baltic sea cruise st petersburg

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Cruise to St. Petersburg, Russia

St. petersburg shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in st. petersburg.

Czars and Saviors

Front of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia

Located near the waterfront and housed in the former Romanov Winter Palace, the Hermitage Museum sits due north along Nevsky Prospekt from the Church of the Savior on Blood, St. Petersburg's other most iconic attraction.

Discover the Unusual

View of Saint Isaac's square in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg's city center is overflowing with history — why not choose museums that offer something a little different? Visit the quirky Faberge Museum, dedicated to the work of Russian jeweler Carl Faberge. Or enjoy an interactive experience at the Museum of Emotions.

Imperial Excursion

Take a drive to some imperial palaces outside the city center. Under an hour away by car lies exquisite Peterhof, whose fountains alone are worth the price of admission. Cruise to St. Petersburg and go by train to the Baroque-style Catherine Palace — can you guess which Russian ruler often stayed here?

Local Cuisine

Russians flock to St. Petersburg because of its cosmopolitan vibe, but use your stop here to discover local cuisine. Head to the restaurant-rich Nevsky Prospect to sample borscht beet root soup (the cold version in summer), dumplings of meat ( plmeni ) and sour cherries ( vareniki ) or hearty beef stroganoff — yes, that's a Russian dish!

St. Petersburg's shopping options are as grand as its architecture. The luxurious Gostiny Dvor mall is an essential stop with your St. Petersburg cruise. If you're looking for a more down-to-earth experience, try your luck (and your Russian language skills) at Udelnaya Flea Market and bargain for one-of-a-kind antique samovars or imperial porcelain.

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Baltic Sea Cruises

Architecture, history, and stunning scenery await you on a Baltic Sea Cruise

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Discover Old European Charm on a Baltic Sea Cruise

If you’ve ever wanted to step inside a Medieval fairytale, a Baltic Sea cruise most certainly delivers. Experience the Middle Ages as you explore Tallinn’s UNESCO-protected Old Town. Marvel at Denmark’s magical castles, and amble along the cobblestone streets and radiant, historic buildings of Gamla Stan in Stockholm. Explore religious sites and the all-encompassing history of Berlin. Spend the afternoon in one of Helsinki’s fascinating museums, then take a dip in the deep blue Baltic Sea.

Embark on an unforgettable cruise vacation aboard Celebrity Apex or Celebrity Silhouette, where you’ll find stylish accommodations, luxurious amenities, and globally inspired cuisine. Discover the beguiling countries that surround the Baltic Sea with Celebrity Cruises, voted “Best Cruise Line in Europe” for nine consecutive years at Travel Weekly’s 16th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Baltic Sea Cruise Highlights

Castles & palaces.

The countries along the Baltic Sea are brimming with historic castles and palaces. Go on a whirlwind tour of the famous castles of North Zealand outside of Copenhagen to see the royals’ part-time residence and the setting for Hamlet . Admire the stately Stockholm Palace where the King of Sweden resides. Explore the majestic Catherine Palace, the former summer retreat of Russian tsars. Revel in the romance and splendor of these opulent landmarks.

Outdoor Escapes

Kayak the Finnish archipelago surrounding Helsinki, or explore the scenic countryside of Porvoo. In Stockholm, venture beyond the city to the Långholmen Kajak, a Venice-like system of canals where you can enjoy a Swedish gondola ride. Venture to the Malusi islands off the coast of Estonia to spot seals in their natural habitat.

Urban Exploration

The extraordinary cities you’ll visit on a Baltic Sea cruise are brimming with culture, history, and excitement at every turn. Admire the quintessential rust-colored roofs of Tallinn. Stroll alongside the vibrant facades of Gamla Stan’s storied structures in Stockholm. Do as the locals do and bike through Copenhagen’s streets, admiring the sleek Scandinavian design juxtaposed with hundreds of years of history at every turn. 

Featured Ports

Copenhagen, denmark.

A stop in Copenhagen makes for a fabulous day in port while on a cruise to Scandinavia and to Northern Europe’s capitals. Spend the day admiring the city’s opulent castles and stroll along the colorful waterfront district of Nyhavn. Don’t forget to try a Danish brew and sample local eats at a food hall while you’re here.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in northern Europe. The city’s Old Town is filled with medieval houses and cobblestone alleyways still protected by the remnants of the city wall. Aside from Tallin’s charming city, you can venture to the countryside to sip vodka amongst the ruins of Rakvere Castle, or sample cheese at a local dairy farm.

Stockholm, Sweden

Discover Stockholm, the trend-setting capital of Sweden known as “Beauty on the Water”. Get a glimpse of a time before industrialization at Skansen, an open-air museum and zoo that showcases Sweden’s traditional way of life and exotic wildlife. Spend an afternoon at the Nationalmuseum or the Vasa Museum for a crash course in Viking history and Swedish art. No trip to the city is complete without spending a few hours in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town.

Baltic Sea Cruise Itineraries

On a cruise to the Baltic Sea, you’ll sail on award-winning ships like Celebrity Apex or Celebrity Silhouette. Itineraries range from 11 to 13 nights and depart from Rotterdam or Amsterdam, Netherlands and Southampton, England (which is conveniently close to London) from May to August.

Itineraries

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Why Sail on a Baltic Sea Cruise with Celebrity

Experience some of Europe’s most riveting cities while sailing in complete luxury on one of our cruise ships. Lounge at the Lawn Club and watch the Baltic Sea glitter as day turns to dusk. Sample local beer in Estonia, then try a new cocktail at one of our innovative bars. After a long, unforgettable day spent exploring Stockholm or Helsinki, you’ll be welcomed back to the ship, where exquisite cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and luxurious staterooms and suites await.

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Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

Unpack once and visit seven different scandinavian countries.

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On a Baltic cruise with Princess®, unpack once and visit seven different countries within Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Let the gold-lined palaces and monuments recount stories from these revolutionary regions. Along the way, meet the many famous figures that call these lands home. From Vikings to castles and cathedrals, relive history as you come face-to-face with these significant sites.

Scandinavia & Baltic cruises

On a Scandinavia and Baltic cruise, discover a whole new way of life. Feel the spirit of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan, hear from craftsmen in Tallinn and explore Helsinki’s Senate Square, where art, culture, religion, politics and education converge. Trek throughout these cities alongside expert guides who hold secrets of seasons past. Or step into the homes of locals to uncover long-standing traditions.

Featured Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise Ports

Discover some of the world-renowned destinations that await you on an Scandinavia & Baltic cruise with Princess.

With a history as long as its city wall, Berlin is a staggering destination for any traveler. On a Baltic cruise, honor those who lost their lives at the Holocaust Memorial. Watch history unfold as you visit the 20th-century remnants of the Berlin Wall. Or enjoy a change of pace touring the rooms and gardens of German dukes before you at Schwerin Castle.

Copenhagen boasts equal parts charm and culture. Before you set sail on your European cruise, indulge in thrills at Tivoli Gardens, and ride a bike along Nyhavn’s waterways, passing multi-colored homes on the way. Tour ancient fortresses, like Kronborg Castle, which inspired Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Or make a stop to see Copenhagen’s most famous symbol, The Little Mermaid.

With a deep-rooted respect for design, Helsinki is cloaked in elaborate styles from the present and past. On a Baltic cruise, admire the creative architecture of Suomenlinna Fortress, and learn about the city’s naval past. At Market Square, shop hand-crafted goods, or see a collection of artifacts at the Kiasma Modern Art Museum.

As a major trading port, it should come as no surprise that Oslo is home to many valuables. On a Baltic cruise, visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, and view over 200 colossal figures created by a famous Norweigan sculptor. Watch experts blow glass at the Hadeland Glassworks gallery. Or snap a photo at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, featured during the 1952 Olympic ski-jumping competition.

Covering 14 separate islands, Stockholm is a cultural playground waiting to be explored. On a Scandinavia cruise, waltz through the Royal Palace, and explore 600 royal rooms. Capture postcard-worthy shots of Stockholm City Hall, one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Or transport to the 10th century when you arrive in Sigtuna — Sweden’s original capital — and discover where it all began.

Travel back in time as you walk through the medieval streets of Tallinn, admiring the city’s preserved history and architecture. On a Russia cruise, journey through the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and learn about tsar regime. View tombs and coats of arms that live in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Or get a rare taste of local tradition at the Museum of Estonian Drinking Culture.

Why Cruise Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

From astounding fjords to astonishing palaces, the treasures of Scandinavia and Baltic region welcome you to explore.

Step back in time

Get up close to historical gems on a Baltic cruise with Princess. View ships and treasures found in royal burial mounds of the Oslo fjord at the Viking Ship Museum. Or learn what it’s like to be a prize winner at Stockholm's Nobel Peace Museum, and get up close to the world’s oldest preserved warship at the Vasa Museum

Fjords & Viking Legends

Formed by the hands of the glaciers

A Baltic cruise is your key to the Norwegian Fjords — Mother Nature’s crown jewel. Upon arriving in Stockholm, ride along the brinks of Tyrifjord, a 52-mile inlet that boasts greenery and deep blue waters. Relax amidst the serenity of Oslo Fjord, and discover treasures from beneath its seas at the Viking Ship Museum. With Princess, sail to Scandinavia’s oldest capital and revel in the natural wonders before you.

Unique Architecture

Magnificent and monumental

Travel to lands where ancient architecture abounds. Wander the cobbled streets of Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Explore a treasure trove of late Renaissance and Rococo architecture in Copenhagen, like Rosenborg Castle, Kronborg Castle or Frederiksborg Castle. Or walk through 'Upper Old Town,' home to some of Tallin's oldest and most notable structures. Experience it all on a Baltic cruise.

Shore excursions

Our award-winning Scandinavia and Baltic cruise shore excursions bring you to palaces, Viking heritage and hidden gems. In partnership with Discovery™, tour three royal residences in Copenhagen — including Fredensborg and Frederiksborg Castle. You’ll also enjoy a Hamlet-themed journey through Kronberg Castle, which inspired the famous play. Or travel through a traditional Danish village, and discover hundreds of years of history along the way.

