Iceland's Natural Beauty General - 2022

[TayanaLorna]

1 hour ago, shipster60 said:

Now that our shores excursions are somewhat set, I’m starting to think of other questions as a first time VO traveler. Are the Spa facilities open to everyone and do you need to get reservations or buy a pass to use them? I know you need to reserve Spa treatments but I’m inquiring about just the facilities. 

The spa is wonderful, do make a reservation.  According to the UK sailing, they are alloting each reservation 45 minutes.  I would assume that is the entire time including changing.  There are wonderful locker rooms with each locker containing a robe, slippers and towel.  You use your key card to lock and reopen your locker.  

[BQEC]

5 hours ago, bardstowntraveller said:

Think I figured out why they included the drink package on the later cruises. It is so we have something to do on the ship in lieu of shore excursions 🤣

See you at the bar!

[BQEC]

6 hours ago, ValarieDennis said:

I believe that everyone on these sailings received that email. 

 

[BQEC]

I attempted to "copy" it. And, save it for posterity. The copy function failed and the message disappeared.

[BQEC]

On 5/28/2021 at 2:28 PM, StuLaurie said:

You could also consider renting a car. There are a few car rental places at the cruise terminal that are open when ships are in. This way you will have someplace for your luggage. Assuming airport testing is over by the time you travel.
 

Would love to hear if anyone has done this and has any suggestions. We have decided to fly in a few days early, quarantine at our hotel until we get our results which will be easy for us as we get in at 9pm and then explore the next day. 

 

[Clay Clayton]

2 hours ago, Doc who loves to travel said:

Question about gratuities. Can we pay gratuities with a credit card onboard or is it cash only gratuities onboard?  Wondering benefits of prepayment? It’s our first Viking ocean 

I used to always prepay my gratuities once our Travel Agent’s refundable shipboard credit appeared in our account on MVJ.  However, after we were turned around mid-Atlantic thanks to Covid and our cruise was shortened by three days it took me many emails and numerous phone calls to get the unused gratuities back. So henceforth, since there is no advantage to prepaying (unless you are trying to use up a voucher) I won’t be doing so anymore. 
 

I don’t believe you can pay the daily service charge in cash but I could be wrong. 

[BQEC]

Our flight from PHL arrives KEF at 5 am. So I was hoping to arrange something - anything - for Day 1 - no Viking excursions. Let's hope that Viking can arrange something for those who are interested in seeing something of the city.

 

I was researching on Cruise Critic - came across from a passenger on a July Iceland cruise who received final documents:

----------------------

 

SHORE EXCURSIONS. During the initial return to sailing, guests will only be allowed to participate in excursions or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking’s level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential exposure. Throughout the duration of the shore excursion, guests will be asked to remain with their cruise companions. There may be additional restrictions during shore excursions depending on local conditions. Noncompliance by guest or members of guest’s traveling party with COVID-19 Policies and Procedures shall be grounds for refusal to re-board after going ashore.

[BQEC]

2 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

I used to always prepay my gratuities once our Travel Agent’s refundable shipboard credit appeared in our account on MVJ.  However, after we were turned around mid-Atlantic thanks to Covid and our cruise was shortened by three days it took me many emails and numerous phone calls to get the unused gratuities back. So henceforth, since there is no advantage to prepaying (unless you are trying to use up a voucher) I won’t be doing so anymore. 
 

I don’t believe you can pay the daily service charge in cash but I could be wrong. 

 

[BQEC]

Thanks, Clay. I was planning on pre-paying ... good to know.

[NeilP57]

4 minutes ago, BQEC said:

Let's hope that Viking can arrange something for those who are interested in seeing something of the city.

It’s been hard enough for Viking to organise excursions on “normal” cruise days, let alone the day of arrival. My guess is that Viking will be very keen to get everybody on board and in a controlled environment as quickly as possible. I seem to recall that they were trying to get all departing passengers off earlier than normal as well (? 8:30am)

 

I have the same question on my mind as I am arriving into KEF at 9:10am on a BA flight from London arranged by Viking, will I be permitted to go and do a golden circle tour privately organised (with my luggage if necessary) assuming that by the 31/7 that the Iceland authorities have dropped testing fully vaccinated passengers on arrival. I will be happy to submit myself to any testing Viking wishes to do on arrival at the ship later that same day. 
 

