Indulge in the Baltics’ steep history, Scandinavia’s Viking heritage, and epic transatlantic voyages. From the Cotswolds of England to the Atlantic coast of Ireland and Scotland’s verdant hills, awaken your senses to the idyllic and picture-perfect British Isles.

Small Ship Luxury Cruises helps to pair you with the perfect small ship or river cruise destination. With our extensive knowledge and experience traveling around the globe, we categorize the best in cruises by season as well as popularity. While we may recommend peak travel opportunities, our team can accommodate any request to travel abroad year-round.

Northern Europe

Luxury Northern Europe Small Ship Cruises

Accented by its medieval castles, fine beaches, and idyllic gardens, the British Isles is a feast for the eyes. Journey through the Baltic region to northern Spain, including city stops in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki. The Fjords of Norway are a great place to retrace the Vikings’ footsteps.

Recommended Luxury Northern Europe Small Cruise Ships

We have hand-selected only the finest Europe cruise ships with the highest standards of personalized service as the basis for crafting your custom-designed European experience.

Baltic & Scandinavian Luxury Cruises

Choose your Northern European Cruise

Norway is home to some of the most scenic fjords and glacier-carved valleys in Europe. From its dramatic western coast, you’ll enjoy epic views of waterfalls and towering sea cliffs as you cruise through idyllic coastal villages and areas where the remains of prehistoric settlements are still visible on rugged headlands. Guided tours will take you to places like Voss, with steep streets lined with wooden homes, or Sognefjord, which boasts the largest vertical drop in Europe (979 meters).

Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia encircle the Baltic Sea and are among the most beautiful countries in the world. Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is located in the Baltic Sea’s Bay of Finland. It has a bustling port with ferry links to Finland and Sweden, as well as bus and train connections to St. Petersburg. Tallinn, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vilnius has 65 churches, the oldest of which is St. Casimir’s. Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture is said to be the world’s largest collection.

The colorful capitals of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway provide the perfect backdrop for your next luxury European getaway. After arriving in Copenhagen, you’ll visit Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, as well as Rosenborg Palace and Amalienborg Palace. Explore Ålesund in Norway, one of the most beautiful towns in Scandinavia with its Art Nouveau architecture and towers backed by the Sunnmøre Alps. Tour the beautiful city center of Stockholm and walk through its narrow, cobblestone streets lined with palaces and mansions that are hundreds of years old.

Behold Scotland – majestic castles and lush greenery, roaring lochs and serene islands, and a host of unique cultural attractions. Admire the historic architectural jewels of Edinburgh, including the famous castle. Take a leisurely walk around Stirling, once the capital of Scotland, and home to some impressive scenery, such as The Wallace Monument. Or visit Glasgow to unwind in the city’s vibrant bars, and clubs, with whisky cocktails on a night out.

Finnish Lapland is a popular destination for those seeking nature-based winter adventures. The region is home to some of the best snowmobiling and reindeer sleigh rides in the world, but it’s also known for its natural phenomena like the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. Finland is one of the world’s most sustainable nations. It has also recently become a global leader in adopting electric vehicles (EVs). Experience its new zero-emissions highway built as a fun and convenient way to travel between Helsinki, one of the world’s happiest cities, and Lahti – a capital city located near Finland’s lakes & mountains.

Best times to visit Northern Europe

Northern Europe, with its four distinct seasons, has a lot to offer all year round. However, spring (May to early June) and fall (September to October) are the best months to explore most of Europe. Days are moderate to temperate for outdoor activities in both spring and fall, with fewer crowds than in the summer.

Northern Europe in winter is beautiful if you can withstand the cold and short days. Even if you’re from a warmer climate, experiencing a Finnish sauna or seeing the Aurora Borealis in Norway is one of the most unique travel experiences you can have.

During the summer, Europe is a popular tourist destination. While it might get hot and crowded, travelers can take advantage of the long daylight hours and pleasant weather when visiting during this time of year.

Why cruise Northern Europe with Small Ship Luxury Cruises?

We get to know you on a personal level so that we can accommodate your preferences, needs, and expectations before we begin planning your ideal European experience.

We work with only the finest European river ships with the highest levels of personalized service. From there, we listen to what you desire and use our insider knowledge to make the best fit for you and your guests.

Our experienced travel concierges plan your European trip from beginning to end, eliminating the time investment and stress so often associated with planning a vacation to a destination as complicated as Europe.

Just tell our Europe concierges about your dream trip to the region and they will assist you with planning every detail of the process.

While Small Ship Luxury Cruises helps you discover the best cruise destinations, our team of travel concierges can coordinate a completely customized itinerary to Europe to accommodate any request. If you don’t see a particular destination or activity highlighted on our website, don’t worry! We would be happy to work with you in curating your one-of-a-kind travel experience.

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