Local connections

On a Baltic cruise, learn the secrets to crafting an Estonian beer from a master brewer, and pair your sips with snacks. Journey through Tallinn’s most notable sites — including Palace Square and the Great Guild Hall. Or stroll through Stockholm’s ‘Haymarket,’ and sample regional delicacies while hearing from chefs and vendors.

Enjoy even more history and culture with More Ashore late-night departures and overnight stays. On a Baltic cruise, see Berlin’s most iconic sites — like Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. Or stroll under the Nordic twilight, and end the night at Oslo’s Ice Bar.

Baltic & Scandinavia Cruise Onboard Experience

Curated comfort, world-class entertainment and international flavors await you.

Experience Scandinavia without ever stepping off the ship. Our onboard activities bring the diverse cultures of the region directly to you. Sing, dance, feast and celebrate in a way that only the Baltic and Princess know how.

Accommodations

Your home away from home

Your stateroom is where you rest and recharge between adventures. That’s why every room is equipped with the expertly designed Princess Luxury Bed, 100% Jacquard-woven cotton linens and our SLEEP program created by a board-certified sleep expert. From interior cabins to full suites, unwind in any of our staterooms, and enjoy peace of mind with the option of connected rooms for families of four or more traveling together.

Flavors that inspire

Take a week-long vacation on a Bahamas cruise with more to love, calling on additional Caribbean ports. Visit Princess Cays for a day in the sun, sand and surf. Then have more time to explore Trunk Bay – one of the “Cruise Wonders of the World” – during a late-night stay in St. Thomas on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. From relaxation to adventure, experience cruises to the Bahamas that have more range with Princess.

Entertainment

Find your joy

Embark on adventures by day, and indulge in entertainment by night. Watch Movies Under the Stars® at our 300-square-foot outdoor theater. Attend original productions from Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz, composer of  Wicked . Or learn traditional moves, like Flamenco or Irish stepdance, and listen to popular music from the destinations on your itinerary. On a European cruise with Princess, the choice is yours.

Youth & Teen Center

Step outside the classroom

Our European cruises were crafted with every guest in mind — even the younger ones. From 6-month old babies to 17-year old teens, kids can unwind and relax or play and explore. In partnership with Discovery™, kids can learn even more with special insights about Italy, Greece and everywhere in between. With engaging activities on board and ashore, kids can see history books come to life before their eyes.

Reset, recharge, relax

Your European cruise should be every bit as refreshing as it is inspiring. Unwind in the Sanctuary, a retreat just for adults, and relish in tranquility. Or book an appointment at the Lotus Spa®, named "Best Spa on a Cruise Ship" by Spafinder Wellness 365™. Enjoy relaxing treatments — like facials, hot stone massages and detoxifying wraps — that will leave you recharged for upcoming adventures.

Vegas hits the seas

Experience the thrill of cards, dice, roulette and blackjack at the casino onboard our European cruises. Learn from experts — like our staff or perhaps other guests nearby — and put your skills to the test. More casual players can pull up a seat at the slot machines for the same adrenaline at their own speed. For an afternoon full of games, join fellow travelers for Bingo, or compete in scheduled group tournaments.

Sailing Scandinavia & Baltic cruises

Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from small to large vessels. While aboard, marvel at Europe’s breathtaking scenery and enjoy regionally inspired cuisine. Those sailing on Scandinavia and Baltic cruises even have the chance to experience Sky Princess®.

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BALTIC CRUISES

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Book Your Baltic Cruise Holiday

Cruise to the Baltic Sea and experience Northern Europe's numerous cultures, history, languages and natural beauty. Your Baltic holiday becomes a Scandinavian cruise taking you to areas once sailed by Viking explorers through Scandinavia with several itineraries having stops in the fascinating countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Other notable stops for your Baltic cruise also include Estonia, Poland, Germany and Latvia. See all the various Baltic Cruise itineraries and book your adventures to Northern Europe today.

Note: The safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. Due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine we have made the decision to alter itineraries and remove calls to St. Petersburg, Russia from our sailings.

About BALTIC CRUISES

Why Take A Baltic Cruise?

Only Norwegian lets you cruise to the Baltic in your own personal way. Offering a diverse array of cruise ports to visit throughout your journey, cruisers enjoy a Baltic cruise holiday that offers the perfect balance of leisure and adventure. Step on board one of our award-winning cruise ships and unlock a once-forbidden corner on a European cruise .

What to Do on a Baltic Cruise

There are so many things to do on a Baltic cruise. on a cruise to St. Petersburg .--> On a cruise to Berlin , walk right through what used to be Checkpoint Charlie, a key symbol of the Cold War. Head west and watch the changing of the guard in front of the Stockholm Palace, an uninterrupted tradition for nearly 500 years. And, from your balcony, feel like a Viking as you behold the staggering fjords sliced deep into Norway’s mountainous western coast. Explore the possibilities of Northern Europe.

Baltic Cruise Tips

As you travel to the various countries on your Baltic Cruise, you should remember a few things for your trip. There are many things to do and see at the ports so plan your day and pace yourself to have enough energy for the entire trip and excursions. The currencies used in each country can vary from the British pound, Swedish krona, Danish krone, Polish złoty, Norwegian krone, and the euro. Be prepared to exchange for the correct currency and have a credit card on hand preferably without a foreign transaction fee. Pack comfortable shoes for your cobblestone filled walks and prepare for various weathers as it can be cold, rainy or hot depending on the time of year.

Discover the wonders of Northern Europe on board the beautiful Norwegian Breakaway. Step back in time on the medieval cobblestone streets of Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter. Take advantage of an overnight in St. Petersburg, giving you time to take in the breathtaking Amber Room in Catherine Palace and explore the immense Hermitage Museum. And sail amid the quiet splendor of the Stockholm Archipelago after a tour of City Hall, where Nobel Prizes are presented.

Embark from Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or Stockholm for a fascinating journey of Europe’s most beautiful and exciting cities. Prepare to experience Baltic cruise ports of call like Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg’s, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Bergen, Norway; Lerwick, Shetland Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland; Dublin, Ireland; and so much more!

Baltic Cruise DEPARTURE PORTS

Baltic Cruises from Amsterdam

Embark from Amsterdam, affectionately known as the "Venice of the North." This city is actually situated below sea level and built entirely on stakes driven into the ground.

Baltic Cruises from Copenhagen

Sail from the capital of Denmark. Filled with canals, cobbled squares and copper spires, Copenhagen is also Scandinavia's most cosmopolitan city.

Baltic Cruises from Stockholm

Cruise from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and a city laced by an ingenious network of waterways and bridges strung between a freshwater lake and the sea.

Discover More With A Baltic Cruise Shore Excursion

When you take one of Norwegian's Baltic Cruise Shore Excursions , you'll immerse yourself in more culture and adventure than ever before. Take Helsinki by Land & Sea and pass by islands full of museums, parks and gardens, waterfront saunas and Helsinki's icebreaker fleet. Step on board your exclusively chartered train to the bustling city of Berlin. Or drive through the picturesque Estonian countryside to one of the oldest towns of Estonia. Wherever you go, the mystery and magic of Europe are yours to discover.

A Baltic Sea Family Holiday THEY'LL NEVER FORGET

A Baltic Sea Holiday for the Whole Family

There are family holidays. Then there are the kinds of enriching family holidays your family will remember forever. Cruise the Baltic Sea with Norwegian Cruise Line and discover the ease and convenience of unpacking once and experiencing it all. Thanks to the freedom and flexibility Norwegian offers, you're ready to experience the best Baltic family holiday ever. Because, with families, it's all about options. And we've got them, from accommodations that fit all families to delicious dining choices even finicky eaters can't refuse. We haven't forgotten about teens – they also have an exclusive onboard refuge at Entourage.

Select Your Baltic Cruise Accommodation

Contemporary Accommodations

Travel to Europe with Norwegian Cruise Line and enjoy freedom of choice all along the way. Whether you're bringing the whole crew and staying in a mini suite, enjoying a balcony stateroom with some of your best friends, or relaxing in our affordable inside staterooms, we've got just the room for you.

Stay in The Haven, our most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, you'll enjoy the personal service of a concierge and 24-hour butler throughout your entire stay. From embarkation to debarkation The Haven will provide the perfect escape.

Explore With Freedom & Flexibility

Discovering the history, awe and grandeur whilst travelling to the Baltics is a breeze, with more choices of what to do and see, and more freedom to do it your way. That's the beauty of the freedom and flexibility you'll experience with Norwegian Cruise Line. Unpacking once and journeying from city to remarkable city. Exploring by day and coming back to a variety of onboard activities, one-of-a-kind entertainment, plus more dining options than days of the week. Dressing up or going casual. Dining with friends or savouring a romantic dinner à deux. Doing what makes you happy with no restrictive timetables, ever. Because your holiday is exactly that - yours.

Find The Best Baltic Cruises

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Do you want to get to know as many European countries as possible and discover Scandinavian cultures? Then a Baltic Sea cruise is for you! Start your cruise from Kiel, Warnemünde or Copenhagen and discover by ship the beautiful Baltic destinations of Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Follow in the footsteps of history in the Baltic Sea and discover the pearls of the Baltic Sea along with its historic old towns during an exciting Baltic Sea cruise.

