How to Experience Iceland Like Never Before with Windstar Cruises

Would you believe you can cruise around an entire country in seven days in luxury and style, thanks to Windstar Cruises' small ship experiences? Stand in awe of the Icelandic mountains, lava fields, and waterfalls in the comfort of a floating hotel you don't have to leave day to day. Learn why Iceland is a must-visit destination and why this cruise is a stellar way to see it all. Because now is the time to book your Scandinavian coastal vacation for summer 2025.

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Windstar's Star Pride Can Access Ports That Other Ships Cannot

Cruise ship in the distance in a port in Iceland with purple flowers blurring in the foreground.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

One of the most beneficial aspects of cruising on a ship like Windstar's Star Pride, which has a maximum of 312 passengers, is the ship's small size. This means it can fit inside more intimate ports. This means there's no need to tender to shore like on big ships, which wastes precious time and energy; you are immediately one step closer to exploring the area once docked.

Spacious Suites on Windstar's Star Pride

Suite on Star Pride with Windstar Cruises.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

On Windstar's Star Pride, spacious suites like the one pictured here are the norm, not the exception. We were pleasantly surprised by how big these cabins are compared to other cruise lines. In addition to the bedroom area, complete with a desk/vanity and drawers, the suite has a seating area, a walk-in closet, and a spacious bathroom.

The Cities Windstar's Iceland Cruise Visit have Few Tourists and Lots of Charm

Rainbow road leading to a building in Iceland during a cruise with Windstar.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

You won't feel like one in a sea of hundreds or thousands of tourists when you walk around the small port cities that Windstar's Iceland cruise visits. This charming city, called Isafjordur, is a prime example of immersing ourselves in the everyday environment residents experience. It helps all visiting guests better understand Icelandic culture.

Cruise to Other Worldly Landscapes

Lava field in Iceland seen during a Windstar Around Iceland cruise.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

One of the coolest things about exploring Iceland with Windstar on the Around Iceland cruise itinerary is the incredible landscapes you encounter with small group tours. Seeing the Berserkjahraun lava field, formed 3,000-4,000 years ago, was mind-blowing! The commentary from our excellent guides enrich the tours.

Visit a Black Sand Beach During a Not-to-Miss Excursion

Couple on a black sand beach in Iceland.
Image Credit: Image credit goes to.

We visited the spectacular Djúpalónssandur's black sand beach during a not-to-miss excursion around the Snæfellsnes peninsula from Grundarfjordur. We had free time to roam around on our own and find places without anyone else in sight, which enhanced our experience and deepened our relationship with Iceland.

Sail Into Port Through Stunning Fjords

Top deck of the Windstar cruise ship, Star Pride, in Iceland.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

We appreciated the mountainous beauty surrounding the ship as it glided into port at Seydisfjordur. You cannot get this viewpoint if you travel through Iceland by land! The large top deck of Star Pride allows each passenger to enjoy prime landscape views in comfort and style. For an extra unique vantage point, put on a swimsuit and enjoy a soak in the hot tub as you admire Iceland's natural wonders.

View Wildlife You Won't See at Home

Puffin bird seen in Iceland in the grass of a coastal city.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

It's unlikely you have puffins where you live! These cute, photo-worthy birds were a highlight of our cruise to Iceland. Bird lovers and photographers won't want to miss the chance to visit the world's largest puffin colony during a stop on Heimaey Island. A Windstar excursion takes you directly to the site where thousands of these black, white, and orange birds can be adored.

Windstar Cruises Destination Discovery that Wows

Small light blue church in the distance in a small Icelandic city.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

Windstar Cruises includes a “Destination Discovery” event onboard or offboard, providing extra enrichment for guests to learn about where they are visiting. The Around Iceland Destination Discovery experience is in a famous blue church in Seydisfjordur. Folk singers entertained us with stories and their songs for 45 minutes. They were engaging, talented, and personable, which proved to be very enjoyable!

Sign Up for Excursions or Explore Independently

Landscape with water in the foreground and mountains in the distance in Iceland.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

While Windstar Cruises provides plenty of optional excursions to sign up for (priced per experience), you can explore any port independently. Walking around small Icelandic towns is easy, peaceful, and relaxing. The ship docks steps from the town center in each city. We struck the perfect balance of exploring on our own and partaking in Windstar's offerings by signing up for three excursions during our one-week cruise.

Discover Unique Animals in Picturesque Landscapes

Icelandic horses in the countryside seen during a Windstar cruise.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

We learned about Icelandic horses during our cruise, pictured here, and the limited but beautiful wildlife around this island nation. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing everything they knew about the flora and fauna of Iceland. Did you know that Icelandic horses can be exported from Iceland but are never imported? This keeps the special breed pure.

Windstar Brings You Close to Awesome Waterfalls

Rainbow over Gullfoss waterfalls in Iceland.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

Waterfalls, or “fossar” in Icelandic, are a spectacular part of the cruise around Iceland. In a city like Seydisfjordur, beautiful waterfalls are steps away from the ship. However, in a place like Akureyri, the country's second-largest city on the north of the island, the famous Goðafoss waterfalls are a drive from the city center, where the ship docks. We signed up for an excursion that brought us to the spectacular falls and were treated to a rainbow crossing the landscape on a sunny, warm summer day.

Relax In the Lap of Luxury onboard

Windstar lounge on Star Pride
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

After your morning or afternoon excursion, retreat to the ship's lounge area, the Yacht Club Cafe & Library, where you can cozy up with a warm drink and light bites. Sit by the windows to enjoy the view as you pause from the pages of a good book, connect to the ship's WiFi to check email, join other guests to help complete a puzzle, or play board games provided by the cruise line.

The Food on Windstar is Phenomenal

Plate of food on Windstar Cruises.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

The food on Star Pride was excellent. We were wowed by how consistently delicious Windstar's food was. Of all the cruise lines we’ve been on — and we’ve been on many — Windstar was at the top of the list for exceptional food. Windstar also has the best vegan menu we've ever seen on any cruise ship, which any plant-based diet person would appreciate. Drinks are included with Windstar's All-In option, making the cruise all-inclusive. Read more about Windstar's All-In, dining, and restaurant options.

Stunning Scandinavian Views All To Yourself

Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

Views where you have the landscape to yourself, without any other vessels or people in sight, are typical during Windstar's Around Iceland cruise. And because there are just a few hundred passengers onboard, you don't have to fight other passengers for prime spots to view the stunning scenery from the ship. In fact, we had views like this all to ourselves on many occasions during our sailing.

Cruise with Windstar

Windstar Cruise ship in the distance in coastal Akureyri, in Northern Iceland.
Image Credit: Mikkel Woodruff, Sometimes Sailing

The ultimate way to experience this Scandinavian country, without the hassle of figuring out logistics for a trip you have to plan yourself, is by signing up for a Windstar Cruises vacation. All you have to do is book your cabin and fly to Iceland! We recommend extending your cruise with a pre- or post-cruise Reykjavik tour, which you can easily do through Windstar or on your own.

Read more about our experience with Windstar in Iceland and see who we recommend for the best travel agents if you want assistance planning your dream vacation.

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