This would put me in the same position as those US passengers who are flying out a few days before and arranging there own transfers or even those flying in that same day and hoping to visit the Blue Lagoon before embarkation. 
 

Here’s hoping that Iceland relax their arrival protocols and Viking take a mature view of this especially if I am unable to get booked onto a golden circle tour on the first full day of the cruise. 

[FoggyEthan]

12 minutes ago, NeilP57 said:

It’s been hard enough for Viking to organise excursions on “normal” cruise days, let alone the day of arrival. My guess is that Viking will be very keen to get everybody on board and in a controlled environment as quickly as possible. I seem to recall that they were trying to get all departing passengers off earlier than normal as well (? 8:30am)

 

I have the same question on my mind as I am arriving into KEF at 9:10am on a BA flight from London arranged by Viking, will I be permitted to go and do a golden circle tour privately organised (with my luggage if necessary) assuming that by the 31/7 that the Iceland authorities have dropped testing fully vaccinated passengers on arrival. I will be happy to submit myself to any testing Viking wishes to do on arrival at the ship later that same day. 
 

This would put me in the same position as those US passengers who are flying out a few days before and arranging there own transfers or even those flying in that same day and hoping to visit the Blue Lagoon before embarkation. 
 

Here’s hoping that Iceland relax their arrival protocols and Viking take a mature view of this especially if I am unable to get booked onto a golden circle tour on the first full day of the cruise. 

Just guessing -- they might want people off an hour earlier than normal in order to do a more complete disinfecting. But I haven't heard anything about a required boarding time. I'm also considering a Golden Circle tour pre-cruise.

[anaco_angler]

What about post-cruise activity? Our flight doesn't leave until after 5pm and I understand we have to be off the ship early. We have booked transfers with Viking but don't really want to spend eight hours or so in the airport. I did ask Viking if they had any excursions available for disembarkation day and the answer was no. Just curious if anyone else is in the same late flight situation and what your plans may be.

[USI]

4 hours ago, Delhi Ocean Cruiser said:

I see the many messages expressing frustration. Totally understandable. I’ve been lucky. Made dinner reservations with no problem and got in for shoreX reservations without much hassle. MVJ works for me and calendar shows all activities. Still many have huge problems. 
Our last cruise was VR Danube, Nov 2019. Low water caused a ship swap midway. Shortly after we got home we received a $500pp voucher for the inconvenience. Perhaps Viking will do the same for all this confusion. (Hoping!) There will be many vouchers issued if they do! The one hiccup is they are usually good for new bookings only. Would love to use it, if issued, on current cruises booked. Still it’s a gesture of good faith. 

In a Tellus email I dashed off yesterday in the midst of all of this fuss I suggested a comp’d Silver Spirits pkg would go a long way to make me feel better about things, and added I was not kidding. But of course that won’t happen…haha

[Heartgrove]

If anyone on any of the "Iceland's Natural Beauty" cruises is considering extending their stay and  renting a car, the rental companies are beginning to be totally sold out.

 

With all of the fiasco regarding the shore excursions, checking our options I contacted the company that I have rented a car for a week post-cruise beginning July 24. I wondered if I cancelled the July 17 cruise would I be able to add an additional week in front of my scheduled rental on July 16. The response was that they were almost sold out for July and that I would need to decide almost immediately.

 

Thankfully I didn't need to cancel, but we did come close.

 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Heartgrove

[Cruiser1854]

My husband and I plan to arrive 1 day pre cruise and stay 1 night post cruise.

The day of arrival would be getting over jet lag and walking around Reykjavik. Cruise embarkation day booked a Golden circle small group tour and post cruise a small group south coast tour.

The company I am using is BTI travel.  Pre cruise they will pick up hotel and drop off at the pier as well as vice versa post cruise.  They will carry our luggage on the mini bus.  Speaking to a Viking rep was advised there will be no issues arriving later in the afternoon on embarkation day.

BTI pick up and drop off only within Reykjavik for their small group tours.  They also provide private tours and transfers. So for for those who are arriving early to the airport and have the budget could probably arrange pickup at airport + private tour + drop off at the pier.  Or vice versa on disembarkation.

Food for thought.