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Itinerary: Stockholm, Copenhagen, Warnemünde

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Baltic Sea Cruise: St. Petersburg & Baltic States 

The arrival in the Danish city of Copenhagen shows just how special the city is. Built on two islands, Copenhagen houses the popular Rococo district Frederiksstaden . Here you can also visit Amalienborg Palace, the seat of the Danish royal family. Close to the main train station you can reach the Tivoli, a recreational and amusement park with colourful flower beds and fountains. --> Copenhagen cruises

In Stockholm you’ll find the Royal Castle Drottningholm , where the royal family resides. Just outside the city, on picturesque Lake Mälaren, is Gripsholm Castle, which was once the home of Kurt Tucholsky in one of his stories. If you want to give your children an encounter with the heroes of their childhood, visit Junibacken, the Astrid Lindgren Museum, where Pippi Longstocking is located. --> Stockholm cruises

Finland's capital Helsinki lies on the Gulf of Finland. Upstream are more than 80 islands and small islets, which provide a unique atmosphere at the harbour entrance. As you walk through the neighbourhoods, you can see that each district has its own charm. Do not miss the Suomenlinna Fortress , perched on the coast and accessible by ferry. More than 80 hectares is the Gibraltar of the North , as the fortress is also called. In the Visitor Centre you will find details about the construction and use of more than 200 buildings. With a kayak you can head to the offshore islands for peace and quiet. --> Helsinki cruises

Not far from the Finnish capital you can reach Eastern European waters as your ship arrives in Tallinn . The capital of Estonia is also the cultural centre of the country. Stroll through the thick city walls to the cobblestone old town with its shops and cafes. Here you can also climb the defense tower Kiek in de Kök , which was preserved from the 15th century.

Further East, on your Baltic Cruise, you will reach one of the most famous Russian cities, St. Petersburg , the former Leningrad. If you are in the city, there is no way past the world famous Hermitage and its artworks. In the Katharinenpalast, dedicated to the former Tsarina Catherine the Great, the amber room will take your breath away. But even if you just stroll through the city, you will feel the special flair of this Russian cultural capital, which owes its name to the city founder Peter the Great. Thanks to its countless bridges, St. Petersburg is also known beyond its city limits as the Venice of the North . --> St. Petersburg cruises

Popular cruise lines for Baltic Sea cruises

The following cruise lines offer the largest range of cruises in the Baltic Sea:

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Embark on Baltic & Scandinavia Cruises

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Nordic Explorations

A place of fabled tales where rolling forests give way to chic cities, the Baltic and Scandinavia regions are a celebration of Nordic culture, castles and cutting-edge design. Discover traditional food markets like Riga Central Market, Tallinn’s picturesque Old Town, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and much more. Our Scandinavia cruises bring you what makes this region such a treasured travel destination – from Stockholm’s colorful Gamla Stan to the picturesque canals and renowned museums of Amsterdam and beyond.

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Baltic & Scandinavia Shore Excursions

From insider tours of iconic attractions and immersions in local communities to gourmet, chef-led tasting tours, our Baltic and Scandinavia shore excursions bring you the best of the regional cuisine, culture and history. Overnights in ports such as Bordeaux, Berlin, London and Stockholm plus many extended evening stays across the region give you the chance to not only visit top attractions, but also create time for in-depth explorations, dinners ashore and leisurely, meaningful touring.

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Baltic & Scandinavia Ports

Extend your stay before or after your Baltic and Scandinavia cruise at one of these luxurious hotels, carefully selected for their superb location, ambiance, world-class standards of service, cuisine and amenities. Our hotel packages include free air date changes up to 3 days before or after your cruise and free transfers between the airport, hotel and ship as well as porterage. You’ll also enjoy the services of our exclusive Oceania Cruises hospitality desk at each hotel.

Featured Baltic & Scandinavia Hotels

Kimpton De Witt

Amsterdam, netherlands.

Exuding a modern approach to luxury through fresh, refined rooms, Kimpton De Witt features imaginative spaces steeped in inspired Dutch design. Experience an immersive labyrinth of contemporary millwork, lush layers and clean lines. Each room opens the door to grand inspiration and eclectic treasures. Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam's thriving city center, this hotel inspires you to imagine, explore, create and find a comfortable place to relax. Unwind in the leafy garden conservatory. Savor a meal at the hotel’s local restaurant. Enjoy a nightcap in the cozy House Bar, which dates to the Dutch Golden Age. With Kimpton De Witt’s unique personality and heartfelt service, you can consider this intimate boutique hotel as your personal sanctuary.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Welcome to SKT. PETRI hotel in Copenhagen, located in the heart of the trendy Latin Quarter in the city center and only 20 minutes away from Copenhagen’s airport by metro. With 288 elegantly furnished hotel rooms and suites, the hotel offers modern comfort in a minimalist, yet cozy, Scandinavian-design setting. When you stay at SKT. PETRI, the staff will be your key to the city. They know the exciting attractions in Copenhagen and want you to know the capital as they do.

Millennium Bailey’s Hotel - South Kensington

London (southampton), united kingdom.

This hotel is a beautifully renovated Victorian London townhouse, located in the heart of fashionable South Kensington. The hotel combines style and character and is one of the most traditional and popular hotels in the area. Quintessentially English in decor and style, the rooms have been designed with the comfort of guests in mind and combine unique features and furnishings with modern amenities. The interior of the hotel is extremely elegant and retains many of its original features, with its sweeping staircase, stained glass windows and intricate stonework. Situated opposite the Gloucester Road Underground station, this hotel offers access to many transport links and is perfectly positioned for guests visiting many of the British capital's most popular attractions.

Grand Hotel Oslo

Oslo, norway.

The Grand Hotel in Oslo is Norway’s best known and most prestigious hotel. The luxury hotel first opened its doors in 1874 and for over 140 years, it has been host to the people of Norway, international guests, world leaders, celebrities and the Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Henrik Ibsen, the world-renowned Norwegian author, made the luxury hotel one of his favorite daily haunts. The guest experience is based on true Nordic luxury that is delivered by the hotel’s well-trained and enthusiastic international team. The Grand Hotel has 274 rooms, including 54 Suites that are a blend of historic design, a rooftop bar with magnificent views, a restaurant, lobby bar, 19 meeting rooms, Artesia Spa Grand Hotel and fitness room.

Land Programs

Our Baltic and Scandinavia Overland, Pre- and Post-Cruise Land Programs invite you to immerse yourself in the fascinating history and old-world charm of these regions. These multi-day, in-depth Land Programs include exclusive tours, premium hotel stays, airport transfers when arriving and departing the day your program begins and ends, and oftentimes locally inspired meals and porterage too.

Featured Baltic & Scandinavia Land Programs

Amsterdam: Art & Architecture

Explore the architectural landmarks and world-class museums in Amsterdam and discover traditional ways of life in the nearby countryside. Highlights include a tour of the famed Van Gogh Museum and a cruise along Amsterdam’s beautiful canals. Enjoy free time to explore other museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House. In contrast to cosmopolitan Amsterdam, see the Netherlands’ famed windmills and a local cheese farm in the countryside, as well as people practicing traditional trades like clog-making.

• 3 nights at the Radisson Blu or similar hotel (superior room)
• All sightseeing per the itinerary
• English-speaking tour guide

London & Its Charming Countryside

This unique Land Program couples the cosmopolitan attractions of London with the quintessentially British countryside in the Cotswolds. Fully guided by a London expert, discover a variety of popular attractions such as the Hampton Court Palace and Buckingham Palace and enjoy a Champagne cruise on the River Thames as you take in views of the city and famous landmarks. Also explore the historic city of Oxford and visit Stonehenge, one of the great wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.

• 3 nights at the May Fair Hotel (superior room) or similar hotel
• Taste of Britain two-course meal with a drink in a top London restaurant
• Two-course meal and a drink in a Cotswold’s village pub
• Entry to Hampton Court with guided tour by expert Hampton Court guide
• River Thames cruise with commentary and glass of Champagne
• Entry to Christ Church Oxford and Oxford guided walking tour
• Transportation and the services of an English-speaking tour guide for two days of sightseeing and all associated expenses

Relics and Landmarks of Oslo

Cruise the majestic Oslofjord lined with forested hills before heading ashore to explore the enchanting city of Oslo at length. Sleek and contemporary, Oslo Opera House seems to rise from the water, while Vigeland Park is a lush green oasis filled with more than 200 sculptures. Discover the city’s history at the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum and the city’s nightlife at the trendy Ice Bar Oslo. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the entirety of Oslo from the Holmenkollen Ski Jump.

• 3 nights at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel (superior room)
• 3 breakfasts
• 2 lunches, including soft drinks
• 1 drink at the Ice Bar
• 2-hour Oslofjord cruise
• All entrances mentioned in the itinerary
• Private airport to hotel transfer on Day 1

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Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

Scandinavia and Northern Europe were shaped by the mercantile culture of the Hanseatic League, and graced with astonishing beauty. Come experience the world’s iconic cities in Norway and Sweden. See Peter the Great’s namesake Russian capital. Discover the jewels of Estonia.

Highlights of Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

Europe’s Baltic nations boast some of the continent’s most atmospheric Old Towns. Hanseatic homes and churches dot the cityscape of Tallinn, Estonia. The cobblestone streets of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan straddle one of the oldest inhabited islands of the city’s scenic archipelago. St. Petersburg, Russia’s sparkling jewel, hosts remarkably preserved palaces. The nations of the Baltic Sea were made for exploration, and Viking makes your discoveries all the more rewarding. Here are a few sample highlights you will enjoy on a Scandinavia cruise:

• Stockholm’s archipelago, the “Venice of Scandinavia”
• Neoclassical and Art Nouveau treasures of Helsinki
• St. Petersburg’s magnificent gilded architecture
• Tallinn’s red rooftops and slender steeples
• Brightly colored houses of Copenhagen’s Nyhavn district
• Picturesque wooden buildings hugging Bergen’s harbor
• Norway’s splendid vistas of fjords, glaciers and soaring peaks
• Breathtaking sculpted massifs of the Lofoten Islands
• Dazzling wintertime displays of the northern lights
• Extended daylight hours of the midnight sun

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St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg, Russia, emerged from the vision of one man, Czar Peter the Great, at the beginning of the 18th century and was the country’s capital for 200 years, until the Russian Revolution. Pushkin called it Russia's "window to Europe," and like Venice and Amsterdam, two cities that inspired Peter, the city was built on a network of canals. Explore one of St. Peterburg many canals and bridges on a European cruise to the Baltic Sea.

