Discovering the Best of Northern Europe with Oceania Cruises

Exploring Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland, France, England, Belgium, and the Netherlands aboard one of our favorite destination-focused cruise lines.

Every trip has its traditions, and ours begins with an Old Fashioned in the Airport Lounge. It's the perfect way to unwind before a long overnight flight, ease into vacation mode, and toast to the adventure ahead.

With Northern Europe ahead of us, we raised a glass to the adventure and prepared for the overnight flight to Copenhagen, the first stop on an incredible journey.

As travel advisors, we always encourage our clients to arrive a few days early when traveling overseas. Not only does it provide a buffer against unexpected travel delays, but it also allows time to adjust to the time change and experience a destination more fully.

For us, this adventure started with an overnight flight to Denmark, where we would spend 2 nights exploring one of Scandinavia's most vibrant and welcoming cities before embarking on Oceania Cruises' Best of Northern Europe itinerary.

Our adventure began in Copenhagen at the charming Strand Hotel, perfectly situated along the waterfront and just steps from the colorful harbor of Nyhavn.

simple & Scandinavian, but cozy & comfortable

The hotel's location made it easy to explore the city on foot, while our room offered beautiful water views and a refreshing autumn breeze through the windows.

Nyhavn, the historic district once home to fishermen and sailors, is now lined with inviting cafés, restaurants, and lively outdoor terraces.

We loved exploring this area!

One of our first discoveries in Copenhagen was Tipsy Mermaid, a unique local craft beer bar set aboard a boat along the waterfront.

With its laid-back atmosphere and scenic harbor views, it was the perfect place to pause and enjoy our first local beer of the trip.

Day two began with a visit to Freetown Christiania, one of Copenhagen's most unique and colorful neighborhoods known for its creative spirit, vibrant street art, and alternative culture.

Afterward, we set out in search of a snack, and stumbled upon a charming seafood and oyster bar.

I enjoyed an incredible seafood bisque, while Marcus opted for fresh oysters. It was the perfect snack to recharge before continuing our exploration of Copenhagen.

We then spent the afternoon wandering through the city, taking in the sights and exploring a few of Copenhagen's iconic landmarks and off the beaten path gems.

One of our favorite ways to experience a new destination is what we call "app hopping"—small plates, local specialties, and snacks throughout the day rather than sitting down for a large meal. This also gives us the opportunity to try far more of the local cuisine!

Apping in Nyhaven

We also had to try a traditional Danish street food hot dog. Topped with mustard, crispy onions, pickles, and a few other local condiments, it was simple but delicious.

I want him!!

After a quick but fun two days in Copenhagen, it was time to say goodbye to Denmark and hello to our home for the next 12 nights—the Oceania Sirena. After boarding, we spent some time exploring the ship & getting our bearings before settling into our veranda cabin.

Such a nice touch after the embarkation process (which I will admit, was smooth!)

Our first port of call was Szczecin, Poland, a charming city with a rich maritime history and beautiful architecture.

While it may not be as well-known as some of Europe's larger capitals, we enjoyed wandering its streets, admiring the historic buildings, and experiencing a destination that felt both authentic and pleasantly uncrowded.

As craft beer lovers, we make it a point to seek out local breweries whenever we travel, and the Wyszak Family Brewery was well worth the visit.

Wyszak Brewery is located in the cellar of the Old Town Hall, which is a notable landmark

One of the most fascinating parts was the historic cellar dating back to the 15th century. With its original brickwork and vaulted ceilings, it offered a unique glimpse into Szczecin's medieval past and added an extra layer of character to the experience.

Dating back to the 13th century, the Old Town Hall has served as a courthouse, trading hall, jail, and even the site of the 1570 Treaty of Stettin, between Denmark & Sweden, which ended the Northern Seven Years' War.

Afterward, we continued our wandering through Szczecin's Old Town, admiring the colorful facades, historic architecture, and charming streets.

No visit to Poland would be complete without pierogi, one of the local specialties we were excited to try.

delicious!

After a little more exploring, we made our way back to the ship and called it a day. To cap off a great visit to Szczecin, we enjoyed a specialty dinner onboard.

The next morning, we woke up in Helsingborg, Sweden, ready to explore another charming Northern European city.

Our day in Helsingborg got off to a beautiful start, but unfortunately, by the afternoon, the weather took a turn and we found ourselves caught in a torrential downpour.

