Baltic cruises offer a variety of shore excursions, including visits to famous landmarks, world-class museums and galleries, well-manicured parks, and cultural experiences. Some popular shore excursions include Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, visiting the Victorian era palaces in St. Petersburg, Estonia’s cobblestone alleyways, and exploring the islands of Stockholm.
St. Petersburg is a must-visit destination on any Baltic cruise, and Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of itineraries and tours. Some popular shore excursions include Winterworld and The Arctic Ice Bar in Helsinki, Finland, exploring the Medieval Old Town in Tallinn, Estonia, catching seals at play on an adventure to Tallinn, Estonia’s North Coast, celebrating the Legend of the Vasa in Stockholm, Sweden, and strolling fun and famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark.
To make the most of your Baltic cruise, consider booking shore excursions onboard, which can be done onboard or by calling one of their tour companies. Private shore excursions in St. Petersburg are recommended as they allow you to make the most of every port and your pre- and post-cruise time.
For those looking to explore the Baltic region, MaxiBaltTours has prepared a selection of best Baltic shore excursions for cruise travelers, including private and small group tours. By choosing from these options, you can enjoy an unforgettable experience on your Baltic cruise.
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What do you wear in the Baltic?
The proper gear for a Baltic cruise is thermal underwear, mittens, hats, scarves, and a heavy coat. Cloakrooms in restaurants, bars, and museums can be used to store outer gear. Dressing up for specific occasions is recommended. When packing for the cruise, consider the weather conditions and the different destinations. Two top tips for appropriate clothing include thermal underwear, mittens, hats, scarves, and heavy coats. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and the specific occasions you’ll be visiting.
Are shore excursions worth it?
Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but a mix of guided tours and independent exploration can be the most value. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and consider both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. If you want to stay on board while your ship is docked in a port that doesn’t interest you, that’s okay. There are several guides to choosing a cruise line, including the 5 most desirable cabin locations, the 8 worst cabin locations, the ultimate guide to packing, the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks, top ways cruisers waste money, and the ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin.
What do you wear on a Baltic cruise?
In Scandinavia and Northern Europe, it is imperative to pack layers of clothing, as well as rain gear, sunglasses, walking shoes, tennis shoes, and swimsuits for outdoor activities. Given the prevalence of multiple currencies in the Baltics, it is advisable to utilize a credit card that does not impose international fees.
What is the best way to tour the Baltic states?
Self-drive tours in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are a popular way to explore the Baltic Sea region. These tours are organized by travel companies, allowing travelers to travel independently without the interference of tour leaders or noisy groups. The mode of transportation depends on the individual’s preferences, such as car, public transport, bike, or combining different means of transportation. Self-guided tours provide the best experience without the need for a perfect holiday itinerary, allowing for more freedom for spontaneity.
Visitors can stop at interesting sights, skip museums, or enjoy coffee breaks during their journey. This flexibility allows for a more personalized and enjoyable experience, allowing for a more personalized and enjoyable trip. Overall, self-guided tours offer a unique and enjoyable way to explore the Baltics.
How rough is the Baltic Sea?
The Baltic Sea is a large body of water with several bays, making it relatively isolated from the ocean. This results in minimal tides and a smooth surface, making it a pleasant and smooth cruise experience. There is also a canal between the sea and the ocean, with some cruises featuring a trip through the Kiel Canal. Major cruise ships frequent these waters with tours lasting 10-14 days, depending on the countries visited. However, no cruise will reach all countries, so be choosy. Often, one ship will alternate between clockwise and counterclockwise traversal of the sea, and some sea days are expected.
What is the best month to see the northern lights on a cruise?
The optimal period for observing the northern lights is between December and March. During this time, the nights are longest and the skies are clearest, providing the best conditions for viewing the aurora.
Which cruise line is best for Baltic?
For 2024 and 2025, the best small ship cruises to the Baltic are Ponant, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Silversea, Crystal, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Viking Ocean Cruises. These cruises offer a fascinating experience with art, architecture, history, clear air, light-filled nights, lush forests, long sandy beaches, picturesque islands, great food and drink, hiking and cycling opportunities, and magical music. To make the most of the trip, it is recommended to cruise on a small ship with no more than 1, 000 guests.
This allows for visits to smaller ports that larger ships cannot reach, and offers extra space and enhanced service on board. For those who prefer the intimacy of a ship with fewer than 500 guests, there are key Baltic bonuses, such as being closer to the action and requiring less traveling time for city excursions.