Among the city's tourist attractions, the Hermitage is its most famous. It is one of the world’s greatest art museums, and the largest museum in the world—with almost three million objects collected in five buildings. Performing arts, too, abound: Many of Russia’s greatest ballets, plays and operas have premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre. Nearby, the summer residences of the czars, including Peterhof, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are dazzling gilded Baroque palaces for sightseeing in St. Petersburg. Cruise to the Baltic Sea and tour beautiful palaces during the day and in the evening experience the beautiful sound of opera or the graceful art of the ballet on a shore excursions in St. Petersburg . 

St. Petersburg is at its most beautiful during the famous White Nights, when summer days stretch late into evening hours. Residents make the most of the period with festivals and concerts and fun things to do, and the city’s many pastel-colored buildings and neoclassical palaces glow in the warm light of the long days. Enjoy St. Petersburg and many different countries on a Baltic Cruise   with Holland America. 

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Visiting st. petersburg on a cruise: the ultimate guide.

Get the lowdown on how to visit St. Petersburg on a cruise, from Russian visas for cruise passengers to choosing shore excursions to city highlights that you cannot miss.

St. Petersburg has also become an increasingly popular stop on  Baltic Sea cruises . But with a plethora of enticing places screaming out to be visited, how do you make the best of one or two days there?

And do you need a visa when visiting Russia on a cruise?

To help you plan and to have the very best experience, here is all you need to know about visiting St. Petersburg on a cruise .

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

Due to the ongoing geopolitical situation, travel to Russia is not currently recommended. For current travel advice, check the advice of the UK FCO here .

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IN THIS ARTICLE

Why Should You Visit St. Petersburg?

St. Petersburg is a city that makes you think in exclamation marks. Built on the network of islands, crisscrossed by 65 rivers and canals, its  beauty  is equalled only by its  rich history . Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, it was the capital of the Russian Empire for more than 200 years. One year after the Russian Revolution in 1917, the capital moved to Moscow. After the death of Lenin in 1924, the city was renamed from Petrograd, the name it had adopted during WWI in an attempt to make it sound less German, to Leningrad. In 1951, 54% of those voting in a referendum chose to revert the city’s name to St. Petersburg. Over these years St. Petersburg has witnessed several uprisings, assassinations, sieges and is closely associated with the lives and fate of the Romanovs, Russia’s Imperial family, and notable residents such as Pushkin and Dostoevsky. Today, it is a  vibrant city  stuffed full of museums, some of Europe’s most glorious palaces  and has an extraordinary performing arts agenda, particularly during the summer White Nights.

Which is the Best Cruise Line to Visit St. Petersburg?

Choosing your cruise  line is a little like choosing your perfect partner. In a sea of choice (!), you have to pick your perfect match, deciding if your personalities match and if he/she will meet your expectations. Each cruise line has its own character – and budget –  and you will need to do a little research to decide which will be the right fit for you. Therefore, to a certain extent, the choice of operator of a Baltic Sea cruise to St. Petersburg will depend on whether, for example, you want a more traditional cruising experience or an emphasis on fun. And, of course, how much you wish to spend. But first and foremost, I urge you to look closely at the  cruise itinerary . I would rule out any cruise that gives you just one day in St. Petersburg. Instead, look for a cruise that docks in St Petersburg overnight, giving you two full days to explore the city. You are going to need it. I sailed with  Celebrity Cruises  on the Silhouette in May 2019

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit St. Petersburg?

The best time of year to visit St. Petersburg is between June and September, which coincides with most cruise departures. Due to nearly 24 hours of sunshine and famous White Nights celebrations, June is widely considered the best month to visit St. Petersburg.

Do Cruise Passengers Need a Visa to Visit St. Petersburg?

As long as you have booked your  shore excursion  with an operator approved by the Russian authorities, and you will be in the city for less than 72 hours, you will not need a visa to visit St. Petersburg on a cruise. However, if you choose to visit St. Petersburg  independently , most visitors will need to apply for a visa before leaving on their cruise.  Where  reciprocal visa agreements  are in place, citizens of some countries do not require a visa. Russian visas can be costly. For UK citizens you are looking at between £100 and £200. But the cost is not the only consideration. The visa application process for Russia is notoriously cumbersome and for this reason, I recommend that you use an agency to streamline this process.  Real Russia is a reputable London-based agency that I have used in the past. In my view, if you are visiting St. Petersburg on a cruise for a few days, it isn’t worth the hassle of applying for a visa. I’m an independent traveller at heart but even I could see the sense in using an organised tour in St. Petersburg.

Where Do Cruise Ships Dock in St. Petersburg?

Most ships berth at the modern Marine Façade Complex, 5 km northwest of the city centre.

Getting from St. Petersburg Cruise Terminal to the city centre

If you have a Russian visa you can walk or take bus #158 to Primorskaya, the nearest metro station, 2km away. The fare is approximately 30 RUB.

You can also arrange a taxi at the Marine Façade Complex. Prices are listed on a board. It helps also to have your destination written in Russian as many drivers do not speak English.

St. Petersburg Shore Excursions

If you decide to visit St. Petersburg with an authorised tour operator, the next decision you will need to make is whether to take one of the shore excursions offered by your  cruise company  or make your  own arrangements .

Should you book a St. Petersburg shore excursion from the ship?

Let’s consider the advantages of the ship’s shore excursion first. Firstly, they will guarantee to get you  back on board the ship on time .  If the tour is delayed for any reason, they guarantee that the ship will not sail away without you on board. Great for peace of mind, yes? Secondly, if you are booked on one of the ship’s St. Petersburg shore excursions you will be one of the  first off the ship  (day one only). Celebrity Cruises told us that this was a mandatory process, enforced by the Russian Marine Façade. But do these factors really matter?  In my experience, they don’t. I booked the two-day “Must See” tour with  Alla Tours , an established tour operator authorised by the Russian authorities. In their 13 years of operation, they have never left any passengers behind. Also, if they fail to make it back to the ship on time, they assume responsibility for getting you to the next port of call. When you  disembark  the cruise ship at St. Petersburg on day one, local tour operators are aware of the time that those who have made independent arrangements are allowed to leave the ship. Consequently, they set pick-up times accordingly. Independent operators were not allowed in the terminal before the agreed disembarkation time. Having said that, to avoid potential delay, be ready to disembark as soon as you are given the signal that you can do so. At least you will amongst the first of those who have made independent arrangements to get off the ship. It’s interesting to note that feedback on disembarkation from people who had bought the ship’s shore excursion was not positive. They reported a very early assembly time, followed by a long wait in the ship’s crowded main theatre before being allowed to disembark the ship.

How much do St. Petersburg shore excursions cost?

Celebrity’s shore excursions were relatively expensive. For example, two-day St. Petersburg shore excursions from the ship were priced from 419 USD for the cheaper tours by bus (larger groups). A smaller group size, using a minibus, increased this cost. By contrast, my two-day tour with Alla Tours cost 250 USD. Our tour group numbered 13. Other passengers who used alternative companies – for example,  SPB Tours  – reported positive experiences similar to mine. Given the choice again, I would not hesitate to book a shore excursion to St. Petersburg with an independent operator.

Clearing Russian Immigration at St. Petersburg’s Cruise Terminal

Once granted permission to disembark, clearing Russian immigration at St Petersburg was surprisingly quick and painless. Just don’t expect banter from the officials.

You’ll need to hand over your passport and shore excursion ticket. In exchange, the officer will stamp your passport and you’re good to go.

On day one, you will also be given a printed receipt. Keep this safe as you will need to hand it back to immigration when you return to the ship. You will not receive this receipt on day two when this process is significantly quicker.

On your return to the ship, you will need to clear Russian security and immigration, where you will need to show your ship’s sea pass and passport. Queues can be lengthy.

Best Things to See on a Cruise to St. Petersburg

Your ‘must-sees’ in St. Petersburg will, of course, depend on your interests and preferences. For me, these included  The Hermitage, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood  and riding  St. Petersburg’s metro .  Outside of the city, the  Catherine Palace  and  Peterhof Summer Estate  were on my list. In including all of these places on their itinerary, the independent tour operator trumped what was on offer from the ship. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of my St. Petersburg tour, starting with the sights inside the city itself.

St. Peter & St. Paul Fortress

The birthplace of St. Petersburg, St. Peter & St. Paul Fortress was originally constructed from wood in the early 18 th  century as a defence against Sweden. Subsequently rebuilt in stone as a military fortification, it later became political prison.

Today, the grounds of the fortress house the  Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul , which is the burial place of many Russian emperors and empresses, starting with Peter the Great (1672-1725) and ending with the last Tsar, Nicholas II (1894-1917).

The Hermitage

The Hermitage , the beating heart of St. Petersburg, is not exactly a well-kept secret.

On an average summer day, it hosts between 30,000 and 40,000 visitors. Therefore, to beat the crowds, make sure that your tour operator offers  early entry . It will still be busy, but not nearly as rammed as the crowds snaking around the building in the early afternoon would suggest.

The building is as jaw-droppingly extravagant as the Hermitage’s collection of three million exhibits. And that’s saying something.

Second only to the Louvre in Paris in size,  the complex comprises five interconnected buildings, the most famous of which is the former  Romanov Winter Palace .

The Hermitage’s collection was started by  Catherine the Great  and grew over the generations into one of Europe’s most important art collections. All of the major European schools are represented here with a particularly fine Renaissance collection.

St Isaac’s Cathedral

Designed by the French architect Auguste de Montferrand and built between 1818 and 1858, St Isaac’s is St. Petersburg’s biggest cathedral . Highlights are its mosaics and monumental columns carved from lapis lazuli and malachite.

Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood

Officially known as the  Church of the Resurrection of the Christ , this is the site of the 1881 assassination of Emperor Alexander II. A canopy made from rhodonite and jasper marks his assassination spot.

With its unmistakable brightly coloured onion domes piercing the sky, this is a St. Petersburg landmark. Sadly, the main dome was encased in scaffolding during my visit.

The interior of the church is equally stunning, with its 700 m² intricate mosaic panels created by a who’s who of artists of the time.

St. Petersburg canal cruise

Thanks to its labyrinthine network of rivers and canals, St. Petersburg is known as the “Venice of the North”. Gently gliding along the city’s waterways gives you a different perspective on its magnificent architecture.

