Cruise the Baltics
Clustered around the beautiful Baltic Sea, the nations of this northern region create a wonderful region to explore, filled with fascinating contrasts. Following the shores of the Baltic Sea can showcase Scandinavia’s capitals, medieval towns and cities dotted with grand imperial buildings.
Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites and cosmopolitan cities. Savour Northern European cuisine, unlock hidden history and encounter compelling storytellers, as you sail the Baltic Sea. From imperial St Petersburg to Helsinki’s Design District, a Baltic holiday unlocks a world where old meets new. Where extraordinary contrasts await around every corner – and at every port. A journey that begins the moment you step aboard and which you’ll remember long after you return.
Visit in the winter months and you can expect the crunch of snow under your feet, seasonal markets and cosy cafés. Summer is a more popular time for holidays here, when you’ll be rewarded with warm temperatures, flower-decked meadows and almost 24-hour daylight. Restaurants in Stockholm set tables on the sidewalks. It is a wonderful time to visit as parks and gardens in Oslo and Helsinki come to life with brilliant flowers and the sounds of children playing. In St. Petersburg descend an elegant staircase between sparkling, gilded fountains at the extravagant riverside Summer Palace.
Upcoming Cruises
Ports you might visit
Akureyri, Iceland
Established in the mid-17th century, Akureyri is home to Iceland's largest fishing company and its biggest shipyard. Viking sagas, spectacular fjords, snow-capped mountains... Iceland's Capital of the North is also surprisingly mild and the so-called Green Town is made for those long summer days.
Alesund
You'll have Kaiser Wilhem II to thank for this city. After all, when it was destroyed by fire in 1904, he decided to rebuild his beloved gateway in Art Nouveau style. Now its buildings dazzle with dreamy turrets and ornate carvings of dragons and mythical figures. Nature has played its part too, as calm waters and distant snow-capped peaks add to the charm.
Andalsnes, Norway
Near this idyllic town, gaze up at the "Troll Wall", whose immense grassy cliffs form the highest vertical mountain face in Europe. Or make an ascent of the "Troll Ladder", a road whose hairpin bends zig-zag up a steep mountainside and reveal spectacular valley views close to the thundering Stigfossen Waterfall.
Bergen, Norway
Unlock this fascinating "Gateway to the Fjords", Norway's second-largest city, Bergen is home to over 200,000 people. Maritime trade and oil industry are still vital to the city's economy. Visit medieval wooden houses on the waterfront and peek inside the workshops of local painters, weavers and craftsmen where works of art - some better than others - await discovery.
Bodo, Norway
Selected spring and summer Norwegian discoveries feature the town of Bodo, situated on a peninsula along a stretch of coastline in the north of the country, just inside the Arctic Circle.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen was founded during the 12th century. So much is new and striking, so much richly traditional - from the ramparts of Hamlet's Elsinore to the very latest examples of Scandinavian design. Copenhagen literally takes your breath away. Be wowed by the Amalienborg Palace, Christiana's hippy commune and the delightfully relaxing Tivoli Gardens.
Flaam, Norway
Calling all train lovers! Tiny Flam is renowned for the 20km stretch of railway that winds and climbs alongside spectacular Sognefjord. It's an unforgettable perspective on Europe's longest fjord as the steepest line in the world spirals its way through twisting mountains. The views are simply spellbinding.
Geiranger, Norway
This small village is one of the most visited locales in Norway's fjord lands. If you love waterfalls, you're in the right place. In steep, stunning Geirangerfjord, the Seven Sisters - Geirangers scenic waterfalls, forever woo the Suitor, another cascade on the opposite shore. A tour to Mount Dalsnibba (1500m high) presents views of this spectacular area in unrivalled glory.
Haugesund, Norway
Haugesund stands on Norway's southwest shore, where the fjords flow out into the North Sea. The breathtaking scenery and a rich Viking legacy make it an intriguing destination on cruises along the Norwegian coast.