What do you wear on a summer baltic cruise?
The summer temperatures in Scandinavia and Northern Europe are typically cooler than those observed in southern Mediterranean countries. This climatic difference is reflected in the seasonal attire, with denim jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, and fleece jackets being more prevalent in the former region.
Which is the best month to see the northern lights?
The best time to see the northern lights is during the winter months, between late September and late March, as the sun’s 11-year solar cycle is ramping up towards its maximum. The northern lights can appear for long periods or short bursts, so it’s best to be warm and wait for them. They can appear unexpectedly, so it’s essential to be prepared and ready. Waiting for the aurora is part of the experience, especially when hunting with like-minded individuals.
It allows for sharing stories, stargazing, and enjoying the shared experience of the night sky. The wait is a part of the experience and can be a memorable experience for those looking to see the northern lights.
What to expect on a Baltic cruise?
It is typical of Baltic cruises to be port-intensive, with the exception of those of a relatively short duration, typically seven or eight nights. The majority of these itineraries are one-way, with Stockholm and Copenhagen as the designated ports of departure and Helsinki and Tallinn as the designated ports of call.
Can you see the northern lights on a Baltic cruise?
The Arctic viewing season for the Northern Lights on a Baltic cruise is from late September to late March or early April, with December through March being the best months to view the lights due to the darker winter days and higher chances of clear skies. While it is possible to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis in southern Finland, a cruise farther north into Scandinavia offers a better chance. The Baltic Sea experiences significant seasonality, with winters being long, cold, and dark, and summers being short and relatively warm.
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I took a Baltic Cruise 6-2022. We had 3 generations. My son’s wife was pregnant so baby Milo was onnboard. So 4 gens lol. I went on NCL Getaway. My DIL and her mom are from St. Petersburg so I were bummed our itineray was changed a few months after we booked. But instead we went to Hamburg and Gdank, Poland. I loved Stockholm, we saw the changing of the guards. I’m part Swedish and Polish, spent my bday in Poland. We did our trip R/t out of Copenhagen. We didn’t go to Norway. I loved every port. I took bus excursions with my 80 yr old parents. We learned so much history. I can’t wait to go again and explore some other ports. My kids and their in laws walked into most ports and explore the food and breweries. So a Baltic Cruise offers something for everyone. Only in Hamburg, did a couple vendors wanted cash only, so i forgot my debit card on the ship, so I went across the street and went to Starbucks and got a Germany been there mug. Next time, I’ll bring a little currency. Every other place took credit cards.
I was on the Apex doing a similar cruise at the same time. (We docked next to you in Stockholm.) I found no need to use local currency, and I don’t think anyone needs to worry about it. One plus you did not mention is that everyone speaks English. Wi-Fi on Apex worked perfectly the entire cruise. We stopped at Visby, Sweden on Gotland Island. It felt like the Cape Cod of Sweden; serene and beautiful. My favorite part was the sail out from Sweden through its archipelago. It was fabulous.
You both are so bang on with your comments. We did a B2B on the Silhouette in May/22. Firstly, we did the 7-day Norwegian Fjords and then the 12-day Baltic. Our ‘bad’ was that there was no ‘culture foods’ offered, being that we visited so many countries. Just after COVID, there were many B2B cruisers and the feeling was that the food was mediocre and repetitive. We then went to Amsterdam for 3 days before we boarded a Viking 8-day Rhine River Cruise to Basel, Switzerland. While an amazing cruise journey, it was VERY port intensive and being in our 70’s, we were exhausted after all cruises. So, as you said, to embrace the ‘culture’, it may be best to enjoy the Baltic cities as more of a land vacation.
First of all, the need to explain geography and meteorology I found hilarious! Having watched this, it underpins why I would never opt for a cruise. Train travel for me every time, more experience of real life, local food, stop wherever you feel like for as long as you want, do whatever you want. And lack of WiFi? Well, that’s got to have been a treat. It’s a complete rest without it.
I’ve been to all these cities, either by land or a Norway/Denmark cruise. Interesting to see your take. I enjoyed the changing currency- all part of a different culture. I remember the days before the euro well! Always credit cards and most will accept euros as well. Those locations may all be cities but they’re all very different and often feel open and green. Lol, love the weather advice – being from UK I’m never without rain gear of some sort!! Very true about the times, Europe cannot be truly done like this – this is a good way to get a taster only.