At least, that’s what’s the marketing material will tell you.

In reality, this one-hour boat ride left me underwhelmed. Although the weather didn’t help – it was grey and wet – the trip concentrated on St. Petersburg‘s main waterways rather than the smaller canals. But under bright blue skies, this may have been a different experience.

Taking a ride on St. Petersburg’s metro

This was a St. Petersburg “must-do” for me and it was one of my highlights of this cruise stop.

St. Petersburg’s metro is relatively young – it started operating in 1955  – and is beautiful. It’s not often that a functional means of transport is turned into multiple works of art.

We started our one-stop journey at  Sportivnaya , next to St. Petersburg Stadium. In keeping with its location, it had a sports theme, its murals depicting Olympic athletes and Greek gods. Even the lamps along the station are created to resemble the Olympic flames.

The next stop was  Admiralteyskaya , one of the newest and also deepest stations. Located next to the Admiralty, this station has a nautical theme.

The second day of my St. Petersburg tour focused on the sites outside the city: Catherine Palace and Peterhof Gardens.

Catherine Palace

Located in the town of  Tsarskoye Selo , 30 km south of St. Petersburg, the Catherine Palace is a glorious fake.

This was the summer residence of the  Russian Tsars . Originally presented by  Peter the Great  to his second wife, Catherine I, in the early 18 th  century, it was rebuilt in the more flamboyant rococo style around 40 years later.

When the  Siege of Leningrad  was lifted in 1944, the retreating German forces destroyed the residence, leaving a hollow shell. Only 10 of the palace’s halls escaped destruction. Therefore, although magnificent, what we see today is a reconstruction.

Even the famed  Amber Room  is a facsimile.

Due to the fragility of the amber panels, it was not possible to remove these to a safe location along with other precious artefacts in Leningrad. When the German forces reached St. Petersburg, their soldiers disassembled the Amber Room’s panels, foiling the Russians’ attempt to hide their splendour beneath mundane wallpaper.

Hence, the Amber Room which draws visitors from near and far is the result of an extensive and expensive 24-year reconstruction that was started in 1979.  The fate of the original panels is not known.

• Coats are not allowed to be worn in the Catherine Palace. Wrap up warm.
• A free cloakroom is available
• Photography is not permitted in the Amber room

Peterhof Gardens and fountains

29 km west of St. Petersburg, this  UNESCO World Heritage site  was built by Peter the Great in the 18th Century. Rebuilt after the ravages of World War II, like the Catherine Palace, Peterhof Palace is largely a reconstruction.

The star of the show is the  Grand Cascade , a collection of more than 140 gravity-fed fountains and canals, engineered by the great man himself. The most spectacular of these are the gilded fountains in front of the palace.  It’s easy to understand why Peterhof is known as the “Russian Versailles.”

Useful information for St. Petersburg cruise passengers

• Language  – Russian.
• Currency  – Rouble. Credit cards are widely accepted. I did not bother getting local currency and used my card instead.
• Tipping  –  The etiquette in Russia is to tip 10 – 15% of your bill in cash, giving this directly to the waiter. The suggested tip for guides is 10%; drivers 5%.

Is it Worth Visiting St. Petersburg on a Cruise?

Visiting St. Petersburg on a cruise was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whilst I stand by my decision to see the city on an organised tour, this did come at a price. Visiting Russia without a visa curtails your freedom. If, like me, you like to set your own pace and agenda, being rapidly shuttled from one site to another with barely an opportunity to take a photo was, at times, frustrating. Part of the difficulty was that there was a lot to see in two days, which meant that I had to be pragmatic and accept that visits were going to be brief through necessity. Also, on an organised tour, you can only move as fast as the slowest person. That said, I was lucky. We were a group of 13, all great people and despite two of the group pushing 90, there were no issues with a few members holding others up. I only hope that I have half of these older ladies’ energy and  joie de vie  at their age! But this did make me question what it would be like visiting St. Petersburg in a group of 50 or 60. If I was returning to St. Petersburg on a cruise, I would consider a private guide. Yes, this will come at a price, but it should provide more of an opportunity to set the agenda and pace of the visit. In common with other tour groups, on both days we were shepherded into a government-run souvenir shop. Prices were high, and I got a better deal on souvenirs onboard the ship a few days later. Finally, whilst two days is nowhere near enough time to see Russia’s Imperial Capital, visiting St. Petersburg on a cruise gives you an enticing taster of this glorious city. Accept that you are not going to be able to do it all, expect it to be busy and enjoy your visit.

Plan your Baltic Sea cruise stop in St. Petersburg

Packing a good guidebook to allow you to explore the ports of call on a Baltic Sea cruise independently is a wise move. I can recommend the excellent  Lonely Planet Cruise Ports Scandinavia & Northern Europe  that I used when I was visiting these ports.

• One Day in Rostock & Warnemünde, Germany: A Perfect DIY Cruise Excursion
• One Day in Stockholm: Visiting Sweden on a Cruise
• One Day in Tallinn: A Cruise to Estonia
• One Day in Helsinki from a Cruise: A Walking Tour
• One Day in Copenhagen: 6 Best Things to Do On a Cruise Stop

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

3 thoughts on “ Visiting St. Petersburg on a Cruise: The Ultimate Guide ”

Thank you this was very helpful! Hopefully, my cruise will take off in July and I’ll be there! I’ll look for this tour guide online.

Delighted that you found it useful and hope that your cruise goes ahead. The Baltic Sea cruises are good’uns!

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Baltic Cruise – From Copenhagen to St. Petersburg

There are actually only 3 Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. However, 9 countries have a shoreline along the Baltic Sea: Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. Much like a cruise in Alaska ( see out post ), a Baltic cruise is an efficient and relaxing way to explore the maritime regions of these countries, which is why cruise lines for all budgets cruise the Baltic Sea.

A fair wind at our back is best – Norwegian proverb

Silversea has some of smaller ships (about 200m) perfectly suited for the Baltic Sea – the smaller ships, for instance can dock on the Neva river in Russia either at the Lt. Schmidt’s embankment (see below) or the English embankment, which is even closer to downtown. Either way, it’s at most a 30 minute walk to the Hermitage Museum .

Sea conditions can be influenced by rogue events like earthquakes, but conditions usually depend on ocean currents and wind speed, wind duration, and fetch (the distance over water that the wind blows in a single direction). Cruises are only available in summer months, and winds are typically calmest during July, August and September. One of the highest waves ever measured was observed in January 2017 during storm Toini, which produced a 14 meter (42 foot) wave.

The Baltic Sea is connected to the ocean only through the Danish waters via shallow and narrow straits, resulting in virtually no external ocean current or wave energy. So when the wind is calm, the sea is calm, as shown above during our cruise in August.

TIP: Westerly winds predominate over the Baltic Sea and storms that pass eastward over central Scandinavia have the most impact on severe wave conditions, so weather forecasts of Copenhagen and Stockholm may help forewarn you.

5 Ports of Call on a Baltic Cruise:

The popular ports of call are Helsinki (Finland), Tallin (Estonia), Stockholm (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark) and St. Petersburg (Russia), and the latter was the highlight of our Baltic Sea cruise.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen , Denmark is the starting point for most of the Baltic Sea cruises. It’s a wonderful walking city with a strong culinary tradition. The city’s historic center is comprised of an 18th century rococo district, and still home to the royal family. There are many notable sites to visit.

The Little Mermaid, a bronze statue by Edvard Eriksen, depicting a mermaid becoming human and based on the 1837 fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen has become a major tourist attraction.  It is among the world statues that symbolize cities.

The Stroget area of Copenhagen is a walking area in the old centre, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe at 1.1 km. It has long been one of the most high-profile streets in the city.

There are two iconic castles within the city of Copenhagen, Christiansborg Castle and Rosenberg Castle, both worth a visit. Just outside the city (44 minutes by car), and worth the short trip is the Kronborg Castle (Unesco World Heritage Site) in the town of Helsingor, Denmark, immortalized as Elsinore in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.  Elsinore is right where the distance between Denmark and Sweden is the shortest. Built in the renaissance style in 1420s, It’s been burned to the ground and rebuilt since, but always maintained its vital position at the head of the Sound. Ships passing into the Baltic Sea paid tolls at Kronborg Castle and the town was once one of the most important towns in Europe.

Denmark’s early culinary tradition was a simple one. It was the Danish farmers’ lunch, a local favorite delicacy, that is now even served in high-end restaurants and considered its national dish. The open-faced sandwich consists of a slice of rye bread, fish or meat, vegetables, and sauce on top. The heavier dishes consisted of crispy pork with parsley sauce and potatoes or breaded pork patties or meatballs. Such dishes satisfied the appetites of Danes for centuries. Since the 2000s, partly due to the fact that it has the most important cooking school in Northern Europe, Danish cuisine has undergone a transformation. Using local and international produce, the visionary chefs have adopted a new philosophy of cuisine, and the international community has responded enthusiastically, patronizing the high end, Michelin starred restaurants. It is home to Noma, voted the World’s Best Restaurant in five years: 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 and 2021 (Noma 2.0) with three Michelin stars, Geranium which holds three Michelin stars and was voted the fifth best restaurant in the world in 2019 and second best in 2021, after Noma. In the 2021 guide, 14 restaurants across the city received at least one Michelin Star and 23 total stars.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, Estonia is an adorable capital with a 15th century defensive tower and a Gothic town hall built in the 13th century. The old historic center is easy to navigate and is filled with restaurants and cafes.

The origins of the city of Tallinn date back to the 13th century, when a castle was built there by the crusading knights of the Teutonic Order, who constituted a small mercenary military for the protection of Christians in the Holy Land and the Baltics. It developed as a major centre of the Hanseatic League, a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe.

Much of the modern history of Estonia involves the Soviet Union and Russia today. As a relatively small country (the size of Dallas, Texas), its three-decade-old independence doesn’t mean that it is free from Russia’s gaze. With Russia’s increased influence in the region, and as the Russians are only two hours away from its capital, Tallinn, Estonia remains in a difficult position and is doing all it can not to provoke a Russian re-entry.

