Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 15, 2023 #1 Share Posted August 15, 2023 (edited) Hey everyone! We just arrived in Reykjavik this morning for our upcoming Prima sailing. I’m going to do my best to try and document this trip daily. This trip was booked about 800 days ago (the countdown has been agonizing). There will be a total of 7 of us in our 40’s and 50’s. I’ll be writing from the perspective of myself and my partner. We have a spa balcony booked and chose the airfare through NCL from Philadelphia. we also did the 2 day deviation at the front end of the trip and a 1 day deviation at the back end. I hope to make this an enjoyable read as I love reading other reviews while researching. Arriving flight: We had a 6:55 pm fight from Philadelphia to Boston on Jet Blue. Flight had a brief delay of less than an hour and arrived in Boston with plenty of time to spare for our 11:35 connection. We left Boston on time to Reykjavik on Iceland Air. First time using Iceland Air and absolutely loved the plane, the staff, etc. We arrived about 20 min. early at 8:15 am. It was just really difficult trying to catch some sleep. Day 1 Reykjavik, Iceland Customs was a breeze and we used Flybus for our route to Hotel Borg. The connection was very smooth. Bus was packed, but a breeze. Our connecting bus arrived minutes after we were dropped off at the terminal. We dropped our bags off at the Hotel Borg and explored. I had visions of the city being much busier and bigger from my research. Almost felt like a Quebec City vibe. Love it. So quaint. We got breakfast at the Laudromat cafe and checked out the church and then decided to head back to wait for our room to be ready. Took a much needed shower and brushed my damn teeth!y body needed both after travel and walking around. On recommendation from some locals, we checked out the Perclan museum. Pretty cool I for about the geology of Iceland. They had a really awesome man made ice cave. The observation lounge really gave gorgeous view of the area. Tomorrow we have an all day Golden Circle tour. Edited August 15, 2023 by PhillyTravelBug 15 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggTexasGal Posted August 15, 2023 #2 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Thank you for posting the wonderful photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiseny4life Posted August 15, 2023 #3 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Love the narratives and the photos. That building in the first photo is super cool (don't ask me why). I just like it! Haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 15, 2023 Author #4 Share Posted August 15, 2023 5 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said: Love the narratives and the photos. That building in the first photo is super cool (don't ask me why). I just like it! Haha That’s our hotel for the next two nights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGarrett5oh Posted August 15, 2023 #5 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Looking forward to photos from the Golden Circle. Have fun! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCruisingBrewers Posted August 16, 2023 #6 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Following Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skatie Posted August 16, 2023 #7 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Thanks for posting your thoughts and details! We are on this same route Sept 7 and also doing the two day deviations on both ends. Did you book the Flybus in advance? Enjoy and can’t wait to follow along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillygwm Posted August 16, 2023 #8 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Thanks for this. Friends and I were considering this cruise for next year. CAS wouldn't even waive my single supplement because it's Prima, so it would have been $7K+ just to set foot on the ship (Balcony.) Add on to that FAS+, gambling budget, etc. and it was more than I cared to spend. I'll look at it again in 2025 or perhaps something on a different cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 16, 2023 Author #9 Share Posted August 16, 2023 6 hours ago, skatie said: Thanks for posting your thoughts and details! We are on this same route Sept 7 and also doing the two day deviations on both ends. Did you book the Flybus in advance? Enjoy and can’t wait to follow along! We did. It was very simple. The airport is extremely small and easy to navigate. The busses were right outside. They do have a counter area to purchase on the spot. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillyw Posted August 16, 2023 #10 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Hello from down laugavegur. We've done a Reykjavik tour, the golden circle, and south coast so far, lava tunnel and Ox restaurant today! Have fun on your golden circle day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 16, 2023 Author #11 Share Posted August 16, 2023 (edited) Day 2 - Golden Circle Tour Our first stop on the golden circle tour is where the continental divide is along with the largest lake in Iceland. Absolutely stunning. We booked this through viator. Our guide is very Icelandic. I meant to add yesterday… I love how many electric vehicles and plug in hybrids there are in Reykjavik I just bought myself a plug in hybrid and love it. On the negative, there is no temperature restriction on the sinks in public restrooms. I’ve scolded myself each time. I haven’t learned. Edited August 16, 2023 by PhillyTravelBug 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Laszlo Posted August 16, 2023 #12 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Great start! Following! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marys350 Posted August 16, 2023 #13 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Enjoying your review and pictures. What is the name of the tour company for your Golden Circle Tour? Was it a large group coach bus or a small group minibus or van? We've booked this cruise for June, 2024 and are really looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 16, 2023 Author #14 Share Posted August 16, 2023 We used Viator. We have a large van with 19 of us. Couldn’t be happier. The artic one and Reykjavík excursions use the large tour buses. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 16, 2023 Author #15 Share Posted August 16, 2023 2nd stop is the geysers! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tde1969 Posted August 16, 2023 #16 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Following along. We are on the Prima September 17th for Iceland and Norway! Can't wait to read all about your trip!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoopie17 Posted August 16, 2023 #17 Share Posted August 16, 2023 11 hours ago, skatie said: We are on this same route Sept 7 and also doing the two day deviations on both ends. You were able to get two day deviations on BOTH ends? Did you use NCL BOGO air? I swear I thought you could only do the front or back, but not both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skatie Posted August 16, 2023 #18 Share Posted August 16, 2023 12 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said: You were able to get two day deviations on BOTH ends? Did you use NCL BOGO air? I swear I thought you could only do the front or back, but not both. Yes we used NCL BOGO and no issue getting 2 days on both ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 16, 2023 Author #19 Share Posted August 16, 2023 25 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said: You were able to get two day deviations on BOTH ends? Did you use NCL BOGO air? I swear I thought you could only do the front or back, but not both. We did use the BOGO. We opted for two days in Iceland and one extra day in London. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 16, 2023 Author #20 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Gullfoss Waterfalls. Such a highlight today. Breathtaking beauty but our guide only gave us 25 minutes. We did get to stop for a few moments to feed the horses. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiseny4life Posted August 16, 2023 #21 Share Posted August 16, 2023 That waterfall is just incredible! I've seen videos of it. It's a travesty you can only visit for 25 minutes...but I suppose that's what you get on tour. Anyway, thanks for sharing such wonderful photos. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler joe Posted August 16, 2023 #22 Share Posted August 16, 2023 How long did the circle tour take ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler joe Posted August 16, 2023 #23 Share Posted August 16, 2023 Just now, Traveler joe said: How long did the circle tour take ? Love the narrative. Going in 3 weeks. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted August 16, 2023 Author #24 Share Posted August 16, 2023 (edited) Volcanic crater. we are currently on the tour. It is an 11 hour tour. no restrooms… 1 star Edited August 16, 2023 by PhillyTravelBug 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCGuy64 Posted August 16, 2023 #25 Share Posted August 16, 2023 2 hours ago, PhillyTravelBug said: 2nd stop is the geysers! No you know where the scalding water in those restrooms comes from, LOL. Thanks for the review and the pictures, loving it! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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