8 Scandinavian Cruises for Any Time Frame

Finding it hard to squeeze a full-length Scandinavian cruise into your visit? You could always spend an evening cruising Norway's Oslo fjord on a traditional wooden sailing ship with Viator's three-hour sunset mini-cruise. You'll see the Akershus Fortress and Oslo Opera House, all for only $54 USD per person.

Viator also offers a 8-hour tour from Reykjavik, Iceland, which includes a whale watching and horse riding experience through Iceland's open countryside. During the cruise, you may see minke whales, humpbacks and dolphins; your onboard guide will explain more about the diverse marine life.

Explore the capital cities of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway, on this four-day adventure through Scandinavia. Starting at $265 per adult, the itinerary includes two nights of hotel accommodations with an overnight ferry crossing from Copenhagen to Oslo. Authentic Scandinavia also offers capital tours from five to 18 days, which can include the capital cities of Helsinki, Stockholm, and Tallinn, along with the Russian cities of St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Your ship will depart from Copenhagen, Denmark, and make its way down the Norwegian coast, stopping in the scenic 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 on this eight-day trip with Royal Caribbean, from $1898 USD per person.

You'll board Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas in Copenhagen, Denmark, then set sail for Stockholm, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, and Helsinki before returning to Copenhagen. Highlights of the eight-day trip (from $1249 USD) include Sweden's medieval Old Town, the 13th-century castle where Estonia's parliament meets, architectural masterpieces in St. Petersburg, and the grand Helsinki Cathedral.

If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, this Viking Ocean Cruises winter excursion to far-north Norway is a wonderful way to do so. This smaller vessel takes you to stops within the Arctic Circle: Bodø, Tromsø, Alta, Narvik and Bergen. 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. Prices begin at $4,999 USD.

This 19-day cruise by Holland America starts in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with stops in Berlin, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, multiple ports in Norway, and ends in Copenhagen, Denmark. Starting at $3,119 USD, the cruise showcases pristine fjords, Viking history, and an interesting lesson in the region's royalty.

If you have the time, this 20-day Windstar Cruise is the trip of a lifetime. You'll depart from Edinburgh, Scotland, and pass through Bergen, Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, and Stockholm, passing through fjords, evergreen forests, waterfalls, glaciers, and more. Highlights of this weeks-long adventure include kayaking through Alesund Archipelago, an overnight stay in St. Petersburg, and Klaipeda’s Witches Hill. Prospective cruisers can request a quote online.