After stopping at Bastard Burgers for lunch, we decided to call it a day and head back to the ship. While our time ashore was cut a little short, it was still a memorable stop—and sometimes adapting to the weather is simply part of the adventure.

The next morning, we arrived in Oslo, Norway.

As the Oceania Sirena made its way through the Oslofjord, we were treated to stunning views of rugged coastlines, charming waterfront communities, and the natural beauty that Norway is famous for. Absolutely of the reasons we opted for a balcony cabin!

Docking in Oslo

One of the things we loved about arriving in Oslo was how close the ship docked to the city center. As we pulled into port, we were greeted by views of the iconic Oslo Opera House, the MUNCH Museum, and the city's modern waterfront—a beautiful welcome to Norway's capital.

As one of the historic homelands of the Vikings, Norway's rich seafaring heritage remains an important part of the country's identity and culture.

In typical fashion, one of our first stops was Oslo Brewing. Ironically, despite the name, they don't actually serve beer onsite, but that didn't stop us from checking it out.

After lunch, we continued wandering through the city, enjoying Oslo's mix of modern architecture, waterfront views, and public spaces. We even managed to meet a few of the local trolls along the way!

While the trolls we met were far friendlier than their legendary counterparts, trolls have played a prominent role in Norwegian folklore and storytelling for centuries.

As we sailed away from Norway that evening, we were treated to an unexpected bonus—a glimpse of the Northern Lights. While our photo isn't the greatest, witnessing the Aurora Borealis from the ship was an incredible experience and one of those travel moments we'll never forget.

WOW, such an unforgettable memory!

With Oslo behind us, and an additional day of scenic cruising the Skagerrak Strait, it was time to set off for our next adventure in Hamburg, Germany. One of the things we love most about cruising is unpacking once and waking up in a new destination, with relaxing days in-between!

Hamburg, Germany, a city known for its maritime heritage, impressive architecture, and one of the largest ports in Europe.

The weather couldn't have been better—cool fall temperatures, colorful leaves, and sunshine made for a perfect day in Hamburg.

We stumbled across a small fall market where Autumn produce, sausages & Oktoberfest beers were being served.

Our next port was Honfleur, France, where we set out on one of the most meaningful excursions of the trip—a full-day tour of the history of D-Day, including the D-Day Museum, landing beaches & the American Cemetery.

Our first stop was Arromanches, home to the remains of the Mulberry Harbor and several German bunkers that still overlook the coastline today.

Next, we visited Omaha Beach, the site of one of the most challenging and costly assaults of D-Day. Standing on the wide stretch of sand and looking out across the water, it was difficult to imagine the courage required of the young men who came ashore here under intense enemy fire on June 6, 1944.

The D-Day Memorial is a moving tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the men who served during the Normandy invasion.

The final stop of the day was the Normandy American Cemetery, serving as the resting place for more than 9,000 American service members. It makes me tear up just writing this.

Of all the excursions we have taken over the years, this was one of the most moving and memorable. Standing on the beaches, visiting the memorials, and learning the stories of those who served brought history to life in a powerful way.

It reminded us how important it is to remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the generation that helped shape the world we live in today.

Our next stop was Dover, England, where we spent the day exploring at our own pace.

We braved the steep climb up to Dover Castle, where we spent some time exploring one of England's most important historic landmarks.

Perched high above the White Cliffs, this impressive fortress has protected England for centuries and offers incredible views across the English Channel.

No visit to England would be complete without fish and chips, so we made sure to stop for a traditional lunch before continuing our exploration of Dover.

These were absolutely delicious!

With beautiful weather, historic landmarks, and plenty of time to wander, Dover turned out to be a relaxing and enjoyable day ashore before continuing our journey through Northern Europe.

The unique doors of Dover

The White Cliffs of Dover

Our next stop was Antwerp, Belgium. As we conveniently docked right in the city center, it was easy to explore on foot and begin discovering one of Europe's most beautiful and historic cities.

We began our day in Antwerp exploring the beautiful Grote Markt. With it’s impressive architecture, historic buildings, and lively atmosphere, it quickly became one of our favorite city squares of the trip.

In typical app-hopping fashion, we started with local Bitterballen, small fried meat croquettes with a savory meat ragout filling.

And, of course, I had to get an authentic Belgian Waffle!

