Two cruises. One Reykjavik night plan. This Super Saver stitches a Northern Lights search with a Faxaflói Bay whale-watching trip, so you get both sky and sea action without moving hotels or stacking separate bookings. I like that the comfort setup is built in (thermal overalls, heated indoor seating), and I like that expert guide narration gives you context while you’re scanning for lights and marine life.

The trade-off is that nature runs the schedule. Sightings are never guaranteed, and rough or cloudy conditions can reduce chances on the water. Also note that hotel pick-up is optional and costs extra, so you’ll want to be ready to start from Geirsgata 11.

Still, there’s a real safety net for a high-wish trip. If you don’t see anything on your tour, you get a free ticket to try again, and the Special Tours app helps you follow along even when you’re bundled up and half-focused on the horizon.

Key things I’d bookmark before you book

• Two different experiences in one package: a Northern Lights cruise plus a 3.5-hour whale watch
• Comfort gear that matters in Iceland: thermal overalls and heated indoor seating
• Motion support: complimentary sea sickness tablets
• A try-again option if you strike out on sightings
• Big-but-not-massive group size with a maximum of 198 people

Why the Iceland Super Saver combo feels like better value

For about $186.74 per person, you’re booking two separate highlights that most people usually price out individually: a Northern Lights cruise of about 2.5 hours and a whale-watching trip of about 3.5 hours. The total time listed is roughly 5 hours 30 minutes, but plan for a longer night because you’re getting set up, boarding, and absorbing the whole experience.

What makes the value better than just the boat time is what’s included. You get thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, and complimentary sea sickness tablets. That can save you from spending extra on “Iceland essentials” once you’re already at the dock, and it also helps you stay outside longer for photos and spotting.

You also get a Special Tours app (available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese) and free WiFi onboard. WiFi won’t replace the view, but it helps when you’re trying to confirm timings, share footage, or just keep your phone useful instead of totally freezing.

The only real “watch-outs” for value are the items not included: food and drink are available to purchase on board, and hotel transfers cost extra (1100 ISK per person per trip if you add them).

Geirsgata 11, Old Harbour timing, and the 9pm or 10pm lights departure

Your starting point is Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. That matters more than it sounds, because the Northern Lights part is all about being at the right place at the right time. If you miss the window, you lose prime darkness.

Departures for the Northern Lights cruise are listed as either 9pm or 10pm depending on the time of year. Hotel pick-up, if you choose it, starts 60 minutes prior to departure. In other words: you should expect an early-ish start in your evening even if the lights cruise itself is later.

One more practical note: you’ll need to reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier using your voucher. Weather and scheduling can shift, and you don’t want to gamble on assumptions.

Faxaflói Bay whale-watching: what you’re actually scanning for

The whale-watching portion is about 3.5 hours in Faxaflói Bay. You’re looking for marine life like humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. That’s a solid target list, especially if you care about more than just one species.

This is the part where your body needs to be ready for the conditions. Even when you’re dressed for cold, open water can bring wind and motion. The tour includes complimentary sea sickness tablets for a reason, and the comfort setup (thermal overalls and heated indoor seating) makes it easier to cycle between decks and warmth instead of going fully numb.

Bring your camera mindset, not just your camera. The most frustrating moments on whale tours are usually the ones where you’re not ready for a quick appearance—an animal surfaces, then disappears. If you keep your gear accessible and stay scanning, you’ll be happier no matter what the sightings are.

And yes, there’s a reality check here: whale sightings can’t be guaranteed. Some nights bring seals and dolphins instead of whales, and some nights are quieter. When that happens, the guided spotting effort still has value—you get the search, the education, and the chance to reframe your expectations.

Northern Lights cruise: how the guide story changes the night

Your Northern Lights portion is a 2.5-hour cruise departing from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. During this part, you head out on the water while an expert guide explains what causes the aurora and shares legends and myths around the phenomenon.

That combination is more useful than it sounds. Facts help you interpret what you’re seeing instead of just staring at clouds and hoping. Legends give the night texture, so the experience feels like Iceland, not just a weather-dependent boat ride.

As for timing: the lights hunt is scheduled to run at night (9pm or 10pm depending on the season). That means you’re mostly dealing with darkness, cold air, and the patience game—plus the fact that you can’t control cloud cover.

Sightings are not guaranteed, so what you’re really buying is the attempt: the boat time, the guidance, and the educational narration while you scan the sky. On nights when the aurora does show up, it feels like the “main event.” On nights when it doesn’t, the value shifts to the whole package experience: being on the water, learning the science and myths, and having another shot if your tour doesn’t deliver.

Onboard comfort kit: thermal overalls and heated seating (why it’s not fluff)

This is one of the most practical parts of the package. The tour provides thermal overalls (including children’s sizes) and heated indoor seating areas. Those two things change how long you’ll stay outside watching and photographing.

