If you’re heading to Northern Europe, you may be dreaming of high tea, ancient castles and quaint villages. Or perhaps you envision sophisticated cities with gourmet restaurants, art museums and shopping. What might surprise you, though, is just how untamed this region becomes the farther north you go, with landscapes shaped by prehistoric forces of nature and sights you won’t see anywhere else on earth.
Volcanoes smolder in Iceland, goliath fjords abound in Sweden, giant cliffs tumble into Ireland’s rough seas, forests become frozen in Finland, glaciers pierce French wilderness, towering mountains and fields of waterfalls mark Norway, and serrated mountains soar in Scotland. Witnessing these natural wonders provides a wonderful contrast with Northern Europe’s historic sites and cultured urban experiences.
All told, Windstar has 40 Northern Europe itineraries starting with the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Ireland. Continuing east, destinations include France, Belgium and the Netherlands, while to the north they incorporate the Baltic Sea countries of Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, along with the Nordic nations of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Greenland.
If you’d like a precise focus centering on just one Northern European country, consider Endless Days in Norway, or Belgium: A Sweet Getaway. Should you prefer a wider-ranging itinerary, many of our Northern Europe voyages connect two, three or four countries. For example, the 25-day Fjords and Fire pairs Britain and the Nordics.
There’s also an epic 80-day Grand Europe Adventure, which docks in 20 European nations. What better ship for such a dream trip than Star Legend, an intimate all-suite yacht which serves just 312 guests, and has a gym, spa, infinity pool, two bars, on-deck hot tubs, and 24-hour room service.
Each Northern Europe itinerary can be tailored to personal tastes by selecting from a trove of day excursions: sea kayaking in Finland, seafood cooking lessons in Estonia, or exploring World War II history in Poland. Check out scenic helicopter flights in Norway, castle explorations in Scotland, and volcano trekking in Iceland. Such variety ensures each itinerary can cater to a diverse range of guests. In fact, many ports on this voyage have 10 or more such excursions to choose from.
Deciding which Northern Europe voyage to take is part of the fun. As the region grows in popularity, there are more options than ever before. We’ll help you choose with our Passport guide.
Best for First-Time Northern Europe Travelers? Start Short
If you’ve never been to any part of Northern Europe — and/or you are new to cruise travel — try a shorter cruise (ten days or less). Other itineraries last from 10 days to almost three weeks. What’s great about Seven Gems of the Baltic is that, in seven days, you get an overview of major cities in the region.
Why?
It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short time without the hassle of packing and unpacking. And the itinerary incorporates a lot of lesser-known cities in addition to marquee urban destinations.
You will visit three of Northern Europe’s most dynamic cities — Stockholm, Copenhagen and Helsinki — along with Poland’s Gdansk, Estonia’s Tallinn, Denmark’s Bornholm and Latvia’s Ventspil.
Highlights
With an itinerary that starts in Stockholm and ends in Copenhagen, consider adding a few days pre- and post-cruise in those dynamic cities, truly two of the most charming in Europe. In Stockholm, favorite parts of the city, which stretches over 14 islands connected by 57 bridges, include the ancient old town of Gamla Stan, dating back to the 13th century, and Sweden’s Royal Palace. In the lively neighborhood of Djurgårdsvägen, you’ll find Grona Lund, a fabulous amusement park with rides, restaurants and music; ABBA, the Museum, which features exhibits and films of live performances, and probably the most important, the Vasa Museum. It celebrates a 17th century warship that actually sank on its way out of the archipelago. The Royal National City Park is here, too.
Beyond Stockholm, Helsinki has a burgeoning design culture (Marimekko is based in Finland), a beautiful harbor, with daytrips by ferry to the Suomenlinna Island fortress. Go kayaking in the Finnish archipelago, shop in one-of-a-kind boutiques downtown, and sip coffee and people-watch along its central, tree-lined and art-inspired Esplanade. Gdansk, known for its amber trade, is Poland’s most important port city. It was rebuilt after World War II and was the base for the Solidarity Movement. And Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is one of the best preserved medieval town centers in Europe.
If Copenhagen is probably best known for the beloved fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, one of my favorite places in any city in the world is Tivoli Gardens. Believed to have inspired Walt Disney when he was creating Disneyland, Tivoli brings together restaurants, amusement park rides, pedal boats on a flower-fringed lake, concerts, performances and more.