Tallin has been around since the 1200s so it is hardly new. One of the best tours I ever took was there, at the old Kremlin headquarters, which were abandoned in 1992. We followed that with a chocolate making class at Kalev Chocolate, which has been in business 200 years. Great day in a historical city.
My wife and I also did a Baltic cruise in early July on Holland America out of Copenhagen. Lucked out with good weather on the looong 20 hours of light each day ☀️ You’re right about the time in port. I would’ve been happy with a couple less ports and a few overnights. That said, with pre-planning a cruiser can cram a LOT into each day in each city which was satisfying. BTW: we’re also going back on a land tour now that we are more familiar with the area. It’s Berlin and Copenhagen for us.
This seems like an awesome trip. You guys missed the point of Northern Europe cruise. You go to see these great cities and experience its culture and heritage. I hope people don’t try to compare it to a Caribbean cruise where one island is a cookie cutter of the previous island. However, it does seem that you like the cruise. 😀🚢
The longer cruise does make a difference in the US market where Americans get so much less vacation versus Europeans. Many Americans will not even invest the time and money in a seven night cruise! For Europeans, a 12 night cruise is doable for families and younger people as they get more time off, more vacation. My cousins in Germany get 15 holidays a year and 6 weeks of vacation! So glad you saw Tivoli, it’s magical! So sorry you had bad weather at Stockholm, it is among the most beautiful cities anywhere! Great article guys! 😀
We were just on a 14 night cruise to the Baltics on P&O Aurora. It was our second time on similar itineraries and we generally love it, but the weather got us badly this time, our last two ports were cancelled due a storm, and we had to rush back to the safety of Northern France for an unplanned stop. We did cross paths with you as were in Stockholm on the same day! Now that was a rainy one, wasn’t it? 😂 So glad I bought a good lightweight waterproof jacket! Pity we didn’t see you, but I hope you guys didn’t get too wet ? It was fun following you out of Stockholm too…glad the weather cleared up a bit for the stunning sailed out 😊
Hi. I am looking for a baltic or combined scandinavia baltic cruise. I also want lithuania . Before or after. I do not want all city. I want norway fiords too. The big thing for me is I am solo traveling. I cannot do a full pay for 2 people cruise unless hugely last min discount . Looking for July in Aug 6 ..please advise
Loved our Baltic cruise out of Copenhagen. We were fortunate to be able to go to Russia at that time for an overnight. It was the highlight of our trip going to the Hermitage and seeing a Russian ballet. I do remember needed to get a huge mix of money. We ran out in Finland when we visited a local market.
I am doing this cruise on the silhouette next May. Can you please comment on the food variety in the main dining room. There have been complaints about cut backs on this ship and lack of variety in the cruise critic forums. Some commented that the veg was an ice cream scoop full of mashed potatoes, a few green beans and a bit of carrot for most of the dinner meals. Thanks.
We were on Norwegian Dawn from August 6 to August 15, 2023 on the Baltic Cruise. Sadly to say we didn’t enjoy it at all. I got sick in the middle of my cruise and I thought I caught a cold because it’s cold and rainy over there. Boy, I was wrong when we got home last week we took Covid tests and all of us caught Covid. We thought we caught a cold on the ship. A lot of people on the Norwegian Dawn was coughing and sneezing and I know a lot of people got sick when we disembarked in Sweden.
First off, you two are great together, cute and high energy. I hope this energy is true in your private life together. Well thank you for this article as my husband and I have plans for the same cruise in June 2024 and having just returned from 10 in the Artic (looking for the norther lights) I was ready to cancel the Baltic cruise. You have given use great Insite that we will take to heart in deciding if we will go on the cruise or maybe a land tour. Thanks again, you are wonderful. From Palm Springs, be well.
What is your approach to visiting such rich destinations for only a day? Do you try to get an overview of “top sights”? Or just set one or two goals that will make for a fun an interesting day—have a good day without worrying about what you’re not doing? Also: The “bad” and the “ugly” were all things you knew when you chose the cruise–the type of ports, the climate, the hours, etc. I can see that clients should consider these things when choosing a cruise. But it seems odd to choose to visit a bunch of cities and then say it was “bad” to visit only cities. Just saying ….. I think I get what you mean: remind clients not to choose a cool climate urban itinerary if what they want are warm beaches.