Exploring Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes: A Viking Cruise from Norway to Reykjavik

I’ve taken 8 cruises with Viking Cruises (one river and 7 ocean), and this trip was one of a lifetime! Going to Iceland has been on my bucketlist for years, and now I see what all the talk is about. It’s beautiful, fabulous, and I can’t recomend it enough. The Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes cruise on the “Jupiter” ship is 13 days long (3 countries), from Bergen, Norway to Reykjavik, Iceland.

We started a little early on our own in Bergen, and then hopped on the ship. Then at the end of the Viking cruise, we stayed 3 extra days on our own in Reykjavik, but did you know that Viking offers “extensions” on either side of the trip? They do all the work for you–put you up in a hotel, take care of all the transfers, etc. It’s a great way to explore the first and last city of the cruise. We did this a few years back, 3 days in Venice.

The cruise and experience was filled with adventure and exploration! The weather was fabulous in August. We traveled with our friends which always makes a trip a little more fun. Of course you meet wonderful people on the ship, but it’s great to go with good friends.

We first started cruising with Lori and her husband years ago, and we’ve done many cruises together.

ITINERARY – Exploring Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes

Starting in the far north in Norway we sailed to the robust beauty of Geiranger and the urban setting of Ålesund. We loved the quaint town of the Faroe Islands, and then on to Iceland. The sunrises are incredible on the fjords, with Iceland’s majestic waterfalls, breathtaking vistas, and then the highlight of a thermal bath, walking on the largest glacier, and enjoying the Icelantic food!

• Bergen, Norway
• Olden, Norway
• Ålesund, Norway
• Geiranger, Norway
• Sail the North Sea
• Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
• Sali the North Sea
• Seydisfjördur, Iceland – we were not able to dock because of high winds
• Akureyri, Iceland
• ĺsafjördur, Iceland
• Reykjavík, Iceland

Bergen, Norway

We stayed 2 days in Bergen before we got on the ship. Bergen is home to the Bryggen wharf, a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses along a quaint quay, with wooden walkways, and small, vibrantly painted buildings overlooking the picturesque Vågen Harbor. This town isi so charming! This was our third time to be in Bergen, and we always find new things to do. It is also the gateway to the country’s magnificent fjords, including the Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord. Our favorite: The picturesque outdoor fish market for best meal.

Olden, Norway

Located in the stunning Olden Valley, the Briksdalsbreen glacier offers one of Norway’s most iconic nature experiences. You’ll journey through a breathtaking landscape of emerald-green lakes, towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls to reach the glacier’s base.

For those who prefer a less strenuous ascent than the 45-60 minute uphill hike, you can take the charming “Troll Cars” up to the top. These small, open-air electric vehicles (formerly horse-drawn carriages) ferry visitors most of the way up the scenic, winding path. The fun ride gets you up close to the roaring waterfalls—complete with water shields to keep you dry! When you get to the top, there is a short walk to the glacier’s viewpoint at the lake’s edge. It is stunning – the dramatic contrast of the blue-white ice against the black rock and greenery, a truly unforgettable sight.

Ålesund, Norway

Ålesund is a fascinating blend of coastal splendor, alpine magnificence and unique architecture, where we rode e-bikes around Hessa Island.

As you cycle past picturesque stone buildings and quaint churches, your e-bike’s motor will make pedaling a breeze, allowing you to relax and enjoy the ride. We rode along the length of Aspøy Island, and then crossed the Steinvågsundet to reach Hessa Island. We learned a lot about Norway’s World War II history with our French guide, before heading back to the ship. Yes, we had a little rain, but we all had light rain coats.

Geiranger, Norway

Geiranger is gorgeous! We saw the Seven Sisters Waterfall that tumbles 1,000 feet into the fjord’s water, as we enjoyed kayaking!

It was a group kayak experience (about 12 of us) and we paddled through the breathtaking sights of this fjord, with towering mountains that rise up out of these calm waters and the picturesque homes and boats that dot the shoreline. Our guide gave us a lot of info about Geirangerfjord, the high mountains that form its walls and the incredible waterfalls. The water was rough as we kayaked back to the ship, but it was quite the experience!

Sail the North Sea

Cross the North Sea, where Vikings sailed as they established colonies on Scottish islands, coastal France and beyond.

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

Tórshavn is the capital of the Faroe Islands, halfway between Norway and Iceland. The Faroese people still speak their unique Old Norse language and Viking settlements here reach back to the 9th century. The town is quite colorful with little homes, and plentiful birdlife. It was raining, but we enjoyed a quaint breakfast and a very good cup of coffee, and took a bus tour through the town.

Sail the Norwegian Sea

We enjoyed another sea day. A typical sea day is eating at the The Restaurant for breakfast, enjoying the ship (library, playing ping pong, spa, fitness center, watching movies, playing Trivia), and going to the Tea Garden in the afternoon. The sea days are quite relaxing.

Oh, and what is the Blue Nose Ritual? It’s a ceremony commorating crossing the Arctic Circle that involves a plunge into ice cold water, a blue-painted nose and if you want, a shot of aquavit.

Seydisfjördur, Iceland

Seydisfjördur is in the mountains at the end of a fjord. It traces its origins to the early days of Viking settlements. It’s a tiny town (pioneered international communications when it welcomed the first telegraph cable, linking Iceland to Europe), with colorful wooden homes that line the streets, overseen by the summits of Mounts Bjólfur and Strandartindur. Sadly it was a horribly windy day – so we could not port in this charming town, so we had another sea day. It happens – you just have to go with the flow!

