When our family decided to move back to the USA, it wasn’t long before the thought of transatlantic cruise back home, popped into our minds. After some quick research, we discovered the cost of a cruise ticket wasn’t much more than the cost of a one-way plane ticket in August. Besides, we’d be able to visit the Scandinavian countries on our wish list for the fraction of the cost of traveling to them individually, plus enjoy one last European adventure. (Another great advantage was no jet lag!)

Our journey started with a 5 AM taxi ride to the Köln train station. From there our family of 4, plus 15 pieces of luggage, loaded onto a train bound for Copenhagen, Denmark.

A young boy sits cross-legged on a train platform beside a tall stack of red suitcases and backpacks.

Not only was our cruise ship in Copenhagen, but also our wonderful friend Lilli from Sicily! After we dropped our luggage off at our Airbnb, we took a 20 min walk to her apartment. It would have been a lovely stroll, but unfortunately, the sky turned dark and poured on us! We were soaked to the bone by the time we arrived. What a treat it was that Lilli had a delicious hot Sicilian dinner waiting for us.

The following day we enjoyed walking around Copenhagen and were fortunate that the weather agreed to cooperate with us this time. Highlights for our family were Nyhavn with the bright cheerful buildings lining the canal, Christiansborg Palace, Frederiks Kirke, otherwise known as the marble church, and Papiroeen for a foodies paradise. Unfortunately, the street food project at Paper Island has come to a close, but there are still many delicious eateries in town.

We boarded the Vision of the Seas the day after our walking tour of Copenhagen. Our first impressions were that there weren’t many young families queuing through security (This turned out to be a huge advantage for us. More on that later.) and that most of the guests were native English speakers. After receiving our boarding cards, we headed directly to the casual dining area for lunch while we waited for the staterooms to become available.

Our first port of call was Skagen, Denmark, the most northern point in the country. We packed our backpacks and headed out to explore the town, and walk out to Grenen, where the two seas of Skagerrak and Kattegat meet. (Any Vikings fans here?!)

Day 3 of our cruise brought us to Kristiansand, Norway. It was a cool and misty day, so we opted to leave the kids on board at the kids club to play, while my husband and I explored for a couple of hours. This is where being one of the few familes with kids on board was a big advantage. Since there were only a handful of children sailing, the kids club ALWAYS had availability. We heard how the last cruise in July had been mostly young families, and that the kids programs were always maxed out, and it was hard to get a spot. Another win for traveling off-season!

Our first stop once off the boat was at Kristiansand Cathedral. We were drawn in by organ music and stayed a little while enjoying a break from the rain. Circling back towards the ship, we stopped for a snack at the Fiskebrygga (Fish Quay). The fish cakes were incredible! Like chewy fried biscuits with small pieces of white fish and fresh herbs. Yum! (And I’m not really a seafood person.)

A father with a child on his shoulders poses on the dock before the Vision of the Seas in Copenhagen.

A long row of offshore wind turbines stands on the horizon across the open sea under a blue sky.

A child in a pink shirt lies face-down on a wooden pier beside a harbor with a tall-masted ship.
Pooped from all the walking, or sunbathing?

A family of three sits on a bench before an ivy-covered wall beside a parked bicycle.

A man helps a toddler stand before a uniformed palace guard at a red sentry box.

A grand green-domed church stands at a busy city street corner under a bright blue sky in Denmark.

An ornate church interior featuring a gilded baroque altar with a golden cross and tall candelabras.

Ornate gilded pipe organ with carved cherubs and eagle set in a stone arched church facade.

A young girl in a pink top stands at a railing gazing at a harbor ship and colorful waterfront buildings.

A family of four walks down a bustling cobblestone street lined with shops and pedestrians.

A girl in a pink sweater looks up at a panda bear perched in a tree in Denmark.
Rare teddy bear sighting in Skagen

Tufts of dry grass dot sandy dunes overlooking a calm sea with ships on the horizon under a blue sky.

A weathered stone hut sits on a wide pebble beach beside calm coastal waters under a clear blue sky.

A tall stone lighthouse stands on a sandy dune beach beside calm shallow water in Denmark.

A pebbled shoreline lined with green algae meets shallow, clear water beneath a bright blue sky.

A repurposed wooden boat planter with white flowers stands beside a rustic Engerviks shed under leafy trees.

A boy gazes at the open ocean and setting sun from a windowed lounge aboard a cruise ship.
Can’t beat this dinner view