Take the Family holiday rating 
The breathtaking landscape.
The polar bears hunting, ice caps floating, sea lions swimming.
The charming village tours and people dressed funny, making cheese or selling whale meat.
The ancient ports...your children feel like real sea captains now.
The indulgent laidbackness of it all... and then two and a half hours trekking on Fløein Mount.
The cable car ride up to Mount Storsteinen from Lake Prestvatn.
Cruising along the Northern Europe coastline is one of the top ten things to do in life. Something wondrous happens when you begin to see mountains and fjords coming into view while on the deck.
Major cruise companies offer this itinerary. One of them is MSC Cruises, offering three different types of itineraries: Norwegian Geiranger fjords, Baltic capitals like St. Petersburg and the extreme North Cape, where you can see ice caps!
North Europe Cruises usually sail between May and September. Lower priced cruises have a high demand during school holidays and in May, but there are some usually some great late deals to be found nearer departure. MSC Cruises North Cape cruise runs from 31 May to 3 July 2009, and their Norwegian Fjords or Baltic cruise runs from 9 May to 16 August 2009.
Recommended cruise operators for North Europe cruises include, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity departing from Harwich, MSC, Fred Olsen, NCL and Carnival departing from Dover and P&O, Princess and Cunard departing from Southampton. MSC Cruises, family specialists, offer free transfers from Gatwick & Heathrown airports, or free car parking (at Dover) for the cruise duration. Your cruise ship will return to your departure port. Regional flights to Heathrow/Gatwick can be also be provided by your operator.
Major cruise companies offer varying North European itineraries. We recommend MSC Lirica as she sails from Dover, includes free transfers and children sail free.
Choose an outside cabin and look out the window, stay on the deck or at the solarium, to catch brilliant views as the ship coasts the rugged North European shoreline! On MSC Lirica you can have your drink brought to you on the deck wherever you are. Make new friends and totally indulge by having a drink at the cosmopolitan-styled bars, English pub, catch an eye-popping theatre show, play at the casino or do a spot of shopping. Your children will love the I Pirati club where they can get up to supervised mischief.
Here are some North Cape cruise highlights:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Transported to another age, another time! At Volendam, you’ll find locals in their native costumes and wooden shoes. Then there are old fishing boats at Marken. And how cheese is made the traditional way, at a cheese farm.
Bremerhaven, Germany
The ‘Zoo Am Meer’ or ‘Zoo on the Sea’ is located on the ocean’s ledge where northern animals can live in natural conditions. The famous polar bear couple, Lloyd and Irka, hunt for lunch in the water. Your kids will love seeing the hermit crabs, fur seals, camouflaged flounders, steamer ducks, the lot!
Honningsvag, Norway
Take a trip to the North Cape from the island of Mageroy, where you can see North Pole ice caps float on the horizon – a fascinating sight that makes an unforgettable memory.
Bergen, Norway
Try smoked whale meat at the famous fish market in Bergen’s city centre. Nowhere else in the world can you enjoy the real taste of the sea. The fish market is so special it has been awarded UNESCO world heritage site status. You will understand why as you bite into a salmon sandwich or try their freshly cooked prawns.
Or trek from Fløein Mount for two and a half hours enjoying fantastic mountain views.
Tromso, Norway
Take a cable car ride from Lake Prestvatn up to Mount Storsteinen to enjoy spectacular views of sea, forest and island, 420 metres above sea level. Tromso is regarded as the gateway to the Arctic.
As much as you want, it’s all in the price. On MSC Lirica, there are 2 main restaurants, with wines at reasonable cost. Le Bistrot Cafeteria offers buffet breakfasts and lunches. La Pergola Restaurant offers al fresco dining and the menu includes pasta, pizza and burgers, but you have to make reservations. Free cabin service for breakfast, tea, coffee and soft drinks, and 24 hour room service. By the way, MSC Cruises waiters give great tips on what wines to go with your meal.
Price for 11 nights Dover to North Cape cruise starts from £770pp, based on two adults sharing. Price includes adult port dues, full-board accommodation, entertainment, parking at Dover for the cruise duration and free transfers. Transfers cover scheduled points in UK to Dover port, and between Dover port and London Heathrow/Gatwick airport. Regional flights at £50 per person.
Children under 18 sail free with MSC Cruises. For North Cape cruise, children pay £120 port dues each when sailing with two adults. Family of 4 with 2 children under 18 only pay from a total of £1,780. Purchase Teen Card for your kids and they can have drinks and snacks like ice-cream whenever they wish.
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11 nights, MSC Cruises’ MSC Lirica, Dover to North Europe cruises from £770* Breathtaking itinerary to Norwegian fjords includes £100 onboard credit per cabin More
* per person based on 2 adults sharing. 11 nights full board plus free Dover parking and transfers to Dover from London airports/scheduled points. Children only pay port dues.