Akureyri, Iceland

Nicknamed the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri is set at the end of the Eyjafjördur and enjoys a mild climate, just 62 miles from the Arctic Circle. We did a Diamonds of the North Excursion where we explored the Diamond Circle where we saw the Dimmuborgir lava fields, known for their dramatic rock formations, with some reaching up to 65 feet high. Next we visited Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and sat at the Hljóðaklettar—or Whispering Cliffs. This excursion included a delicious two-course lunch of Artic Char and squash soup. The last stop was Húsavík, on the shores of Skjálfandi, a charming fishing town, a popular sight for whale watching.

ĺsafjördur, Iceland

ĺsafjördur is home to one of the largest fisheries in Iceland and, despite its remote locale, boasts a cultural scene rich in music and drama. The oldest house in Iceland is here, built in 1734. We loved the excursion in this town, called ĺsafjördur by ATV.

We rode with our guide up into the fjords to admire panoramic views around Ísafjördur on an ATV. We dressed in the “gear” that looked like space suits, start our engines and drove out into the rugged terrain of the Westfjords peninsula. The magnificent views over the port city of Ísafjördur and Skutulsfjördur were stunning. This was our favorite excursion of this trip!

Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík is the world’s northernmost capital city and is a fishing village. The Kentucky-sized island is Europe’s westernmost nation and one of the wildest places on earth. They pride themselves in being a clean city, using natural resources with eco-friendly practices. They are also one of the most expensive cities in the world!

We took a bus to the Blue Lagoon, to soak in the mineral-rich waters, one of the nation’s health and beauty secrets. The original lagoon was formed after an accidental overflow from the adjacent geothermal plant; today, it is one of a dozen pools of its kind in Iceland. The milky-blue water, steamy vapors and 12-foot-high lava wall surrounding the pool created a unique bathing atmosphere. We all got into our swim suits and soaked in mineral waters of 102˚F. Our skin felt so soft and lovely for days! This was quite the experience.

After getting off the ship, we stayed 3 days in Reykjavik on our own. There is also an option to buy this trip through Viking, where they book the hotel and plan the meals and events for 3 days. This is called an “extension” and we did this in Venice a couple years back.

Viking Jupiter Ship

Viking Jupiter is the sixth ship in the Viking Ocean fleet. It is a 930-passenger ship that sails a variety of Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries, along with two new-to-Viking itineraries in South America.

Deluxe Veranda Stateroom

The room we stayed in is called the Deluxe Veranda; it measures 270 sq ft, and includes a private, full-size veranda. It has a king size bed with luxury linens, a sitting area with a coffee table. Key amenities and benefits include:

• Private Veranda: The room includes a private balcony, complete with furniture for relaxing and enjoying the ocean views. We always take advantage of sitting out on the balcony, and enjoying the sunrises and sunsets.
• Luxurious Bathroom: The private bathroom features a spacious, glass-enclosed shower, premium bath products (Freyja), and a comforting heated tile floor.
• Amenities: There is a mini-bar stocked daily with complimentary soft drinks, water, and snacks, an in-suite coffee machine, and a traditional Norwegian cashmere blanket for naptime:)
• Technology & Service: There’s a large flat-screen TV with movies-on-demand, complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, and the convenience of a stateroom steward who provides twice-daily housekeeping.
• Priority Access: A key advantage of the Deluxe Veranda is priority booking for shore excursions, alternative dining restaurants (like Manfredi’s and The Chef’s Table), and spa treatments (compared to the standard Veranda staterooms).

Where to eat on the Jupiter, Viking

The Kitchen Table: We enjoyed “The Kitchen Table” the first night on the ship. An Executive Chef leads you on an interactive culinary adventure with regional dishes prepared by the experienced culinary team, using produce from the market. They teach you the art of plating with each dish, and then wine-pairing for each course. Our meal was Mexican, and it was quite lovely. You pay extra for this meal, and it’s an intimate group of 12.

Included Dining on the Viking Jupiter

• The Restaurant: The main dining room with a daily changing menu of regional and classic dishes, offering open seating for breakfast, lunch (on sea days), and dinner.
• Manfredi’s: An Italian restaurant inspired by Tuscan and Roman cuisine, serving antipasti, pasta, and steak in a casual, “evening casual” atmosphere.
• World Café: A buffet with live cooking stations and international flavors, including sushi and seafood. It features indoor seating and an outdoor seating area at the Aquavit Terrace.
• Pool Grill: A casual option located near the pool for snacks and light bites.
• Mamsen’s: A venue named after the Hagen family matriarch, serving Norwegian-inspired items like waffles and open sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, with evening snacks also available.

• Chef’s Table: A unique experience with a fixed tasting menu that changes every three days, paired with wine.
• The Restaurant. Our main dining venue, The Restaurant, offers the highest onboard dining experience & is destination focused. For example, the first stop in Iceland, for dinner that night they will have an Iclandic menu!

Everyone asks, can you eat healthy on the ship? Of course you can. We’d get the seared tuna steak almost every day, but you can also make nice big salads, enjoy sushi, and so much more!

Also, the The Living Room offers complimentary cookies, pastries, and sandwiches at the bar.

And that wraps up our Viking voyage! We had such an amazing time on this cruise. If you’ve ever been undecided about cruising, I highly recommend trying a Viking Cruise. This was not our first time with Viking. You can also check out our other trips:

• Viking River Cruises Zurich Switzerland
• River Cruise from Switzerland to Paris
• Homelands Viking Cruise Excursions Norway
• Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Viking Cruise
• Canada and New England Viking Cruise
• Empires of the Mediterranean Viking Cruise
• Viking Cruises Mediterranean Odyssey

The weather was beautiful – some warm days, mostly chilly days, and really no real freezing days in August. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience with travel, our luggage, flights, and the smooth transportation that Viking includes. Stay tuned for 3 days in Reykjavik post coming up, with our food tour, snow mobile excursion, live jazz, and more!

Disclosure: Many thanks to Viking Cruises for making this Viking journey possible!