EUROPE DECEMBER 2019 *no cruises?

[NikandMick]

Hi all, 

I would like to cruise in Europe in December of 2019, to fit in with our White Christmas in Rovaniemi, Finland.  I have only been able to find one itinerary and it is for P&O Arcadia (adults only) and we are a family.  Is there anyone that knows of any similar type cruises?

 

https://www.cleancruising.com.au/itinerary.asp?sched=PAOARC501_20191219

 

Thanks in advance. 

[paul929207]

Have you tried a travel agent? You may get help there

[GeezerCouple]

17 minutes ago, NikandMick said:

Hi all, 

I would like to cruise in Europe in December of 2019, to fit in with our White Christmas in Rovaniemi, Finland.  I have only been able to find one itinerary and it is for P&O Arcadia (adults only) and we are a family.  Is there anyone that knows of any similar type cruises?

 

https://www.cleancruising.com.au/itinerary.asp?sched=PAOARC501_20191219

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

Hurtigruten runs their Norwegian Coastal cruises year-round.

In the winter, you may have a great chance to see the Lights 🙂

 

We weren't sure about this, but we did it in March (the 12 day RT, Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen), and it was one of the best trips of our lives.

The coastal landscape is breathtaking.

 

Do read up on Hurtigruten, as it's a bit different from regular cruise lines, especially the Coastal cruises.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/663-hurtigruten/

But also look elsewhere, including the Hurtigruten website.

 

We are thinking of returning for their Svalbard cruise, but I don't know if that runs year-round.

Some of their ships move from "Arctic" to "Antarctic" each half year, etc.

 

GC

 

[NikandMick]

Thank you so much.  This is precisely the information I was looking for. 

 

Will do some reading now 🙂
 

 

[VMax1700]

Do you really mean 'Europe'?  There are quite a few listings by MSC and Costa for the Med. Personally, wouldn't cruise Europe in December. 

Maybe a river cruise?

 

[GeezerCouple]

12 minutes ago, NikandMick said:

Thank you so much.  This is precisely the information I was looking for. 

 

Will do some reading now 🙂
 

 

 

We would probably never have noticed (or even heard of) Hurtigruten, were it not for our somehow coming across it here on CruiseCritic.

 

Do note that their ships are *very* different from each other (and from most mainline cruise ships, especially the older Hurtigruten ships).  One leaves Bergen each day, so if you have even a few days' window, you'd have quite a choice of vessels.

We went on the Trollfjord.

User "Hallasm" is now starting a live post from his northbound sailing within the next few days,  He also has a blog.

Also watch for "Sarnia-Lo", who has sailed Hurtigruten a *lot*.

We learned a great deal from both of them.

 

If you want bells and whistles (nightclubs, casinos, shows, etc.), then this probably isn't for you.  But we don't ever go to casinos, and rarely to shows.  It's the cruise and/or the destinations that we care about.  Plus comfortable accommodations and good food, of course.

 

Note that their excursions (which are different from most; you'd leave the ship in one port, and get on a few hours later in another, for example) differ by time of year.  Winter, you won't be going fishing!  Summer, no dog-sledding... etc.

 

Hope you find something special.  It's unique.

 

GC

[jocap]

There's very few cruise ships left in Europe in winter, and some of the P&O ships take a month's cruise to the Caribbean and back again.

There will be MSC and Costa, based in the Med; from the UK there will be 3 large family P&O ships; 3 or 4 Fred Olsen, and 3 Cunard.

All the other ships I can think of out of the UK such as C&M or Saga, and 3 P&O, are adult only.

Edited January 9, 2019 by jocap

[Essiesmom]

There are so few cruises in Northern Europe in the winter, none in the Baltic.  Go to https://www.cruisetimetables.com/#home  and plug in a departure port, or a port of call and you will see what is/is not available.  Coastal voyages and the occasional voyage to see the Northern Lights.  EM

[navybankerteacher]

Having visited Rovaniemi (just a couple of miles south of the Arctic Circle) in June - midnight sun was part of the attraction;  I’m sure you’ll get a white Christmas - as well as mid-day darkness ..  maybe three hours of daylight, but generally heavy cloud cover making northern lights sighting a rarity.

 

I hope you can find some sort of cruise (Hrutigen seems like the only game in the area). - good luck (I generally head in the other direction that time of year).

[MicCanberra]

Cruisetimetables is possibly the best source to try and find a cruise that fits in.

[jocap]

Whoops- old age showing again... there is only on family friendly P&O ship from Southampton in December- the other ones are in the Caribbean or Dubai for the season.

[Underwatr]

A search on an internet website showed many:

 

Northern Europe -

Queen Victoria out of Southampton for 3 days in late December

A few Hurtigruten cruises of 5-10 days

Some river cruises 

 

Southern Europe - 

Norwegian, MSC, Costa, Celestyal and Viking Ocean will be in the Mediterranean

Queen Victoria will be doing a couple of cruises to the Canaries from Southampton