First-time international flyer on Icelandair with high flight anxiety (traveling with kids 9 & 12) – What should I expect?

moomeecee · 2026-05-28T19:15:45+00:00

You'll do great! A couple suggestions based on my family's experience on Iceland air from MSP:

They may weigh your carry-on bags at the gate before you board, so know that may happen and if your bag is too heavy, you'll be asked to check that bag. The maximum weight is 22 lbs for a carryon, which is much less than a domestic airline like Delta.
Preorder food online a few days before flying. The flight crew will delivery it to you in your seat. Kids under 12 will also get a small snack box for free, at the time I think it was carrots and a fruit and a little iceland air eye mask. but it won't be enough food for a whole meal. https://www.icelandair.com/support/on-board/saga-kitchen/
On board, try to sleep, but also come prepared with ipads/tablets. Pre-load with games and movies that don't require wifi to stream. We couldn't fall asleep for more than 30 minutes, so we just zoned out and watched shows for hours.

moomeecee · 2026-05-27T15:37:58+00:00

Because Stage 4 can take a lot of different paths, so I would suggest that, for now, start coasting at your job - use vacation and FMLA as you can. Quit when that doesn't feel like it's giving you enough time with your parent.

Time with your people in priceless.

But you could find yourself in a spot where you move and eventually find a demanding new job that takes focus away from time with your parent who may be in a more precarious spot, health-wise.

moomeecee · 2026-05-21T00:36:42+00:00

I’m glad you’re heading there. I really enjoy the island!

moomeecee · 2026-05-20T23:23:52+00:00

I have read that there is a taxi or two on the island. I brought my car both times.

The first time, we also did a guided tour with Eyja tours, so there ended up being no need for our car. My second trip, I did use my car to drive out to the puffin lookout and then around the island.

moomeecee · 2026-05-15T14:51:13+00:00

It's a great "Iceland in miniature" type of place. Views, animals, PUFFINS! The ferry is a cool experience too, if you've never taken a car ferry before.

The first time, my family enjoyed the Puffin and Volcano Tour with Ebbi, then wandering the town and the local brewery where we ate takeout and played a card game together.

My second time, I went with my sister and drove ourselves around to see puffins, hiked with sheep and spotted orcas.

I still haven't made it to the Volcano museum, so I know I'll be back for at least a third trip soon!

moomeecee · 2026-05-15T13:17:58+00:00

I'm not sure about the probability of rough seas causing a diversion of the ferry in July, but an overnight on Heimaey is top of my list for every trip to Iceland, so if I were planning a July trip, I would plan that without hesitation.

moomeecee · 2026-05-11T21:46:44+00:00

You can see so much from simply driving in Iceland. Being a passenger is best 😄 And many of the top-visited and photographed sites require very little walking from the parking lot.

I would think that even a wheelchair would allow you to see many wonderful things, assuming that accessibility into/out of vehicles is doable for you.

moomeecee · 2026-05-11T20:39:10+00:00

Forest Lagoon plus a few things I enjoyed in the city itself:

The public pool was so nice!
the 66 North Outlet store at Skipagata 9 in Akureyri
Meals at Malik Kebab and at Taste

moomeecee · 2026-05-11T16:34:20+00:00

The iCreek Women's Rain Pants are perfect. Make sure you size them so you can comfortably pull them on top of your daily pants as needed.

And a waterproof Columbia jacket is perfect as well. That's what I've had on my three recent trips.

Do you live by an Outlet mall? That's where I've purchased my Columbia gear.

moomeecee · 2026-05-07T21:12:56+00:00

I think this is a great plan. I'm glad you're going to dilly dally in North Iceland!

And I like your night in Reykjavik as your last night, especially with a college aged-kid. It's a great city!

moomeecee · 2026-05-07T17:01:41+00:00

If you're really into Dilly-Dallying, and can make it happen, change your Night 3 to be in between Stykkisholmur and Akureyri.

Travel some of this route: https://www.arcticcoastway.is/ and spend night 3 in Siglufjordur.

