Stuck on Reykjavik tours

[justrfun2]

I know I've looked and not seen any excursions by the Norwegian Star for the Sept. 14th sailing out of Copenhagen while in Reykjavik, Iceland.

We definitely would like to see the Blue Lagoon, so my question is, does anyone know if you can pick up a tour once we dock in Reykjavik? And are there any other options out there that could be suggested to us. Beyond the Blue Lagoon what are some other great sights to go see in the area.

Any help would be appreciated! Many thanks!

[SteelMagnolia9]

I've been to Reykjavik and other places in Iceland, but not via a cruise ship, so I can't speak to tours being available at the dock. The Blue Lagoon is approximately 30 miles outside of Reykjavik, so you will need a plan before leaving the ship if you are going there (taxis and other public transport are available if you choose to go independently). You may want to consider going with the ship's tour there (if they ultimately have one) if you do not have much time in port.

 

I'd highly recommend one of the free city walking tours. Most last 1 1/2-2 hours - give the guide a tip at the end - very worthwhile and they highlight the main historic sights - my guide was a local university student who was very knowledgeable. You can find them on the internet - search free city walking tours Reykjavik. Lots of cafes and restaurants - visit one and enjoy people watching, meander the streets, check out The Old Harbour area, Harpa (a beautiful concert hall-if you have an overnight, perhaps they will have a performance there, but they allow you to enter and wander around) and The National Museum of Iceland.

 

If you don't want to go to the Blue Lagoon, the city has many thermal pools and spas - think superheated swimming pools, which you can go to and enjoy a warm soak.

 

Beautiful city. Lots to see - how much time do you have in port?

[WYTinman]

How much Time do you have?

 

Blue Lagoon is closer to Keflavik than Reykjavik. A tour there will require a full day with drive time there and back.

 

We also did a Golden Circle tour with IG Tours http://www.igtours.is/en/tours that included Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfalls and Geysir.

 

Also a full day tour.

 

We did a three day stop over returning from Copenhagen via Iceland Air.

 

Blue Lagoon

 

 

Thingvellir National Park

 

Gullfoss

 

Geysir

 

 

We also stopped at a couple of other sites that are not listed in the tour

 

Kerio

 

Iceland is wonderful. I hope you have the opportunity to see at least some of it.

 

We really enjoyed ourselves and plan on going back.

 

Mark

[willise]

I went to the Blue Lagoon when I was in Iceland, and to be honest, I don't think I'd go back. It is a fairly expensive outing to see a man made pool. I think the geyser and the Thingvellir National Park are much better options to see the true beauty of Iceland.

 

If you can scuba dive or snorkel, you can go to the only place in the world where you can touch two continental plates in Silfra, also in the national park.

 

For me, it was the experience of a lifetime!

[WYTinman]

I went to the Blue Lagoon when I was in Iceland, and to be honest, I don't think I'd go back. It is a fairly expensive outing to see a man made pool. I think the geyser and the Thingvellir National Park are much better options to see the true beauty of Iceland.

 

If you can scuba dive or snorkel, you can go to the only place in the world where you can touch two continental plates in Silfra, also in the national park.

 

For me, it was the experience of a lifetime!

 

I agree with you about Blue Lagoon....But....

 

We did it on the way to the Airport. After a few hours in that water I slept like a baby all the way to Denver.

 

Thingvellir National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

[justrfun2]

Appreciate all the helpful hints and replies to my post. Unfortunately, we only have from 8am till 6pm docking time in Reykjavik, so it's not going to allow

for too much sight seeing.

Not into snorkeling, but will look into Thingvellir National Park and the Old

Harbour area. On my wish list though is still to go see The Blue Lagoon!

Thank you all!

[4774Papa]

I would not wing it. Research and book your tour prior to arriving.

 

We did the Golden Circle tour instead of Blue Lagoon. You will see a lot more of the country with Golden Circle. We booked a private tour that was wonderful.

[pieshops]

Seasons tours is awesome, small groups at large group prices. We were there for 4 days and they just made the trip. Also Extreme Iceland is awesome also

[Stuart Suss]

If your heart is set on a thermal pool visit, skip the long ride to the tourist trap that is Blue Lagoon and head to the excellent public thermal pool at Laugardalsaug

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189970-d2315601-Reviews-Laugardalslaug-Reykjavik_Capital_Region.html

 

which is an easy 25 minute walk from the cruise ship port at Skarfabakki. Don't miss the water slide!

