Transatlantic (Final Part 4) - July and August 2026

This is the final blog entry for our 2026 35 day transatlantic cruise. This was our longest cruise, exceeding the 2025 Australian circumnavigation by five days. We enjoyed the opportunity to learn about destinations that were new to us. The glaciers and steep mountains surrounding Greenland's fjords were beautiful.  

The full eclipse viewing was somewhat marred by the dense clouds over southern Iceland. Having Boston as the embarkation and disembarkation ports made returning back to California easier. Though it took about ten days to finally recover from too many time zone changes. 

We remain home for the remainder of 2026 but will pull out our luggage again in the Spring. Our 2027 travel plans include England, South America and Scandinavia.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Although we've been to Belfast, it was many years ago. During this port stop, we arranged a private Black Taxi tour. These tours help visitors to better understand the political, cultural and historical issues of the "Troubles." Our tour (actually in a silver Lexus) took us to divided neighborhoods and stops along Shankill Road, International Wall Mural, Divis Tower, Falls Road, Bobby Sands Mural, Falls Road and Belfast Peace Wall.  

Bobby Sands Mural

Belfast Peace Lines

Bombay Street Memorial

During our visit to Belfast, the Fleadh Cheryl na hEireann music festival was underway. This is the world's largest celebration of traditional Irish music, song, dance, and language. Over 180 musicians compete over the week. Music can be heard in outdoor stages, pubs, and street performances. The event was so successful that it will return to Belfast in 2027. 

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

We had an overnight in Rotterdam. On our first day, we walked over the Erasmus Bridge and boarded a water taxi to Kinderjidk, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This location is known for 19 windmills from the 18th century. Many are still in operation, though not for original purposes such as milling and pumping water.

In November 1421, a storm surge caused the North Sea to break through local dikes. Thousands of residents drowned. However, a babygirl was found floating in a wicker basket with a cat. Local stories indicate the cat was leaping side to side to keep the cradle from capsizing. Kiderdijk has a monument recognizing this event and saving of young Beatrix de Rijke.

 

Cat and Cradle Monument

On day two in Rotterdam, we engaged a ToursByLocals guide for a walking tour of Rotterdam. Leaving the ship, we walked over the Erasmus Bridge. We toured the Old Maritime area, Erasmus health center and next door art center, Delfthaven, Market Hall, St.Lawrence Church, City Hall and finished at the Cubic Houses. We were particularly impressed with the mirrored facade of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningent. This building is an art storage facility that is open to the public. 

Rotterdam certainly warrants a longer stay to enjoy the many areas of the city, museums and cultural sites.  

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningent

Entry Door to Depot Boijmans Van Beuningent

Dutch Maritime Scene

Colorful Public Market
Apartment Windows Overlook the Market

Transatlantic (Part 3 of 4) - July and August 2026

Iceland, Norway and Isle of Mann

Iceland

Reykjavik: Continuing on to Iceland, we stopped in Reykjavik, Husavik, Seydisfjordur and Gundisfjorder. This was about our fifth time in Reykjavik, so we had a leisurely morning before heading out for the first of a two day port visit. Our time in Reykjavik was primarily spent walking in town, browsing in the many downtown shops and bookstores and stopping for a terrific cinnamon roll from Braud & Company Bakery. A few years ago, there was only one Braud & Company Bakery in Reykjavik but now there are eight - so fresh pastries and bread can be found all over town. We also had dinner at our favorite Reykjavik restaurant, The Fish Market. 

If your cruise ship docks at the Skarfabakki Wharf, you can easily catch a public bus ($6USD, one-way) from the terminal to the central downtown and return, In addition, there is a free shuttle to and from the cruise terminal, but this shuttle often ends early, around 6pm. Taxis are another option, though a one-way fare from the terminal to central downtown Reykjavik is about $24USD.

Haarpa Concert Hall & Conference Center

Hallgrímstorm Lutheran Church

Bæjarins Beztu Hot Dog Stand

Braud & Company
A Great Stop for a Cinnamon Roll

Seydisfjordur: We participated in a ship excursion to hike up the Vestdalur Valley from the abandoned Vestdalsery whaling town. From the valley, we hiked uphill to Vestdalsfosser, enjoying wonderful views of green hills, basalt mountains, creeks and small waterfalls. Despite the recent rains in Seydisfjordur, the trail wasn't very wet and I didn't step into any mud holes...

View from Seydisfjordur Hike

Taking a Hike Break

Grundarfjordur: We walked on our own at this port. We stopped to view Church Spire Mountain and then walked about 1.5 miles over a gravel path to a nearby waterfall. Thinking I was taking a short-cut, I proceeded to take a full step into a bog, with a resulting fully mud covered shoe and wet socks. This really dampened my enthusiasm for the 1.5 mile walk back to town. 

Kirkjufell Mountain (Church Spire) , Grundisfjordur

Grundisfjordur Waterfalls
About 1.5 Miles from Port

Grundisfjordur Market
A Great Store to Purchase a
Brush for Shoe Cleaning (post walk)!

Husavik: This was another "on our own" port stop. We walked through town from the tender drop-off location. We stopped for a morning coffee and delicious home-baked cinnamon rolls at Herna. This charming cafe serves breakfast and lunch dishes from 11am to 5pm.

We then walked to the nearby Husavik Museum. This musuem, which also contains the town library, includes informative cultural and interpretive displays focusing on Husavik vicinity life from 1850 to 1950. The museum also has a maritime exhibit. The exhibit displays share the evolution of boating, fishing and shipping in Husavik. Overall, the museum was a well-worth stop to enhance our understanding of life in Iceland.

Herna Cafe, Husavik
Great Stop for Coffee and Cinnamon Roll

Husavik Rainbow Road
A celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion,
particularly in support of the LGBTQ+ community

Display in Husavik Museum

A Maritime Display

Húsavíkurkirkja Church, Built in 1907

Norway

Eidfjord: This was our only stop in Norway. We boarded a ship excursion to the Voss Gondola. The gondola brings riders to the top of Hangurstoppen Mountain. The bus ride provided views of farmland and small villages. The weather was rainy and foggy, so the excursion kept us dry, but overall there wasn't much to see on this excursion. One interesting experience was driving through large tunnels that included wide roundabouts. We'll be at this port next year and will focus on visiting Vøringsfossen, with its 600 foot waterfall drop.

Roundabout in Tunnel!

Eidfjord Cablecar

View From Eidfjord Cablecar

Isle of Mann

Douglas: Isle of Mann is a self-governing British crown dependency. The island has its own Parliament but the UK government is responsible for military protection and international representation. At this port, we again declined the ship excursions and boarded the local steam train from Douglas to Castletown. At Castletown, we walked to the medieval Castle of Rushen, established by an early Viking king. The self-guided castle tour allows visitors to explore each the four castle levels. There are displays that describe castle use for protection, as a residence and as a prison.

After our castle tour, we stopped at the nextdoor cafe for scones and coffee. Returning by train to Douglas, we stopped by the statue of the Bee Gees. The brothers were born on the Isle of Mann, before leaving for England and, later, Australia.

Isle of Mann Train Station, Port Erin

Nice Stop for Coffee and Scones