Northern Europe

• British Isles & Ireland
• Iceland
• Norway

To experience compelling coastlines rich in natural and cultural history. What is not to like about sampling peaty whiskies, looking for whales, photographing comedic puffins, visiting remote fishing communities, exploring deep fjords, fiery volcanic landscapes, and glaciers, and stepping ashore on pretty white sand beaches to find pre-historic settlements and Celtic and Viking cultures. Expedition vessels offer opportunities to explore more intimately with zodiac landings alongside bracing cold water swims, snorkels, and kayaking.

Northern Europe’s terrestrial biodiversity is modest, yet its marine life and seabirds can be thrilling, especially when interpreted from your vessel with an onboard naturalist guide. Welsh, Irish, and Scottish coasts yield puffins, sea otters, golden eagles, and the gaping-mouthed leviathans, basking sharks. There is fantastic whale watching in Northern Iceland, including orca. Step on deck to scan for reindeer and arctic foxes along Norway’s western coastline.

What makes Northern Europe so appealing is discovering a timeline where history and language have long been a consistent thread back to the past. For sheer authenticity, it's hard to beat the Hebridean island culture, where you will hear softly spoken Gaelic thriving in the communities. The Scots have been there a long time, as the Orkneys are slowly revealing many neolithic excavations of settlement dating back 5,000 years.

If nothing else, travellers will sense how Iceland and Norway's Viking and Norse cultures find continuity today, with modern peoples' ability to live in harsh and extreme environments. There's Viking hardiness in modern-day Icelanders, who celebrate the foundation of their democracy back to the Althing parliament of 930AD. Norse mythology and its Gods resonate throughout Norway into the Arctic Circle.

Northern Europe’s deep fjords, glaciers, volcanoes, and bird-rich islands combine to fuse an adventurous region ripe for outdoor exploration. Whether seeking out puffins or orcas, nature lovers are drawn to these cold seas, and zodiac cruises will probe effervescent shorelines and bays. There’s fine hiking, too, off-vessel to mountainous, glacial, and volcanic landscapes shaped by this region’s wild elements. The volcanic events over the past few years in Iceland across the Reykjanes Peninsula have added another dimension to adventures on this remote island.

Visitors to these Northern European destinations must have at least six months left on their passports. Likewise, travel insurance with cruise coverage is essential, as hospital care in Northern Europe can be expensive. UK nationals can apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to cover some medical assistance in Norway, Iceland, and Ireland, although this doesn’t include repatriation.

The North Sea and North Atlantic can be rough, so if you’re concerned about seasickness, bring medication. Tablets only work if taken before sailing or when the sea is calm, so listen out for advanced weather updates onboard. Expedition crew typically try to outrun rougher seas and alter itineraries if required. 

Your specialist interest may guide the timing of your voyage. The nesting season is late March to July if you crave puffins around their burrows with young. Likewise, the summer months from June to August are peak whale-watching times in Iceland. The northern lights can be spectacular along the Norwegian coast, so wrap up warm and enjoy the stark beauty of a winter cruise for the best chances of displays. Even during summertime, warm clothing is always recommended, given North Europe’s weather conditions are always unpredictable.