Cruise Advice
Northern Europe cruises can include the Baltic, the Norwegian Fjords, North Cape, Iceland, Svalbard and the British Isles, and feature amazing scenery including rugged mountains, stunning fjordlands, and beautiful lakes and forests. Northern Europe's rich history and heritage can be explored in medieval towns, lavish palaces, Viking burial mounds, churches in all shapes and sizes, crenulated castles and breathtaking art collections. These are the best Northern Europe cruises for 2025 & 2026...
We are fortunate to have such rich cruising areas right on our doorstep: luxury cruises to Northern Europe tend often sail from UK ports such as Dover or Southampton, or from Stockholm or Copenhagen, or maybe Bergen for the Norwegian Fjords and North Cape, just a short flight away. We will help you select the right itinerary for you depending on your preferences: breathtaking scenery, wildlife, history, culture, or art and architecture. Read on for our favourite options…
Windstar
Windstar's lovely Star Legend accommodates a maximum of just 312 guests, and departs Copenhagen for a 10-night sailing departing on 22 July 2026 ending in Edinburgh. You'll visit some of the highlights of Norway's fjordland, including stunning Geirangerfjord, Olden and Bergen.
Formerly operated by Seabourn, this popular little ship enjoys a friendly and casual ambience that so delights those guests who prefer a smaller vessel. There's a choice of restaurants, comfortable lounges, and plenty of deck space with refined yet comfortable evenings and a friendly and welcoming crew.
Regent
Regent Seven Seas Cruises' latest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, sails around the UK and Ireland round-trip from Southampton in June 2026, with the chance to visit historic Invergordon, also the jumping off point for the Scottish Highlands; go city slicking in Dublin; and explore Scotland's lovely capital, cosmopolitan Edinburgh.
An alternative British Isles voyage operates in August 2026 on Seven Seas Voyager and mixes in calls to Iceland as well as calling at Belfast, Cork and the remote Faroe Isles.
Scenic Ocean Cruises
For a chance to try out an expedition ship on a classic cruise itinerary, look no further than Scenic Ocean Cruises, whose second luxury yacht, the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse II, will operate a lovely 12-night itinerary from Stockholm to Copenhagen on 12 August 2026 visiting some of the Baltic's most-loved cities including Tallin and Riga.
Or, if you're looking ahead to 2027 why not opt for the 10-night cruise on 5 June 2027 from Edinburgh to Bergen that also includes the fjords? This stunning ship, with its spacious accommodation and fantastic dining options, is an excellent choice for a more adventurous small ship cruise, with lovely indoor and outdoor space and a huge spa.
Silversea
In summer 2026 Silversea's 596-guest ship Silver Dawn and 608-guest Silver Spirit offer a selection of Northern Europe options, most of which sail between Copenhagen and Stockholm or on Copenhagen round-trips, with plenty of time to explore ashore.
Sail among the Norwegian Fjords and Baltic cities such as on the 21 June Copenhagen round-trip 10-day sailing on Dawn, before returning to your stylish home from home for relaxed elegance and plenty of dining options including the fabulous S.A.L.T. programme.
Crystal
Crystal's spacious Crystal Symphony or Serenity, with plenty of dining choices, outstanding service and lots to do on board make them a perfect choice for a Northern Europe cruise.
For a last-minute departure the 7 September 2025 departure sails from Liverpool to Reykjavik and explores Scotland with calls in to the Faroe Islands and Iceland, or for next summer we like the nine- or 19-night Southampton departures on 7 July that sails to Copenhagen with the chance to explore vibrant Rotterdam and eclectic Hamburg, or the longer version includes Norway's charming Bergen and the Scottish isles before ending in Liverpool.
Ponant
Finally, for something utterly unique, Ponant's pioneering icebreaker, the 200-guest Le Commandant Charcot has highly unusual winter 26/27 cruises that sail on Helsinki round-trips.
Take in the beauty of winter in the Baltic's historic cities with their cobblestone streets, Christmas markets and museums, palaces and galleries, returning to the luxuries and impressive technology of Le Commandant Charcot.
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Best Northern Europe Cruises for 2025 & 2026
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Landmarks Of Lisbon & Lorient
From Barcelona to Dover
5 Jul - 19 Jul 2026 (14 Nights)
From £7,979 per guest
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Icelandic Rhapsody
From Belfast to Reykjavik
5 Jul - 12 Jul 2026 (7 Nights)
From £10,329 per guest
Ponant Explorations
Icelandic mosaic
From Reykjavik to Reykjavik
6 Jul - 13 Jul 2026 (7 Nights)
From £7,220 per guest
Ponant Explorations
Islands and cities, from the North Sea to the Baltic
From Fredrikstad to Helsinki
6 Jul - 16 Jul 2026 (10 Nights)
From £9,450 per guest
Windstar Cruises
Around Iceland
From Reykjavik to Reykjavik
6 Jul - 13 Jul 2026 (7 Nights)
From £3,512 per guest
Crystal Cruises
Southampton (London) to Copenhagen
From Southampton to Copenhagen
7 Jul - 16 Jul 2026 (9 Nights)
From £4,540 per guest
Crystal Cruises
Southampton to Liverpool
From Southampton to Liverpool
7 Jul - 26 Jul 2026 (19 Nights)
From £9,710 per guest
Crystal Cruises
Southampton (London) to Hamburg
From Southampton to Hamburg
7 Jul - 12 Jul 2026 (5 Nights)
From £4,000 per guest
Silversea Cruises
Longyearbyen to Tromsø
From Longyearbyen to Tromsø
8 Jul - 17 Jul 2026 (9 Nights)
From £11,800 per guest
Scenic Ocean Cruises
Wine & Culinary Delights of Spain, Portugal and France
From Málaga to Bordeaux
9 Jul - 20 Jul 2026 (11 Nights)
From £12,861 per guest
Scenic Ocean Cruises
Ultimate Tastes of Europe: Málaga to London
From Málaga to London (Greenwich)
9 Jul - 31 Jul 2026 (22 Nights)
From £26,470 per guest
Ponant Explorations
Wild lands of Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland
From Glasgow to Reykjavik
9 Jul - 20 Jul 2026 (11 Nights)
From £10,230 per guest
