Princess Cruises is dramatically expanding its footprint in Northern Europe for summer 2027, unveiling its largest program ever across the region and positioning the collection squarely in the booming “coolcation” trend.

With 48 voyages visiting 54 destinations in 18 countries and new options to combine itineraries into months-long journeys, the line is giving travelers more ways than ever to swap scorching beaches for temperate cities, fjords and far‑northern landscapes at the height of the European summer.

Passengers on Regal Princess cruise ship admiring Norwegian fjord during a cool evening.

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Record-Breaking Northern Europe Season for 2027

The 2027 deployment marks a significant step change for Princess Cruises in Northern Europe, building on recent seasonal growth and elevating the brand’s presence to its most extensive level yet in the region. The program, slated to open for general sale in mid-January 2026 following a brief early-access window for loyalty members, includes everything from classic weeklong city itineraries to an epic 64-day voyage designed for deep immersion.

Four ships will be dedicated to Northern Europe throughout the summer: Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess and Caribbean Princess. Together, they will operate more departures in Northern Europe than any other North American cruise brand during the 2027 season, according to the cruise line’s announcement. The expansion is part of a wider Europe 2027 portfolio that totals more than 200 sailings across the continent, but the emphasis on the north and its milder climate is especially pronounced.

Itineraries span the British Isles, Iceland, the Norwegian fjords, the Baltics and key cultural capitals along the North and Baltic seas. Many voyages are offered as standalone sailings of 7 to 14 days, while others are intentionally structured to be linked back-to-back, creating custom “grand” journeys that fit the rising demand for longer, slow-travel experiences.

Coolcation Trend Drives Demand for Northern Latitudes

Princess Cruises is explicitly marketing the 2027 Northern Europe collection as a portfolio of “coolcation” options, tapping into a growing preference among travelers for lower temperatures, uncrowded locations and nature-focused escapes during peak summer. Rather than chasing tropical heat, many guests now seek destinations where daytime exploring is comfortable and overnight temperatures are pleasantly crisp.

Northern Europe fits that bill, pairing moderate summer weather with long daylight hours, especially in the far north where the midnight sun barely dips below the horizon. In its 2027 lineup, Princess leans into that seasonal magic, with select itineraries timed around the summer solstice and others scheduled for early and late summer when crowds are thinner in major cities.

The coolcation concept also dovetails neatly with a broader shift toward experiential travel. The 2027 season is heavy on port-intensive itineraries, overnights in key cities and late-night stays that let guests sample local nightlife, festivals and dining scenes without the rush that can characterize traditional cruise schedules. By combining climate-friendly conditions with deeper local immersion, the new program aims to appeal to both first-time cruisers and seasoned travelers looking to reframe how they experience Northern Europe.

Four-Ship Deployment Across Five Northern Homeports

At the heart of the expansion is a broadened network of homeports, giving travelers more ways to begin and end their journeys without lengthy positioning flights. In 2027, Princess will base Northern Europe sailings out of Southampton, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Helsinki and Fort Lauderdale, a web of gateways that reflects both regional and long-haul demand.

Regal Princess, carrying 3,560 guests, will play a central role with a series of sailings designed to be easily combined. Many of these voyages depart from Southampton or Copenhagen and can be linked into extended adventures such as the headline 64-day Ultimate European Journey or the 49-day Northern Europe Explorer. The ship’s size and amenities make it a flagship for longer itineraries, with a focus on continuous, seamless travel.

Majestic Princess will concentrate on the British Isles and North Atlantic, homeporting in Southampton and operating 7- and 12-day British Isles journeys alongside 14-day Iceland and Norway sailings and a 12-day itinerary calling at multiple European capitals. Sky Princess will split time between Northern Europe and broader European routes, offering 7- to 28-day cruises that include a Land of the Midnight Sun itinerary timed around the height of summer. Caribbean Princess, meanwhile, is set to explore the Baltics for the first time, with 12-day sailings from Copenhagen reaching eight different countries around the Baltic Sea.

Ultimate European Journey and Extended Explorer Itineraries

The standout of the 2027 Northern Europe schedule is the 64-day Ultimate European Journey, described by Princess as its most immersive European voyage to date. Sailing on Regal Princess, this marathon itinerary connects many of the season’s marquee experiences into a single continuous journey, combining the British Isles, the fjords, Iceland, the Baltics and key Western European ports. Over the course of more than two months, guests are able to explore dozens of cities and landscapes without the need for repeated flights, transfers or hotel check-ins.

The 49-day Northern Europe Explorer, also built around Regal Princess, offers a slightly shorter but still extensive option for travelers drawn to the idea of a long coolcation. This itinerary links port-intensive segments across Northern Europe and incorporates coveted overnight stays in destinations such as Stockholm and Cobh, the Irish port city known as the gateway to Blarney Castle. By keeping the ship as a floating base, both extended itineraries promise a blend of comfort and variety that is difficult to replicate on land.

Princess is positioning these long voyages as ideal for remote workers, retirees and dedicated cruise enthusiasts who value depth of experience. Guests can book the full 64- or 49-day journeys or build their own grand voyage by piecing together shorter combinable segments, an approach that underscores the line’s emphasis on flexibility for the 2027 season.

Cool-Climate Highlights: From Midnight Sun to European Capitals

Beyond the headline itineraries, the 2027 Northern Europe program is filled with targeted coolcation experiences. Majestic Princess will run 14-day Iceland and Norway adventures timed for optimal chances to enjoy clear skies, waterfalls at full flow and expansive coastal scenery. These voyages typically include ports such as Reykjavik, Isafjordur and Akureyri in Iceland, plus classic fjord gateways in western Norway, offering a mix of geothermal wonders, wildlife and rugged mountain landscapes.