 

 

If you want to see natural and historic sites, and if time permits, take one of the competing Golden Circle tours.

[Renstr]

Hey op. There are other companies that do shore excursions- I'm not sure what the rules on listing names out is but check viator and shore excursions group. I'm in the minority here, I really enjoyed the blue lagoon. If you have your heart set on blue lagoon try and plan to have two hours at blue lagoon and see if you can jump off the shuttle in downtown Reykjavik. It's a very walkable city and you should be able to have a look around before getting back on. I've also done the snorkelling at silfra and the golden circle both of which were fantastic day tours.

Edited April 13, 2016 by Renstr

[justrfun2]

I did some checking yesterday, but will look again today, the problem has been that many of the tours are either too long, or sold out! I guess I've waited too long, but something still has to be out there I am sure!

[Turtles06]

OP: have you checked on your Roll Call to see if anyone might have room available on a private shore excursion?

[pieshops]

we enjoyed the blue lagoon but we were there for 5 days so we got to see the other awesome things iceland has to offer. With that being said we would never go back there, checked it off the list

 

If I was there on a day cruise stop I would in no way go the the blue lagoon, Iceland is one of the most beautiful and enchanting places in the world, in my opinion it would be a shame to miss the other things to go to Blue lagoon.

 

I would recommend a tour that included the Secret Lagoon if you really want a dip in the natural thermal spring. We used Seasons tours and they would be able to get you to the secret lagoon and also see some other amazing places. They only do small groups but their pricing is only a but less then the large huge bus tours

Edited April 13, 2016 by pieshops

[justrfun2]

You've been most helpful thank you! I have never heard of the Secret Lagoon, so will definitely look into that, along with Seasons Tours.

I think I have alot of misconceptions about what to expect in Iceland as far as the beauty there. So it's going to be interesting to see the landscape there.

Appreciate your suggestions!

[sue54]

We docked there a few years back as part of a Princess cruise. We don't usually book shore excursions and we had Mum, son in a wheelchair , daughter, partner and myself.

We got off the ship and took a local taxi. He took us to see the geysers, Blue Lagoon, waterfall and many more sights. We had a lovely day and it cost us around £100.

That might be an option for you.

[Sauer-kraut]

Have you looked to see what is discussed on the PORTS OF CALL boards for EUROPE??? You will find some threads over there pertaining to Iceland and it would be a great reference so you get some kind of idea of other options.

[sjbdtz]

I know I've looked and not seen any excursions by the Norwegian Star for the Sept. 14th sailing out of Copenhagen while in Reykjavik, Iceland.

We definitely would like to see the Blue Lagoon, so my question is, does anyone know if you can pick up a tour once we dock in Reykjavik? And are there any other options out there that could be suggested to us. Beyond the Blue Lagoon what are some other great sights to go see in the area.

Any help would be appreciated! Many thanks!

 

 

 

Look at it this way: when a set of destinations are clustered and given a name (like the Golden Circle), which is then offered by almost every tour agency, you know these sites are worth seeing.

 

We did the Golden Circle tour (Geysir, Gulfoss and Thingvellir) and it was unforgettable. Truly the best way to spend 8 Icelandic hours. Plus, you'll see parts of Reykjavik as you head in / out of town.

 

Thingvellir is one of the settings for Game of Thrones filming, so if you watch that series, you may recognize the landscape.

 

It's also where you can see the 'face' of the North American continental tectonic plate. Some number of years ago, the European Plate dropped about 30 feet, and in this National Park you can see the face of the higher NorthAm plate.

 

Personally, I'd never seen a tectonic plate, in person... and that alone was pretty cool.

 

 

Stephen

 

 

P.S. Google Gulfoss and Geysir for images of these other spectacular sites. :)

 

 

 

.

[bosswench]

Adding my vote for the Golden Circle. It gives you the opportunity to see some of the most famous sights in Iceland in a limited amount of time. Most of the tour operators run that route every day so finding a tour won't be difficult. If you have your heart set on the fancy geothermal spa, find a Golden Circle tour that includes a stop at Laugarvatn Fontana. It was on of our favorite stops during our week in Iceland this past February.

Edited April 14, 2016 by bosswench