Other Discoveries
If you want to add a short voyage to an existing itinerary in Europe, Windstar offers a three-night mini-break-style getaway from London to Bruges, Belgium. Also tempting is a slightly longer, seven-night intensive cruise from Rouen to Bordeaux in France.
Best for a Deep Dive into the British Isles: Bordeaux to Edinburgh (17 days)
The five nations of the British Isles — England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland — have had an outsize impact on history and culture around the world. Take a deep dive into the region and its roots on the 17-day French Nights and UK Delights voyage on Star Legend, departing June 3, 2026.
Why?
The expansive itinerary offers plenty of time to explore the region’s rich cultural heritage and to let Britain and Ireland soak deep into your soul. Destinations include busy cities (Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Swansea), quaint towns (Fort William, Portland) and sublime islands (Guernsey, Outer Hebrides), plus six days of land excursions in France.
Highlights
Experiences range from visiting Stonehenge in England and Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, to wildlife-spotting in Wales and learning to blend whiskey in Ireland. On a guided excursion to Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, you’ll learn about St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland 1,600 years ago. Adjacent to this magnificent, 800-year-old church is a park where the holy man performed baptisms.
In Northern Ireland’s Belfast, you’ll see the once-mighty shipyards where the Titanic was built. When this infamous cruise liner sank in 1912, it triggered the shipyard’s decline. But in 2012, the area was reborn as the impressive Titanic Quarter. This billion-dollar precinct boasts hotels, bars, restaurants, historic vessels, and museums, including Titanic Belfast. An eight-story attraction, it tells the ship’s tragic story via artifacts, videos, archival photos, recreated Titanic cabins and immersive experiences.
Favorite Discoveries
Delve into this region’s extraordinary literary legacy by visiting low-profile yet rewarding attractions. They include Dublin’s spectacular 318-year-old Marsh’s Library, once frequented by legendary authors such as James Joyce and Bram Stoker, or Edinburgh’s Scottish Poetry Library, a modern facility which showcases this country’s finest writing.
Check Out These Possibilities
Complement a British Isles visit with explorations of Norway and Iceland on this 11-day cruise on Star Voyager, or venture even wider, pairing the U.K. with Portugal, Spain and France on this 25-day itinerary on board Star Legend.
Best Comprehensive Tour of Northern Europe: Stockholm to Edinburgh (17 days)
The Nordic and Baltic regions are sometimes grouped together, erroneously suggesting a uniformity of culture, people, history and language.
In fact, their list of differences may be as long as any tally of their similarities. For example, you can’t learn phrases prior to your trip to use in all these countries, because Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Greenland each have their own national language, as do Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The food on your plate will also look different depending on where you are. Denmark is crazed for baked goods, whereas Sweden is known for seafood. From a historical perspective, Latvia and Estonia were greatly shaped by periods of Swedish rule, whereas Lithuania had stronger influences from Germany and Poland. And each of the Baltic states has retained unique cultures despite five decades of being controlled by the Soviet Union, which tried to dissolve their national identities until it collapsed itself in 1991.
Fortunately, you’ll have plenty of time to unravel all the threads across this 17-day Legends of Scandinavia and the Baltics voyage on board Star Legend, departing July 15, 2026.
Why?
Cold War history one day, fjords the next. Windstar has tons of itineraries which feature Scandinavia and the Baltic, but none quite as varied as this, with its remarkable depth of sights and experiences.
Ponder the ways in which Armageddon was narrowly avoided during a Cold War missile silo tour in Lithuania. Stare in wonder at the lush and towering Norwegian fjords. Squeeze grapes and sample wine in a Danish vineyard visit. Imagine the carnage once spawned by a Viking warship in Norway. And awaken your senses while hiking Lithuanian dunes.
Highlights
This voyage begins with stops at a series of splendid, historic cities: Stockholm, Tallinn, Helsinki, Ventspils, Gdansk, Bornholm and Copenhagen. Guests will finish this section of the cruise with vivid memories of Swedish palaces, Lithuanian Old Towns, Danish museums, Finnish markets, Latvian churches and Polish fortresses.
Then the crowds and cityscapes start to be replaced by tranquillity and wilderness, as the itinerary reaches its scenic zenith in Norway. For eight days, Star Legend will trace Norway’s rugged west coast. In the pretty port town of Haugesund, for example, passengers can alight to witness thunderous waterfalls, enormous fjords and serene islands marked by Viking heritage.
