[Worldtrippers home] [2025 Crystal-Viking]
On July 21 we returned to A Coruña, Spain. You can read about our visit in April, during the Viking world cruise, by clicking here.
This time, Russell was assigned to escort the seven-hour “A Day in Santiago de Compostela” excursion. A Coruña is close to Santiago de Compostela, the end-destination of a popular Catholic pilgrimage. However, a fellow guest (the son of another lecturer) did not get an escort assignment, so Russell donated his. Instead, Russell remained aboard ship with Gail, who is still getting over her cold.
July 22 was sea day, as we left continental Europe and sailed across the Bay of Biscay toward the British Isles.
On July 23 we docked in Holyhead, Wales. Russell had signed up for two different excursions: the eight-hour “Ffestiniog Railway & Lunch” and the 7.5-hour “Snowdonia Hike & The Ugly House,” both of which sounded fascinating. Unfortunately, his four-day lecture break is at an end. He needed to be back aboard ship by 4:30 pm, which ruled out both excursions. Unfortunately, there is not much to do in Holyhead itself, as it is a rather quiet small town.
The good news is that we are sailing once again with one of our favorite guest entertainers, Harry the Piano. (You can read about our most recent adventures with Harry here.)
Gail is finally feeling well enough to venture off ship again. So Harry, Gail and Russell went into Holyhead for a small walkabout. Holyhead is a charming little Welsh town in need of some attention. A lot of thought went into designing some nice sights, but things have not been kept up through the years. The three of us found a pub where we just sat and chatted, catching up on old times. Gail had a half-pint of Guinness, but it was purely for medicinal purposes.
Back aboard ship, we learned the captain had made a mid-day announcement about an itinerary change. On the original schedule, we were supposed to have sea days on July 25-26, followed by a day in Reykjavik, Iceland on July 27.
Unfortunately, there is some pretty bad weather expected in Reykjavik, and guests would not have an enjoyable time there. Instead, we will make a surprise port stop in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on July 25. This will be followed by two sea days on July 26-27. The only stop in Reykjavik will be for guests to disembark on July 28.
Some guests are understandably disappointed to miss the only stop in Iceland. (This itinerary, after all, is called “Iceland, British Isles & Iberia.) Fortunately, many guests are just as excited to visit Belfast. The two of us are happy either way.
Here is our original itinerary:
Here is our revised itinerary:
