Elite Europe
A Journey to Baltic and Scandinavian Capitals of Europe
Round trip from Rotterdam, Netherlands
June 25 to July 12, 2026

Elite Cruises & Vacations is heading back to Europe! After an incredible 2024 supported cruise and caregiver retreat we’re bringing our travelers back for another adventure, this time exploring the Baltic and Scandinavian capital cities on a unique itinerary curated by Holland America and The History Channel. 

This voyage offers a supported vacation experience for travelers of every age and diagnosis, including Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Family caregivers can attend special workshops and support circles at sea. Family and friends rates are available for additional cabins booked that do not require assistance. Accompanied shore excursions are available in each port but accessible excursion options may be limited on this itinerary due to the historic destinations. Passports valid through January 13, 2027 are required for all travelers on this voyage.

Where we’re taking you

June 25: Welcome to Amsterdam! An Elite Cruises staff member will be waiting at Schiphol Airport to greet you outside baggage claim and escort you to our pre-cruise group hotel. Or we can arrange for an Elite Cruises staff member to accompany your flight from the US for a truly supported experience.  

June 26: Today we’re exploring Amsterdam in order to get ourselves acclimated to the local time and fight off jet lag. We’ll be taking a boat tour of the canals and visiting the Rijksmuseum to view the Rembrandts and Vermeers on display in this incredible museum.

June 27: Welcome onboard the Nieuw Statendam! We will depart our hotel as a group and transfer to the city of Rotterdam where Elite Cruises staff will escort you through the cruise terminal and to your stateroom or suite. You’ll have a chance to relax and freshen up for our first evening onboard where we’ll have a decadent dinner before exploring the entertainment venues onboard our ship.

June 28: This day at sea features programs and activities for our group in our private conference space. Caregivers can attend morning workshops and support circles with our guest speakers while the Elite Cruises staff spends time with loved ones doing activities that have been carefully selected to fit the lifestyle of our travelers. After a group lunch the Elite Cruises staff will take over once again so caregivers get two hours of respite to relax, explore our ship, or start taking advantage of their beverage package!

June 29: Colorful Copenhagen looks like it was taken straight out of a fairy tale, with plenty of castles, romantic gardens, and charming harborside streets to explore. For lovers of history the Viking museum features several long boats and ship building demonstrations, making it a must visit destination.

June 30: Step back in time in Arhus, Denmark’s second city, with a visit to Old Town which features structures dating back all the way to the 1500s, otherwise venture outside the city to explore a Viking fortress or a renaissance castle. For travelers who want to keep things more “modern,” visit the Contemporary Art Museum (though their modern art collection does span 300 years).

July 1: Treat yourself to a beach day in the charming seaside down of Warnemünde, Germany, or spend a day leisurely strolling alongside the Alter Strom Canal, popping in and out of the shops and cafes that line this picture perfect area. For those who love city life book an excursion to Berlin to see one of the last pieces of the Berlin Wall and go past Checkpoint Charlie (and don’t forget to ask Elite Cruises owner Kathy about her own experience driving through Germany during the Cold War years).

July 2: This day at sea gives travelers a chance to relax and unwind from the adventures so far. Caregivers can enjoy morning workshops before afternoon activities like wine tasting or taking a dip in the hydrotherapy pool at the spa while the Elite Cruises staff spends time with loved ones. For any travelers in need of an afternoon snack join us for a traditional European high tea, complete with towers of mini sandwiches, scones, and other bite size pastries.

July 3: Tallin is Northern Europe’s oldest capital city as well as one of the best preserved. Here you can traverse the medieval streets in search of the perfect handmade souvenir or take part in some touristy entertainment with medieval music and dances. But no matter where you go and what you do in this city you’ll notice the conflicting influences of Scandinavian and Russian cultures.

July 4: Have you ever tried reindeer? This day in Helsinki is your chance to try Scandinavian culinary treats like reindeer sausage, salmon soup, and herring. Or play with safe with a Carlsberg beer to quench your thirst after a day of exploration.

July 5: Stockholm is a unique city with something for every traveler. History lovers can see an impeccably preserved 17th century warship at the Vasa Museum while pop culture enthusiasts should not miss the ABBA museum. No matter what you’re passionate about there’s no denying that the Old Town area is breathtakingly charming.

July 6: Gotland is a picturesque island south of mainland Sweden and there’s no where we’d rather visit than the charming resort town of Visby where the Pippi Longstocking movies were filmed. Here you’ll find magical botanical gardens, picture perfect cathedral ruins, and an ancient walled town just waiting to be explored.

July 7: This day at sea gives us a chance to recover from all the walking we’ve been doing in each port. Sleep in and enjoy a day as active or as leisurely as you’d like. The Elite Cruises staff is on hand for caregiver conferences, respite sessions, and group activities or you can have a relaxing day with your loved ones. If you’re looking to have a lazy day by the pool let us know so we can send one of our staff members to save a lounger for you!

July 8: Oslo was the first stop on our first ever Elite supported Europe cruise and because of this it holds a special place in our hearts. We loved walking around the palace grounds, seeing the university, exploring the fort, and doing quite a bit of shopping for quality Norwegian wool goods at Dale of Norway. In the evening as the ship departs make sure to spend some time on deck as we cruise through the fjords.

July 9: Another sea day gives caregivers a chance to connect with each other while the Elite Cruises staff spends time with their loved ones. It also gives caregivers another opportunity to take advantage of ship amenities like a private cabana at The Retreat, some quiet time at the library, or an indulgent European hot chocolate from the Dutch Café (that can be spiked for an extra special treat).

July 10: Wake up early to catch a glimpse of the iconic white cliffs of Dover, England as the ship pulls into port. There are plenty of options for your full day in port; you can choose to explore this seaside town or venture out to historic Canterbury or vibrant London. For an English country escape don’t miss the nearby town of Rye with its historic timber framed buildings and quaint village pubs.

July 11: Our ship has arrived back in Rotterdam but that doesn’t mean the fun stops here. Join us as we head back to Amsterdam for one more night in this beautiful city where you can spend your evening continuing to sightsee or just rest up for an early flight home on July 12. The Elite Cruises staff will escort you to the airport or can accompany you on a flight back to the US by request.

We offer the following on each Elite Supported Cruise so you and your loved ones can enjoy life to the fullest:

• Two hours daily of caregiver respite with option to extend

• All-inclusive cruise which includes onboard dining, beverage package, and WiFi

• Group accompanied by medical professionals, including RN support 24/7, as well as trained support staff. Staff to family ratio is 1:1.

• Meet and greet at airport and escort to pre/post cruise hotel

• Transfers to/from cruise ship

• Luggage handling by Elite Cruises staff

• Group dinner seating plus 2 specialty dining experiences

• Events and programming exclusively for our group

Wheelchair accessible and mobility accessible staterooms are available on a first come first serve basis. All cabins on the ship can be retrofitted to be accessible with elevated toilet seats, shower chairs, and detachable shower heads at no additional cost. Arrangements can be made to rent assistive devices such as manual wheelchairs, scooters, power wheelchairs, etc.