From expedition cruises to short hops between colourful ports, a cruise holiday provides an excellent way to explore the long, fjord-riven coastlines and remote islands of Scandinavia and the Nordics. In winter, there's the chance to experience the dancing technicolour of the Northern Lights from the water, while in summer, you might take in the beauty of Norway's fjords, spot whales off the coast of Iceland or get really remote among the icebergs and glaciers of Greenland or Svalbard.
Norway coastal cruises
Trips along the length of Norway’s coast are especially popular, taking in historic towns and spectacular fjords alike. For instance, on Havila's classic northbound journey, you'll set sail from Bergen with its gabled wooden buildings and UNESCO-listed wharf-side, before calling into Ålesund’s Art Nouveaux buildings and Trondheim where the gothic Nidaros Cathedral houses the Norwegian crown jewels. Then, cross the Arctic Circle to move through the Lofoten Islands to the North Cape – Europe’s most northerly point – before finishing in far-flung Kirkenes.
In the summer months, you can even sail right into the spectacular Geirangerfjord whose deep blues are hemmed in on both sides by towering crystalline rock walls, traced by tumbling waterfalls. And, come the colder months, the clear winter skies and long nights offer the best chance of spotting the stunning aurora borealis. If you’d like to discover more of Norway’s spectacular northern scenery, look to Spitsbergen where excursions take you out to Barentsburg, Pyramiden or the Tempelfjorden.
Ocean & Expedition Cruising
Aside from those classic coastal and Baltic cruises which are unique to the region, there's also a wide range of luxury and expeditionary cruise options to choose from, taking in everywhere from the Norwegian Fjords to the remotest corners of Svalbard, Iceland and Greenland. Among our favourites are Swan Hellenic, Silversea and HX Hurtigruten, not least for their small ships, exceptional standards of service, dining and accommodation, and their curated range of shore excursions designed to bring guests up close to the region's spectacular history, culture and nature.
Baltic cruises
Cruises also offer unique way of tying together some of the region’s best-loved cities. On our popular Baltic cruise, start out with Stockholm’s fine gastronomy and cultural gems before heading to Helsinki, whose town squares and neoclassical buildings are host to Finland’s largest art collection and the Lutheran cathedral that looks out over the city. From here, it’s possible to catch a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn. The Estonian capital is an exciting mix of medieval buildings and contemporary character.
