nicko cruises is enticing cruise fans to special cruises to the north of Europe. In the 2025/26 season, these unique voyages will feature untouched nature, picturesque cities and breathtaking panoramas. In addition to the dream destination of Norway, the Stuttgart-based company also offers a number of other exciting routes around Scandinavia and Great Britain. All journeys with the popular VASCO DA GAMA start and end in German ports and can now be booked from the Northern Europe 2025/26 brochure.
With plenty of time to discover, travellers on the classically elegant ocean-going vessel VASCO DA GAMA can experience the diversity and the magic of Northern Europe. Whether on an extensive round trip around the British Isles, a coastal hop up to the North Cape or a week-long discovery tour to southern Norway: The magic of the European North is revealed to cruisers on every single voyage.
Discovering the diversity of the British Isles
The beautiful landscapes and coastlines of the British Isles will captivate passengers on this 18-day voyage from/to Hamburg. After a final stop on the European mainland in Amsterdam, VASCO DA GAMA sets course for England. Tilbury is a wonderful base from which to explore the British metropolis of London. The gentle hills and seemingly endless meadows of the Isle of Wight and Fowey, the dreamy coastal village in picturesque Cornwall, create a perfect contrast to this. The cruise guests then set off via the Scilly Isles to explore Ireland. Colorful Bantry, the rustic pubs in Dingle, the lively university town of Galway as well as Killybegs, the town at Glenveagh National Park, convey an authentic picture of Ireland. Scotland attracts its guests with its majestic Highlands, wild coastlines and centuries of history, which comes to life on the Isle of Lewis, the Orkney Islands and, of course, in Edinburgh.
All the way to Scandinavia and back
During the nine-day cruise through Scandinavia, cruise guests on VASCO DA GAMA experience the beauty of Northern Europe in all its splendour. From Hamburg, they head straight to Gothenburg in Sweden. The charming coastal city impresses with its historic Haga district and the picturesque archipelago, which travellers can enjoy in the glistening afternoon sun on their way to Oslo. The next highlight of the cruise awaits travellers as they enter the proud capital of Norway via the famous Oslofjord. The city is famous for its cultural events, lovingly designed green spaces and its many museums. Colourful wooden houses, wild nature and the omnipresent, peaceful sound of rippling water will delight guests at the next stop: In the two idyllic towns of Kristiansand and Mandal, VASCO DA GAMA will discover a Norway straight out of a picture book. Finally, guests marvel at the endless expanses of Skagen’s sandy beach in Denmark. The convergence of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea at the northernmost tip of Denmark is a breathtaking natural spectacle.
Norway in all its splendour
The 15-day cruise from/to Hamburg takes travellers along the Norwegian coast and via the Lofoten Islands to the North Cape, offering a particularly intense Norwegian experience during the very special time of the magical midnight sun. When the sun doesn’t set north of the Arctic Circle, the sky appears in a golden, endless light. Bergen, the ‘gateway to the Norwegian fjords’, is idyllically nestled between deep blue waters and lush green forests and impresses at first sight with the colourful Bryggen harbour district. From the famous Geirangerfjord to Kristiansund, cruise guests enjoy endless journeys through the enchanting fjord scenery. Via Svolvær on the Lofoten Islands, the Norwegian region that probably captivates most visitors with its rocky islands and long, elegant bridges, the classically elegant ocean-going vessel reaches Honningsvåg on the North Cape. At this probably most famous place in Norway, the sea and sky merge on the horizon and the fresh wind makes it clear that the travellers are at one of the northernmost points of the European mainland. After a visit to the arctic city of Hammerfest, the ‘northernmost city in Europe’, the travellers head south again. Harstadt, the cultural centre of Norway, offers a varied programme of events all year round, and in Molde the mild temperatures finally remind the guests of summer as they are welcomed back at the port of Hamburg.
From the north of Germany to the south of Norway
Guests can board VASCO DA GAMA in Kiel for an 8-day voyage to experience the most beautiful citites of southern Norway. The route first leads to Kristiansand, which lives up to its name: bathing in the North Sea under palm trees, as you can do here, is a real rarity. Via Haugesund, the passengers reach the beautifully situated Eidfjord on the side arm of the Hardangerfjord, where the deep blue water reflects the steep rocky slopes surrounding the fjord. The last stop of the journey is Bergen with its charming, colourful wooden houses on the banks of the fjord and quaint cobblestone streets.
VASCO DA GAMA – a floating home on the water
The charming VASCO DA GAMA is furnished with great attention to detail making it the perfect floating hotel to discover Northern Europe. With a capacity of approximately 1,000 passengers, there is plenty of room for an individual vacation experience. With a total of five restaurants and seven bars and lounges on board, guests will find something to suit any taste. While buffets, show cooking and themed cuisine are presented in the Club Bistro, the two Waterfront restaurants and the Fusion restaurant offer table service. This also applies to the fine restaurant The Grill, where excellent menus are offered with a small surcharge. In all restaurants, guests dine at extended, flexible table times with free choice of seating. In addition, the Alfresco Grill offers a selection of snacks outside meal times.
The heated main pool with a panoramic sliding glass roof provides year-round bathing fun. In addition, the Oasis Pool situated at the stern on deck 10 invites guests to spend relaxing moments. For sporting activities on board, the outdoor sports courts, the jogging track and the spacious fitness center with cardio equipment and fitness classes are at the guests‘ disposal.
VASCO DA GAMA also offers a particularly spacious wellness area with sauna and steam bath. Vacationers will stay in high-quality cabins and can travel to the most beautiful places in the world without having to pack their suitcases. Aboard VASCO DA GAMA, everyone will find a cabin to suit them. There are 15 different cabin categories to choose from – from inside cabins to outside cabins with windows or balconies and spacious suites. The cabin sizes vary between 16 square meters and 102 square meters in the penthouse suite.
Contact us for additional information and to book your voyage with nicko cruises.