In 2016, 112 calls will bring 108,755 passengers up from the 108 ships and 100,141 cruise visitors of last year. 'We are still receiving bookings for 2017 but already we have secured 121 calls and around 132,000 passengers next year when we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Old Port.'
Overnights stays are also growing in popularity, she adds, with 39 ships undertaking an overnight in 2017, up from 34 this year and 23 ships in 2015.
Reykjavík has a broad selection of museums, galleries, theatre and cinemas, as well as parks, sculpture gardens and a lake in the downtown area.
'The variety of outdoor activities offered around Reykjavik is becoming increasingly popular,' says Kristjánsdóttir who will be participating at Seatrade Cruise Med this month in Tenerife at the Cruise Iceland booth #510.
These include whale watching, hiking, caving, midnight golf, rib safari and scuba diving. 'The list doesn't stop there remarks Kristjánsdóttir 'because Reykavík and its surroundings has variety of natural treasures: The Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss (Golden Falls), the highly active Geysir hot spring area, Þingvellir National Park, the waterfalls Barnafoss and Hraunfoss, Snæfellsjökull glacier, the small fishing village of Arnarstapi, the largest island of western Iceland Flatey or the beautiful Aurora (just beyond the city lights), all in the vicinity of the nation‘s capital.'
Biggest ship to call in 2016 is MSC Splendida and next year it will be MSC Preziosa which makes a call in July and another in August, 2017.
Currently the port is evaluating if it requires a new terminal. 'We are still brainstorming, what kind of building we want to have at our harbour,' says Kristjánsdóttir. The decision is likely to be made towards the end of this year or in early 2017 as the plan is to start the project next year or latest in 2018, she added.
Construction has started on a Marriott International 5 star hotel near Harpa, close to the port.
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