The Estonians do not have a positive view of Russia and its far reaching aspirations, throughout history Estonia has been in and out of the Russian sphere. The Estonians desperately would like culturally and politically to be allied with the northern European countries, the likes of Denmark and Sweden. The Cathedral of Alexander Nevky, built in the old Russian orthodox style of the 1894 to 1900s when Estonia was part of the Russian Empire, gives us a glimpse of the past Russian presence.

Estonia’s culinary tradition incorporates elements from Germany, Russia, Sweden and Denmark. The basis is one of seasonal peasant food, including sprats, sauerkraut, jellied meat and blood sausage. The kiluvõileib is a sprat sandwich much like the Danish open sandwiches, with a greyish fish on top of dark bread and a sauce, sometimes served with egg. From the Russian tradition, Kohuke  is basically freshly pressed sweet curd covered in chocolate or caramel. One Estonian dish not adapted from other cuisines is the Mulgipuder  , a porridge of potatos and grouts, usually served with bacon.

Stockhom, Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden is the capital and a relatively large metropolis (1 million). The city has a very European feel, a global city that is one of the top 10 regions in Europe by GDP. Its location is the junction of Lake Mälaren and Salt Bay, an arm of the Baltic Sea, opposite the Gulf of Finland. The city is built upon numerous islands as well as the mainland of Uppland and Sodermanland. The charm of its setting lies in the intermingling of land and water – the intricate pattern of waterways encompassing the city. The city has world-class museums, theaters, galleries, and gorgeous parklands, with an extensive public transit system, the underground railway system, the Tunnelbana (T-bana), takes you almost anywhere in the city. A highly efficient and regular bus network fills in any gaps between destinations.

Dating from the 1200s and crammed with must-see sights, attractions, cafés, authentic restaurants, and boutique shops, the area of  Gamla Stan (Old Town ) is a living museum in its own right. This is the original nucleus of the city, consisting of Stads Island, Helgeands Island, and Riddar Island. The buildings in this area are mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries. This well-preserved city nucleus, with the original network of streets and many of its buildings dating from the Middle Ages, is legally protected from change. Across the bridge from the Old Town is Monteliusvagen, a 500 meter long walking path with views of Lake Malaren. It is the iconic Stockhom view and makes for great photography.

Generally, the Changing of the Guard ceremony – including a military marching band and parade – is held every day from April 23 to August 31. The Royal Guards Ceremony at the Royal Palace of Stockholm lasts about 40 minutes. It starts at 12:15 pm in the palace outer courtyard on weekdays, and at 1:15 pm on Sundays.

Sweden’s culinary history dates back to the Vikings, who inhabited all of Scandinavia more than one thousand years ago. The Vikings were some of the first to develop a method for preserving foods. In preparation for long voyages, foods were salted, dehydrated, and cured. Although there is no longer a need for such preservation methods (refrigeration, etc), the Swedes continue to salt, dehydrate and cure. Swedish cuisine has not been as popular as other European cuisine and modern-day restaurants in Sweden tend to serve more foreign dishes than their own. The Kanelbulle or the cinnamon bun is delicious spiced rolls, which can be found in every café, bakery and food shop around the country.  Herring is plentiful in the area and Swedes are pros at cooking, pickling and smoking these small, flavorful fish. Husmanskost  is a style of cooking, roughly translated as ‘house owner’s fare’, comprising the peasant-style cooking that was meant to sustain you through a long day. These days, the owner’s fare is made up of many of the dishes Sweden is most famous for, including meatballs. However, being a major metropolitan centre, Stockholm does not lack fine dining establishments. There are also several Michel starred restaurants, Frantzen (3 stars), Oaxen (2 stars) and Aloe (1 star).

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki , Finland’s capital sits right on the Gulf of Finland and was rebuilt in 1812 by the Russians, along the same lines as St. Petersburg. In 1809 Finland had been ceded to Russia by the Swedes, although the Finns did retain a considerable amount of autonomy. They kept their own legal system, religion, and were exempt from Russian military service. From 1917 on, Finland was independent until it was invaded by the USSR in 1944. Even though Finland had to concede some land, it was able to defend its territory and was never a Soviet State. It retained its independence after WWII. As a result, unlike the Estonians, Finnish attitudes toward Russia are warm and cold, depending on the time.

Today, Helsinki has a very small town feel, even though it is an international metropolis. Mannerheimintie is the central avenue and is full of iconic institutions including the National Museum, tracing Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present as well as the Parliament House and Kiasma, the contemporary museum.

Helsinki’s cathedrals are well known icons throughout the world. Uspenskin Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral built during the period 1862-1868. The Helsinki Cathedral is Lutheran, and a neoclassical masterpiece of western and Russian styles designed by one of Finland’s greatest architects, Carl Ludvig Engel. The Temppeliaukion Church is a Lutheran Church built in 1969, and built directly into solid rock.

Traditional Finnish cuisine include Karjalanpiirakka or Karelian pies, as they are also known, small pies that fit into your hand. The crust was traditionally made with rye flour and filled with potatoes, rice or carrots.  Kalakukko are similar to karjalanpiirakka, but bigger in size and made with fish. They are most commonly filled with muikku, a small herring-like fish found in the Lake District of Eastern Finland. In the summer especially, grillimakkara are popular. These big, fat sausages made for grilling and are eaten with mustard. Reindeer are found in Finland’s northern province of Lapland and their meat is cooked in a stew and served with mash potatoes. Crayfish parties or “kraftskiva”, were originally a Swedish tradition that the Finns adopted.

St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg , Russia was founded by Peter the Great in 1703, and was the imperial capital for 2 centuries. It is the cultural center of Russia, with 221 museums and with the incomparable, world famous Hermitage .

TIP : small cruise ships dock closer to downtown. Large ships can’t sail into the city center and must dock at Morskoy Fasad on Vasilyevsky Island, a few miles from the city.

TIP : a port side cabin looks onto the beautiful orthodox Church of the Assumption of Mary (Tserkov’ Uspeniya Presvyatoy Bogoroditsy) cathedral, but the starboard side views onto an industrial shipyard. At the English embankment, both sides have a view, but port side is still better for noise at night.

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is the second-largest art museum in the world, it was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired a collection of paintings from Berlin. It is the home to the largest collection of paintings in the world, with the total number of pieces to be somewhere around 3 million. Not all the paintings can be displayed at one time.

One of the most memorable cruise experiences was the private music performance that Silversea was able to obtain for its guests (booking required in advance). The event began after the museum was officially closed so we had the Hermitage museum completely to ourselves without the throng of daily tourists. Truly memorable.

Catherine’s Palace

 30 km south of St. Petersburg is Catherine’s Palace, named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great who ruled Russia for two years after her husband’s death. Originally a modest two-storey building commissioned by Peter for Catherine in 1717, Catherine’s Palace owes its awesome grandeur to their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who chose the location Tsarskoe Selo as her chief summer residence. Starting in 1743, reconstruction began to completely redesign the building on a scale to rival Versailles. The resultant palace, completed in 1756, is nearly 1 km in circumference, with elaborately decorated blue-and-white facades, it took over 100 kg of gold to decorate the palace exteriors, an excess that was deplored by Catherine the Great when she discovered the state and private funds that had been lavished on the building.

A visit to Catherine’s Palace is highly recommended.

Russian Cuisine

The basis of the old Russian cuisine (9th-16th century) was grain products, baked pancakes, rye pies, boiled flour. The Old Moscow cuisine (17th century) introduced at the table of the nobles included foreign meals and culinary techniques, roast meat, game and poulty. Cuisine under Peter and Catherine the Great (18th century) borrowed heavily from West European traditions as the Russian nobles brought French chefs to Russia. Minced meats, casseroles, pates and French and German soups. St. Petersburg cuisine (from the 1860s) imported extensively from all of Europe. Tomatoes for side dishes were brought in as were sausages, omelets and compotes.

The influence of French traditions is evidenced in Russia’s most famous dish, Beef Stroganoff. The dish takes its name from one of the wealthiest noble families in Russia, and primarily consists of small beef pieces in a sour cream sauce, with different vegetables often added into it. The story is that the French chef named Charles Briere invented the dish in St. Petersburg while working for the Stroganoffs in 1891 in order to enter a cooking contest (he won). Part of the story includes the reason for such thin slices of beef – the count had failing teeth.

Of Ukrainian origins, the staple Russian dish loved by families across the country is borscht, a beetroot-based soup that’s bold in color and flavor.

Russian dumplings, known as pelmeni, are made from paper-thin pastry, shaped into parcels and packed full of meat and herbs before being boiled and served fresh from the pan, garnished with dill and a spoonful of sour cream, or in a warm broth. The general thought is that  pelmeni  were carried by the Mongols to Siberia and the Urals and then gradually spread as far as Eastern Europe. 

Mondisti’s Baltic Cruise Trip Tips

• The luxury cruise lines that travel the Baltics are Silversea and Regent amongst others;
• Crowds are biggest in St. Petersburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm, but that’s because they’re great cities and fun to stay at least a couple of nights.
• Because of the northern latitude, days will be long: from 18 to 21 hours of sunlight depending upon the month of the tour;
• Hire a private guide before hand, and avoid the crowded shore excursions organized by the ship. Some of Silversea’s excursions should not be missed, however. The Hermitage excursion was priceless.
• A trip to Catherine’s Palace in St. Petersburg is a must.

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St. Petersburg

Cruises that visit st. petersburg, russia.

St. Petersburg is a popular cruise destination and the leading cruise port in Russia for Norwegian fjords, Scandinavia, Baltic Sea & Russia cruises. The Port of St. Petersburg welcomes many cruise ships throughout the year. St. Petersburg is home to an impressive collection of interesting attractions and places of historic significance with much to intrigue the curiosity of visitors to the city. Discover the wonders of Scandinavia, Russia, Baltic and Norwegian fjords with spectacular Northern Lights & Midnight Sun tours, where Vikings roamed and czars reigned.