Anne

 

 

[TayanaLorna]

41 minutes ago, anaco_angler said:

What about post-cruise activity? Our flight doesn't leave until after 5pm and I understand we have to be off the ship early. We have booked transfers with Viking but don't really want to spend eight hours or so in the airport. I did ask Viking if they had any excursions available for disembarkation day and the answer was no. Just curious if anyone else is in the same late flight situation and what your plans may be.

We are on the July 17 sailing and our return home flight is at 5 pm.  We did our own air travel so do not have included transfers. The only company i found that does an excursion with airport drop off is Gateway to Iceland. They do the Reykanes Pennisula because any other is too long.  They pick up at multiple locations including the cruise port.  Thier website is www.gtic.is or email at info@gtic.is.  They got good reviews on Trip Advisor but booking direct is cheaper.  We havent reserved spots yet since we have been focused on excursions.

[anaco_angler]

Thanks, TayanaLorna, I'm going to send a query to the tour operator and see if we can be picked up at the ship and dropped off at the airport.

[AKexplorer]

1 hour ago, TayanaLorna said:

We are on the July 17 sailing and our return home flight is at 5 pm.  We did our own air travel so do not have included transfers. The only company i found that does an excursion with airport drop off is Gateway to Iceland. They do the Reykanes Pennisula because any other is too long.  They pick up at multiple locations including the cruise port.  Thier website is www.gtic.is or email at info@gtic.is.  They got good reviews on Trip Advisor but booking direct is cheaper.  We havent reserved spots yet since we have been focused on excursions.

There are a number of tours with drop off at the airport on this site:

https://guidetoiceland.is/book-trips-holiday?page=1&startingLocationId=31&startingLocationName=Reykjavik

 

[FoggyEthan]

15 minutes ago, anaco_angler said:

Thanks, TayanaLorna, I'm going to send a query to the tour operator and see if we can be picked up at the ship and dropped off at the airport.

 

BTI Travel offers pick up from the pier with a tour of the Reykjanes peninsula, or also with a drop-off at Blue Lagoon and later pick-up. You can leave your luggage with them in the vehicle while you're in the blue lagoon. We're doing this after the July 13th sailing if anyone might want to tag along.

 

I'm pretty stunned that Viking would just drop you off at the airport at 9AM with a 5PM flight. You may not even be able to check in for 4 to 6 hours. Definitely makes me never want to use them for transfers. At least a day room somewhere in Reykjavik.

[jtwind]

2 hours ago, Cruiser1854 said:

My husband and I plan to arrive 1 day pre cruise and stay 1 night post cruise.

The day of arrival would be getting over jet lag and walking around Reykjavik.

 

 

Or quarantined in your room until you get your test results back.

[SantaFe1]

11 minutes ago, jtwind said:

Or quarantined in your room until you get your test results back.

Testing at the airport for vaccinated people is to stop on June 15.  See post #1094.

Edited June 5, 2021 by SantaFe1

[Mehroswitha]

FoggyEthan, we're also on the July 13 sailing, and I like your idea of touring after disembarkation and being dropped off at the airport later! Not particularly interested in Blue Lagoon, but Reykjanes Peninsula sounds appealing. Could you send me details privately, please? My address is Hroswitha at att . net. (Close up gaps and use appropriate symbol.) Thanks!          --Julie

[madrone]

3 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

If anyone on any of the "Iceland's Natural Beauty" cruises is considering extending their stay and  renting a car, the rental companies are beginning to be totally sold out.

 

With all of the fiasco regarding the shore excursions, checking our options I contacted the company that I have rented a car for a week post-cruise beginning July 24. I wondered if I cancelled the July 17 cruise would I be able to add an additional week in front of my scheduled rental on July 16. The response was that they were almost sold out for July and that I would need to decide almost immediately.

 

Thankfully I didn't need to cancel, but we did come close.

 

Yikes!  I have booked a car rental but I think I will confirm just to make sure all is in order...thanks for the heads' up!

 

[Mpc524]

11 hours ago, bardstowntraveller said:

We are on the 8/3 sailing. I proactively sent my TA an email asking for assistance when excursions are released for our sailing. Not sure if there is much she can do but it 

Edited June 6, 2021 by Mpc524

[Mpc524]

20 minutes ago, madrone said:

Yikes!  I have booked a car rental but I think I will confirm just to make sure all is in order...thanks for the heads' up!

 

We had no trouble booking with Avis for a 7/10 rental. Have you tried them?