Saving thousands on your 2026 Iceland cruise

Are you looking for a great deal on a cheap Iceland cruise? Well sorry, I can’t really help with that. But if you’re looking to save a ton of money on your Iceland cruise by leveraging my Iceland expertise, then you’ve come to the right place.

I’m a travel agent who focuses exclusively on Iceland. I have relationships with dozens of drivers and guided tour companies who offer the best service in Iceland, and for fair prices. Read on to see how my relationships and knowledge can turn into real savings for you when you’re planning and Iceland cruise.

Iceland cruises tend to stop in some tiny ports. The stunning village of Grundarfjörður has about 900 residents. If a 2,000 person cruise ship stops here, it tends to overwhelm the port.

And Iceland recently changed the rules for cruise ships by introducing a tax for port stops. Your cruise line will pay this fee for you, but it’s enough to keep larger ships away. Smaller ships, with a higher fare per passenger can absorb the fee more easily.

I focus on these small ship Iceland cruises. I think it makes for a better experience for you, and I also think that Iceland is happier when the small ships come to visit!

If you book your cruise with me as your travel agent, you will pay the same prices you will find online, even directly from the cruise company’s website. And often my agency can add an extra little perk. For example, right now with Windstar, you’ll get a $150 shipboard credit per cabin to use for excursions during your Iceland cruise.

But that’s not where I can save you the most money. The real savings on your Iceland cruise happens with everything not on the ship: Excursions, transfers to and from the airport, and any pre- or post- cruise touring you’d like to do in Iceland.

If a cruise line offers a “Comprehensive Iceland Cruise Tour,” I can book you on the cruise-only fare and add in a custom land-tour.

Or if a cruise line offers you a group transfer from the airport before or after your Iceland cruise, usually I can match the price, but with a private transfer (and a guide holding a sign with your name on it.)

If a cruise line offers an excursion that costs $400 per person, often I can recommend a similar tour for hundreds less.

And if a cruise line offers you a guided walking tour in an Icelandic port, I can offer you a self-guided option to see similar sites … and for free!

Add it all up, and most of my clients save a thousand dollars or more on their Iceland cruise. Or those who don’t save as much end up with private tours for a similar price.

Chat with us about your 2026 or 2027 Iceland Cruise!

Heard enough that you want to learn about our planning services? Just fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch. Or scroll down to see our recommendations for specific cruise lines for your small ship Iceland Cruise.

Any of the 4 cruise lines we list below could be our top pick– we only recommend cruise lines we love. But Windstar is our (slight) favorite, and it’s the company we are working with for our group Iceland eclipse cruise in 2026. Here’s why:

• Windstar has a smallest ships of any of the Iceland cruise companies listed below. The ship hold a maximum of just 312 passengers. We think this makes a huge difference in the experience you have on board: You’ll see the same faces over and over, and you’ll feel like you’re on a private yacht.
• Windstar usually has a ship (the Star Pride) in Iceland for a good chunk on the summer, so you can have 10 or more departure options each summer.
• The rooms are all luxury suites, with plenty of room to unpack and spread out.
• Food and service are spectacular. Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation.

A close runner up for best Iceland Cruise line: Viking

Viking might have been our top pick, with a lot of things to love:

• There’s a free excursion in every port (though many of these are walking tours.)
• WiFi and alcohol are included with meals in the cruise fare; with other lines you may need to wait for a sale to have these included.
• Every stateroom on Viking’s Iceland Cruises has a balcony.

The only reason Viking didn’t take our #1 spot? The ship that does Iceland cruises (Viking Mars in 2026) holds up to 930 passengers. That’s still small for a cruise ship, but it’s the largest ship among our small ship Iceland cruise list!

But if you like the amenities of a larger ship, and you aren’t traveling with kids (Viking is 18+ only) this is a great choice for your Iceland cruise.

HX: A strong contender for your early summer Iceland Cruise

HX (formerly Hurtigruten) is a fantastic option for your Iceland cruise. They have many of the perks that Viking offers: A free excursion in every port, and some that are valuable bus tours. And alcohol is included. There’s even a science lab on board!

The ship (MS Fridtjof Nansen in 2026) is larger than Windstar but smaller than Viking. The main issue that keeps HX from claiming the top spot for best Iceland Cruise? Right now they are only offering sailings in May. That’s a fantastic time to visit Iceland, with fewer crowds but usually beautiful weather.

If a May Iceland cruise works for you, HX is your best option.

My first thought about Oceania is the spectacular food, rivaling Windstar’s. Oceania claims “The Finest Cuisine At Sea.” But beyond the food, their Icelandic Revelation is the longest cruise on this list, and at a similar price point. For the extra days, you get a visit to the Faroe Islands.

That can be a good thing or a bad thing, since you do have days entirely at sea. (The other cruises above all visit a port every day.) But the ship (Oceania Insignia in 2026) carries 670 passengers, and should have plenty to do while you’re at sea.

Just fill out the form below and we’ll reach out to help you choose the best Iceland Cruise for you. And hopefully save you some real money in the process!