Northern Europe offers much to see and do for those who wish to explore the region on a cruise ship. Departing from the UK or one world’s most breathtaking cities, you will spend your holiday exploring an intoxicating mix of medieval castles, historic old towns and areas of natural beauty so stunning that you’ll never want to leave.
Whether you choose to spend spring in the British Isles, summer in the Baltic or winter in the Arctic searching for the Northern Lights, a Northern Europe cruise promises to live long in the memory.
Northern Europe Cruise Itineraries
Depending on how long you wish to spend on your cruise, Northern Europe itineraries can last from anywhere between 7 and 25 nights. The shorter voyages will often depart from ports on the European mainland, with cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Bergen and Reykjavik popular cities for embarkation.
Longer sailings are available from ports in the UK, with Southampton and Dover the most common for Northern Europe cruises. You will also find itineraries from smaller UK ports such as Portsmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Greenock (Glasgow).
While there are ten countries in geographical Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia), it’s easier to think of them as separate regions; the British Isles, Scandinavia and the Baltic. Each offers different opportunities for exploration and a variety of cities, towns and harbours to visit.
UK cruises are a great way to see more of the British Isles. From a UK port such as Southampton, you will enjoy a journey to several of the most beautiful and interesting places in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Highlights of UK cruises include the medieval Edinburgh Castle, the rugged Hebrides in Scotland, and Dorset’s fascinating Jurrasic Coast.
In Scandinavia, immerse yourself in Nordic lore and Viking history. Visit Sweden, Denmark and Norway and take in cities such as Stockholm; the “Venice of Scandinavia”, and Copenhagen with its colourful houses dotted along Nyhavn Harbour and canals that wind through the cobbled streets. Alternatively, head further north and sail deep into the Arctic Circle on a once-in-a-lifetime polar expedition and go in search of the majestic polar bear and breathtaking Aurora Borealis.
The Baltic offers a different proposition and cruises to this unique destination are always popular during the summer month. Few travel experiences can compare to spending a day discovering iconic cities like St Petersburg and Tallinn before returning for an evening aboard a luxurious cruise ship.
The best time for Northern Europe cruises
The traditional time for Northern Europe cruises is in the spring and summer months. The majority of cruise lines offer itineraries from May to September when the weather is warmer and rainfall less frequent. We advise the best time for Northern Europe cruises is in June, early July or mid-September as there will be fewer crowds.
You can also cruise Northern Europe outside of the peak season, with expedition cruise lines operating voyages to the Norwegian Arctic throughout the winter months.
Cruise lines that offer Northern Europe Cruises
Nearly all cruise lines offer Northern Europe cruises, particularly those that operate departures from UK ports. Fred Olsen, Saga Cruises and Cunard all sail across the North Sea from either Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth or Liverpool.
The other cruise lines offering Northern Europe cruises – such as Silversea, Oceania Cruises and Azamara – generally do so as part of their Norwegian Fjords or Baltic seasons. These voyages will often depart from ports in Scandinavia such as Bergen, Copenhagen and Stockholm and will sometimes include stops at Warnemunde (for Berlin) in Germany.
For more information regarding cruises to Northern Europe or to receive a quote for a future voyage, please call us on 0800 008 6677 or make an online enquiry for one of the itineraries featured below.