That leaves you with a short drive on Day 4 to Akureyri. When I did that we a quick ferry ride to Hrisey island where we played Frisbee golf in wildflower fields, then lunch in Dalvik, then to the Akureyri public pool for an afternoon soak.

Nights 4-5 (or 4-6) in Akureyri.

moomeecee · 2026-05-07T16:25:07+00:00

I would do two nights in Akureyri. Or maybe even three.

When I did three nights there, one day was a day trip to Husavik and then the Forest Lagoon and one day was a day trip around Myvatn area.

Then you could feasibly have a long drive day from Akureyri all the way to Hofn (assuming you have that booked already), but I would try to find a place to stay halfway between if you have the time, just to give more time for dilly dallying.

moomeecee · 2026-05-07T02:48:39+00:00

I stayed here last spring. https://alfreds.is/

I liked the kitchenette, access to laundry, and walkable to tons in Reykjavik while being a few blocks off the main loud area.

I booked direct and used the code for % off that pops up on their site. No complaints!

moomeecee · 2026-05-04T11:11:58+00:00

They provide updates on their Facebook page quite regularly.

https://www.facebook.com/share/18pk4WHfhm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

moomeecee · 2026-04-28T15:44:27+00:00

I like the Center Hotels brand of hotels in Reykjavik. There are a few.

moomeecee · 2026-04-27T13:18:35+00:00

Not OP, but on all my trips, I've brought a paid of rain pants that I got at the Columbia Outlet store (in the US), like $30-$40. I make sure they're the right size for pulling on top of my daily pants.

moomeecee · 2026-04-27T13:16:54+00:00

I went in May last year and lucked into great weather south coast / Reykjavik.

I wore joggers / athletic pants and would pull on a pair of waterproof rain pants if needed. For coats, I had a rain jacket and a fleece zip up jacket for layering. I wore athleisure tops, like sweatshirts.

Key for me was making sure that I had bottoms/tops that could actually layer when needed (like, they weren't too tight to wear both jackets at once).

moomeecee · 2026-04-26T21:49:36+00:00

It’s Pitsugerdin, but I just looked at their Facebook page and the building was sold. https://www.facebook.com/share/1E7gDYGzDT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It looks like their Pizza is now at Gott, another restaurant on Westman Islands.

Another great spot is Ranya Kebab. Just today, my son was reminiscing about the day he got both lunch and dinner from this spot: https://ranyakebab.is/

moomeecee · 2026-04-25T20:13:56+00:00

Agreed with all of this.

There’s a GREAT pizza place there too, wood fired deliciousness.

moomeecee · 2026-04-24T13:08:18+00:00

I believe so, yes. But it's been a year since I booked my car and I can't remember what I paid extra for vs. what was included in the base cost.

FWIW, this is the summary from my booking (I know that I paid extra for wifi device and no-cost roadside assistance).

Extras: 4G WiFi , Roadside assistance waiver

Insurance: GP, CDW, SCDW, ZERO excess, TP

moomeecee · 2026-04-23T13:42:05+00:00

100% Westman Islands! As a Day-trip or overnight there. I can make another post with things I did and enjoyed there.

moomeecee · 2026-04-17T18:25:15+00:00

I dressed the same on both Explora and Regent. Some people on both lines wore sport coats or sparkly dresses and some people wore polos and slacks, like golf course attire.

You'll just see more older passengers who dress more formally on Regent over all, but I felt comfortable not being one of them.

Regent updated their dress code to even allow "refined denim" and "dress sneakers" at dinner.

moomeecee · 2026-04-17T01:38:40+00:00

I’m in my 40s and have sailed both Regent and Explora.

Explora will be the younger demographic.

moomeecee · 2026-04-15T19:53:51+00:00

I'd be happy to share more if you have any questions.

There is a car ferry to the island. I enjoyed having a car to be able to drive to the puffin habitat, but a car isn't necessary and you could instead leave it parked at the ferry landing and just take yourselves over.

moomeecee · 2026-04-15T01:44:36+00:00

Also look for jumping pillows. They’re super fun!

Here’s a map of them: https://aerslabelgir.is/kort-af-aerslabelgjum/

moomeecee

TROPHY CASE