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Cruising to St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg tourist attractions. When Peter the Great decided to found the city of St. Petersburg in 1703, his vision was for the new settlement to become the most lavish and spectacular in all of Russia, which is excellent news[…]

St. Petersburg, Russia

Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, St. Petersburg edges the Neva River and is considered one of the cultural capitals of the world. Ships often dock here overnight, allowing cruisers extra time to visit the city's attractions. St. Petersburg is home to more than 250 museums, including the world-famous Hermitage Museum, where more than 3 million artworks and artifacts are housed in six beautiful buildings like the baroque Winter Palace. At the Hermitage, visitors can admire the masterpieces of Rembrandt, van Gogh, Picasso, Michelangelo and more. For shopping and nightlife, take a stroll along the Nevsky Prospekt, the metropolis' main avenue. Other can't-miss sights include city's churches and their magnificent domes, from the colorful Russian-style onion tops of the iconic Church of Our Savior of the Spilled Blood, to the 300-foot gilded dome capping St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Trinity Cathedral's spangled blue cupolas.

Driving Directions and Parking Information Marine Facade Passenger Port 1, Bereg Nevskoy Guby Vasilievsky Island St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg & the Baltic Sea - Southbound 2021

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• Take in the sweep of history from Scandinavian and Baltic capitals to glorious St. Petersburg aboard your Explorer-Series yacht... walk down the cobblestone streets in ancient Tallinn... gaze at the treasures museums
• royal summer retreats and a palatial venue for ballet and opera...Enjoy a guided visit to The State Hermitage Museum; a choice between a tour of the Peterhof in St. Petersburg or Catherine Palace (the Summer Palace) in Pushkin; walking tours of Helsinki and Tallinn; and guided sightseeing during two-night stays at top hotels in Copenhagen and Stockholm!

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Into the Baltic Sea, but out of the Cold: Revisiting Berlin and St. Petersburg

A Baltic Sea cruise to St. Petersburg, Russia’s historic showplace, offers wonders galore, punctuated by breathtaking onboard views of dramatic Nordic coastlines. But I had a specific mission in mind for the seven-day voyage my wife, Eileen, and I took there this August — one that began with an excursion to Berlin. As a U.S. Army cold warrior 45 years ago, briefly based in what was then West Germany, I aimed to make some sense of the vast changes in Europe since the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Thanks to cultural insights gleaned in Germany’s stately gem of a capital, and in Russia’s glittering “second city,” with its ornate czarist palaces filled with artistic treasures, we returned to the United States feeling far more knowledgeable about the country that Winston Churchill famously called “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” For this, we also give a nod to our local tour guides as well as the ship’s lecturers.

Our two summer days in St. Petersburg reminded us how skewed our high school history lessons had been in the ’60s. Our 862 fellow passengers hailed from more than 30 nations, but a majority were Americans, with many of those, like us, being of retirement age. Thus, they too had at least been teenagers back then. More than a few expressed surprise during the cruise to learn of the Soviets’ decisive role in the defeat of the Nazis, for example, or the Germans’ catastrophic 872-day Siege of Leningrad — as St. Petersburg was known during communist times — during which hundreds of thousands of Russians starved to death.

Whatever new impressions we got about Russian politics and history, though, were dwarfed by the impact of the masterpieces on display in the museums and palaces. They are one and the same in the case of the sprawling, pastel-tinted Hermitage that stretches in a seemingly endless series of connected buildings along the Neva River embankment. Its core is the Winter Palace, with its high-ceilings and lavishly gilded arched walls, where Catherine the Great began collecting matchless European works around 1762. Almost as astounding, though: how a Soviet state built on hatred of czarist excesses had devoted itself to preserving the treasures those rulers had accumulated on the backs of peasants mired in poverty. (The simplest explanation we got: Even the communists prized the centuries-old cultural heritage of Mother Russia.)

The trip began to take shape early in the year. To celebrate Eileen’s impending retirement, we booked a cabin on the Symphony, a 960-passenger ship operated by Crystal Cruise Lines. Our first cruise, through the Panama Canal, had been on Crystal seven years ago, near my own semi-retirement. That voyage had taught us that a premium price — $3,895 for this cruise, with extras reflecting choice of room and excursions — can come with such important but hard-to-value features as top onboard lecturers and better choices of tours when ashore. Our evenings aboard the Symphony were filled not only with lectures tied to the next day’s port — stops in Helsinki and the quaint German town of Warnemunde came before St. Petersburg — but with cabaret acts and stage shows good enough to qualify for off-Broadway runs. Yet another advantage of visiting these cities via ship.

Our first stop after embarking from Copenhagen, Warnemunde, was a town unfamiliar to me because it lies on Germany’s eastern coast: the “wrong” side of the partition created by the Soviets, the United States and other allies after World War II. During my Army years, I had traveled around Europe but never imagined entering East Germany. Now, Eileen and I were eager for our first look at Berlin, a 90-minute ride from Warnemunde on the bus that would also serve for our tour, led by Konstanze, a Berlin-based guide who joined us in the city. The excursion we had chosen onboard focused on the once-divided city’s moves toward reunification at the end of 1989, and the Berlin Wall’s fall, after which the Soviet Union soon dissolved.

Berlin is far more than its Cold War remnants, of course. Broad boulevards took us past modern high-rises, as well as famous edifices such as the Reichstag building and the glorious Brandenburg Gate. One stretch of former Nazi government buildings, still in use by the current administration, was part of what Konstanze referred to as “the topography of terror” because of the decisions reached there before and during World War II.

After a lunch of sausages, sauerkraut and beer, we immersed ourselves in taking photos of various segments of the Wall, many now charmingly graffiti-covered. Other tour highlights included Checkpoint Charlie, the former station for entry into the American sector, where actors in period U.S. Army uniforms pose for the cameras. The towering columns of the Brandenburg Gate, closed to East-West passage by the Soviets in defiance of its name, again represent a photogenic symbol of freedom, topped by its statue of the goddess of victory’s chariot pulled by four horses. Konstanze told us how much the Germans had resented the Soviets from the earliest days of their post-World War II occupation — fearing that the Russians would exact revenge for the horrors the Nazis had inflicted on their own homeland, especially along the Baltic. Visiting Tempelhof Airport we saw where the post-war airlift by the United States, British and French prevented the Soviets from choking off supplies to Berlin’s non-Soviet sectors. There Konstanze described the American “candy bombers”: U.S. pilots who won many young German friends by dropping treats from cargo planes making their approach to Tempelhof.

In a museum dedicated to those American, British and French occupiers — a sign there reads “How Enemies Became Friends” — two rousing speeches by U.S. presidents were played to demonstrate Berliners’ love for Americans. There was John F. Kennedy declaring “Ich bin ein Berliner” in his June 1963 visit to the divided city, followed by Ronald Reagan, in 1987, taunting the Soviets with “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” His challenge was delivered against the backdrop of the Brandenburg Gate.

After Berlin, we sailed overnight across the Baltic to Helsinki, spending the next day on a bus tour visiting a farmhouse for lunch with the family there (another excursion choice made onboard). One more night at sea got us to St. Petersburg, where, as cruise passengers, we were permitted to disembark without Russian visas. Looking deceptively plain from the port, the city began to unfold its wonders as our tour bus neared the Neva River — crossing several of the low bridges across its Venicelike latticework of canals. The excursion we chose focused on Russia’s czarist architecture and great art collections. We also scheduled a ballet for one of our two nights in port. As for life in the city, we hoped to learn something about that from our local tour guides.

Their descriptions, it turned out, uniformly reflected weariness with government corruption, Vladi­mir Putin’s long tenure, effectively 15 years, and a lack of personal opportunity they perceived amid the country’s financial struggles. Still, that was mixed with appreciation for the very freedom to speak their minds in such a way these days. They also praised how Russia continues to preserve and to restore the treasures we were being shown.

The topic of restoration led to another theme — one that touched on the Russians’ animosity toward their own, earlier occupiers: the Nazis. Restorers were the behind-the-scenes stars at two stunning palaces we visited outside the city’s perimeter: the Catherine Palace from 1717, with a spectacular “amber room” decorated with the precious substance, and Peterhof from 1721, with terrace after terrace of glorious fountains. Both had been all but destroyed during the Siege of Leningrad, and palace displays featured shocking before-and­after photos of the ruin at the hands of the Germans.

We devoted a whole day to St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, the height of Russian opulence. Miraculously, it sustained little damage during the long German siege, through which Soviet defenders kept the enemy from breaking through at the city’s outskirts. As for attack from the air, our guide, Anna, proudly recounted how camouflaging the Hermitage had fooled German bombers — an almost unbelievable achievement given its enormous frontage along the Neva.

As Eileen and I strolled the expansive galleries we felt as if we were wandering through a cross between the Smithsonian and the National Gallery — several times over. The dazzling gold trim adorning the walls and high arched ceilings of the Hermitage amazed us. Crowds were large but moved at a leisurely pace, giving our tour group time to examine at length the classical European works that dominate its displays. Particularly stunning to us: a Dutch collection with 21 Rembrandt masterpieces, and Italian statuary rivaling anything we’d seen at the Vatican museum.

“Thinking about Catherine the Great acquiring these works of art, way before America even declared independence, reinforced how young our country is,” recalled fellow cruise passenger Jo Kirsch, a retired nursing professor who back home is a frequent visitor to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kirsch was especially moved by the Hermitage’s Rembrandt and Titian rooms, and its two da Vinci paintings (two more than the Met has). Indeed, she said, the Hermitage “filled me with awe from the moment I realized it is so large that I could not take a picture of the entire façade of the building with my iPhone.”

Back onboard we were treated to a lecture on a topic of concern for most American passengers: whether souring U.S.-Russia relations will jar us into a new cold war. John Renninger, an adjunct New York University ­global-affairs professor who had spent 30 years with the United Nations, deftly blended pessimism and optimism. He hung much of his talk on the presence of an unpredictable Putin. That fit in well with Churchill’s riddle-mystery­enigma description of Russia, an assessment that had come in 1939, Renninger noted. That was when the Soviets signed a “nonaggression pact” with Germany that seemed to put the European communists and fascists on the same side. (The pact collapsed when Adolf Hitler broke his promise and invaded Russia — leading, of course, to the Soviets joining the Allies and helping win the war.)