On a cold, windy boat, “comfortable enough to keep your eyes up” beats “dressed for fashion.” Thermal overalls help you handle sudden weather swings without constantly changing layers.

You’ll also get complimentary sea sickness tablets. Even if you’ve never been seasick before, Iceland boat conditions can be enough to surprise you, especially on the whale-watching portion. If motion affects you, taking the tablets as directed can turn the trip from miserable to manageable.

Other included perks are small but helpful: free WiFi and the Special Tours app. The app isn’t a substitute for the view, but it supports the experience by keeping you oriented while the guide is talking.

Guide quality, speaker setup, and group size on a 198-person boat

This package caps out at 198 travelers. That’s not tiny, but it’s not a party bus either. On bigger boats, the biggest question is whether you can hear the guide. Some people describe narration as clear enough from decks, while others note that the speaker system on the whale-watching portion wasn’t great. So if you care about every word, pick a spot where you can hear without craning.

Guide personality also changes the vibe. In the feedback provided, Kristoph is praised for being professional and confident, especially when weather throws curveballs. Iga gets called out as a whale-spotting guide with serious knack for finding animals. At the same time, not every guide style lands for every group, so you’ll likely enjoy the experience most if you like learning while you watch rather than expecting a silent, purely observational cruise.

The good news: even if the commentary doesn’t perfectly match your taste, the tour structure still delivers two chances at two different types of nature magic—sea creatures one night segment and aurora hunting in the other.

Same-day or split-day planning: the freedom that helps with Iceland weather

The tour can be done either the same day or across separate days during your trip. That choice can make a big difference in how you handle unpredictability.

If you do both on the same day, you’ll get a packed Reykjavik rhythm: cruise, then another cruise later. That’s great when your vacation days are limited. It can also be a lot of time on cold decks back-to-back.

If you split them across days, you spread your weather risk. That can increase the odds that at least one of the two experiences feels “hit” rather than “meh.” Either way, you’ll still want to reconfirm cruise times with the supplier, since schedules can shift.

When weather turns: what to expect and how the try-again ticket helps

This experience requires good weather. When conditions don’t cooperate, the operator may cancel or reduce the “perfect night” scenario. Northern Lights sightings are especially sensitive to clouds and sky haze, while whale activity can be influenced by sea conditions too.

If your specific tour is canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund. That’s the big reassurance for a high-wish experience.

Then there’s the other helpful safety net: you get a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That option matters because it turns a bad luck night into a follow-up plan instead of a sunk cost.

Still, don’t treat the try-again feature as magic. It helps, but your actual enjoyment depends on how weather impacts comfort and visibility. If you’re prone to seasickness, you’re better off treating the motion side of this as real—not hypothetical.

Who this Super Saver suits best (and who should think twice)

This package fits best if you want two of Iceland’s headline moments without spending your whole trip logistics energy on planning. I’d especially recommend it if:

• You’re doing Reykjavik as your base and want a night plan that mixes sea and sky
• You like guided learning as much as you like taking photos
• You’re flexible about outcomes and prepared for a little weather drama

It’s less ideal if:

• You get miserable on boats and don’t want to deal with motion, even with tablets available
• You assume hotel pick-up is automatic (it’s an extra add-on)
• You want a guarantee of spotting whales or seeing aurora. This is a nature search, not a staged show.

Should you book this Iceland Super Saver from Reykjavik?

I think you should book it if you want one booking that tackles two different Iceland bucket lists in a single base in Reykjavik. The included gear (thermal overalls, heated indoor areas, sea sickness tablets) makes the experience more comfortable and more likely to feel like a win even on a tough weather night.

Choose it with clear expectations: you’re paying for the hunt, the guide, and the boat time. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the weather can change the night fast. But the try-again ticket is a strong cushion, and the app plus guide narration give you more than just a ride.

If you’re deciding between this and a simpler option, this package is more worth it when you value variety and learning. If you only care about one highlight—either whales or aurora—then splitting your budget might make more sense. But if you want the full “Reykjavik at night” experience, this Super Saver is a smart way to try for both.

FAQ

What’s included in this Iceland Super Saver package?

You get a Northern Lights cruise (about 2.5 hours) from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and a whale-watching tour (about 3.5 hours) in Faxaflói Bay. The package includes thermal overalls, heated indoor seating areas, complimentary sea sickness tablets, free WiFi, and a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour meets at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel and cruise port pickup is available for an additional fee. Hotel transfers are not included, though you can add them for 1100 ISK per person per trip.

What time does the Northern Lights cruise leave?

The Northern Lights departure is listed as either 9pm or 10pm depending on the time of year. If you selected pickup, it starts 60 minutes before departure.

Do I need to reconfirm cruise times?

Yes. You will need to reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier, and you should refer to your voucher for further details.

What happens if the weather is bad or nothing is seen?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Also, if nothing is seen on your tour, you get a free ticket to try again.

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