Northern Europe Cruises

The Baltic Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean, right in the crook between the Scandinavian Peninsula and the continent's mainland. This North European sea begins in Denmark, with ports of call in Copenhagen, for instance, although the embarkation ports for these cruises are in Kiel, Warnemünde and Southampton. On the west is Sweden, and on the east are Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany. There are ports of call in all of these countries, including Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn or Riga, among many others.

As well as bustling cities, a Baltic cruise will take you to visit picturesque locations, such as the island of Gotland, with a port in the city of Visby; or to Ronne, a small Danish island with picturesque and colourful streets. Discover the hidden wonders of Northern Europe with an MSC cruise.

The best time to go on a Northern European cruise to the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic or the northernmost part of the Atlantic is in late Spring and Summer, seasons when the temperatures range between 22 and 12 degrees Celsius (that would be between 72 and 53F, approximately). Understandably, with such a temperature range, you can wear anything from shorts and a T-shirt to jeans with a hoodie, we recommend you choose a varied wardrobe for your cruise, just in case. Also, even though the precipitation rate is lower in May, June and July, we would still advise you take a raincoat with you, because you might encounter light showers during your cruise. Other Northern Europe cruises going to locations such as Le Havre, Zeebrugge, Ijmuiden, Belfast or Rotterdam are also available in colder months like February, March, November or December, when temperatures may be low enough for you to need a warm coat and winter clothing.

Another detail you might want to consider is that, Northern Europe in June has long daylight hours, especially the northern areas of the Scandinavian Peninsula and Iceland, so remember to pack your sleep mask if you think you'll need it. Go on an adventure with MSC cruises.

This depends on where exactly you’d like to go, and what you would like to do during your holiday. If you are planning to go on a Northern European cruise to the Norwegian fjords, the Baltic or the northernmost part of the Atlantic, the best time of the year is in late Spring and Summer. During these seasons the temperatures range between 22 and 12 degrees Celsius (that would be between 72 and 53F, approximately) and there is plenty of daylight for you to enjoy your visit.

That being said, if you were considering destinations such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, France or the Netherlands, there is a little more margin. MSC Cruises will take you to these locations in November, December, February or March, as well as in the Spring and Summer. As long as you pack the right clothing, any of these times is a great opportunity to discover Northern Europe.

The Baltic Sea is characterised by a marked seasonality, that is, a great difference in the weather depending on the month. Winters are long and cold, while Summers are short and relatively warm, albeit still quite variable. Because the Baltic Sea is located between a milder maritime North Atlantic weather and the harsh continental climate, temperatures and conditions can vary immensely throughout the year. This means summers might be warm and dry due to continental influence, but still with some precipitation. Also, fog and cloudy weather are common in Spring and early Summer.

MSC Cruises go to the Baltic Sea when the weather is best, although you should take into consideration how variable conditions might be when packing your suitcase. Discover a unique part of the world with MSC and find your Baltic cruise for this Summer!

MSC Cruises to Northern Europe head off to different areas. You can choose a cruise that will take you around the British Isles, or the Atlantic coast of the continent, including France, the Netherlands or Germany. If you’d rather go further north, there are cruises that visit Iceland, Greenland, or Norway, where you will be able to see the fjords.

And then, there is the Baltic Sea, located in the crook between the mainland and the Scandinavian and Jutland Peninsulas. The countries you can visit there are, on the west Sweden and Denmark, and on the east Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Explore the North Atlantic, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea with MSC and discover its hidden gems on your next holiday, what are you waiting for?

A Northern Europe cruise can be as long or as short as you want. We have options from 1, 2 or 3 nights to 7, 9, 11 nights or more. For some cruises, such as the Norwegian fjord or Baltic Sea cruises, you will need to choose dates that are available within the months when we go to those areas. If, however, you were thinking more along the lines of a cruise that stopped in France, the Netherlands or the UK, you will have more room to choose, since we have cruises that go there even in some winter months.

Once your dates are set, you can join us for however long you would like, at MSC Cruises we are flexible. You can climb aboard at any moment, either for a long summer holiday with your family, for a short while with friends, or for a romantic getaway with your partner.

Tailor your trip with MSC Cruises and enjoy the best the Baltic Sea, the North Atlantic or the Norwegian fjords, visiting countries such as Sweden, Finland, Iceland or Greenland, and discover all they have to offer this summer, you won’t be disappointed!