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June 2, 2025
Ísafjörður, Iceland


Ísafjörður is on the northwest coast of Iceland

After departing Svalbard, the northernmost stop in our four-month contract, we had two sea days as we sailed southwest into the North Atlantic Ocean.

May 31 was Gail’s birthday. Gail taught her second and final polar bear crafting class. Unlike her first class (which had to turn many guests away), this class was able to accommodate all comers. Gail taught the entire project in one 2.5-hour session. And she modified her teaching stye, which made everything easier.

We celebrated Gail’s birthday with a simple dinner in the restaurant. Viking delivers a cake to your stateroom on your birthday, and we brought it with us. We ended up sharing it with the two couples seated next to us in an impromptu birthday party, and we had a great time.


Some of the 60 polar bears created by guests in Gail’s two needle felting classes


For Gail’s birthday, Viking delivered a cake and a bottle of champagne to our stateroom


An impromptu birthday dinner party at the Restaurant, with couples Jean & John and Liz & Jan

On June 2, we arrived at our first port in Iceland. Iceland holds a very special place in our cruising history. In 2020, the world shut down for a year and a half due to COVID. When Viking re-started cruising in June 2021, they offered us a choice of Bermuda or Greenland as their first itineraries. We chose Iceland, and we ended up sailing around the island six times in six weeks. We got to know Iceland very well. We have returned several times, and Iceland is still one of our favorite destinations in the world.

Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which separates two tectonic plates on the Earth’s surface. The island is like a gigantic donut without a hole. Everyone lives around the outside edges. The middle is uninhabitable due to volcanoes and geysers.

Today’s port was Ísafjörður (which means “fjord of ices”) on the northwest coast of Iceland. On previous trips we have done just about every excursion that Viking offers. Today there was a cold, biting wind with light snow flurries. Gail was content to stay aboard ship and continue working on New York logistics. Russell went for a hike up in the mountain across the bay from the ship.


Ísafjörður straddles a backwards “C”-shaped bay. The Viking Sky docked in the lower-left corner. Russell went hiking in the mountains at the top.


Opposite the ship are some old historic buildings, including the red building (left) which is now a Tourist Information office


Downtown Ísafjörður


A view across the bay towards the mountains where Russell went hiking


The hiking trail is alongside a seasonal creek. Iceland is notorious for its infestation of lupin (a non-native plant), which is starting to bloom.

Tomorrow is turnaround day, when “Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer” comes to an end. Tonight is packing night for half of the ship. Russell gave his “last” lecture at 6:30 pm, and we both said our “final” farewells. Tomorrow we will welcome a bunch of new guests, and we will begin our last two-week itinerary aboard Viking Sky.


A view from the mountain to a rare sight: two Viking ocean ships next to each other. The Viking Neptune was also in port and docked right behind us.


Russell experienced some snow flurries while out hiking

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