When is the best time of year to take a Northern Europe cruise?

The summer months (June-August) are the mildest, offering more comfortable cruising conditions at the cost of being the busier "summer vacation" period. However, if it's the magic of the Northern Lights you wish to see, cruise between October and April: you'll have to wrap up extra warm, but the sight is worth it.

What countries does Cunard visit in Northern Europe?

Cunard currently visits Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Belgium, France, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Lithuania, and Estonia. Discover these exciting destinations and the ports waiting to be explored on our dedicated ports page .

Sunset at the City Hall in Hamburg, Germany; Shutterstock ID 759070498; Invoice Number: -

Cruises to Northern Europe

Our Northern Europe cruises introduce you to welcoming towns and cities, many with intriguing medieval roots. You can also explore dramatic Scandinavian landscapes of geysers, fjords and glaciers under summer’s Midnight Sun.

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Featured Northern Europe cruises

Northern Europe Cruises Special Offers

Enjoy our limited-time offers on our Northern Europe cruises. Whether you choose to sail through the dramatic fjords or venture on a timeless voyage to Hamburg, a European voyage aboard a Cunard Queen promises unforgettable moments.

Your Northern Europe questions answered

Northern Europe destinations

Copenhagen, Denmark

Founded in the 12th century, Copenhagen is strikingly modern and richly traditional in equal measure, bringing you the ramparts of Hamlet’s Elsinore along with the latest in Scandinavian design style.

Explore Copenhagen

Gothenburg, Sweden

Sweden's second city is a pleasant whirl of parks and canals, and proud maritime traditions. The grand Maritime Museum celebrates this, and even its modern opera house resembles a classic ocean liner.

Explore Gothenburg

Andalsnes, Norway

Not far from the idyllic Andalsnes, you’ll locate a unique curiosity: the “Troll Wall,” which features immense grassy cliffs forming Europe's highest vertical mountain face. An amazing natural wonder.

Explore Andalsnes

Oslo, Norway

Oslo is the oldest and least populous capital in all Scandinavia, with superb theaters, great cafés, and excellent shopping, as well as a magnificent selection of churches, palaces, parks and museums.

Explore Oslo

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, enjoys a wonderful setting of high hills, sea lough, and river valley. Founded in the 17th century, the city prospered to become a world-leading industrial center.

Overcoming much of its recent political turbulence, Belfast has emerged as a vibrant destination of beautiful Victorian buildings, stylish boutiques, and charming old pubs.

Explore Belfast

Ísafjörður, Iceland

Few regions are as wild and unspoiled as Iceland’s Westfjords. The landscape is dramatic and approaching by sea offers the perfect chance to absorb the scenery before setting foot on land.

Embrace local life in Ísafjörður town or visit the charming nearby village of Flateyri. Further afield you can sail to Vigur, home to Iceland’s last remaining windmill, where time has seemingly stood still.

Explore Ísafjörður

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Northern Europe shore experiences

Frederiksborg castle, Hillerod, Denmark, Dec 12, 2016, The palace was built in Dutch Renaissance style by King Christian 4 in the 17th century.; Shutterstock ID 540125302; Invoice Number: -

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Be inspired

Northern Europe is a place of ancient myths, stunning scenery, and breathtaking adventure. Here are some of our favorite places to visit, presented to you for exploration from home.

A Lofoten island escape

Found well within the Arctic Circle, these Norwegian islands are home to soaring mountain peaks, charming fishing villages, and exciting Viking history.

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Starry, starry night

Join John Maclean, astronomer and award-winning astrophotographer, on an exploration of the sought-after sights of the mysterious aurora borealis.

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An Icelandic odyssey

Explore a land of fire and ice, of thundering waterfalls and dense forest, mirrored lakes, and snow-capped mountains. Iceland is truly a land of legend.

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Frequently asked questions about Northern Europe cruises

The Icelandic city of Reykjavik, the colorful Norwegian town of Bergen and the culture-rich cities of Copenhagen and Helsinki are all near the top of any destination list for this region. Also notable are the Faroe and Lofoten Islands: both are scatters of largely untouched land with small villages and stunning views, but each have their own distinct identities. Finally, if you venture further northwards and into the Arctic Circle, you may glimpse one of the most famous sights of all: the Northern Lights. The deck of a Cunard Queen is the perfect place to view such a spectacle.

If you're visiting the region in the summer, be sure to pack light layers, as the weather can be very variable. Don't forget your umbrella or waterproof jacket as rain isn't uncommon. The temperature on board remains pleasant all year round, so you can still bring your finery for those Gala evenings. In the winter months, bring plenty of warm clothes, plus hat, scarf and waterproof, as the weather can be quite cold, and still wet. No matter when you visit, comfortable shoes are a must for exploring ship and shore.

At the time of writing, we currently have itineraries sailing to these ports. However our bookable itineraries do change, so keep checking our cruises to see if we visit your favorite locations. You can also read more about our ports on our dedicated page.

The British Isles: Donegal (from Killybegs) and Dublin (Ireland); Bass Rock, Isle of May, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Lerwick (Scotland); South Cornwall (England); St Peter Port (Guernsey).

Denmark: Aarhus, Bornholm, Copenhagen, Elsinore.

Sweden: Gothenburg, Visby.

Finland: Helsinki.

The Netherlands: Amsterdam.

Belgium: Bruges.

France: Cherbourg.

Poland: Gdynia.

Germany: Hamburg, Kiel.

Lithuania: Klaipeda.

Russia: St Petersburg.

Estonia: Tallinn.

Iceland: Akureyri, Eijafjordur, Isafjordur, Reykjavik.

Faroe Islands: Torshavn.

Norway: Ålesund, Kristiansand, Leknes (Lofoten Islands), Narvik, Nordfjordeid, Olden, Oslo, Tromso, Trondheim, Andalsnes, Bergen, Bodo, Flaam, Geiranger, Haugesund.

Lillesand, Norway - November 7, 2017: Ulvoysund, ocean and old houses on the Ytre Ulvoya in evening light.; Shutterstock ID 785910754; Invoice Number: -

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