Northern Europe is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. Comprising the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia), the Nordic nations (Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden), and the British Isles (the United Kingdom and Ireland), Northern Europe is all about dramatic landscapes, interesting cultures, historical cities, and some unique experiences. Cruising is one of the best ways to enjoy the different offerings of this area. Cruising allows you to explore all these places in one holiday, without the need to pack and unpack multiple times and take innumerable flights. While Northern European cruises begin from any of the countries mentioned above, the UK’s London is the most popular spot for departure. The world-class cruise ports and the exceptional infrastructure are reasons why London is the preferred point of departure for Northern Europe cruises. Here is everything you need to know about planning a Northern Europe cruise from London.
1. Choosing Your Cruise Type
The first thing to do is choose the type of cruise you want for your Northern Europe cruise holiday. The following are some factors you need to consider while making this decision.
Duration of the Cruise
Gone are the days when cruises were long voyages where you would be on the ship for a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Today’s cruises range from a few days to a few weeks. You can choose one based on your requirements and availability.
- Short Cruises: Short cruises last 5-7 days and usually include Norwegian fjords and a few cities in Western Europe. These cruises are apt for first-timers who want to get a taste of the place. These cruises will work for you if you are short on time.
- Medium Cruises: Medium cruises are more extensive and run for 8-12 days. Their itineraries usually include Scandinavia, Baltic cities, and other important ports of Northern Europe.
- Extended Cruises: If you want to explore Northern Europe in detail, an extended cruise would be your best bet. These cruises last for two weeks or more. During this cruise, you will visit the Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia, and Baltic capitals, along with countries along the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans like Greenland, Iceland, and sometimes Russia.
Size of the Ship and Experiences
The next thing to decide on is the size of the ship, as this would greatly influence your cruise. You must choose a cruise starting from London that matches your expectations.
- Large Ships: Large ships have the space to accommodate more than 3000 people and are packed with amenities and activities. You will also have plenty of food options and entertainment avenues. The cost per person is also less on these ships. But large ships can be crowded with long waiting lines. Large ships are usually preferred by families who want access to a large number of activities.
- Small Ships: Small ships offer a more exclusive experience. With a capacity to hold less than 1000 people, small ships are great for a more intimate cruise experience. These ships will take you to smaller, less crowded ports and give you a more personalized experience. The downside of these ships is that the cost would be higher. Moreover, the onboard amenities and entertainment options would also be fewer. These are perfect for couples on a romantic holiday who want more privacy.
- Medium-Size Ships: Between large and small ships are the medium-sized ones, where you can enjoy the best of both worlds. These ships can accommodate anywhere 1000 to 3000 people and have higher service levels. There would be plenty of entertainment options, although you may not be able to enjoy Broadway-like shows, theme parks, and sports venues. These are usually perfect for those looking for a relaxed and peaceful holiday.
One-Way Cruise vs. Round-Trip Cruise
You can choose between a one-way cruise and a round-trip cruise, depending on your requirements and travel plans.
- One-Way Cruise: This cruise will begin in London or UK port but end in another country in Northern Europe, like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, etc. Here, you can disembark at the final port and continue exploring the place and the nearby areas.
- Round-Trip Cruise: In this case, boarding and disembarkation happen in the same port in London. This option is easier when you consider transportation and other logistics.
2. Best Time to Cruise in Northern Europe
Choosing the right time is the next step in planning a cruise holiday. To enhance your Northern Europe cruise experience, it is extremely crucial to choose the right time that aligns with your expectations.
Peak Season for Cruising in Northern Europe
May to September is the perfect time to cruise in Northern Europe, according to the climate. May is the end of spring season while June to August is summer, and September marks the beginning of autumn.
- The climate in Northern Europe is mild and pleasant during these months, making it perfect for outdoor exploration. Apart from this, this part of the continent has longer daylight hours during this time of the year.
- The port cities in the Northern Europe belt are completely open during these months. All the attractions and activities are open to the public during this season.
- Port cities in Northern Europe belt host interesting festivals during these months, including cultural events, religious festivals, and harvest festivals.
- In the northernmost part of Northern Europe, you will witness the Midnight Sun, as these places enjoy more than 12 hours of sunlight during summer.
Important Note: As these months are quite popular for cruising, expect high prices and a lot of crowds on cruises.
Shoulder Seasons
Shoulder seasons are also a good time to explore Northern Europe while cruising. April is the beginning of the spring season, and October is autumn in this area.
- Northern Europe’s spring and autumn landscapes are stunning, something you should not miss.
- Cruise rates are lower during this time of the year, and you can enjoy a luxurious cruise without paying the usual rate.
- Cruising during shoulder seasons is less crowded, as people mostly prefer summers for cruising. This is a good tip to avoid crowds on your cruise ship.
Important Note: It is possible that several of the ports and activities may remain closed during this season due to cold weather. You must check the availability of the places before you opt for a Northern Europe cruise itinerary.
Winter Season
Winters are generally not preferred for cruising, as almost all of Northern Europe faces extreme winters. But this is also the best time to cruise to see the Northern Lights. Cruises sailing to Arctic Norway between October and March give you the chance to enjoy the beautiful aurora borealis (Northern lights).
Important Note: Not many cruises sail in Northern Europe during winter. The ones available are usually smaller cruises. If you sail during this season, be prepared to face extreme cold, unpredictable climate, fewer port stops, shorter days, and closed attractions and activities. But the sight of the snowy wintery landscapes is worth it.
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3. Cruise Lines Offering Northern Europe Cruises from London
Once you have decided on the type of cruise you want to go on and the season that is right for you, the next step is to choose the cruise line. There are several cruise lines that offer Northern Europe cruises starting from London. Let us check the most important and popular ones, which will help you in choosing the right cruise.