They can also peer down in amazement at the Sunnmøre Alp mountain range during helicopter excursions from Alesund, the picturesque Norwegian town whose architecture is an homage to the art nouveau period of the 20th century. Or hop in an off-road vehicle called a “troll” car, after docking at Norway’s tiny Olden town to reach the foot of the world’s biggest glacier, Jostedal. And, finally, catch a train from near Bergen port, through Flåmsdalen Valley, to see Kjosfossen waterfall plunge and explode. All of this is Europe in its most unvarnished form.
Favorite Discoveries
One of the most authentic souvenirs you can bring home from this region is glowing Baltic amber, a type of tree resin which, when fossilized, becomes a smooth, glowing substance resembling a gemstone. Baltic amber has been harvested in Gdansk for centuries and is now widely sold as jewelry or as decorative cutlery trim. Gdansk is also home to the Museum of Amber.
Check Out These Possibilities
If you’re pushed for time, see seven Baltic and Scandinavian countries in just seven days with the fast-paced Seven Gems of the Baltic Cruise. Or start in Scandinavia before exploring Scotland and Iceland during the 16-day Fjords and Fire itinerary on board Star Pride.
Iceland at its Fullest: Reykjavik to Reykjavik (10 days)
Iceland’s environment is extreme and exotic, and its booming popularity is driven by one of the most common appeals of travel: feeling very far from home.
Everywhere you go in Iceland, savage natural forces are on display. Giant glaciers shift and crack. Volcanoes rumble and spew molten rock. Hot springs bubble from geothermal features. Rivers plunge over precipices and detonate into mist. Make no mistake, this is our planet in its rawest state.
Why?
Ten days in Iceland might seem excessive for a cruise to a country that’s smaller than most U.S. states and 80 percent uninhabited. But Iceland isn’t really that small. It just looks that way on maps, dwarfed by colossal Greenland and marooned in the Norwegian Sea. Iceland’s coastline is actually vast, at 4,800 kilometers, longer than the distance from Los Angeles to New York.
Windstar’s Comprehensive Iceland Cruise Tour skirts this entire coast during a seven-day ocean voyage. That way you can witness Mother Nature’s Icelandic embellishments: steaming geysers, black sand beaches, commanding sea cliffs.
Complementing these natural encounters are three nights at the Grand Hotel Reykjavik to savor Iceland’s more urbane attractions. They include Viking World Museum, which unravels the history of the Scandinavian conquerors who pillaged Europe from the 9th to 11th centuries; the Árbær Open Air Museum, which recreates an ancient Icelandic village; and Hallgrímskirkja, the distinctive 75-meter tall church that looms above Reykjavik and hosts summer concerts. Ascend to the steeple via elevator for a bird’s-eye view of Reykjavik, from mountains to sea.
Highlights
Nature photographers have become obsessed with Iceland thanks to its other-worldly landscapes. Cruise excursions will invite you to experience these by walking through the ice tunnels of Langjokull, dipping into the bubbling hot springs of the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, feeling the thunderous impact of Gullfoss, Barnafoss and Hraunfosser waterfalls, and marveling as geothermal water erupts into the air from the Great Geysir.
You’ll also have the opportunity to spend an entire day amid the startling beauty of Þingvellir National Park, where geological forces forged plunging gorges and the Silfra Fissure, a gap between the tectonic plates of Europe and North America. Tourists can even dive or snorkel in the fissure’s clear, fresh water.
Discoveries
Like Mexico’s tequila, Ireland’s whiskey or Japan’s sake, Iceland has a signature alcohol as well: brännvin. The word translates as burned wine. Popular for centuries in the Nordic countries, it is a potent, clear spirit distilled from potatoes or wheat. You can learn about the history, production and varieties of brännvin during a guided tour of Reykjavik’s Eimverk Distillery.
And remember that Iceland isn’t just about natural beauty and Viking history. It also has a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with bustling downtowns, art galleries, museums and musical performances from Reykjavik and the country’s second-largest city, Akureyri, to villages like Isafjordur, Heimaey and Seydisfjordur.
Check Out These Possibilities
If you’re time-crunched, Windstar’s signature Around Iceland voyage travels around the country in just seven days.
Make Iceland just one of 20 European countries you visit on your next cruise by joining our ultimate Europe cruise: the epic, 80-day Star Collector: 2026 Grand Europe Adventure. Or delve deeper into wild, frosty landscapes by booking our 25-day Greenland Fjord, Canadian Maritimes voyage, which brings together Iceland, Greenland and isolated parts of eastern Canada.
