Scandinavian & Nordic Cruises

Northern Europe is a popular holiday destination for so many reasons! It is a region brimming with gorgeous scenery and vibrant cultures, with the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of tours and activities.

From the fjords of Norway to the ice fields of Greenland, and from the world-class museums of Scandinavia to the Celtic heritage of Scotland, there is simply so much to uncover in Northern Europe. Best of all, you can visit the region year-round, with each season offering its own appeal.

Northern Europe is so diverse yet it is very easy to travel around, so you can see more than one country in the same trip. Flight times between destinations are short, although you can also journey by road, rail or cruise for scenic views along the way.

What’s more, the Nordic countries – that’s Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland – regularly rank in the top 10 safest places in the world to visit. This is partly because they generally have low crime rates, good standards of healthcare, and excellent road safety, among other reasons.

Another plus is that most people in the Nordics speak English, which means you can easily interact with the locals if you are an English speaker yourself. In Scotland and Ireland, English is the main language.

You can easily travel around Northern Europe by cruise as there are fast, reliable and efficient links within the region. For example, Scandinavian cruise tours are very popular as they offer you the chance to visit a number of destinations across the Baltic and North Seas.

Cruising in Norway is a great option as you can visit various fjords and explore the country’s coastal landscapes. It’s also a fantastic way to discover the Arctic region, travelling aboard the reputable Hurtigruten cruise vessel.

In Greenland, cruising is the best way to reach remote corners of the country as they cannot be accessed by road. For a real adventure, spend a few days aboard a cruise to marvel at the Ilulissat Icefjord, whale watch in Sisimiut, and see mountains towering above the sea at Maniitsoq.

Some of the top sights in Northern Europe include glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls in Iceland, and fjords, mountains and valleys in Norway. Sweden flaunts lushly forested islands and countryside, while Scotland and Ireland are blessed with dramatic national parks and coastlines.

Find out the best places to visit in Northern Europe with our insider guides:

• The best places to visit in Scandinavia
• The best things to see and do in Norway
• The best places to visit in Iceland
• The best places to visit in Scotland
• The best places to visit in Ireland

There are so many Nordic cruises to choose from, so finding the best one depends on what you want to do and how much time you have.

On Scandinavian cruise tours, you can visit Sweden, Denmark and Norway on the same trip. You could spend a week visiting the three Scandinavian countries, or stay for longer to explore the region at leisure and even incorporate other destinations into your tour.

A Baltic cruise is a great option if you want to experience a mix of Northern European cities and cultures.

Take your pick from various Baltic Sea cruise ports to stop off at. You might like to begin in Helsinki, Finland. You can then hop over to Tallinn, Estonia before sailing to Stockholm, Sweden. You may also wish to consider St Petersburg, Russia, as a port of call.

Alternatively, you could focus on exploring Norway by cruise. The west coast is 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) long, so there is plenty to discover! A Havila or Hurtigruten cruise will take you to glittering fjords and picturesque shorelines, ranging from 2 to 7 days at sea with shore excursions along the way.

How about an adventure to the far north? If you love immersing yourself in wild, remote landscapes, then opt for a Greenland cruise. Greenland is one of the last unexplored frontiers in the world, with its icy tundras, vast glaciers and Arctic wildlife.

Your voyage could whisk you to the hard-to-reach corners of Greenland. Cruise along glacier lagoons to see icebergs calving into the water, spot whales in the sea, and admire mountainous scenery from the water.

On a self-guided tour, you travel independently without a guide or a group. You’re certainly not alone, though, as your dedicated Nordic Visitor travel consultant has arranged everything before your arrival. They provide you with a personalised itinerary complete with tickets, bookings and recommendations.

We have a 24/7 emergency helpline as well, so should anything unexpected arise, we’re only a phone call away.

Each travel season offers different reasons to visit the Norwegian fjords, so there is no “bad time” to go! However we can give you a good idea of what it will be like in Norway at different times of the year, so that you can decide when is best for your trip.

Visit Norway’s fjords in the spring and summer (May to August) for long daylight hours and warmer weather. This is the ideal time to see the fjords surrounded with greenery and to join bird watching or kayaking excursions. You could also experience the midnight sun at the height of summer.

Alternatively, chasing the northern lights in Norway might be on your wish list. Many travellers head to Northern Norway hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive “dancing” aurora borealis.

In which case, we recommend visiting in the autumn and winter, between September and March. You’ll need the right conditions to catch sight of them, such as solar activity, dark skies, and low light pollution. Learn more about the best time and place to see the northern lights in Norway on our blog.

Whether you see the northern lights or not, cruising the Norwegian fjords in winter is ideal if you want to avoid the crowds. The shoulder season (autumn and early spring) is also a good time to go as top attractions are quieter, with fewer visitors compared to the summer.

Whichever time of year you prefer to travel, we have reliable departure dates and there are cruise tours available year-round. You can find out more about the best time to visit Norway on our blog.

Whether you need a visa or not will depend on where you are travelling from. For example, you do not need a visa for a Baltic cruise if you are a citizen of the United Kingdom or USA. For all other nationalities, we recommend getting in touch with your local consulate to check.

It’s also worth mentioning that you can visit St Petersburg without a visa for up to 72 hours if you book a package cruise tour. Usually British and American citizens require a visa for Russia, but booking a Baltic cruise is one of the few exceptions.

In most cases, yes, you can view and select Nordic Visitor arrival dates online. You can always add extra days to your itinerary before or after the cruise.

Yes, you can extend all Nordic Visitor packages with extra days. Every tour can be customised by adding days to the beginning or end of your trip. You can also add extra days within your itinerary if you are travelling on a self-drive or private tour.

For cruises there are fixed departure dates as the vessel must adhere to an itinerary. But of course you can add days before or after your cruise experience. The same applies to small group tours.

We recommend you look over flights for timings and prices, but hold off purchasing until your package has been secured. Once your dedicated travel consultant has introduced themselves and sent over the confirmation email, you will have all of the information you need to pick and purchase flights.

You should always bring sensible layers to add or remove when travelling in Northern Europe. The weather can be unpredictable, so don’t forget to pack:

• A warm jumper or fleece
• A waterproof jacket
• Gloves, scarves and hats
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots
• Warm socks (especially for winter travel)
• Sunscreen (for summer trips)

An umbrella will also come in handy, and cruise passengers may wish to bring binoculars to get a closer look at the fjords and local wildlife.

For a detailed list of what to bring and how to prepare for your trip, read our travel guides for Iceland, Norway, Scotland and Ireland.