Baltic Sea Cruises

Baltic Sea Cruises

History buffs and outdoors-lovers alike will enjoy the spectacular views of the Baltic Region. There is so much to explore that you'll want as much time as possible, though it is worthwhile for just a week-long adventure, too. It's no wonder stories like The Little Mermaid and today's hit, Frozen, were imagined here. The cities you'll visit are brimming with history, beautiful landmarks preserved over time, and growing food and music scenes. Throughout the region travelers will find lovely canals and waterways to stroll down, outdoor cafes perfect for people-watching, and colorful museums to explore.

Baltic Sea Cruise Highlights

The Baltic is an intriguing and historical region filled with many cultures and languages to explore. With a history that includes rulers like Peter the Great, visitors can see the many sprawling palaces left behind, including the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and The Royal Palace in Stockholm. Visit ornate churches that are unlike anything found in North America: The Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland and St. Jacob's Cathedral in Riga, Latvia. There are so many ways to see the cities - stroll through historic town centers, bike around Copenhagen alongside the fifty percent of Copenhageners who commute to work via bike every day, or kayak through Norway's fjords.

Popular Baltic Sea Cruise Ports

Traverse the paths of the Vikings on a cruise to the Baltic Sea. The region is home to many majestic cities in countries like Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. It is a popular destination for many cruises, with these three cities as just a few of the highlights:

• Tallinn, Estonia: After establishing independence in just 1991, following the fall of the Soviet Union, Estonia is a new country with old history. Visit Tallinn, the country's political and cultural center, and see medieval churches and palaces, the often-bustling Town Hall Square, and the Estonian Open-Air Museum.
• St. Petersburg, Russia: Founded by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg is home to ornate, beautiful churches like the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and enormous, awe-inspiring palaces like Peterhof - also known as the "Russian Versailles."
• Copenhagen, Denmark: Denmark's capital is hip, trendy, and filled with delicious food to try and cultural sights to see. Literary fans will love Kronborg Castle, the setting for Shakespeare's "Hamlet," while families will surely enjoy Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

When is the Best Time to Go to the Baltic Sea?

The Baltic Sea region can get frigid in the winter, so summer is the much preferred time to sail. Most voyages sail from May to September, when the temperature is typically in the 60s and 70s (Fahrenheit).

What Cruise Lines Go to the Baltic Sea?

The Baltic Sea is a common destination for cruise ships to travel to. It is included on itineraries for ships big and small, luxury and contemporary. Some that sail there often include:

• Holland America Line: Naturally the line with roots in the Netherlands would have a strong affinity for the region. Often paired with other Northern Europe or Mediterranean Cruises, Holland's Baltic itineraries visit cities like Flam and Oslo, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; and Tallinn, Estonia.
• Silversea Cruises: Silversea itineraries bring travelers along the Baltic Sea and through Northern Europe in style and elegance. Travel to Amsterdam to see art by world-class painters like Van Gogh and Rembrandt or eat delicious smoked salmon and sausage in Gdansk, Poland. Silversea itineraries to this region are typically between 7 and 15 nights and depart from Europe.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Regent's most popular voyages to Northern Europe and the Baltic include a roundtrip from Southampton, England itinerary; a Copenhagen to Stockholm sailing; and a Southampton to Reykjavik journey. These generally run from 7 to 22 nights, and can be combined with other European voyages.