THE MAGIC OF ICELAND
With its glacier-fed waterfalls and lunar-like landscapes, it’s no wonder everyone is racing to visit the breathtaking and otherworldly Iceland. Make your journey one you’ll never forget with a top-of-the-line cruise.
Splashing around in the geo-thermal waters of Reykjavík’s Blue Lagoon, which ranges in colour from shades of chalky blue to bright turquoise, is both heart-warming and uplifting. Heart-warming because of the pleasing temperature on a cool night, and uplifting because it’s rumoured that a soak in the mineralrich waters will help renew and rejuvenate the skin, for a more youthful complexion.
I may not be entirely convinced of the lagoon’s mystical healing powers, but I am prepared to see what happens, and I happily join the crowd who have been seduced by photos of the vibrant blue lagoon.
As I sit shoulder-deep in the soothing waters surrounded by jagged lava fields, it all feels a little surreal
– the clock says it’s 10pm, but it is still as bright as day.
The Blue Lagoon is fast becoming one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, competing with the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall and the Snaefellsjökull National Park with its mighty glacier for first place. “Everyone wants to feel the benefit of these geo-thermal waters, and it helps many – you wait and see,” says our guide, Marika.
Being immersed in the warm lapping waters, rich in silica and sulphur, while the nighttime sun shines above, creates one of those ‘pinch me, is this really happening’ moments in travel.
I leave the lagoon feeling refreshed and invigorated, with wild hair and high hopes for the promised youthful transformation. Fingers crossed.
Our trip to the lagoon was an incredible experience, but if you decide to visit, be prepared to leave your modesty behind. You are asked to strip and scrub yourself with soap in a communal shower area – separate for women and men – before donning your swimsuit and plunging in. (There are some cubicles with doors, if preferred.) There are explicit drawings of where to scrub in the name of hygiene.
The Blue Lagoon visit is just one of the many incredible tours offered on Holland America Line’s 14-day ‘Northern Isles’ cruise, aboard the MS Nieuw Statendam. Ports include Edinburgh in the UK; Iceland’s Reykjavík, Ísafjörður and Akureyri; and Norway’s Alesund and Bergen.
MUST-VISIT DESTINATIONS
Iceland is definitely on the list of the hottest travel destinations. Last year more than two million visitors headed to the country to discover its many wonders – a staggering number, particularly given that Iceland has a population of around 338,000. But the upsurge in tourism is perhaps unsurprising when you consider the country’s unique scenery: the dramatic landscape features geysers, glacier-fed waterfalls and 130 active and inactive volcanoes, as well as so much more.
“It’s the natural beauty people want to see, and everyone is a little intrigued by Iceland,” says Marika. “I would say there’s a certain magic about Iceland that people are rushing to see in case it changes, and the stories of the Vikings have always captivated people.”
Whatever the reason, there’s certainly a full house on our cruise, which starts and finishes in Amsterdam with around 2,700 passengers plus 1,000 crew.
Considered a mid-size ship, the Nieuw Statendam is the latest in Holland America Line’s stable – and world-famous TV personality Oprah Winfrey is the ship’s godmother.
Mary Anne Thomas, a passionate cruiser from Sydney, says she has wanted to visit Iceland for a long time, and considered a cruise the best way to do so. “It’s fabulous to stop at all these different ports and see all these places without having to think about packing and getting from one destination to the next – I have always had a fascination for Iceland and these other stops have been a bonus,” she says.
For an inspiring insight into Iceland, we spend some time at Reykjavík’s National Museum of Iceland, with its fascinating historical exhibits spanning from the country’s early settlement to the present day. Another real highlight is the picturesque (and UNESCO World Heritage listed) Thingvellir National Park, where drifting tectonic plates have created a rugged rift valley through the remarkable site.
We also head to the Haukadalur Valley, where we stare in awe at the oldest known geyser in the world – Geysir. The volcanic crater Kerið, in the Grímsnes area, forms part of a group of volcanic hills thought to have been created 6,000 years ago, and is similarly worth a visit.
Birdwatching is also popular in the region – keep an eye out for the cute North Atlantic puffins – and animal lovers will adore the beautiful Icelandic horses, which have extra gaits compared to other horses.
Our two days in Reykjavík are fabulous, and entice us to return in the future. But after busy days of sightseeing, returning to the sleek ship is a pleasure.
Designer Adam D. Tihany and cruise industry architect Bjørn Storbraaten worked their magic to create a stylish ship where music and art are the stars. The decks are all named after famous composers – we are on the Gershwin deck, in a cosy cabin with a balcony and a compact ensuite.
Our affable steward, Jaya from Indonesia, ensures all is spick and span – but we spend little time in our cabin, as there’s so much to do. Dining is an exciting journey, with plenty of options ranging from the elegant open seating dining rooms to the specialty restaurants. These include the Pinnacle Grill for steak and seafood, Canaletto for authentic Italian cuisine, Tamarind and Nami Sushi for delectable Asian-inspired dishes, and Rudi’s Sel de Mer for a contemporary twist on French seafood classics.
If you’re only after something quick and easy, head to the Lido Market for buffet delights – while the New York Deli & Pizza features Italian salads and thin crust pizzas. And if you want a bite by the pool, there’s Dive In, with grilled burgers, hot dogs and French fries. Meanwhile, inspired by blue-and-white Delftware, the Grand Dutch Café is the place for great coffee – for a small cost – as well as complimentary sweet and savoury Dutch favourites.
Food expert and cookbook author, Rudi Sodamin, who is the master chef of Holland America Line, oversees the cuisine fleet-wide – probably why it’s all so excellent.
Entertainment onboard is also exceptional, and there is something for all. The innovative Music Walk showcases a variety of live musical experiences and genres, including the Rolling Stone Rock Room, Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and B.B. King’s Blues Club. The Music Walk takes you from live rock and pop bands to classical recitals and rhythm and blues. But if you’re also a fan of art, watch out for the amazing 7.5-ton harp sculpture that fills the atrium, as well as the paintings imitating Dutch masters with a modern twist, and the ‘melting’ electric guitar near a lift.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
When it comes to activities, there’s everything from trivia to card games, basketball to bridge. Do you fancy becoming a winemaker for a day? Sign up and a sommelier will have you blending your own drops for US$47. Cocktail mixology is big, too, and for US$15 passengers can learn the secrets of the perfect drink, as a skilled bartender reveals the latest trends in tasty tipples. Want to be pampered? Splash out on a relaxing facial or massage at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon. And movie lovers are sure to enjoy stretching out on a sun lounger for a poolside blockbuster.
But no matter how much fun you can have on the ship, this cruise is really all about the destinations – you can head to the lunar-like landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula; or see the birdlife of Vigur Island, home to puffins, eider ducks and arctic terns.
In a small Reykjavík bar, we toast our trip with a glass of brennivín (a liquor made from potatoes that tastes a little like unsweetened schnapps) and dine on delicious Arctic Char. Then some locals try to get our heads around Iceland’s longest word – which has more than 60 letters.
Vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfaerageymsluskúrslyklakippuhringurinn.
The meaning? Something about a key ring.
As for that Blue Lagoon makeover – no sign of any change yet, just wonderful memories.