10 Best Scandinavian Cruises

Finding it hard to squeeze a full-length Scandinavian cruise into your visit? Then spend just an evening on the Oslo fjord in Norway on this three-hour sunset mini-cruise on a traditional wooden sailing ship. You'll see the Akershus Fortress and Oslo Opera House. 

Price: About $52 USD

A wonderful way to experience Iceland is this 14-hour day tour and cruise from Reykjavik. The first part of the outing takes you to the sites via a coach bus. You'll see the Skogarfoss waterfall, Skaftafell National Park,​ the desert of Skeidarasandur, Oraefajokull glacier, and Jokulsarlon. After the visit to the lagoon, a relaxing boat cruise follows. Note: The boat tour is not included in October, March, and April.

Price: From $201 USD

Explore the capital cities of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway, on this short trip through Scandinavia. The tour includes two nights hotel accommodations with an overnight ferry crossing from Copenhagen to Oslo. Attractions include the beautiful Oslo fjord. This tour operator also offers capital tours from five to 18 days, which can include the capital cities of Helsinki, Stockholm, and Tallin, along with the Russian cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Price: From $307

Embark in Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany, then cruise to the medieval capital of Tallinn in Estonia, the cultural-rich city of St. Peterburg in Russia, the Art Nouveau-influenced Helsinki, scenic Stockholm, and cosmopolitan Copenhagen. You'll get the chance to see attractions such as Amalienborg Palace, the Tsar’s Village in Pushkin, Rebala Heritage Reserve, and the 13th century Rakvere Castle.

Price: From $1,099 USD

Your ship departs from Copenhagen, Denmark. From there, you'll make your way down the Norway coast stopping in the cities of Stavanger, Bergen, Alesund, and Geiranger before cruising back to Copenhagen. Experience Norway's Old-World charm, ​​medieval and Art Noveau architecture, and natural beauty.

Price: From $1,766 USD 

You'll board the Serenade of the Seas in Copenhagen, Denmark, then set sail for Stockholm; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Helsinki before returning to Copenhagen. Highlights include Sweden's medieval Old Town, the 13th-century castle where Estonia's parliament meets, the architectural masterpieces in St. Petersburg, and the distinctive Helsinki Cathedral.

Price: From $849 USD

Do you want to see a lot of the Norwegian coastline? Then this is the trip for you. The cruise begins in Amsterdam then sets off for Bergen, Norway's second-biggest city. You'll see fjords, steep mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and the Trollwall rock face before your last stop in the port of Stavanger. From there, you'll travel on to Bremerhaven, Germany, and back to Amsterdam.

Price: From $1,149 USD

Departing from Stockholm, Sweden, you'll cruise to the medieval city of Visby, the beach resort town of Warnemunde, and the Denmark capital of Copenhagen. Other ports include the colorful Denmark town of Skagen, Sweden's capital Oslo, and the picturesque Norwegian town of Kristiansand before disembarking in Edinburgh, Scotland. Highlights include viewing painter Edvard Munch's "The Scream," Tivoli Gardens, Stockholm's historic Gamla Stan, and Berlin landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate.

Price: From $3,999 USD

If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, this winter cruise to far north Norway is a wonderful way to do so. This smaller vessel of only 930 guests takes you to stops within the Arctic Circle: Bodø, Tromsø, Alta, and Narvik. Highlights include snowy landscapes, sled dog rides, stunning cathedrals, and of course the mesmerizing Northern Lights. This tour starts in London and ends in Bergen, Norway.

Price: From $4,999 USD

This Scandinavian and Baltic cruise departs from Rotterdam in The Netherlands with stops in Copenhagen; Berlin; Tallin, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki; Stockholm; and multiple ports in Norway on its way back to Rotterdam. You'll see fjords, hear about the Vikings, and learn about the history of the region's royalty.

Price: From $2,549 USD