Northern Europe Cruises

Northern Europe Cruises

Frosty Northern Europe may not be the first destination you think of when you consider cruising, but perhaps it should be. Consider the number of cruise lines that evoke thoughts of Northern Europe: Holland America Line. Norwegian Cruise Line. Viking Cruises. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that Northern European cruises are a popular way to see Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Great Britain and more. 

Although Mediterranean Cruises typically support the highest number of passengers in Europe, Northern Europe certainly has its share of visits. In 2019, before the pandemic shutdown, there were 2,687 cruise calls to Scandinavia and the Baltic region, a number that increased significantly in 2022.

Cruising to Northern Europe

Much like Alaska cruises, the cruise season in Northern Europe is fairly short, and primarily encompasses the summer months. High season for Northern Europe is May through September, although you can find the occasional spring, fall, or winter cruise. Popular cruise ports in Northern Europe include cities in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Russia, Estonia, Belgium and Finland.

Summer days are temperate: Average highs are in the upper 60s and low 70s (Fahrenheit) with overnight lows in the mid to low 50s. Summer days are also long, thanks to the region’s latitude. Around the summer solstice, sunset in far-north Helsinki can come close to 11 p.m. and the sun rises once again before 4 a.m. Because of the extended daylight hours, cruises outside of the summer season offer your best opportunity to see the spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), although you may be lucky enough to spot them on a September cruise.

Cruise Destinations in Northern Europe

Northern Lights aside, there are plenty of other reasons to cruise Scandinavia, the Great Britain, and the Baltic states. Iconic architecture is on display in numerous ports. The opulent Winter Palace and onion domes of St. Petersburg contrast starkly with Copenhagen’s quaint and colorful waterfront or Amsterdam’s charming canals and tulip fields. Looking for something a little more historical? The British Isles and Germany are filled with castles– there are said to be more than 4,000 castles remaining in England, while Germany boasts as many as 25,000.

While man-made structures may be popular among tourists, equally as popular is the region’s natural beauty.  Norway’s fjords, formed by ancient glaciers, feature steep, lush, green cliffs and breathtaking waterfalls. Ten of the nation’s most spectacular fjords are regularly visited by cruise ships.  Equally as impressive are the thermal pools, geysers and lava fields you can visit in Iceland, commonly known as “The Land of Fire and Ice.”

While some of the more popular tourist destinations in Northern Europe are inland, they’re not necessarily inaccessible to cruise passengers.  Some cruise lines offer vacation packages with pre- or post-cruise tours. Others offer late nights and overnights in port to allow passengers to see the sights.

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Northern Europe Origin Ports

There are a number of embarkation ports in Northern Europe, which vary between cruise lines. Some include Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Bergen and Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dover and Southampton (England), Kiel and Hamburg (Germany), and Reykjavik (Iceland).  In the transition between the summer and winter sailing seasons, transatlantic repositioning cruises are often available between Northern Europe and U.S. ports like New York/New Jersey and Baltimore.

Major Cruise Lines that Visit Alaska:

Specialty and Luxury Northern Europe Cruises:

  • Atlas Ocean Cruises
  • Azamara
  • Costa Cruises
  • Cunard Line
  • Hurtigruten
  • National Geographic Expeditions
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Scenic
  • Seabourn Cruise Line
  • Silversea Cruises
  • Viking Cruises
  • Windstar Cruises

Ready to Visit Northern Europe?

Sea Vixen Voyages is ready to help you plan your journey to see the towering fjords, ancient castles, or the Winter Palace? Fill out our no-obligation inquiry form and we’ll get started.