One AMAZING day in Akureyri, Iceland on the NCL Prima!

Wow, Akureyri was incredible! I truly think the weather played a big part in how much I enjoyed this port, but I had such an amazing day here - it is our last day in Iceland on this cruise and I booked an all-day excursion through Viator that took me to three different places: Godafoss Waterfall (Waterfall of the Gods) which was VERY popular and packed with people, a Heritage site and Museum/Church, and finally, my favorite part - the Forest Lagoon! This mineral baths location is somewhat new but very conveniently located just outside the city of Akureyri, in fact I could see the Norwegian Prima from in the water in the Lagoon!
After getting back to the ship I enjoyed lunch at The Local, spent some time soaking up the sun and good weather on the Ocean Boulevard (deck 8), and then a long time relaxing on my balcony and taking in all the jaw-dropping scenery as we sailed away in the afternoon. My evening was equally as great - I had dinner at my favorite NCL restaurant, Los Lobos (Mexican food, yum!) and following that delicious meal, I caught part of the show at Syd Norman's Pour House, then enjoyed spending time with my new cruise friends at Karaoke and the 80s party! It turned out to be a very late night - especially because we had to turn the clocks forward an hour - but it was still light outside when I went to bed; at this point in the cruise we are as far north as we are going to get, and it's wild to not see the sun set at all! The ship was rocking quite a bit but tomorrow is a sea day so I can sleep in and enjoy hanging around the ship.
Thanks so much for watching, click that thumbs up button if you enjoyed this video, happy cruising!!
Viator Excursion: viator.tp.st/UlR22ftb
#ncl #nclprima #cruisenorwegian
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[@gummelspak]

Hi Meredith. Stumbled upon your video by chance. I'm a shorex manager and we handle all the excursions for NCL Prima in Akureyri. The day you were here with us was one of the busiest days we have here in Akureyri. Usually it is not that busy by the waterfall but it is the most popular destination. Most of the tours stop by there before dispersing to other locations. We try to manage to have not too many buses there at once but it is difficult when there are also a lot of 3rd party operators and then there are schedule conflicts. Still hope you enjoyed your stay in Akureyri and your cruise was lovely.

[@MerCruisesSolo]

@@gummelspak wow, thank you so much for commenting, how cool that you found my video! I definitely thought that couldn’t be the normal experience at the waterfall as I’ve seen so many other videos where it is less crowded 😆 but it was still beautiful and lovely to experience, I truly loved my day in Akureyri and it was one of my favorite ports on this whole cruise, despite the crowd! I’m sure you have a very difficult job coordinating all those excursions for the ship, incredibly appreciative for all that you do! 👏🏼

[@boslots3539]

Nice vlog, truly enjoyed it. Thank you. Confidence baby confidence

[@TheGrayViking]

When tourists come to Iceland and plan to go swimming or to a lagoon, always wash without a swimsuit before entering the water. We Icelanders do this and we are not staring at the people around us. This is a normal thing. We Icelanders, on the other hand, get very angry if people don't shower, and tourists get very ugly looks from us. Thanks for visiting my hometown. I hope your visit was enjoyable.

[@MerCruisesSolo]

I totally agree, everyone should follow the rules and shower properly before entering any lagoon! Thanks so much for watching! ☺

[@BillCeller-gp3mk]

I’m with you…sleeping on a rocking ship is like being in a cradle and I sleep like a rock!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Nothing better! ☺️

[@stephenbromirski5323]

The tug boat was just “showing off”. that particular kind of tug is called a tractor tug and they can spin on a dime and have as much power sideways as they do going forward and backward. Enjoying your Vlogs!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

@@stephenbromirski5323 glad I was able to catch it, very fun! 😊 thanks so much for watching!

[@richardcampbell6325]

What Stephen said!........

[@williamwood7735]

I love your solo videos. Your presentation of your videos is the best. I’m looking at longer cruises and this is high in the list. Can’t wait for the rest of the cruise. Thanks so much.

[@MerCruisesSolo]

So glad you are enjoying! ☺️ thank you!

[@tcf_iceland]

Hello from Akureyri ❤️

[@MerCruisesSolo]

@@tcf_iceland 👋🏼😊

[@northwestman1]

Thanks Mer… I always enjoy your videos and seeing places I’ve never seen before. Thanks for sharing

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Thanks for watching, as always! 💙

[@terriguske4530]

So enjoying your vlog of this cruise. I am 67 days away from this same cruise on Prima and can’t wait! Won’t have the same long days as you and definitely will be colder, but I’m so excited to see the beauty of Iceland and Norway! Love seeing all the glimpses of your experiences on Prima, as I’ve never sailed on her before. Looking forward to your next episode from Norway!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Such an amazing itinerary, loved it so much, glad you are enjoying watching!!

