Top four adventure cruises with Island Princess from Southampton

Adventure holidays typically conjure up the idea of extensive planning and endless travelling just to get to your first destination.

Well, scrap that idea as Princess Cruises provides a seamless way to embark on an adventure – all from one handy ship departing from Southampton where you simply hop onboard to experience a cruise of a lifetime, easy right?

What’s more, Island Princess is the ideal base for exploring new destinations and covers an expanse of bucket-list locations – from the Arctic Circle to an array of European Capitals.

In fact, Island Princess is an award-winning ship and is well-loved by cruise guests. With a smaller capacity of 2,200, Island Princess makes you feel as if you are in your own private resort on sea. There are plenty of things to keep you entertained onboard such as an array of mouth-watering speciality dining and impressive shows.

So, try something new with a trusted and well-loved cruise line such as Princess Cruises – to make the decision even easier, we have rounded up the top four adventure cruises with the line below…

Land of the Midnight Sun

As a roundtrip from Southampton, the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ itinerary departing July 26 is a standout trip that is crafted to explore all that Norway has to offer, spanning 14 days across six ports.

The initial day at sea while sailing to Norway gives you time to put your explorer hat on while getting familiar with the ship, before getting offboard to explore your new surroundings in your first port of call Haugesund.

You’ll reap one of the many benefits of going on an explorer cruise throughout your travels, as Island Princess sails to 12 unique ports of call in Norway – more than any comparable ship.

Haugesund is a perfect example of this, where you can expect a quaint waterfront town full to the brim with history. Start by wandering the cafes, galleries and museums before delving into the Viking period with a visit to a reconstructed village in Avaldsnes just south of Haugesund (where Norway’s first king had his royal seat).

Longyearbyen is another highlight of the itinerary where you can embark on an exciting excursion with Princess Cruises – the ‘Hike to Blomsterdalshogda & The Global Seed Vault’ excursion.

Lace-up your sturdy boots for an exhilarating hike that enjoys views 1,053 feet above sea level. Ensure you bring a camera to capture these stunning landscapes as well as an array of flora such as the Svalbard poppy or Arctic willow.

When you reach the top viewpoint, take a deep breath of fresh air and gaze out at the glimmering waters of Adventfjorden bay, reindeer on the mountainside and look up to see migrant birds travelling to their nests.

Iceland & Greenland

Arguably best explored via cruise, both Iceland and Greenland feature countless spots of natural beauty that are guaranteed to take your breath away.

Embarking August 9, you’ll first dip your toe into this adventure cruise by exploring Cornwall and Cork before sailing towards Iceland.

Akureyri, Isafjordur and Reykjavik are the three destinations you’ll dive into in Iceland. Each destination will certainly live up to Iceland’s ‘Land of Fire and Ice’ reputation.

Take Akureyri for example, where the biggest decision you’ll make is what cruise excursion to go on – whether you opt for ‘Icelandic Horseback Riding’, 'Flightseeing Over Lake Myvatn Area' or ‘Godafoss Waterfall, Lava Labyrinth & Hot Springs’, the choice is yours.

Traverse new terrains in Greenland when wandering Qaqortoq and Nanortalik. Qaqortoq offers a cruise port away from mainstream tourism, allowing you to get a true feel of the area.

During your time here, make sure to witness the centuries-old Inuit skills of hunting, fishing and kayaking before hiking along the Great Lake on an excursion with Princess Cruises. All you have to remember to bring with you is your spirit of adventure…

Search for the Northern Lights

Countless cruisers have been chasing the Northern Lights for years, and Norway is widely believed to be the best place to see this shimmering display of lights. Explore Stavanger, Tromso, Alta, Lofoten Islands and Alesund across 14 days.

Like all good globetrotters, cover plenty of ground while keeping one eye on the sky in search of the Northern Lights.

Your first port of call, Stavanger, is not only stunning to cruise through, but there are countless coves of wonder to discover when on land.

Follow the footsteps of the Vikings, who once sailed on voyages of conquest here – even visit an Iron Age Farm and Stavanger Cathedral with Princess Cruises to be transported back to ancient times with weapons dating back to the fourth and fifth centuries.

If you are lucky enough to bear witness to the magical polar lights, ensure you set up night mode on your phone to capture the moment exactly as you see it from the decks of Island Princess.

Lofoten Islands is a port of call to remember, which is located above the Arctic Circle and features dramatic rocky peaks as well as a pretty village.

Oktoberfest European Capitals

Last, but certainly not least, if you crave a different style of adventure, then the Oktoberfest European Capitals itinerary is calling your name.

Visit every accomplished city in Europe in one roundtrip from Southampton across 12 days departing September 22.

Paris brings plenty of iconic sightseeing opportunities such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame while Berlin brings the edge to your explorations with an impressive Gothic old quarter and red-light district as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Oslo, Aarhus, Copenhagen and Gothenburg ooze Scandi-cool with glorious canals in Gothenburg and a unique sculpture park in Oslo.

Finish up your European adventure in The Netherlands and enjoy Oktoberfest – grab yourself a cold, crisp beer and join in the celebrations.

Sail further and see more with Princess Cruises’ explorer-style itineraries. You are guaranteed to find a cruise that suits your travelling desires and thoroughly covers each destination, so what are you waiting for?