We rented a car also and did the circle tour and the blue lagoon. Had no problems at all. I think that is a great idea.

That was a funny article Marc.

We have the day to do something till our flight...but we don't want to drive. We make better passengers.
We're up for joining others on a tour as long as we can get to the airport by 3:30.

Leslie or Ngaire, can we get a rental car right from the dock? Or, do we just take a taxi to someplace in Reykjavik?

Hi Marc,
Jim and I rented a car right at the dock. There is an office for Sixt and for Avis (this was three years ago). It is very easy to drive in Iceland. The gentleman at the counter even suggested the route opposite to the ship's tour so we would be visiting the sites ahead of the tours from the ship. (We were on Crystal - no included excursions). Iceland is magical.

The article was amusing. I always study google maps on the computer before we venture out in new locations. Then I use Waze on my mobile phone for driving directions - it worked well in Iceland.

There was an Avis office very close to the dock. They picked us up at our hotel and dropped us off at the ship when we returned it - I assume they would also meet you at the dock. But maybe they even have an office right there - that would be good business idea.

Also, there are very few roads in Iceland - mainly on the perimeter and close to Reykjavik. We have driven in a lot of countries and I would rank Iceland as one of the easiest,

We have driven all over Iceland with no problems. We are planning on renting from Avis. There are two docks in Reykjavik. One is further out from town and the other is right downtown. Explorer was at the downtown one when we embarked there before, while when we embarked on Regent, mariner was at the one a bit further away. At any rate, they will pick up and deliver if it is too far to walk to the office.

Iceland Air now has Jet Blue as a new points partner. If you are flying Iceland Air on paid ticket and don't want to get frequent flyer miles in Iceland's Saga program, you can get Jet Blue Miles instead. (Or Emirates.)

Link to SmarterTravel article

I think I have this figured out. We are going to rent a compact car at Sixt; all rental cars seem expensive but it is due to "one way" rental as dropping off at airport. Sightseeing plans are:

Stop at two of south Iceland's most impressive waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the former being one of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is a picturesque cascade, famed for its walking path which allows you to hike behind it in summer time.

Then we will go to Reynisfjara, a black sand beach. This beach is famed for its vibrant birdlife and eery natural surroundings.

During the drive we will see both the Sólheimajökull glacier and the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano whose 2010 eruption brought European air traffic to a standstill for days due to the enormous amounts of ash it spewed into the air.

Next to Blue Lagoon before dropping off the car at Keflavik spending the night at a hotel at the airport.

If anyone is on similar schedule and wants to see same sights we can probably combine in a larger car (luggage might be a problem). Marcie, sorry, this won't work for you as it will take a full day.

Glad this trip is finally getting close.

Marc

I would have joined you on that trip Marc but we are leaving immediately for Vancouver for the Alaska cruise. Sounds like a great plan.

Super cute pin!

Great Pin!

Love it! Great job, Ngaire!

That is sooooo cute, we'll wear with pride !!

Any more updates to the roll call? Only a couple of months away!!!!

Marc - you still have us on the roll call, but we canceled awhile ago. We'll be in Sun Valley for the total eclipse. I know you all with have a wonderful trip!

We are doc dancing in Alabama!

Wow!! This wasn't even on my radar! Sweet!!! Can't wait for ours!!
I almost hit "Post Reply" and thought..... why don't I go look on the front porch .... YAY!! They must have been delivered when we were on the golf course yesterday late afternoon! We are doc dancing too!!

Doc dancing in Diamond Bar! Whoopie! Looking forward to seeing so many friends and meeting a few new ones!
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Helen

Marc update to Roll Call:

Alice and I are in suite 303, not 305. I noticed our luggage tags said 303, but our invoice is 305. SusanW explained that the Explorer was recently refurbished and now there are 4 instead of 6 Adventurer class suites and 305 doesn't exist anymore. Also, I don't think Andrea and Lauri and going. Andrea posted awhile back that she has a wedding to go to in Italy that the date of is too close to this trip.

I have wanted to do this trip for SO LONG! And now I just can't wait!!! What a great group, too!!

According to new Deck plan 305 exists but 306 is now a View suite. We had switched from 305 on first cruise to 304 on second cruise because the room seemed larger. Now, if we are still in 304 that is the cabin that was 306 which should be the same size as 305; we might have gotten slightly adversely impacted in the remodeling. I am assuming the two forward cabins were changed into staff cabins so no actual improvements in the cabin. Ship went from 66 cabins to 72 cabins so they have shoehorned 12 more people while changing the observation lounge to combination lounge and library.

We will just have to wait and see when we board.

edited to add: I see that we have been moved into 302 which was 304 so i think we are ok. Now, i have to figure out why our 2018 cruise does not show up on my bookings; that one is fully paid!

This is coming up soon!!!!