On Sky Princess, a Land of the Midnight Sun itinerary is built around the summer solstice period, when daylight lingers deep into the night above the Arctic Circle. Guests can experience late-evening shore excursions, scenic cruising under an orange-tinged sky and the rare sensation of near-constant daylight while still benefiting from cool maritime breezes and moderate temperatures.

For travelers more drawn to culture than coasts, the 12-day Oktoberfest European Capitals sailing aboard Majestic Princess brings together seven capitals on a single voyage, including London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Oslo, Copenhagen, Berlin and Paris. Scheduled around the early autumn festival period but still part of the broader Northern Europe program, this itinerary highlights the region’s urban coolcation appeal, with historic architecture, museums and culinary scenes framed by crisp, early-fall weather.

Baltic Comeback and First-Time Turnarounds

One of the notable developments in the 2027 schedule is the return to and expansion within the Baltic region. Caribbean Princess will operate 12-day Baltic-focused itineraries from Copenhagen, calling in eight countries around the Baltic Sea and offering access to both marquee cities and lesser-known coastal towns. This deployment marks the first time Caribbean Princess has been dedicated to the Baltics, underscoring renewed confidence in demand for the region.

In addition, Princess is introducing new turnaround operations in Reykjavik and Helsinki, a first for the brand. These homeports allow guests to embark and disembark directly in Iceland and Finland, effectively turning these destinations into gateways rather than just waypoints. The move opens up more open-jaw itinerary options, giving guests the chance to combine cruises with extended land stays in the Nordic capitals or to tailor their air travel more flexibly.

The use of multiple turnaround ports also supports the line’s strategy to offer more port-intensive sailings, as ships can focus on shorter legs between nearby destinations without the need to always circle back to the same starting point. For travelers, that translates to more time ashore, fewer repeated ports and a broader geographic spread of experiences during a single summer.

Booking Windows, Deals and Who These Sailings Target

The 2027 Northern Europe season is set to open for sale to the general public in January 2026, following an advance booking window reserved for Princess Cruises’ Captain’s Circle loyalty members. As with recent Europe and world-cruise launches, the line is expected to support the rollout with a combination of early-booking savings, reduced deposits and, in select markets, onboard credit or other booking incentives.

Princess is clearly targeting multiple traveler profiles with the expanded program. Shorter 7- and 12-day itineraries from major gateways like Southampton and Copenhagen are designed to attract families, working professionals and first-time cruisers seeking a manageable coolcation that fits into traditional vacation windows. Longer 14-day and extended 28-day options appeal to guests who prefer fewer, but more in-depth, trips each year.

The marquee 49- and 64-day journeys cater to a growing segment of travelers who combine remote work, sabbaticals or retirement with extended time at sea. For this audience, value is measured less in headline price than in the blend of comfort, variety and logistical simplicity that a months-long cruise can offer. By offering combinable segments and a range of cabin categories, Princess is aiming to make these extended coolcations accessible to a broader slice of its customer base.

FAQ

Q1: What makes Princess Cruises’ 2027 Northern Europe program its largest ever?
The 2027 program features 48 voyages across 54 destinations in 18 countries, operated by four ships deployed in Northern Europe throughout the summer, with more sailings in the region than any previous Princess season.

Q2: Which ships will sail Northern Europe for Princess in summer 2027?
Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess and Caribbean Princess are scheduled to operate Northern Europe itineraries in 2027, each focusing on distinct routes and regions.

Q3: What is meant by a “coolcation” in this context?
A coolcation refers to a vacation in milder, cooler climates rather than hot, tropical destinations, particularly in peak summer. In 2027, Princess uses the term to describe Northern Europe cruises that offer temperate weather, long daylight hours and scenic landscapes.

Q4: How long are the new extended itineraries in Northern Europe?
The flagship itinerary is the 64-day Ultimate European Journey, while another major option is the 49-day Northern Europe Explorer. Guests can also combine shorter segments to create custom extended voyages.

Q5: From which ports will the 2027 Northern Europe cruises depart?
Key homeports for the 2027 season include Southampton, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Helsinki and Fort Lauderdale, giving travelers a mix of European and North American gateways.

Q6: Are there itineraries focused on specific experiences like the midnight sun?
Yes. Sky Princess will offer a Land of the Midnight Sun itinerary timed around the height of summer, while Majestic Princess features 14-day Iceland and Norway sailings during optimal conditions for scenic cruising and long daylight.

Q7: Is Princess returning to the Baltics in 2027?
Caribbean Princess is slated to operate 12-day Baltic itineraries from Copenhagen in 2027, visiting eight countries around the Baltic Sea and signaling a strengthened commitment to the region.

Q8: When will bookings open for the 2027 Northern Europe season?
Princess plans to open general sales for the 2027 Northern Europe program in January 2026, following an early-access period for Captain’s Circle loyalty members.

Q9: Who are these coolcation cruises best suited for?
The program is designed for a broad mix of travelers, including families and professionals seeking one- or two-week vacations, as well as retirees, remote workers and cruise enthusiasts interested in longer, more immersive journeys.

Q10: Can travelers customize their Northern Europe experience with back-to-back sailings?
Many 2027 itineraries are intentionally combinable, allowing guests to book consecutive voyages that link together into extended coolcations lasting several weeks or even more than two months.