[@11950washburn]

We will also be on the Prima in 67 days! Can't wait!!!

[@terriguske4530]

@@MerCruisesSolo your video convinced me to change my excursion to this one! Looks like we only have 1 ship in port on 9/7, so hopefully crowds will be less!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

@@terriguske4530 that is perfect! You should have a great time, hope the excursion is amazing!! 😊

[@wanderlustingwithjoe]

New subscriber! So, just binge watched all your Prima vids as I board same cruise Sept 5th then a transatlantic princess cruise to Galveston September 24. Really enjoyed your vlogs! And thanks for giving me insight on expectations! 👍. I just finished two cruises around Japan and transpacific Australia to Seattle. Hope you check out my videos for Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia cruise inspirations. I think you are doing an amazing job with your channel👍👍👍. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmjRnoSOat1pe6csi=YwaeSxG-fxf9474E

[@thebraz21]

Stunning.

[@TravelWithBen121]

So crowded at the waterfall, Meredith! The lagoon looked amazing, very relaxing! Another great video 😁 27:12 was my favorite part!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Nothing like a sailaway timelapse of incredible scenery on a beautiful day, right?! 😍

Gracias, Mery, un buen reportaje. Islandia es preciosa. Disfruta de todo, 👍🏻👍🏻

[@YaYas_simple_living]

Love your video! Such a beautiful cruise!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

@@YaYas_simple_living thank you so much! 😊

[@norberteng9496]

Thanks so much for the great vlog of this series. We will be on this itinerary next Aug, but in the reverse port order. Can’t wait for the rest of your trip videos. This will be our second time on the Prima. We love the Prima for the variety of food.

[@MerCruisesSolo]

The food options are amazing on Prima! You are in for a treat, this itinerary is amazing!

[@cruisingandexploring]

Great video, enjoyed seeing a slice of Iceland. Looking forward to the Norway leg of your journey as we're heading to the Norweigan Fjords in a few weeks 😊🚢

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Ooh you are really in for a treat, Norway is incredible! So excited to bring you those vlogs!

[@scottdixon655]

so informative and love your vibe. we are going next week on same cruise and beyond excited

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Yay, have an amazing cruise!! Thanks so much for watching ☺️

[@BritsAbroadTravelCruise]

This was fabulous to watch. Its not a country we have visited, but the landscape and culture feels very much like the time we spent in Norway. There are some wonderful images you've captured here, as well as giving your thoughts and perception of what you're seeing and experiencing. Its everything you want from a travel/cruise vlog 👍

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Thank you! And yes, Norway videos are coming and the landscape and scenery is truly incredible!

[@robk236]

Great video of the day you had. I couldn't believe all those busses at the one tour stop. You weren't kidding about it being crowded. You must have really felt bushwacked after the two in a row very busy days you had, and then it being full daylight at 2 (3) am. So, you got to see Antarctica and the Arctic Circle within, what, 6 months? Just. Wow. I'm glad to watch someone enjoying their life so much. 😊

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Soooo many people it was overwhelming! Wow you are right, I didn’t even realize it at the time but yes - Antarctica over NYE and then Arctic circle in May, so much getting checked off my bucket list… very much enjoying every moment ☺️ thank you!!

[@adamzimmerman6660]

Loved your video. Akuyreri looks beautiful. I hated to see the waterfall so crowded with people jostling each other for unobstructed pictures. Aside from that, the Forest Lagoon looked like a nice place to chill for a long time. The best part was the time-lapse footage sailing away: the sky, the water, the clouds changing shapes, and drifting away. That was art.

[@MerCruisesSolo]

I agree! That sail away was beautiful, so glad I was able to capture the timelapse - thanks for watching!! 😊

[@jonhermannsson9231]

Nice video. Nice filming nice dialog

[@CruisingFoodie]

Maybe I just noticed it more when traveling, but yes, people are just rude and have no patience, lol. Drives me crazy! Enjoyed the vlog and looked like another amazing stop!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

So much for booking 3rd party to avoid the crowds 😂 oh well! Thank you! 😊

[@johnbuckley8324]

Great video Meredith! I took that same excursion last August. I didn't see you fighting the midges (flying bugs at Godafoss). When I was there, they were so bad people had nets hanging over their faces. 😮😂 I agree that there's way too many people though. Cheers!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Oh wow I didn’t notice anything like that at the waterfall - fortunately! Maybe it was because it was early in the season?! 😳

[@1flames952]

Great video of what sure was a great day. What a sky!! I’d think that all the tours would stagger the visits to the falls? Looked like everyone was there at the same time…crazy crowds. Hate when people are rude and pushy! I’m on this next year in August… I know the NCL excursions are crazy expensive…Viator/Expedia are so much cheaper, still expensive but that needs to be budgeted for Iceland and Norway.

