Best North Sea Cruises 2024 & 2025

Table Of Content

• The Atlantic Ocean
• New anti-Israel tent city takes over Columbia University lawn days after NYPD raid as activists vow to stay 'forever'
• Planning Tips For Scandinavian Cruises
• South Pacific Cruises
• How To See The Best Of Northern Europe On A Scandinavian Cruise
• The 8 Roughest Seas For Cruise Ships (RANKED!)

Heading eastward delivers you to the bustling cities and charming towns of Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Russia. These weather events can lead to high waves and strong winds, creating challenging conditions for sea travel. Seas on a transatlantic cruise can indeed be rough at times, primarily due to the vast and open nature of the Atlantic Ocean. The experience of rough seas on such a cruise largely depends on the time of year and the specific route taken.

The Atlantic Ocean

While the winter months are the most intense, it’s important to note that other times of the year can also be impacted, particularly during hurricane season. The MS Maud isn't the first ship to encounter rough seas in the North Sea — dramatic videos of huge waves crashing in the area have become a source of fascination on TikTok. The North Sea is considered to be one of the most culturally-rich cruise routes in Europe, and gives you unique access to some of the region’s most famous ports and nature.

New anti-Israel tent city takes over Columbia University lawn days after NYPD raid as activists vow to stay 'forever'

If you’re planning a cruise to North Europe, the British Isles, or even Iceland, you’ll likely have to pass through the North Sea. The allure of the Caribbean as a cruising hotspot is undeniable, with its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and inviting tropical cocktails. It’s a destination that appeals all year round, offering a blend of relaxation and scenic beauty. If you’re going to embark on a transatlantic cruise in the winter, it’ll most likely be on either a luxury cruise line like Oceania or Cunard from New York to Southampton and vice versa. The Bay of Biscay is located off the west coast of France and the north of Spain. For those that are prone to seasickness or nervous about a rough voyage, there are certain seas they may want to avoid.

Planning Tips For Scandinavian Cruises

Generally, waves exceeding 7-8 feet (about 2-2.5 meters) are considered rough, but modern cruise ships are designed to handle much higher waves safely. Cruises typically depart from Southampton or Harwich, England, or Amsterdam in the Netherlands. While some ships travel toward the glacier-carved fjords of Norway or the British Isles, others venture east to St. Petersburg, Russia. Keep in mind that cruises from England to Eastern Europe could encounter rougher waters, as they will be crossing the width of the North Sea. In the Atlantic and Caribbean, for instance, the hurricane season peaks from August to October, bringing turbulent seas with higher risks of storms and rough conditions.

Don't miss Tivoli Gardens, where you can stroll through its grounds and get in touch with your inner child by riding its retro rides and modern roller coasters. It is also a good idea to stay seated and take medication for motion sickness if necessary. On top of this, the South China Sea encompasses a region known as “The Dangerous Ground.” This area is infamous for its hidden dangers, including low-lying islands and submerged reefs that can emerge unexpectedly from the depths. The likelihood of encountering hurricanes and tropical storms is highest from August to September. If you’re looking to stay in the Mediterranean and visit culturally rich ports of call like Barcelona, Rome, Naples, then you’re in luck.

Watch: Massive rogue wave batters cruise ship in North Sea - Fox Weather

Watch: Massive rogue wave batters cruise ship in North Sea.

Posted: Sun, 24 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

A woman who was struck by a falling tree on Thursday in the eastern Dutch town of Wilp later died of her injuries, her employer said. Danish Search and Rescue said the vessel could "maneuver via emergency systems, and it has two civilian support vessels close by." The 266 passengers and 131 crew members were safe, according to the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre. The MS Maud’s on-board technology makes her “exceptionally well-suited” to trips through Norway and the British Isles, the company boasted. The MS Maud, which is run by the cruise company HX, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was scheduled to arrive in Tilbury in Great Britain on Friday.

These conditions can cause a cruise ship to pitch (move up and down) or roll (tilt side to side), leading to a more turbulent experience on board. The Beaufort Wind Scale, which categorizes wind speed, is often used to gauge sea conditions; rough seas are usually indicated by wind speeds over 17 knots (about 20 mph or 31 km/h). Sailing through the North Sea can be quite challenging due to its susceptibility to high winds and waves, which often result in rough waters and thick fogs. This area, part of the northwest Pacific Ocean, is known for its susceptibility to storms throughout the year, potentially leading to rough sea conditions. If the idea of navigating through larger waves or facing potential changes in your cruise itinerary is less appealing, it might be wise to plan your trip outside these months.

