sure if you are going June 4 or July 4 (Juth isn't on my calendar 🙂 ), but traffic on the holiday is generally light.

Ask Oceania or your travel agent which cruise port for your date.  I'm sure they will let you know before your cruise where to show up.  Depending on how early you are arriving in Iceland before your cruise, I wouldn't book lodging based on where the port is, I would book lodging based on what I want to see in the city.

International Flights from the US arrive at Keflavik Airport (KEF).  For one or two people, Flybus is the most efficient and economical way to get to the city.  For 3 or more people, a taxi is probably better.  Expect a taxi to cost $130-$150 USD equivalent and yes, they take plastic.

Icelandair has multiple daily flights from BOS to KEF.  We've taken that route 5 times (so far).  It might be cheaper to book yourself than to have the airline do it for you, and it's as easy to book as any other airline.

September is expensive in Boston.  For one night pre-cruise I'd stay in the Seaport district, where you can get a good meal and see a little of Boston and be close to the port.  For 3 days after the cruise, definitely Back Bay or Copley Square or Fanueil Hall area for best tourist experience. But it is going to cost you.

1 hour ago, Smitheroo said:

This is the advice I got from a former high school friend (we used to go into NYC frequently to do the things young people like to do)  "Be very, very careful about NYC. It is NOT like it used to be. People drive up on the sidewalks (I'm not kidding), her son goes into NYC everyday (he works on cell towers) and says its like the Wild Wild West with people all doing their own thing with no repercussions.  You have been warned."  My answer was thanks but you are going to find crazy situation everywhere, including Lewiston, Maine where we had our first mass shooting. And if I remember there was one incident not that long ago where someone drove up on the side walk, I think Times Square, for whatever reason.  

Did you see any of this?  I've been in NYC a half dozen times since Covid and never seen a car on a sidewalk (yes, it has happened 2 or 3 times in the past few years, but it's a big city and these are ISOLATED incidents, and it happened in Pre-covid times, too).  I have no idea what the 'do your own thing with no repercussions" thing means, but these are just scare creeds, generally spoken by folks with an issue.

You were there.  Will you tell your friends to watch out for cars on sidewalks?

2 hours ago, Ellen495 said:

I am also now learning there's a difference (Atlas told me this) between reaching the peninsula and going below the Arctic line. Does anyone have information about this? 

THANKS

Ellen

No real difference in terms of what you see.  Real difference in terms of "bragging rights", if that matters to you.  But by going past the circle you are cruising more and stopping less, so likely fewer landings to get those extra miles south.

We prefer landings.

Amtrak will tell you "no checked luggage".  All this means is there isn't a baggage car, but you can definitely take all your bags on board with you (or use a Red Cap) and store them over your seat or in the ample space at the end of each train car

You may have trouble finding a GC tour that starts that late in the day.  Most start earlier and get you back to the city for dinner.

I agree with the above, do NOT book with a third party, there is no benefit and you risk communication issues if a tour is canceled or delayed due to weather, which can happen any time in Iceland.

One option might be a one day car rental, the Golden Circle isn't hard to drive on your own.  There just aren't that many roads there and they are all very well signed, so hard to get lost.  You won't get as much knowledge as you would on a tour, but you'll still see the highlights and at your own pace