In short
The easiest ports to sail from without flying are Rotterdam and Amsterdam — from spring to autumn, mostly to the Norwegian fjords. Hamburg and Southampton are further away, but they have sailings all year round. To reach the sun without a flight, you usually sail one way, in spring or autumn, when ships change regions.
Where and when: six ports at a glance
The darker the cell, the more sailings leave that port in that month. Click a cell and the cruise finder shows where the ships go and for how many nights.
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Where you can sail without flying
Norwegian fjords
The classic no-fly route: a week there and back from Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hamburg or Kiel. Most sailings are in May and over the summer.
About the fjords →Iceland, the Baltic and the far north
Longer voyages of 10–14 nights or more: Iceland and the Shetland Islands, the Baltic capitals from Kiel and Copenhagen, the North Cape from Hamburg.
About the Baltic →Short cruises and Christmas
A week along the ports of Northern Europe — Hamburg, Rotterdam, Southampton, Le Havre — and in December, a tour of cities with Christmas markets.
Winter cruises →To the sun — one way
Ships head to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands for the season, and back again. You sail there for two weeks and fly home in a couple of hours — an unhurried way to start a holiday.
Long cruises →Which port to choose
- Rotterdam — the most convenient. A train ride from anywhere in the Netherlands, about an hour from Antwerp. The terminal is in the city centre: metro, then a 10-minute walk. Sailings from April to October, plus short winter cruises.
- Amsterdam — the most beautiful start. The terminal is a 15-minute walk from Centraal station, but sailings are few, as the city has capped cruise ship calls. The season runs from May to September.
- Hamburg — all year round. About five hours by ICE; until the end of 2027, trains arrive at Hamburg-Harburg. Long voyages to the north in summer, week-long and Christmas cruises in autumn and winter.
- Southampton — the most sailings. Eurostar to London, then a train: about 6–7 hours in total. All year round, including long voyages to the Canary Islands. You need a passport and a UK ETA.
- Kiel and Copenhagen — for the Baltic and Norway. 6–7 and 11–12 hours by train respectively; the season runs from May to September. Best with an overnight stop on the way.
All ports and their guides are in the Departure ports section.
The honest pros and cons
Your holiday starts at home
No airport, no security check, no early flights. Nobody weighs your suitcases, so you can pack evening wear, warm layers and everything the children need. Fewer changes and less stress, especially for travellers over 60.
The north, and the North Sea
From northern ports, ships mostly head to the fjords and around Northern Europe — think scenery, not beaches. On the first days the ship crosses the North Sea, which can be rough. In winter the choice is noticeably smaller.
How to plan it in four steps
- Pick a month and a port in the table above — you will see at once where there are sailings in the month you want.
- Open the port guide: the terminal, getting there, where to stay overnight and what to see in the city.
- Book your train as soon as you have booked the cruise. Tickets to Germany and on Eurostar are cheaper in advance. Leave some slack for the return: the ship docks early in the morning, but disembarkation runs until 9 or 10 a.m.
- If the journey takes more than 3–4 hours, arrive the day before. A delayed train should not cost you your cruise.
What about rivers?
River cruises also start in Amsterdam and Rotterdam — along the Rhine and further into Europe, again without a flight. It is a different format: small ships and a new town every day. River cruises →
Frequently asked questions
Where can I take a cruise from the Netherlands without flying?
Rotterdam and Amsterdam are the closest: from most of the country you can get there by train. Further away, but still without a flight, are Hamburg and Kiel (by train through Germany), Southampton (Eurostar and train) and Copenhagen.
Can I cruise without flying in winter?
Yes, but there is less choice. In winter, short Northern Europe cruises sail from Rotterdam and Hamburg, and around Christmas they visit cities dressed up for the holidays. Southampton has the most winter sailings, including longer ones to the Canary Islands.
Can I reach warm seas without flying?
One way, yes: in spring and autumn, ships move from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean or the Canary Islands. You sail there and usually fly home. Round trips to the sun without a flight leave mainly from Southampton.
How much luggage can I take on a cruise without flying?
Trains in the Netherlands and Germany have no weight limit for luggage, as long as you can manage your suitcases yourself. Eurostar usually allows two large suitcases and one bag per person.
Do I need any documents for a cruise from Southampton?
Yes. To enter the United Kingdom you need a passport (an ID card is not accepted) and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which EU citizens need too; since February 2026 you cannot board the Eurostar or a ferry without it. Apply for it well in advance.
Where the club comes in
Cruises from these ports that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure. You buy the train to the port separately.
How booking with points works →
Seasons are summarised from cruise lines' 2026–2027 schedules; travel times are approximate, based on rail timetables for autumn 2026. All of this may change — check the specific sailing and train before you go. The percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners and is not the inCruises website.