Rob Sturdy Travels Cruise Guide
The routes, ports, mistakes, and options to know before you book.
Iceland cruises are not all the same. Some focus almost completely on Iceland. Some add Greenland. Others combine Iceland with Scotland, Ireland, Norway, or the British Isles.
Start Planning An Iceland CruiseYes, if you want scenery, cooler summer weather, waterfalls, cliffs, volcanic landscapes, small ports, whale watching, and a trip that feels very different from a Caribbean cruise.
No, if your main goal is beach weather, pool days, nightlife, or a simple warm-weather cruise. Iceland is more about exploring than relaxing.
The shortest true Iceland cruise options are usually around 7 to 8 nights. These are best for travelers who want a strong first look at Iceland without turning the trip into a two-week vacation.
Typical length: 7–8 nights
Usually starts or ends: Reykjavík
Common stops: Reykjavík, Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Seyðisfjörður, Grundarfjörður, or Heimaey depending on the ship.
Best for: First-time Iceland visitors, limited vacation time, and travelers who want Iceland without adding Greenland or the British Isles.
What you may miss on the shortest cruises: Greenland, longer pre-cruise time in Reykjavík, more remote ports, and deeper adventure-style excursions.
Most travelers end up comparing one of these three routes.
Best First Iceland Cruise
Tap map to enlarge
Typical length: 7–10 nights
Best for: Travelers who mainly want to see Iceland.
Common ports: Reykjavík, Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Seyðisfjörður, Grundarfjörður, Heimaey, and smaller Icelandic ports depending on the route.
What you see: Waterfalls, volcanic areas, fishing towns, whale watching areas, cliffs, fjords, hot springs, and dramatic coastline.
This is usually where I would start if someone says, “I want to see Iceland.” The route matters more than the ship because Iceland itself is the reason for the trip.
Best Bucket-List Route
Tap map to enlarge
Typical length: 10–18 nights or longer
Best for: Travelers who want a bigger adventure and more remote scenery.
Common stops: Reykjavík, Ísafjörður, Greenland fjords, Nuuk, Nanortalik, Qaqortoq, or other Arctic ports depending on the itinerary.
What you see: Icebergs, fjords, Arctic villages, glaciers, remote coastline, and landscapes most travelers never see.
This is the “we will talk about this trip for years” option. It is usually more expensive and may include more sea days, but it can feel like a once-in-a-lifetime route.
Best Variety
Tap map to enlarge
Typical length: 10–14 nights
Best for: Travelers who want Iceland plus castles, history, pubs, coastal towns, and European culture.
Common stops: Reykjavík, Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Kirkwall, Invergordon, Edinburgh area, Belfast, Dublin area, or other British Isles ports depending on the sailing.
What you see: Icelandic landscapes, Scottish Highlands, historic cities, coastal villages, castles, and cultural stops.
This is often the best overall vacation choice for people who want variety. It is not as Iceland-heavy as a full Iceland route, but it gives you a wider trip.
You want the strongest Iceland experience and care most about waterfalls, ports, scenery, and time around the island.
You want the biggest adventure and are okay with a longer, more expensive, more remote trip.
You want the most variety with Iceland, history, castles, cities, and culture in one vacation.
Pronounced: “RAYK-yah-veek”
The capital and the most common place to start or end an Iceland cruise. This is where many travelers add Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, food tours, museums, and extra hotel nights.
Pronounced: “AH-koo-rayr-ee”
A major North Iceland stop. This area is popular for whale watching, waterfalls, volcanic scenery, and Lake Mývatn excursions.
Pronounced: “EE-sa-fyur-thur”
A scenic Westfjords port with dramatic mountains, small-town charm, and a more remote feel.
Pronounced: “SAY-this-fyur-thur”
Known for colorful buildings, fjord scenery, waterfalls, and a quieter East Iceland feel.
Pronounced: “HAY-mah-ay”
Part of the Westman Islands. This can be a great stop for volcano history, puffins, cliffs, and a very different Iceland experience.
For an international cruise, I would strongly prefer arriving at least one day early. Flight delays, luggage issues, weather, and missed connections are not worth gambling with.
Two cruises can look similar online but have very different port times, excursion access, ship style, and total value.
Iceland excursions can add up quickly. The cruise fare is only one part of the total trip cost.
Iceland summer can still feel cool, windy, rainy, and unpredictable. Layers matter.
I would compare the itinerary first, then the cruise line. The ship matters, but the route is what makes or breaks an Iceland cruise.
Good for a premium mainstream feel, modern ships, dining, and Iceland routes that may include Ireland, Scotland, or Greenland.
Worth comparing for Iceland, Scottish Highlands, British Isles, and longer Northern Europe-style routes.
Often a strong fit for scenic cruising, calmer ships, destination-heavy itineraries, Iceland, and Greenland routes.
Can be a good fit for travelers who want more casual cruising and Iceland mixed with Northern Europe options.
Good for travelers who want a quieter, destination-focused, more adult-oriented experience.
Worth looking at for smaller-ship, more premium, food-focused, or unique itinerary options.
May: Cooler, less crowded, early season feel.
June: Long daylight, green landscapes, strong summer start.
July: Most popular, usually the warmest, often higher demand.
August: Strong balance of weather, scenery, and cruise availability.
September: Fewer tourists and a later-season feel, but weather can be more unpredictable.
Iceland cruises can look simple at first, but the real total depends on more than the cruise fare.
If this is your first Iceland cruise, I would start by comparing a 7–10 night Iceland-focused route against a 10–14 night Iceland plus Scotland or Ireland route.
If the budget and vacation time allow it, Iceland plus Greenland is the bucket-list option. But it is not the first place I would send every traveler because it usually takes more time, more money, and more tolerance for sea days.
The best choice depends on whether you want the deepest Iceland experience, the biggest adventure, or the most complete overall vacation.
Send me what you are looking at before you book. I can help compare the route, cruise line, ports, hotels, flights, excursions, and total trip value.
Start Planning With Rob