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Absolutely, I don’t know why they sent everyone there at the same time, too crowded to enjoy it, though it was beautiful and the weather was so nice! Agree that the cost of excursions in Iceland/Norway are expected to be a bit higher on average, but the Viator options were reliable and great!

[@theneverendinghighway]

I've only ever seen whales on one cruise I've been on. It was a Bermuda cruise from Boston, somewhere off the coast New England. I'm hoping to see more whales in October when I go on back to back to back Alaska cruises!

[@MerCruisesSolo]

@@theneverendinghighway oh you’re almost guaranteed to see them on an Alaska cruise! I did on mine! Hope you get to see lots! 😊

[@gregborders4621]

Will you do a cost recap of your trip? I'm curious about this itinerary and hope to do it one day

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Base cruise fare is going to vary a lot person to person, but I will definitely cover what I paid as far as excursion prices and any extras!

[@NarrativeEscapes]

I loved Akureyri. I went on tour that included the waterfall, but it was last on the list (after a few krjer things like lava fornations and hot mud geyser things) so I think mote people had been and gone by tnen. I never did a hot spring on the whole trip - one for next time maybe. Did you do the lower walk down at the waterfall that was cool? I might not have with those crowds I must admit .

[@MerCruisesSolo]

I didn’t! To be honest I didn’t even see that walk anywhere, maybe I would have done it if it wasn’t crowded 😂

[@NarrativeEscapes]

@@MerCruisesSolo yeah one thing we learned when I was vlogging around the Canadian Rockies with my nephew was the mass movement of tourist coaches. We were in a car then so could avoid them but arriving early and leaving tourist attractions as they arrived. It is probably one of the disadvantages of cruising that your exist on tourist coach time.

[@mrx__678]

I had the chicken fajitas as well at the prima, i didn't liked it very much, but maybe it was because i was on Mexico that year

[@MerCruisesSolo]

The way I eat my fajitas I basically put everything on the table in it - beans, rice, cheese, more cheese, salsa, etc so maybe that’s what made them so good for me - or I just have low expectations 😂 because you are not the only person to tell me they didn’t like the fajitas!

[@mrx__678]

@@MerCruisesSolo i am glad you liked it, maybe i should order more sides or i was spoiled visiting Mexico 🇲🇽😊

[@user-qh9gp9iu3m]

Elbows and Coffee 😂😂

[@MerCruisesSolo]

🤣🤣

[@RaggedyAnn66]

I have an excursion booked thru NCL Sky, Panoramic Akureyri. Sailing from NYC to Greenland/Iceland; July 2024. Did you have to pay extra for a towel or bathrobe at Forest Lagoon?

[@MerCruisesSolo]

They did not provide any bathrobes that I saw at Forest Lagoon, but the cost did include a towel!

[@melissaxenawarriorprincess]

are there a lot of singles on these cruises? I want to go solo next year.

[@MerCruisesSolo]

There are lots of other solo cruisers, but I can't speak to their single status 😆 you will not find it difficult to meet people on a cruise though, especially if you're traveling solo! People are usually very friendly and chatty ☺

[@user-zx7dr6kw2m]

Hi, just following up... Was it a forgotten passenger or was it the pilot?

[@MerCruisesSolo]

I never did find out!

[@TeachHiddenInTheLeaves]

I saw that excursion and considered it, but I was afraid I would not make it back to the ship on time. Also, how many private showers do they have at this facility when you have to wash your body before entering the water?

[@MerCruisesSolo]

Fortunately, I was back to the ship with plenty of time to spare, it was a comfort to be able to see the ship from the lagoon, and there were buses running every so often that you could get on if you didn’t want to wait for the tour bus. I did not see any private showers in the facility, and only one private changing area (besides the toilets), everyone changed and showered in the communal locker and shower areas. It was very clean facility, I will note.

[@LB-cv8wg]

When is the best month to visit Iceland

[@MerCruisesSolo]

@@LB-cv8wg I would say anytime in the summer months because the days are very long and the weather is warmer! Anytime from May to September probably 😊

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

What date were you in Iceland Me may 20 -25 prima May 22 2025

[@MerCruisesSolo]

This was May 23 - June 2!

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

@@MerCruisesSolo looks smashing. Hope I get this