Two Cruise Lines Plan to Sail Around Iceland

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains unclear how many cruise ships will arrive in Iceland this summer, Morgunblaðið reports. Many reservations have been made, but numerous cancelations are likely by the end of summer.

At the beginning of the month, however, two cruise lines announced they are planning to offer trips around Iceland, starting in Reykjavík. These companies are Viking Ocean Cruises and Crystal Cruises.

“What this means is that passengers will arrive by air in Keflavík International Airport and be tested for COVID-19,” states Erna Kristjánsdóttir, marketing director for Faxaflóahafnir – Associated Icelandic Ports. “Testing will be done on board the ships as well. The ships will sail around Iceland.”

The two companies have informed the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management and the minister of tourism of their plans.

Viking Ocean Cruises plans to start sailing around Iceland in June, using its 930-passenger cruise ship Viking Sky, offering an eight-day voyage, making several stops along the way. The ship has a crew of 550 people.

Crystal Cruises’ schedule begins July 17, and a ten-day voyage will be offered with numerous stops. A brand-new vessel, Crystal Endeavor, will be used for this purpose. It is a 200-passenger ship with a crew of 200.

Last year, only seven cruise ships arrived in Icelandic harbors, carrying 1,346 passengers. Erna states that most cruise lines have announced that if they sail to Iceland at all this summer, they will only carry passengers who have been vaccinated for COVID-19.