Cruises & Shore Excursions

There is a lot to consider when packing for a cruise to Iceland. Warm, waterproof clothing is essential in Iceland. If you are on a cruise, this is even more important as the winds of the open seas can be very cold. If you plan on staying on deck for more than a few minutes at a time, you should consider bringing warm wind- and waterproof clothing. Hats, mittens, and sturdy shoes should also be a part of your luggage.

After disembarking from your Icelandic cruise, you will be able to use credit cards for all your basic needs. Icelanders, in general, do not carry cash but prefer electronic transactions. Your ability to use credit cards on board depends on the specific cruise you book. Some cruise ships issue special onboard cards that work similarly to a cabin account during your stay.

Most cruises heading to Iceland maintain a casual dress code. Some cruises, however, might demand a higher standard of dress. We recommend asking the crew or your travel operator for more information. Contact us at info@guidetoiceland.is if you have any questions.

English is the primary language spoken on board most cruise ships that port at Icelandic harbours, with German as a close second. Some ships offer services in English and German simultaneously.

When travelling to Iceland by cruise, it is essential that you bring a passport, as this is the only valid travel document in Iceland. This also applies to citizens of Nordic and Schengen countries. If your country of residence is neither Nordic nor a part of Schengen, you might also need a visa to enter Iceland.

Cruiseships in Reykjavik will have an easy disembarking process, but it can depend on the size of the port and the vessel. There are eighteen harbors in Iceland, meaning that the means of getting to land from the ship may vary depending on which harbor you dock at. Very small harbors cannot receive very large ships, and very small ships cannot dock at very large harbors. On rare occasions, cruises will use zodiac boats to transfer their passengers to land.

Shore excursions are tour packages intended to suit the needs of cruise ship passengers to Iceland, and as such, they attempt to accommodate the realities of cruise ship travel. If the tour in question is explicitly listed as a 'shore excursion', you will be refunded should you miss it due to the ship being delayed. However, refunds cannot be guaranteed if the tour is not listed as a shore excursion.

Yes, in most cases you will be picked up from the port for your shore excursion. For cruises docked at Reykjavik harbor, however, you will have to walk a short distance to reach your tour operator because your ship will be docked in an area that is not open to the public.

Yes, you can. Many operators offer private excursions tailored to your interests. If you need assistance finding one, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@guidetoiceland.is.