Scandinavian and Northern European Cruises
by Candyce H. Stapen, Physicians' Travel & Meeting Guide

A Scandinavian and northern European cruise itinerary comes with real castles, first rate museums, and historic old sections whose cobblestone streets and bustling town squares  are edged with cafes, chocolate shops and boutiques. Unlike Mediterranean cruises where it may take a two-hour bus ride to reach the featured destination, the ship’s plying the Baltic and the North seas generally dock in the urban center or within an hour’s drive, making it especially convenient to explore. Here are some of the best picks in port for families.

Belgium: Bruges

 It takes about 30-minutes to drive from Zeebrugge, where the ship docks, to Bruges founded in the 9th century. It’s a picturesque city, perfect for walking.  For a change of pace, take a horse drawn carriage ride through the cobbled streets or a 30-minute canal boat ride that  winds under bridges and affords good views of the 17th century houses.  Bruges is famous for its chocolates. Browse Katelijnestraat for shops selling the sweet treats. 

The Netherlands: Amsterdam

Cosmopolitan Amsterdam has plenty of charm, particularly when viewed from a canal boat as it glides under bridges and past tree-lined streets flanked by impressive 17th  century gabled houses. With active teens, rent a bike and pedal like the locals. The Anne Frank House, especially for children who’ve read her story, is a moving, real-life history lesson. The city’s world-famous museums include the Rijksmuseum, home to a large collection of Rembrandts and other Dutch masters’ works, and the Van Gogh Museum, featuring more than 200 paintings and hundreds of drawings by the artist.

Across the street from the Rijksmuseum is a park with a fountain and plenty of space for romping.

Norway: Bergen

Unless you’re a particular fan of composer Edvard Grieg, skip a visit to Troldhaugen, the composer’s home. We were also disappointed by the Old Bergen Museum, a collection of 18th and 19th century houses. The day we visited no costumed interpreters brought the era to life and our guide, armed with keys to just a few houses, tromped us through narrow halls to look at not very interesting wooden sideboards and beds.  The best thing to do: stroll the harbor. The fish stalls brim with salmon, shrimp, mussels and monkfish. A World Heritage site, the 18th century wooden warehouses of Bryggen, which once held tons of dried codfish for export, now house art galleries, linen shops, boutiques and cafes.   

Russia: St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a beautiful city of impressive buildings. It’s fun to take boat ride on the Neva River, especially near dusk as the lights come on.  Don’t miss the Hermitage, a renowned museum housed in the czars’ former Winter Palace. Because the facility is huge, it’s best to go on a guided tour, either on a shore excursion if the leader promises more time in the galleries than in the gift shop, or book your own city guide.  Highlights include a roomful of Rembrandts, as well as works by Raphael, Leornado da Vinci, Michelangelo, Renoir and Matisse plus the Gold Room, glittering with gold, silver and jewels. Just 18 miles from St. Petersburg,  Petergof, the palace begun built by Peter the Great in the 1720’s, offers a dazzling display of fountains, gardens and gilt rooms.

Sweden:

Some ships visit both Göteborg, on Sweden’s southwest coast, as well as Stockholm, on the country’s east coast. Sweden’s second largest city, Göteborg is home to Liseberg Park, one of Scandinavia’s largest amusement parks.  Along with roller coasters and other rides, there are gardens and restaurants.  For centuries the harbor was the heart of this former ship-building center. On a boat ride you see the city’s skyline and maybe even a ship in drydock.  Board a naval destroyer and a submarine as well as see other vessels at the large Maritime Center. At the Trädgardsföreningens Park stroll paths lined with roses and other flowers. 

Stockholm, built on a series of islands, is a wonderful walking city.  Highlights include the Vasamuseet, housing the Vasa, a commanding  1628 war ship; the Hisoriska Museet (Museum of National Antiquities which features a dazzling collection of Viking gold and silver coins, necklaces, rings, and other treasures; and the Kungliga Slottet , the 600-room royal palace completed in 1754, which, along with impressive rooms, has coaches and armor. The palace is located in  Gamla Stan, the  Old Town. Cafes and shops line the narrow winding streets and the aroma of hot chocolate and grilled waffles pulls you into the eateries. 

Family-friendly lines cruising Scandinavia and Northern Europe include Crystal Cruises, www.crystalcruises.com, Holland America Cruises, www.hollandamerica.com; Princess Cruises, www.princess.com; Regent Seven Seas, www.regentcruises.com; and Royal Caribbean Cruises, www.royalcaribbean.com.