Kim, I was booked in 406 which has likewise disappeared. Now in 404 which appears to be where 406 was.

FYI the charter flight info which was not in my silver box is available on the website under My Bookings:

Airline: SAS Skandinavian Airlines (SK) Flight #: SK 7084 Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800 (Economy Class seating, upgrades not offered) Date: August 08, 2017 Flight Time:
DEPARTS OSL @ 12:05 PM, ARRIVES LYR @ 3:00 PM
Meal Service: Snack Seat Assignment: Seats assigned at check-in Boarding Pass: Provided upon check-in at the airport. Check-in time: Two hours prior to flight departure

Luggage Restrictions: Each guest is limited to one (1) carry-on of no more than 5kg (11 lbs) and checked luggage not to exceed 23 kg (50 lbs)

____________________________
Helen

Just looked at a bigger deck plan and it appears that they just changed the number on the cabins?
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Helen

406 is now a Vista Suite; maybe you can request they give that to you at the price of Explorer Suite. :)

haha Helen....I still have Ngaire's boarding pass from our Cheetah charter flight. I wonder if we'll be switching around again...we're getting so good at it.

No cruise docs here yet...

Doc dancing here as well. No info on the charter flight at all, so will go with Helen's info as above. We are doing a couple of days ahead in oslo.

They are refurbishing the Silver Explorer but did not think it had been started yet. At the time I heard this I knew it would be done by Wrangel but thought not by Walrus. Guess they did some work ahead of schedule or I had an incorrect timeline. Hence the cabin numbers changes. I saw mock ups of the planned refurbishment it looked great.
.

This will be our 4th trip aboard silver explorer. We love our little ship and are happy she is getting/ has gotten refreshed!
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Helen

I have the charter flight info on the website under "My Bookings" also. Departs 12:05 pm, huh? Looks like our assumption that we'd have an early flight were a bit off and Marcie should have booked the room rate that included breakfast! (sigh) I'm certainly happy though about not having an early departure!

Ngaire, check out CC Silversea board regarding refurbishment; folks on first cruise were not happy campers; seems like everything fine now.

I'm still trying to figure out where they found room for six more cabins.

Marc

Hi Marc.

I have Barbara with me on safari who is now with Silversea. She said the clean up from the refurbishment was not completed properly as they rushed to get the ship to waiting guests. That caused issues. That is all resolved now.

I had a presentation on the refurbishments and it looked beautiful. At that time they were planning to take out the bathtubs and put in big showers most people will like that if this has been done. It was a long time ago I saw these details things change.

They took the expedition suites and each of those suites became two regular cabins. .

Pretty excited to see the new explorer.

WOW, I had no idea about this refurbishment. They're taking out all the tubs? We're in a "View" cabin (321) and hoping we still have a bathtub (especially for Tom with his back troubles).

Marcie, are you sure about that cabin number? I think they only go to 325.

Suite plans still show tubs versus showers so maybe they didn't change them out (or their website is out of date).

See you soon!!!

Marc

Oops....you're right Marc, it's 321 Sorry !! I just made the correction.

I hope you're right !

Ngaire (or anyone ?) Does Silver Sea offer paid excursions on the day of departure ? We'd love to go to the Blue Lagoon...or anywhere but spending 8+ hours at the airport.

I highly doubt it Marcie. Asked my office to check and let you know.

Thanks Ngaire. We still haven't received our cruise docs, hope they arrive soon since everyone else's arrived days ago.

Marcie,
check out Golden Circle tours - they have a variety of all day tours and you can book private ones to suit your schedule and choices of destinations.

http://daytours.nordicvisitor.com/iceland/golden-circle-tours/

Jim

Thanks Jim, I just looked into this with them but unfortunately their tours won't get us to the airport in time for our 5:30 flight. I just heard from Nancy (new gal working for Clay) that the transfer from the ship to the airport is $139.per person. That's outrageous.

Are we the only LCTer's in this predicament? Maybe we'll meet some other passengers once on board where we could rent a car and find a way to kill a day until going to the airport.

I'm so sorry, Marcie. I knew you were not staying in Rekyavik so I have a full car. We rented a car with George and Rachel and Andi and Doug . My options were pretty limited for a vehicle that would hold 6 pax. Only other option was 15 pax bus but that was really pricy. I hope you find someone to share with. What are Kim and alice doing for the day? Aren't they on your flight home?
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Helen

Marcie, we don't fly out until the next day so we rented a car but my "itinerary" doesn't have us anywhere near the airport by late afternoon. Rental car companies consider Reykjavik to Keflavik a one way rental so there is an additional fee. I think we are paying around $160 with Sixt for a one day rental; we are staying near airport so will probably drop it off the night before. Sixt is close to dock. Search for coupons, but be forwarned that site is not very friendly and it is impossible to find a phone number wherein someone will answer.

Marc