Royal Caribbean Cruise
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Departure Port: Southampton (Near London)
Ship Names: Independence of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, etc.
- Royal Caribbean offers plenty of short, medium, and extended cruises to Northern Europe. In fact, the shortest cruise lasts for two nights.
- The cruises of Royal Caribbean cover places like Spain, Norwegian Fjords, Greenland, France, Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, and more. Royal Caribbean also offers cruise from London to Iceland.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises are family-friendly cruises that offer activities, amenities, and entertainment for people of all age groups. Their cruises have water parks, sports arenas, mini golf areas, pool parties, outdoor movie nights, and much more. There are kids’ and adults’ clubs to keep everyone engaged and entertained.
- When it comes to food, you can enjoy casual dining, dining in, bars, lounges, and specialty dining. Be it Italian, Turkish, Japanese, or English cuisine, you will find a wide variety of cuisines here.
Norwegian Cruise Line
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Departure Port: Southampton (Near London)
Ship Names: Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star, etc.
- Norwegian Cruise Line offers medium to extended cruises in Northern Europe. Most cruises last for 11 days or more.
- These cruises cover all the important North European cruise destinations, such as England, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, and more.
- Norwegian Cruises are targeted towards families, although there are plenty of activities and attractions for adults.
- Norwegian cruise ships have aqua parks, kids’ clubs, adventure activities, sports, games, and lots more.
- Entertainment onboard comes in the form of dance performances, live music concerts, standup comedy, etc.
- Norwegian Cruises offer freestyle dining, specialty dining, and complimentary dining. The restaurants here offer BBQ, French, Japanese, Mexican, Spanish, Thai, and Italian cuisines. The ships also have numerous bars and lounges as well.
MSC Cruises
Departure Port: Southampton (Near London)
Ship Names: MSC Poesia, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Euribia, MSC Preziosa, etc.
- MSC Cruises’ London cruises from Northern Europe range from short-term cruises to long-term. From 2-night cruises to more than 18-night cruises, there are several itineraries.
- Depending on the itinerary you choose, you will visit some of the most interesting port cities like Rotterdam, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Paris, Amsterdam, Lisbon, etc. You will also find cruises that take you on a journey of the Norwegian fjords.
- MSC Cruises offers cruise packages and itineraries for everyone, right from honeymooning couples to families. The ships of MSC Cruises are also apt for celebrating special occasions like birthdays, weddings, engagement parties, and more.
- Families can participate in family excursions, family dining experiences, kids’ clubs, family activities, babies and toddler services, and even a fun LEGO experience.
- MSC Cruises are packed with activities and entertainment. You can attend amazing shows, take part in adventurous activities, indulge in some luxury retail therapy, watch movies, try your luck at the casino, play at the arcade, and enjoy movie time at 4D Cinemas.
- A lot of importance is given to food on MSC Cruises. The main dining hall serves a wide range of food choices, right from Mediterranean cuisine to international delicacies. There are also specialty restaurants, children’s dining experiences, and day & night bars.
Silversea Cruises
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Departure Port: London Tower Bridge, Southampton (Near London)
Ship Name: Silver Dawn, Silver Shadow, Silver Endeavour, Silver Spirit, and Silver Wind
- Silversea Cruises have short and long cruises that cater to different requirements. You can sail on these cruises for a few days or weeks.
- Silversea Cruises caters mostly to adults, both solo cruisers and couples, on a romantic holiday. It is one of the best cruises in Europe for a luxury experience.
- Most of the activities and attractions on Silversea Cruises cater to adults. You will hardly find any activities for babies and children on these cruises.
- The entire ship and its indoor areas are the epitome of luxury and sophistication and are designed to cater to adults. You will find world-class spas and fitness centers, luxury boutiques, wide open spaces, and intimate spaces on the cruise.
- Entertainment options include a well-stocked library, interactive and board games, themed dance parties, fantastic dance shows, karaoke evenings, movie nights, and more.
- Dining on Silversea Cruises is an experience in itself. The restaurants here are beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated. Moreover, they serve delicious food. You will get to taste a variety of cuisines, including Asian, Italian, French, and more.
Cunard
Departure Port: Southampton (Near London)
Ship Name: Queen Mary 2, Queen Anne
- Northern Europe cruises from London or Southampton last 7-14 days. These cruises cover places like Norwegian fjords as well as ports in Scotland, Ireland, and Baltic ports.
- Apart from an interesting range of cruise ports, Cunard also offers plenty of onboard activities and amenities.
- There is no dearth of entertainment and activities on Cunard cruises. Live bands, dance performances, music concerts, classical concerts, sporting activities, etc., are a few things you can enjoy onboard.
- Cunard Cruises are great for families as they offer a lot of activities and attractions for kids and teens. Kids’ Zone, The Play Zone, The Teen Zone, etc., are some of the sections exclusively for children. The ships also have a Night Nursery, where the kids can sleep safely while you explore the night entertainment activities on the cruise.
- The four main dining restaurants in Cunard are Queens Grill, Britannia Club Restaurant, Princess Grill, and Britannia Restaurant. Apart from this, there are casual dining restaurants and alternative restaurants here. You can also have traditional and champagne afternoon tea experiences here.
Some other cruises that offer North European cruise itineraries from London include Ambassador Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, Princess Cruises, etc. All the cruise lines mentioned here also offer innumerable cruises from Europe.
Conclusion
The main advantage of cruising from London is that you can explore the city before or after your cruise holiday (if you choose a round-trip cruise). Plan your holiday in such a way that you can enjoy the beautiful sights and attractions of London along with your cruise holiday in Northern Europe.
