Harwich is one of three major cruise ports on England’s east coast. It is easily accessible by both roads and trains from not just London that is only 70 hours away, but from the Midlands and South East portions of England.
This makes cruises from Harwich one of the most convenient options for a relaxing holiday.
Living in the UK can make planning a holiday cruise much simpler and much cheaper. Cruising from ports like Harwich make flying unnecessary and takes the stress out of checking in because you can park in lots near the terminal that are served by regular shuttle buses to and from the pier as well as baggage handling.
If you arrive a day early for your cruise you can keep yourself occupied with the sights in the area. The prettiest beach in the county of Essex is found here as well as historic attractions like the Harwich Redoubt Fort built in 1808 to protect against invasion from Napoleon. There is also a maritime museum as well as a small Mayflower Museum. Harwich was this ship’s homeport. The nearby towns of Ipswich and Colchester are also interesting places to visit.
Cruises from Harwich for the Baltic and North Cape
Cruises from Harwich depart in the warmer summer months from May to August. Harwich international port is a major departure point for destinations like Scandinavia, the Baltic’s, the North Cape, the Norwegian Fjords, and the Mediterranean. There are also cruises that cover the British Isles and their outlying islands. The major cruise lines that sail from Harwich are Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Voyages of Discovery.
A typical Baltic cruise from Harwich includes ports of call like Copenhagen with shore excursions to see the beautiful architecture of the city, much of it built in the sixteenth century. A shore excursion in Helsinki, Finland covers the city’s highlights like the Olympic Stadium and Finlandia Hall. In St. Petersburg, Russia you can see the Hermitage museum in the Winter Palace. There are over two million works of art on display here, including pieces by Rembrandt, Picasso, and Rubens. The Baltic cruise also includes stops in Tallinn, Estonia and Kiel and Warnemunde, Germany.
A cruise from Harwich to the Norwegian, Fjords includes Oslo, Norway’s capital where you can learn about the Vikings and their traditions. Kristiansand offers an amazing display of flowers that bloom in the summer. In Stavanger you can see Norway’s best example of medieval architecture that was once the home of Viking kings. These cruises also include Bergen, Olden, Flam not to mention the stunning views throughout the fjords.
For summer cruises it is hard to be Harwich as a departure point. It is easy to get to, offers sightseeing to keep you busy before you leave, and cruise lines offer a variety of destinations.
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