Akureyri

Your ship does cross the Arctic Circle on its way into Akureyri. A "Polar Bear" ceremony usual takes place on board, swimming in the pool by arctic temperatures.....

The cruise ships dock at the Oddeyrarbryggja Quay, which is located near the town center of Akureyri. The town is 1km away,this makes it easy for passengers to walk to the town center, though shuttle services and taxis are also available for those who prefer not to walk.

Akureyri offers a sheltered natural harbor with three cruise berths and an anchorage for small and big ships.

The port has a new high-power tugboat and is busy extending its main pier from 210 meters in length to 360 meters.

The Eyjafjordur channel is the longest fjord in Iceland and the city of Akureyri is located at the south end.

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The picturesque town of Akureyri has a population of 16,000 and is the administrative, transportation and commercial center of north Iceland. The town lies at the head of the 60km long Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland.

In addition to the northernmost botanical garden and golf course in the world, Akureyri offers interesting museums and shops. Each summer from mid-June until the end of August the town has a festival of arts and culture with concerts, exhibitions, theater, lectures and a jazz event.

The most popular guided tour for cruise passengers is to Lake Mývatn, an hour's drive away. Mývatn Nature Baths is the latest addition to the region's many visitor attractions. Opened in 2004 Iceland's newest spa offers bathers a completely natural experience ranging from a dip in steam rising up from a fissure deep in the earth's surface to a swim in a pool of geothermal water drawn from depths up to 2,500mtr below, complete with a mountainous backdrop. The tour usually includes a stop at the sulfurous steaming 'mud pots'. On wet days (i.e. on most days) the approach paths to the mud pots are wet, muddy and very squelchy, so it is advisable…

There is a hop-on hop-off bus here (not open top) 30 euros pp located on the left as you exit the port.

Also the local BSO taxi company is offering taxi tours from 2 to 6 hour tours 27,500 kr - 85,000 kr per car up to 4 people. The tours are: Godafoss, Godafoss and Laufas, Godafoss and Myvatn and Myvatn and Dettifoss.

Renting a car is also a good option.

Some passengers take a 25-minute plane ride north to the island of Grímsey the only part of the country crossed by the Arctic Circle. Visitors there are presented with a certificate to prove they have crossed into the Arctic.

The Goðafoss (Icelandic: the waterfall of the gods) is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the Mývatn district of North-Central Iceland at the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters. When walking towards town there is a big bus on the left from Midnight Sun travel selling tours to Godafoss Waterfall and Eyjafjordur bay. 10:45-13:15, 13:45-16:15 and 16:30-18:45. 55-60 Euros for credit card depending on the time and a 5 Euro reduction for cash.

The Forest Lagoon geothermal spa is located 3km from the port. It opens at 10am. Price is 5990 isk pp or about 43 euros.

The shops in Iceland are of international standard and carry a wide variety of merchandise. Local specialties are woolen knitwear (for example sweaters, cardigans, hats, and mittens), handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewelry. Also available is a great variety of high-quality seafood.

The Icelandic monetary unit is the "króna." Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr.,1000 kr., and 500 kr. All Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 09:15 to 16:00.

The major cards in Iceland are EUROPAY/MASTERCARD and VISA. Cash can be obtained at every bank branch (over 170) as well as in all ATMs throughout the country.

The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings, although modern Icelandic has undergone changes of pronunciation and, of course, of vocabulary!

There is free wifi available in the cafe in the tourist information center, which is about 150 meters from the ship's pier exit gate. All you have to do to get the free wifi is to buy something, for example, a coffee, in the cafe, and they will then give you the login password on request.

Office hours are generally 09:00-17:00 and 08:00-16:00 during June, July and August. Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00.