How To See The Best Of Northern Europe On A Scandinavian Cruise

Norwegian cruise ship loses navigation ability in North Sea during storm - Reuters UK

Norwegian cruise ship loses navigation ability in North Sea during storm.

Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Considering a large number of North Sea cruises start in Amsterdam, enjoy a pre-cruise stay in this buzzy capital composed of 90 islands. Bikers of all ages whiz by in the second-most bike-friendly city in the world, so be careful when crossing the streets. Public transportation is top-notch and will help you navigate the city and visit the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Take a lovely canal cruise or visit the charming countryside at Zaanse Schans for authentic Dutch culture and beautiful windmills over fields. Most major cruise lines, including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and upscale lines such as Cunard, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Viking, Windstar and Oceania, offer North Sea itineraries.

While the sea itself is relatively sheltered, It can be surprisingly rough, subject to rough waters in the fall and winter, as this is when the winds are the strongest. Cruises that often sail through the Bay of Biscay include those sailing from Southampton to Portugal and Spain. Transatlantic voyages that begin in the UK and Northern Europe will often sail south and visit the Azores before beginning to cross the ocean, too. This is an area that experiences the fiercest Atlantic weather, and the combination of powerful winds and a shallow seabed can produce large waves. The ship, traveling under its own power, is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany, for disembarkation, HX said in an updated statement Friday.

The ship, which belongs to cruise company HX, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury in the UK on Friday. Tour operator Thorsten Hansen shared a video of the foamy waves battering the hull of the MS Maud, which made headlines Thursday when its electricity failed mid-voyage. "Our team are working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard," a spokesperson for the company said.

The MS Maud lost power after the wave hit as the ship was sailing toward Tilbury, England, from Florø, Norway, HX, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, said in a statement. “Earlier this afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave,” Hurtigruten said in an emailed statement. Europe’s fun, friendly, northern port city of Amsterdam is a fabulous place to explore, with plenty of great neighborhoods, museums, and shopping. Wander the canal ring around De Wallen, the medieval city center, to admire the beautiful Dutch homes that line the water. Visit the Royal Palace and behold over 200 years of opulent and regal history from one of Europe’s still existing monarchies. Snack on a sweet stroopwafel in the hip and central neighborhood of Jordaan, or sip on a traditional genever drink as you prepare for the day’s adventures.

These waters are much rougher than the protected waters of the Inside Passage due to strong surface currents and cold air. Among the passengers were Brian Launder, 75, and his wife, Carole, who was celebrating her 70th birthday with their first-ever cruise, according to the outlet. "The situation is stable, the ship has propulsion and they are able to navigate the ship manually via emergency systems," the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said in a statement Friday local time. Streets around harbors flooded overnight in some Dutch North Sea towns including Scheveningen, the seaside suburb of The Hague. The storm also brought down trees and prompting warnings of flooding on the North Sea coast.

From 12th-century churches to the intricate 15th-century City Hall and the famed Belfry, this city exudes living history at every step along its cobbled streets. While you’re there, remember to sample the handmade chocolate truffles for which the city is famed. On trips to the British Isles and most of Europe, you might need pounds, euros, or even dollars in some cases. Russia uses the ruble, but if you don't have time to exchange currency and still want to purchase some Russian dolls, there are shops by the cruise terminal that accept foreign currency or credit cards. Keep in mind that if you do use pounds/euros/dollars, change will be given in local currency. Bring at least two credit cards from different networks in case one is not accepted (and at least one without foreign transaction fees is recommended).

Even so, look for independent tours that take place earlier in the day to reduce any time-related risk. British line P&O Cruises operates its relatively new megaship Iona in the fjords region for much of that period, with regular departures from Southampton on a popular 7-day itinerary. If you want to explore modern Scandinavia while gaining access to some of the region’s best museums, such an itinerary is a perfect choice. We were talking to the officers and they estimated the waves were 15 to 20 meters,” he said.

"Our team are working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard," the statement added. None of the 266 passengers or 131 crew members were seriously injured, HX said. The company said that falling trees damaged overhead electric wires or blocked tracks largely in northern Germany, but also in the central state of Hesse.