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Island hopping, Scandi style
Sweden’s stunning scenery, world-class cities and rich Nordic heritage make it a fantastic cruise destination. The island of Gamla Stan is where you’ll find the medieval Old Town. Explore its myriad museums, churches, restaurants and shops. Be sure to also visit Djurgården island, which boasts peaceful green space and the Gröna Lund amusement park.

<ol>
<li>The land area of Sweden is the 4th largest in Europe.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The first literary text from Sweden is the Rök Runestone, from 800 AD.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Nordstan, Gothenburg, is one of the largest malls in northern Europe.&nbsp;</li>
<li>The actual age of the kingdom of Sweden is unknown.</li>
<li>Germanic peoples have inhabited Sweden since prehistoric times.</li>
</ol>

Top 5 Interesting Facts about Sweden

Summer sunset in Visby Old Town, Gotland, Sweden; Shutterstock ID 703833097; Invoice Number: -

Sweden shore experiences blend royal history, cool culture, and stunning scenery. Explore Stockholm’s palaces and storybook old town, roam the peaceful Gotland countryside, step back in time in medieval Visby or turn up the fun at the iconic ABBA Museum.

A city of cobbled lanes, cool design and sleek Scandinavian style.

Medieval walls and storybook streets make Visby feel like stepping back in time.

The indulgent explorer
Mid-sized Arcadia offers timeless style – a worthy home for our epic World Cruises.
Cruise type
Southampton round-trip

An Intimate classic
A classic cruising experience with a focus on relaxation, world-class dining and a stylish atmosphere.
Cruise type
Southampton round-trip

Contemporary glamour
Family friendly&nbsp;
Our flagship offers something for everyone, from fine dining to thrilling shows.
Cruise type
Southampton round-trip

Castle alongside a path heading towards the sea 

Reasons to visit

Nordic light at Langhammars on Faro island in Sweden.Faro island in the Baltic sea is famous for its unique limestone sea stacks.; Shutterstock ID 208477564; Invoice Number: -

On a cruise to Sweden, you’ll get to see the many offshore islands and fjords up close. Around 15% of the country lies above the Arctic Circle, and despite this, the overall climate is very pleasant. Some 65% of the country is covered in forests, which have been well protected for a long time.

Evening view of the Big Harbor Canal and German Church (also called Christinae Church) in Gothenburg, Sweden; Shutterstock ID 371184362; Invoice Number: -

Stockholm, the capital city and main port of call on a cruise to Sweden, is an old Scandinavian town that’s full of museums, cafés, stone bridges and dramatic light – the sunsets here are not to be missed. The Old Town (Gamla Stan) in Stockholm is loaded with architectural gems and quiet urban beauty. Many small shops selling coffee and cakes line the cobble streets, along with shops selling local goods. Wear comfortable shoes for a day in Old Town, to navigate the winding cobble streets.

The architecture in Sweden is uniquely fascinating. Colourful wooden houses brighten up the landscape in true Scandinavian style. Visby Cathedral is the most impressive architectural feat in the port town of Visby. Obviously this is an example of Swedish architecture of years gone by, a fascinating comparison to the slick lines and minimalism we associate with Sweden today. The former Viking site makes for a fascinating wander.

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Yes, guests can take alcohol on a mini cruise from southampton.
What drinks can you take on P&amp;O Cruises short breaks?
Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne on board when they embark the ship for the first time only. Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20* per bottle, per occasion, which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account.&nbsp;
Other alcohol types such as spirits are considered restricted items and guests are prohibited from bringing them on board when they first embark the ship.
*prices subject to change

Can I take alcohol on a Short Break cruise holiday?

Amsterdam is famous for its art galleries and museums (from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank house), beautiful canals, interesting architecture and lively nightlife. You’ll also find a deliciously innovative food scene and, in the spring, thousands upon thousands of tulips covering the city in a kaleidoscope of colours.

What is Amsterdam known for?

It’s always worth checking the local weather before you head off on a Short Break, but in the summer you’ll generally need to dress for the heat (think dresses, shorts, t-shirts, sandals – and don’t forget your swimming costume) while the winter usually calls for layers and thick coats.
During your days on board, you can dress in whatever you like. However, on all our ships, we have two dress codes that apply in the evenings: Evening Casual and Black Tie. For nights when the dress code is Evening Casual, you can bring out your best shirt, dress and smart, dark denim. For nights where the dress code is Black Tie, make sure you pack your best tux, suit or cocktail dress.
There are some venues on each ship where dress codes don’t apply, so make sure you check your Horizon paper that’s delivered to your cabin each day to check where these are, as they vary ship by ship. For those travelling on family-friendly ships, dress codes also don’t apply to children aged 17 and under.

What should I pack for a Short Break cruise holiday? 

The best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam depends on what you’d like out of your holiday. Do you prefer the sun or a winter chill? Do you want to see the Light Festival and wander Christmas markets? Or would you rather see the world’s largest flower garden (think miles of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths) in bloom in the spring? How about cruising the canals in the heat of the summer sun, cocktail in hand? We visit Amsterdam almost year-round so that no matter your holiday style, you’ll find a Short Break cruise holiday to suit you.

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam?

The best time of year to go on a mini cruise to Bruges is up to you – what do you want from the weather? What activities do you fancy doing? We’ve got Short Break cruise holidays that visit Bruges (from Zeebrugge) almost year-round. If you’re dreaming of walking around a chilly Christmas market with a hot chocolate (or mulled wine) in hand, December is the month for you. Or, if you’d rather be a bit warmer as you cycle through the countryside or wander medieval streets, April or May might be a better choice. A visit in October will add autumnal magic to a stroll along the canals as the leaves fall around you.&nbsp;

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Bruges (from Zeebrugge)?

Summer brings warmth and sunshine to Amsterdam (with an average temperature of around 23°C) while winters are cold and bring a likely chance of snow. Amsterdam’s spring is fairly mild, heating up and drying out as it gets closer to summer, while autumn brings a good chance of rain as it cools down towards the end of the year.

What's the weather like in Amsterdam?

We tend to visit Hamburg in December on our Short Break holidays when it’s fairly frosty. Hamburg usually has highs of 5˚C and lows of 1˚C in December, with an average of 12 days of rain – but you might be lucky enough to be there when it snows.

What’s the weather like in Hamburg?

On our Short Break holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam in the Netherlands
Bruges (from Zeebrugge) in Belgium
Cherbourg in France
Hamburg in Germany
Le Havre in France
Rotterdam in the Netherlands
St Peter Port, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands

Which countries does P&O Cruises visit on Short Break cruise holidays?

On our mini cruise holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam
Bruges (from Zeebrugge)
Cherbourg
Hamburg
Le Havre
Rotterdam
St Peter Port, Guernsey

Which ports does P&O Cruises visit on mini cruise holidays?

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