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Cruises to Northern Europe

Norwegian fjords and Baltic capitals reward a comfortable, well-run ship for the long scenic sea days. Here are the ships sailing Northern Europe, ranked by our Vessel Class grade.

See all Northern Europe sailings →
◆Which ship is right for you◆
Top of the class
Viking Saturn
This Mid-size ship from Viking Ocean Cruises leads every Northern Europe vessel on our grade.
Best for families
Icon of the Seas
The top-graded Northern Europe ship that earns our family tag on its own data.
Small-ship pick
Seven Seas Splendor
The best-graded ship under 750 guests sailing Northern Europe.
◆Best ships sailing Northern Europe◆
#4
Viking Saturn
Viking Ocean Cruises · Luxury
Mid-size ship (930 guests) · new in 2023 · Great food · Great service · New ship
Vessel
4.6Reviews
#14
Seven Seas Splendor
Regent Seven Seas Cruises · Ultra-luxury
Small ship (746 guests) · Great food · Great service · New ship
Vessel
4.0Reviews
#21
Queen Elizabeth
Cunard Line · Luxury
Large resort ship (2,092 guests) · refit 2023 · Great service · Just refreshed
Vessel
3.7Reviews
#24
Vista
Oceania Cruises · Luxury
Mid-size ship (1,200 guests) · new in 2023 · Great food · Great service · New ship
Vessel
4.4Reviews
#28
Marina
Oceania Cruises · Luxury
Mid-size ship (1,250 guests) · refit 2024 · Great food · Just refreshed · Spacious
Vessel
3.9Reviews
#34
Mein Schiff 6
TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff) · Premium
Large resort ship (2,534 guests) · Loved by travelers
Vessel
4.4Reviews
#35
Sonata
Oceania Cruises · Luxury
Mid-size ship (1,390 guests) · new in 2027 · Great food · Great service · New ship
Vessel
—Reviews
#49
Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International · Contemporary
Large resort ship (5,610 guests) · new in 2023 · Lots to do · New ship · Great for families
Vessel
3.7Reviews
#52
MSC Divina
MSC Cruises · Contemporary
Large resort ship (3,502 guests) · Lots to do
Vessel
3.4Reviews
#57
MSC Seashore
MSC Cruises · Contemporary
Large resort ship (4,540 guests) · New ship
Vessel
2.9Reviews
#63
Carnival Jubilee
Carnival Cruise Line · Contemporary
Large resort ship (5,282 guests) · new in 2023 · Lots to do · New ship
Vessel
3.5Reviews
#69
Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Cruises · Premium
Large resort ship (2,850 guests) · refit 2026 · Just refreshed
Vessel
4.1Reviews
#74
Carnival Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line · Contemporary
Large resort ship (5,282 guests) · new in 2022 · Lots to do · New ship
Vessel
3.3Reviews
#79
MSC Bellissima
MSC Cruises · Contemporary
Large resort ship (4,500 guests) · New ship
Vessel
3.2Reviews
#86
Viking Vesta
Viking Ocean Cruises · Luxury
Mid-size ship (998 guests) · new in 2025 · Great food · Great service · New ship
Vessel
4.7Reviews
◆Ports you’ll visit◆
Gdańsk
Amber capital; Solidarity history.
Heads up: 'Gdańsk' calls usually dock in Gdynia; the old town is 45-60 min away.
Tallinn
Fairy-tale medieval old town.
Helsinki
Design capital by Suomenlinna fortress.
Heads up: Most cruise quays need a tram or shuttle; only South Harbour is walkable.
Stockholm
A city on 14 islands.
Heads up: Some big ships use Nynäshamn instead, a full hour from Stockholm.
Visby
Rose-covered Hanseatic ruin town.
Flåm
Fjord village with the mountain railway.
Bergen
Hanseatic Bryggen wharf.
Geiranger
UNESCO fjord with Seven Sisters falls.
Heads up: Often a tender port; the famous viewpoints need a bus up the switchbacks.
Ålesund
Art nouveau town across islands.
Stavanger
White old town; gateway to Pulpit Rock.
Reykjavík
Heimaey Island
◆When to go◆
Northern Europe sails May to August, built around the long northern daylight. June and July give you the mildest weather and near-midnight sun in the fjords; May and August are quieter shoulders. The season is short — ships redeploy by autumn.
Aug 202612 sailingsSep 202614 sailingsOct 20268 sailingsNov 20269 sailingsDec 20266 sailingsJan 20276 sailingsApr 20291 sailingsApr 20271 sailingsJun 20287 sailingsJul 20264 sailingsJul 202710 sailingsAug 202810 sailingsMay 20276 sailingsAug 20278 sailingsSep 20274 sailingsSep 20284 sailingsJun 20276 sailingsJul 20288 sailingsMay 20285 sailingsApr 20284 sailings
◆Common questions◆
When is the best time to cruise Northern Europe?

Northern Europe sails May to August, built around the long northern daylight. June and July give you the mildest weather and near-midnight sun in the fjords; May and August are quieter shoulders. The season is short — ships redeploy by autumn.

How long are Northern Europe cruises?

The Northern Europe sailings CruiseIndex tracks run 5 to 78 nights.

Which ports do Northern Europe cruises visit?

Tracked Northern Europe itineraries call at Gdańsk, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, Visby and Flåm.

What is the best cruise ship in Northern Europe?

Viking Saturn (Viking Ocean Cruises) currently holds the region's top Vessel Class grade, #4 in our fleet-wide ranking.

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Lines sailing Northern EuropeAIDA CruisesCarnival Cruise LineCelebrity CruisesCosta CruisesCunard LineDisney Cruise LineHolland America LineMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LineOceania CruisesPrincess CruisesRegent Seven Seas CruisesRoyal Caribbean InternationalTUI Cruises (Mein Schiff)Viking Ocean Cruises

Vessel Class and Review Score scores are live and real. Fares shown on sailing pages are preview samples until the live fare feed arrives.