We spent the rest of the afternoon browsing local shops, enjoying a Belgian beer, and simply taking in the atmosphere of the city. It was a relaxing way to spend our last day ashore before saying goodbye to the Oceania Sirena

After saying goodbye to the Oceania Sirena, we checked into the Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam Hotel, our home for the next two nights. Located right along the canal in the heart of the city, it was the perfect spot to begin exploring Amsterdam on foot.

The Tivoli is gorgeous, especially at night!

This hotel occupies a building dating back to the 17th century and is believed to be the oldest hotel in Amsterdam. Over the centuries, it has welcomed travelers, merchants, and even renowned Dutch painter Rembrandt.

Although small, our room was very comfortable… and even had a canal view!

Our first full day in Amsterdam began at the Van Gogh Museum, where we spent the morning admiring the works and life story of one of the Netherlands' most celebrated artists.

Two of my favorite Van Gogh works are Sunflowers and Irises, so it was especially exciting to see them in person. Unfortunately, another of my favorites, The Starry Night was on loan to another museum at the time.

After the museum, we stopped for lunch at a wonderful local seafood restaurant and a little more strolling.

My salmon was superb!

We continued exploring Amsterdam on foot, wandering through charming neighborhoods, crossing picturesque bridges, exploring local shops and soaking in the city's unique atmosphere.

Later that afternoon, we made our way to the Heineken Experience for a tour of one of the world's most famous breweries. The interactive exhibits, tastings, and rooftop bar made it a fun and memorable stop.

A visit to Amsterdam wouldn't be complete without enjoying a few Heinekens straight from the source.

After the brewery tour, we grabbed a local Amsterdam street food hot dog and continued exploring the city one bite & sip at a time.

As evening fell, we took a stroll through Amsterdam's famous Red Light District, experiencing another side of the city's history and culture before calling it a night.

Fun fact: Amsterdam's famous XXX symbol doesn't have anything to do with what many visitors assume. The three X's are St. Andrew's crosses and have been part of the city's official coat of arms for hundreds of years, representing the city's historic 3 challenges… Fire, Flood & Famine.

Cannabis is legal in the Netherlands, and Amsterdam has long been known for its unique coffee shop culture. The city even has a museum dedicated to the history, uses, and cultural impact of cannabis.

Hot food vending machines in Amsterdam, known as "automatiek," are an iconic Dutch staple. Famous for hot Dutch croquettes and burgers straight from the wall for just a few euros, this is a perfect late night snack after wandering.

Our final day of vacation started with an afternoon canal cruise through Amsterdam. With Heineken in hand and plenty of local Gouda cheese to sample, it was the perfect way to experience the city from a different perspective and soak in the atmosphere one last time.

We loved seeing Amsterdam's iconic leaning houses and learning more about the city's history.

Fun fact: Because many of Amsterdam's historic canal houses lean at different angles, furniture is sometimes modified to sit level inside. The downside? When it's time to move, those custom adjustments don't always work in the next house!

We came across a lovingly restored vintage trolley car and decided to hop on for a ride. It turned out to be a fun and unexpected way to see more of Amsterdam while experiencing a small piece of the city's history.

Next, it was time for one of the experiences we had been most looking forward to—the Anne Frank House. This incredibly moving museum preserves the Secret Annex where Anne and her family hid during World War II, offering a powerful and deeply personal look into one of history's darkest periods.

The famous bookcase that concealed the entrance to Anne Frank's Secret Annex for more than two years.

The museum also displays Anne's original diary, which has become one of the most widely read books in the world, translated into more than 70 languages and inspiring generations of readers with its message of hope and resilience.

We spent our final few hours in Amsterdam doing what we love most—simply wandering and taking in the city one last time. Along the way, we stopped for a freshly made stroopwafel from one of the city's historic original vendors, one of my favorite sweet treats!

We wrapped up our final evening with a wonderful dinner…

Marcus’ t-bone steak was the perfect way to toast the final evening of the trip.

Kate’s decadent pasta, generously topped with fresh truffle, made for the perfect farewell dinner in Amsterdam.

Followed by one last stroll through Amsterdam's beautifully lit canals and historic streets.

Back at the hotel, it was time for the final challenge of the trip—fitting two weeks' worth of souvenirs and purchases into suitcases that somehow seemed much smaller than when we arrived.

After 17 incredible nights of exploring Northern Europe, it was time to head home with wonderful memories and plenty of inspiration for future travels. Ready to plan your own European adventure? The Noe Agency would be delighted to help.