The steadily growing cruise industry in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, received a major boost at the beginning of the 2007 season with the inauguration of a new quay. Measuring 450m long with a draught of 12m, the new quay in the modern Sundahöfn harbour can take two cruise ships at a time, adding strong capacity to the existing quay there and another in the old harbour, along with offshore mooring facilities. In addition to this, our Cruise Welcome Centre opened last summer, offering a vast array of tourist facilities, including phone and internet services, a shop, toilets etc.
Reykjavík received 60,000 cruise passengers on 83 calls for the summer 2008 season – a record figure for yet another year. Growing numbers of European and US cruise ships use Reykjavík as a turnaround port, connecting with Keflavik International Airport only 45km away. Full vessel services are on offer in the two harbours operated by the Port of Reykjavik, which is also Iceland’s main cargo port and an important fishing centre. Like all the other ports in Iceland, Reykjavik is ice-free all year round, despite the country’s name. Whereas in the past most visiting cruise vessels generally spent 8 to 10 hours in Reykjavik, a new trend now seems to be emerging with many vessels staying for 36 to 48 hours. This gives passengers a chance to enjoy and experience Reykjavik as well as shore excursions to unique natural attractions within easy reach of the capital, and sightseeing and entertainment in the modern city itself.
City attractions include gourmet seafood restaurants using fresh local catches, open-air swimming in pools heated to 26-28°C using naturally hot water from geothermal springs, late-night golf in the summer midnight sun, whale watching and rides on the small but hardy Icelandic horse, a pedigree breed used by the Vikings. For shoppers, souvenirs such as traditional Icelandic hand-knitted sweaters are tax-free for tourists.
Reykjavik is renowned for its wide range of cultural activities and lively nightlife. And a new dimension will be added in 2010, with the completion of a waterfront concert hall. Half an hour’s drive from Reykjavík is the renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, set in the middle of a lava field and filled with mineral-rich geothermal brine. Longer day trips include the `Golden Circle’, taking in the spouting hot spring Geysir, glacier safaris by super jeep and snow scooter, and flights to spend a couple of hours in Kulusuk, Greenland.
Avid Cruiser Posts, Photographs and Videos Featuring Reykjavík.