Churchill’s full comment has this less-familiar conclusion: “But perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.” The trick now for Eileen and me: using our newfound experience to help us understand what that might be.

Roy Harris is a former Wall Street Journal reporter whose book, " Pulitzer's Gold: A Century of Public Service Journalism, " is being released in January in a new edition from Columbia University Press.

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Crystal Cruises is one of a number of lines offering Baltic Sea cruises that make stops both in St. Petersburg and German ports that offer excursions by bus into Berlin.

Stops on a seven-day cruise beginning and ending in Copenhagen include Warnemunde, Germany; Helsinki; and St. Petersburg. Cabins $3,895-$10,455 (accommodations range from basic window stateroom to penthouse suite). Cost of additional excursions to Berlin and St. Petersburg: $69 to $1,029 (depending on scope of excursion chosen).

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise ship

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Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.

Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world’s major rivers.

That’s notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.

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Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to (until recently) the Volga in Russia.

The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River .

There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet — an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways , have anywhere near that number of vessels.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) However, you’ll find Viking’s nine traditional ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.

Last year, the line began cruising to Antarctica with its first expedition ship — a type of vessel built specifically for travel to remote, hard-to-reach places. Viking now has two such vessels.

Among the line’s voyages, there’s everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages.

Overwhelmed with choices? Here are the five best Viking cruise destinations where the line can truly offer you a memorable vacation.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Some of Viking’s most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway — the homeland of the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.

As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers “Viking country” — a region where it wants to dominate.

During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen (population 286,000) as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.

The line’s most popular route in the region, “Viking Homelands,” is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norway’s west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Note that, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It’s unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved.

Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed “Into the Midnight Sun,” the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history.

Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.

Viking’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights.

Among the longest sailings that Viking offers that include calls in Northern Europe are one-way, 28-night voyages between Bergen and New York City. The trips include stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

In Northern Europe, Viking ships mostly sail out of Bergen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London as well as Reykjavik.

The Mediterranean

Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region.

The trips include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line’s 14-night “Mediterranean Antiquities” routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.

More-focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line’s nine-night “Empires of the Mediterranean” voyages between Venice and Athens, which mostly concentrate on stops along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.

In the Mediterranean, the line’s main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites  

Europe riverways

Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe — at least among lines that cater to English speakers. The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent’s rivers — far more than any other river line catering to North Americans.

In all, the line accounts for about half of all river cruises taken by North Americans in the region. The next biggest player in Europe river cruises for North Americans, AmaWaterways, is less than half the size.

Among the rivers in Europe where Viking has a major presence are the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also offered cruises on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022.

On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights.

Among 10 different itineraries on the Rhine River alone, offerings range from a seven-night “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, to a 22-night “European Sojourn” from Amsterdam to Bucharest, Romania. The latter adds travel on the Main and Danube rivers to days on the Rhine.

Viking offers some of the most intimate and elegant cruises on the Nile, with three ships including the recently unveiled, 82-passenger Viking Osiris — one of our favorite vessels on the river.

All three of Viking’s Nile ships operate the same seven-night Nile cruise itinerary that Viking pairs with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night “Pharaohs and Pyramids” tour of Egypt.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s loyalty program

The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites.

Viking Osiris is the first of four sister ships that Viking plans to launch on the Nile by 2025 as it doubles its footprint in Egypt. The vessels offer a clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced design that mimics the look of Viking’s Europe-based vessels.

Notably, the ship features an entire deck of sprawling suites that rival anything else found on the Nile for luxury and comfort. Each comes with two full-size rooms — a large living room with a residential feel and an adjacent bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Each suite also has an outdoor balcony with seating for two — something you don’t always see on Nile ships.

Viking is a newcomer to cruises to Antarctica, but the destination is a big growth area for the line. Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent.

Dubbed Viking Octantis, the first of these vessels began sailings to Antarctica in February 2022. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. Together, the two ships are already making waves in the market for Antarctica cruises, in part because they have several new and unusual features.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to two of each ship’s exploratory vessels while still in the protected interior of the ship. A first for an expedition ship, it’s something that is significantly improving the experience for passengers heading out on Antarctica exploration.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

In another first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin on both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Viking offers several Antarctic itineraries, with the typical trip starting with a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, to board one of the two expedition ships for an 11-night cruise to Antarctica and back. A longer version of the trip features 13 nights on board one of the ships and extra days in Antarctica.

Viking also offers Antarctica sailings that combine a visit to the White Continent with stops in the Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Brazil.

Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Viking’s first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. In 2023, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will spend their summers in the Great Lakes.

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• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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What it’s like aboard Tampa’s new cruise ship Margaritaville at Sea

• Sharon Kennedy Wynne Times staff

TAMPA — Starting Friday, a sold-out cruise will sail from Port Tampa Bay to Mexico with Parrot Heads aboard the newest ship in the Jimmy Buffett-themed cruise line Margaritaville at Sea.

We took a two-day preview tour of The Islander in advance of the first of its four- and five-night excursions to Mexico and Key West. The cruise line is known for its low prices and high-octane parties and music. The Islander is the second ship in the Margaritaville fleet, a completely refurbished 85,000-ton ship that was formerly operated by the Italian Costa Cruises.4

The first sight on board is a dramatic 14-story atrium with a giant teal Margaritaville flip-flop (and nearby pop-top) at the base. It has multistory margarita glass chandeliers, floating fish, parrots and a replica of Buffett’s own personal seaplane soaring high above the Flip Flop Bar.

With 1,105 staterooms, The Islander has double the capacity of the Palm Beach-based Paradise ship that the cruise line has operated since 2015. Islander cruises start at $229 to Mexico and Key West and start at $479 for longer trips that in 2025 will include Belize on a seven-day itinerary.

The ship sports sleek retro and tropical stylings, all in service to the fans of the late singer known for bringing a chill attitude and appreciation for sun, surf and strong drinks with a twist of lime. Buffett’s music ranges from country to rock, folk and Caribbean tales of sun-bleached days searching for a shaker of salt. That gives the cruise line a lot to work with.

The Cheeseburger in Paradise burger bar offers up a tasty smashburger lunch next to the pool at the three-story Landshark Bar. The poolside jumbo screen plays films of Buffett’s concerts, like the time in 2010 he performed barefoot in Gulf Shores, Alabama, singing “Fins” with the Gulf of Mexico glistening behind him.

The trip begins with a 5 O’Clock Somewhere Sail Away Party that even in this week’s rainy weather drew passengers to the top deck to cheer as the ship sailed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. A giant rainbow greeted the ship as it passed under the spans of the Skyway on its first excursion Tuesday.

True to its partying nature, there are 13 themed bars and lounges sprinkled throughout the ship, each with its own signature margarita and live music at some point in the day or night. And it’s not just Buffett’s music. Tom Petty and Paul Simon tunes drift out of the lounges, and live shows range from pop acts to an electric violin.

There’s a piano bar called Bubbles, a Coral Reefer Lounge and a tip of a Panama hat to Cuba in the Havana Dreaming Sports Bar that is a sports bar by day, with marble tabletops, crushed red velvet seats, a replica of an old Chevy as a picture backdrop and lots of rum drinks. At night, it becomes a Latin nightclub with a band loudly cranking salsa and Latin pop tunes.

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At the Stars on the Water Theater (named for Buffett’s 1983 country rock hit), dancers and aerialists put on high-energy shows. One, called Caribbean Heat, is set to tropical-themed pop tunes. In a new show called Conky Tonkin’ (the original name of Buffett’s pairing with Kenny Chesney in 2004′s “License to Chill”), the dancers combine a Coyote Ugly bar scene vibe with a jukebox musical of classic country tunes, from Johnny Cash to modern country hits.

“This ship is a home run ... in the making,” said veteran cruiser Harvey Horowitz, who traveled on the preview with his wife, Phyllis. The Lake Worth retirees have been on the Palm Beach Margaritaville Paradise ship many times. It’s cheap, they said, and close to their East Coast home. But this ship, at twice the size and sparkling in its newness, won them over.

The “in the making” caveat from Harvey comes from the many hiccups that a new operation understandably undergoes. The Wi-Fi broke, they briefly lost hot water in their room, and their meals were mostly up to par, though small serving sizes and some other misses gave them pause.

“But for the price, you have a lot to work with,” he said. “The layout is really easy to navigate, the staff is great and there’s lots to do. So I think this will be a home run for the area.”

Meals at the Port of Indecision Buffet or the Fins dining room were familiar cruise offerings like Cajun gumbo and Huli Huli chicken, though portions tended to be small without a lot of flair. The Mexican Cutie Cantina and a decent pizza at Frank & Lola’s are among the five complimentary dining options. There are six specialty dining options for an extra fee, ranging from JWB Steakhouse to sushi, specialty coffees and an adults-only Tiki Grill.

Charges add up quickly for bigger rooms, technology packages, fancier restaurants, express check-in, drink packages, extra fees and gratuities. Some critics have complained that such nickel-and-diming can make the cheap admission price misleading. But defenders have noted that at that price you can expect middle-of-the-road fare on the dinner plate while enjoying the sleek stylings of a newly upgraded ship.

It has a Margaritaville-inspired cornhole and mini-golf course alongside family-friendly spaces like the Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide and a pickleball court.

Ashley Hartig, a Sarasota lifestyle and parenting influencer on Instagram @Ashley.Hartig and on TikTok @thehartigfamily , said after her time on the ship, “This is going to be really great for this area, to get that vacation feel so close to home.”

“It’s just a short trip and you get taken away to this Caribbean escape,” she said.

She said her impression was that it was going to be a booze-cruise party boat, “but this had way more options for kids and families than I expected.”

Sharon Kennedy Wynne is a reporter covering events, things to do and family experiences through the region. Reach her at [email protected].

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