Nicko Cruises presents Vasco da Gama’s summer 2028 cruise programme, featuring itineraries lasting between 13 and 23 days across Northern and Western Europe, the Baltic Sea and the continent’s northernmost regions. The offering will be further expanded in early 2027 with the release of details for five additional Mediterranean cruises scheduled for autumn 2028.
The programme reflects the German tour operator’s time to discover philosophy, focusing on varied itineraries, less-frequented ports and calls that allow passengers to gain a deeper insight into each destination. From Hanseatic cities and the British Isles to Iceland, Spitsbergen and the North Cape, Vasco da Gama offers a journey through a diverse range of landscapes and cultures, combining shore excursions with days at sea.
The Baltic Sea will be the focus of three itineraries. The first two cruises, both lasting 13 days and departing from Kiel, are scheduled for 1–13 June and 22 July–3 August 2028. The routes will call at some of the region’s most representative destinations, including Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, Klaipėda and Gdańsk. Along the way, Riga’s Art Nouveau architecture will contrast with Tallinn’s medieval charm, while Helsinki will offer a blend of Nordic design and maritime tradition. Stockholm will captivate visitors with its archipelago, Klaipėda will evoke the region’s amber heritage, and Gdańsk will tell its story through historic buildings and reminders of its commercial past.
The main difference between the two itineraries will lie in their island calls: the June cruise will visit Visby, on the Swedish island of Gotland, while the July sailing will call at Saaremaa, Estonia’s largest island. Both itineraries will also include Bornholm, known for its green landscapes and sandy beaches.
From 3–15 August 2028, a third cruise will link Baltic cities with the Scandinavian coast. After calling at Gdańsk and Bornholm, Vasco da Gama will visit Malmö, Copenhagen and Skagen, where the North Sea meets the Baltic Sea. The journey will continue to Oslo and the Oslofjord before reaching Lysekil, on Sweden’s west coast, amid rocky islets and granite formations. The itinerary will conclude with arrival in Hamburg.
Three itineraries will also explore Western Europe, combining cultural heritage, port cities and coastal scenery. The first cruise, scheduled for 17 May–1 June 2028, will depart from Lisbon and sail to Kiel along Spain’s Atlantic coast before continuing towards England and Scotland. Ports of call will include A Coruña, home to the historic Tower of Hercules; Bilbao, where the Guggenheim Museum is located; and the coastal towns of Falmouth and Fowey. Portsmouth and Dover will offer opportunities to explore Britain’s maritime history, while Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen will showcase different aspects of Scotland’s heritage.
The British Isles will take centre stage on the cruise scheduled for 15 August–1 September, departing from Hamburg. After Amsterdam and London, the itinerary will call at the Isle of Wight and Cornwall before continuing to Ireland and Wales. Cobh, near Cork, will offer insights into Irish history; further north, Belfast and the famous Giant’s Causeway will be among the highlights. The route will continue through Killybegs, Londonderry and Oban, before reaching the Outer Hebrides, the Orkney Islands and Edinburgh, ahead of the return to Hamburg.
From 1–15 September, Vasco da Gama will sail south from Hamburg, calling at Amsterdam and Antwerp before reaching Dover and Jersey. The route will continue to the Médoc wine region, Bilbao, Vigo and Porto, where a boat trip along the Douro will offer a different perspective on the city. Cádiz and Málaga will mark the final calls on an itinerary combining urban culture, culinary traditions and Mediterranean atmosphere.
Among the season’s most spectacular offerings are two Northern Europe cruises, designed for travellers wishing to explore some of the region’s most striking natural environments. From 13 June to 5 July 2028, a 23-day cruise will combine Iceland, Spitsbergen and the North Cape. Departing from Kiel, Vasco da Gama will first call at the Shetland Islands before reaching Iceland, with stops at Heimaey, Reykjavík, Ísafjörður and Akureyri. Lava fields, waterfalls and volcanic landscapes will accompany the exploration of Iceland, before the ship sails towards Jan Mayen and passes through the area around Beerenberg volcano. The route will continue to Longyearbyen, in the Spitsbergen archipelago, where glaciers and vast wilderness define the Arctic landscape. After visiting the North Cape, the journey will continue via Alta and Harstad before reaching the Geirangerfjord and Bergen. The final calls along Norway’s southern coast will precede the return to Kiel. At this time of year, long daylight hours and the midnight sun will make the experience particularly memorable.
A second Northern European cruise will depart on 5 July, lasting 18 days and dedicated entirely to Norway. From Kiel, the ship will sail to Stavanger, Nordfjordeid and the Geirangerfjord, renowned for its towering cliffs and waterfalls. The itinerary will continue towards the Lofoten Islands, with a call at Svolvær, amid rugged mountains and traditional fishermen’s cabins. Sailing through the Moskstraumen will be one of the voyage’s most distinctive experiences. After reaching the North Cape, Vasco da Gama will head south via Hammerfest, Harstad and Trondheim. At Åndalsnes, on the Romsdalsfjord, passengers will be able to admire the surrounding mountains and the scenic Trollstigen road. The cruise will conclude in Bergen, home to the historic Hanseatic wharf of Bryggen, before the ship returns to Kiel on 22 July 2028.
Vasco da Gama’s programme will extend beyond northern destinations. In early 2027, nicko cruises will publish a brochure dedicated to five Mediterranean cruises scheduled for 15 September–11 November 2028, with durations ranging from 10 to 15 days. The itineraries will explore some of the region’s most appealing coastlines and islands, from Málaga and Sardinia to the Greek islands and Turkey’s Aegean coast. Destinations listed include Corsica, Elba and Sicily, as well as Corfu and Kuşadası, a gateway to the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus. These cruises will offer a more Mediterranean alternative to the grand routes of Northern Europe, combining historic destinations, coastal scenery and relaxing days at sea.
With its summer 2028 programme, Nicko Cruises brings together an extensive range of destinations, from the historic cities of the Baltic and Arctic landscapes to Atlantic coastlines, the British Isles and Mediterranean ports. The variety of itineraries and cruise durations will allow travellers to explore several regions in a single voyage, with particular emphasis on shore visits and discovering local identities.
Friederich Rolstad