Helsinki, Finland
Sail in past the island fortress of Suomenlinna to Finland's clean, bustling capital. Gaze at the neo-classical architecture of Senate Square and the copper dome of Rock Church. Shop along the Esplanade for Finnish crafts. Or visit architect Saarinen's studio.
Isafjordur, Iceland
Keep your binoculars handy. Iceland's western fjords are prime whale watching waters and, if your luck's in, you may just spot a telltale spout of water.
Narvik
Narvik has a spectacular setting on a peninsula surrounded by three fjords. The multiple mountains also help to shelter its popular ski slopes from strong coastal winds. And while Narvik is one of the most northerly towns in the world, some 220km within the Arctic Circle, it enjoys a milder climate than expected thanks to the North Atlantic Current. Narvik traces its history back to th e Bronze Age and was a Viking settlement for a time as well. Aside from the War museum, you can enjoy galleries, shops, and restaurants which specialise in locally-sourced seafood from the fjords and reindeer meat from the mountains. Ride the cable car to the top of Mount Narvik for the breathtaking views or go on optional excursion hikes, snowshoeing or kayaking on the fjords.
Narvik, Norway
You can reach Narvik on cruises to northern Norway. Indeed it is actually one of the most northerly towns in the world - 220 kilometres inside the Arctic Circle - yet surprisingly mild thanks to a combination of the North Atlantic Current and mountains which encircle the town and shelter it from winds.
Olden, Norway
When you leave this peaceful village on the picturesque Nordfjord, you'll do so with any number of breathtaking visions etched into your memory. The tranquil emerald waters and beautiful quiet valley plays host to giant waterfalls, the milky turquoise sheen of the mineral-rich Lake Lovatn and the green-tinged glow of the Kjenndalen Glacier.
Oslo
Oslo is the oldest and least populous capital in Scandinavia. The city offers superb theatres, great cafés, and excellent shopping as well as churches, palaces, parks and museums befitting of a capital. The warm, welcoming atmosphere of a small village. A spectacular setting of fjord and forested hill. Oslo really is a wonderful place to explore.
Reykjavik, Iceland
A mass of brightly coloured corrugated iron roofs is a familiar sight here in the world's most northern capital city. Experience the incredible views of the Golden Waterfall and wonder at the spouting geysers. Join in a national pastime - shopping! Designer labels, local wool, gourmet treats, even a flea market, it's all right here.
Skagen, Denmark
Filled with red and yellow clapboard houses, Skagen occupies a large spit of sand at the most northerly reaches of Denmark. Many flock to Grenen, the scenic end point of the dunes where two beaches meet. The light in the area has long attracted artists, and the results of the area's inspiration can be seen in the Skagen Museum, and in local shops filled with pottery and glassware.
Stavanger
Stavanger is blessed with history and natural beauty. From the old port, the city radiates across a network of islands interlaced with graceful bridges. Stavanger's Romanesque cathedral and old medieval lanes blend beautifully with the modern city and spectacular countryside. Journey back in time on a tour of Utstein Cloister, a beautifully preserved Augustin Monastery from the Middle Ages.
Stockholm, Sweden
With a certain unforgettable Baltic allure, the Old Town is like a picture postcard with charming side streets, fashionable shops and the Royal Palace all humming with the buzz of this vibrant city. Scattered pleasantly over 14 bridge-linked isles, this capital is a true delight, especially around the dreamy cobbled streets of an old town squeezed onto a small shard of land.
Trondheim, Norway
Explore regal pomp and ceremony, Norwegian style. The wooden "Stiftsgarden" is the city's official royal residence and under Nidaros Cathedral's gleaming spire, monarchs are still crowned to this day. You can also ride the quaint sightseeing streetcar and or make interesting visits to open-air folk museums, a working ski jump and the Lokken Copper Mines.
Visby, Sweden
Visby is the largest town on the Swedish island of Gotland, around 90 kilometres east of the mainland. Set in the Baltic Sea, it appears on certain cruises to St Petersburg which feature a number of Scandinavian calls en route.
