On cruise around Iceland; the trip of a lifetime

The land of a thousand waterfalls, majestic whales, and countless puffins. Iceland is a magical (egg)land and absolutely worth it when you board a Regent cruise and visit the most remote and idyllic places.

In Bergen, I boarded the Regent Seven Sea Grandeur. After immersing myself in the Norwegian city for an afternoon, it was time to sail to Iceland. That means a day at sea, but don’t worry about not having fun on board. The Regent Seven Sea Grandeur has everything to blow you away. From a spa where you can lounge in the hot tub or book a treatment to three lounges where they whip up the tastiest cocktails. And don’t forget the wine and food lunch, because that is truly on a whole different level. If only because the sommelier talks about his chosen wines with so much love.

Whale and puffin spotting

The combination of a cruise with visiting rugged Iceland is ideal. Every morning you open your eyes in a new port. Upon waking after a day at sea, we sailed through one of the first Icelandic fjords. The landscape is something else. The mountains rise dramatically from the sea and there is snow on the peaks. The misconception about Iceland is that it is cold and snowy, but in the summer it is green and inviting. You go on an expedition to spot whales, sail around an island full of puffins, or just stroll into a town yourself. The nice thing is that you can fill your day exactly as you want.

My highlights of the cruise? It started with the first time we docked. The town of Seydisfjördur (practice pronouncing it) is cozy, picturesque, and the people are particularly friendly. From the ship, you immediately have a view of the first waterfall, which you definitely want to take a little detour for. It gives you a breathtaking view of the fjord and the Grandeur. In the main street, they serve the tastiest burgers and you can shop for the cutest souvenirs. It feels everywhere like you are stepping into someone’s living room when you take a peek into a shop.

There’s a good chance you’ll step outside with a typical Icelandic puffin, because everything these cheerful birds stand on is too cute to leave behind. It’s no wonder it’s the icon of the country. Imagine a tiny penguin that flies in the most vibrant colors. The puffin is Iceland’s pride and the image of the cuddly bird can be found on every street corner. I had to go on an excursion to admire these adorable creatures up close.

Pilgrimage site

In the early morning, we took the tender from the ship to the harbor of Grundarfjordur. There, the boat that would take us to the island of Melrakkaey was already waiting. On this island, you’ll find hundreds of puffins, as it is a breeding ground for the animals. Along the way, you pass the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell. For fans of Game of Thrones, this is pretty much a pilgrimage site, as the location has a prominent role in the series. Not a fan? No worries. Opposite the mountain lies the waterfall, or rather the waterfalls, of Kirkjufellsfoss. The walk to the waterfalls is manageable, and once you reach your destination, you won’t be able to take your eyes off it. The view of the mountain, the sea coming into the fjord in the background, one waterfall flowing into another, it’s a stunning landscape.

In Akureyri, the second largest and most northern city in the country, I spotted my first whales. The humpback whale migrates to the north of Iceland in the summer to feed. The locals are particularly skilled at spotting the gigantic creatures without disturbing their peace. Meanwhile, they also conduct research on their behavior and habitat for various institutions. I stood for two hours, shivering from the cold (the temperature drops significantly at sea), watching the animals with my mouth agape. Even the captain of the Grandeur was impressed by the large numbers he encountered along the way.

End of the world

Another moment when I pinched myself? Crossing the Arctic Circle. There are very few people who can say they have done this. You don’t notice it, of course, but the crew of Seven Seas Grandeur makes sure to provide a certificate. If you want, you can attend a real ceremony on deck with an elaborate ritual organized by the crew.

At the end of each day, you board again for a sail away to sea. In the summer, the sun sets in Iceland for just a short hour. And believe me when I say that at sea is the best place to witness this phenomenon. It’s a real oemfh moment when you see the sunset and sunrise happen in such a short time. So make sure to stay up late one evening. By the way, that’s not a problem on board, because everything – even room service – is included on board. Sipping champagne on your balcony during this evening or night? It’s possible.

The fjords of Iceland

Honestly? Iceland is breathtaking, but it’s the ship that makes the journey. The people of Regent ensure every second, every minute, every day that you lack for nothing. It’s impossible to walk from your suite to a location on board without encountering someone from the crew with a big smile. The service is so good it’s dizzying. And everything is chic, spotless, and beautiful. The special thing about Regent cruises is that everything is included, from that perfectly shaken cocktail to that delicious fine dining restaurant and even a large part of the excursions.

My favorites on board? The spa, of course the spa where you have a cozy sun deck and can see the fjords of Iceland passing by while bubbling in the jacuzzi. Although relaxing with your eyes closed on the treatment table is also no punishment. For lunch, I enjoyed the menu at the pool bar, where you can sit and eat comfortably outside. Even on a slightly cooler day. And just before dinner, the cocktail bar on the fourth floor was our regular spot, because not only did the cocktails taste very good, but there was always some live music to listen to. The perfect start to a lovely evening.

By the way, if you ask me to choose which restaurant was my favorite, I really have to plead the fifth. I can only tell you that you really, really, really want to try them all. At Chartreuse, it feels like you’re dining in the middle of Paris, the best steak of your life is at Prime 7, and then Pacific Rim, I actually have no words for this restaurant. It’s Asian cuisine like I’ve never tasted before. Don’t skip the wine tasting lunch with the sommelier at Compass Rose, because the wine is chosen with taste and the combination with the dishes. I could almost drool just thinking about it.

Trip of a lifetime

What I loved about the cruise around Iceland? The combination of unspoiled nature, discovering desolate towns, and then stepping back on board the ship. Where everything is available. A suite with a sea view, which feels like a home of its own. A library where you feel like you’re in London, with every book you might want to read. The cocktail bar with the most refined cocktails, where you are serenaded every evening by a band or singer. A theater with the most beautiful shows. And then of course those restaurants. You have a choice of three fine dining restaurants and two restaurants where you can always walk in. I have rarely eaten and drunk so well.

If you want to make the trip of a lifetime, let it be on a cruise to Iceland. The country combined with the luxury of the ship is the best possible combination. You always depart or arrive in Reykjavik. Since I was there, I stayed another night to discover the highlights of the city.

1. A visit to the Blue Lagoon is of course a must. Ask at your hotel for the cheapest tour to this attraction.
2. Eating fish at the sea shack the Sea Baron at the harbor is an experience in itself. Be sure to ask the staff which fish you should choose for the time of year.
3. Shopping in the cutest shopping street of Reykjavik, Laugavegur. A street filled with concept stores and shops full of trendy knitted sweaters.
4. An art lover? Visit the Modern Art Museum to sniff some Icelandic culture.
5. You sleep at Local 101, the perfect base in the center and incredibly cozy. You feel at home in this small-scale, friendly hotel within a nanosecond.
6. Try the Icelandic beer Snorri, an absolute recommendation.
7. At every bakery in Iceland, you can brunch. Choose something from the display case, order a coffee, and settle down at a table.
8. Craving a wrap with falafel? Chickpea is located in a back alley. It doesn’t look particularly inviting, but you’ll eat the best falafel wrap in the country.