Northern Europe
A cruise through Northern Europe is a terrific way to experience some of the continent’s most sophisticated cities, scenic coastal regions, and less-populated islands — whether you opt to learn about Scandinavian culture in the Baltic or explore serene landscapes in the British Isles.
A Baltic Sea itinerary will visit some of Scandinavia and Northern Europe's most iconic cities, giving you time to soak in the history, sights, and modern style of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki, as well as Tallinn, Estonia. Copenhagen and Stockholm are the most common departure points for this route, while some lines launch from Southampton, England. If you choose a longer cruise of 10-14 nights, additional ports may include Riga, Latvia; Gdansk, Poland; and Warnemunde, Germany, the closest cruise port to Berlin.
"Island cruising" may typically bring to mind the sunny ports of the Caribbean or Mediterranean, but the British Isles offer something equally enjoyable: small coastal towns with tons of charm and land adventures that include everything from tours of castles and gardens to drinks at a local pub. The season spans the warmer months between April and October, and most British Isles cruises are seven to 14 nights and sail from Southampton, England. Itineraries focus on ports in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, with some going farther to Iceland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and northern France.
What We Love
Regional Flavors: From Stockholm’s fresh shrimp salad to Copenhagen’s pork sausages and smorrebrod open-face sandwiches, and Helsinki’s rye sourdough bread to Tallinn’s honey beer, the Baltic is filled with must-try local favorites. Meanwhile, the British Isles serve up culinary specialties that may be more familiar — yes, fish ‘n chips in England but also scrambled eggs with smoked salmon in Scotland and lamb stew in Ireland.
Literary and Music Culture: Some of the world’s most respected writers from the 1800s to today resided in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including Charles Dickens, James Joyce, and William Wordsworth. Many of their homes are open to visitors or have been made into museums. In Scandinavia, Copenhagen’s colorful Nyhavn district was where fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen once lived and modern Stockholm was the setting for 20th-century novelist Stig Larssen’s popular Millennium Trilogy (which began with “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”). Music lovers can also delve into the lives of their favorite bands, with a U2 walking tour in Dublin, a visit to the ABBA Museum in Stockholm, or the monument to composer Jean Sibelius in Helsinki.