As a destination for cruises, the Baltic is booming. Annually, for the past several years, the region has enjoyed record growth – not only in the number of cruise passengers visiting the region but also in the number of cruise ships choosing to make Baltic ports their homeports for the season.
From the opulent palaces of the Tsars in St. Petersburg to Stockholm’s breathtaking harbor and Copenhagen’s spectacular Tivoli Gardens, few cruising regions offer such diverse treasures as the Baltic. Best of all, most ships dock in the center of the cities and towns, allowing you to hop off and explore on your own.
Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg is among the most beautiful cities on earth. The baroque Winter Palace known as the Hermitage boasts more than 1,000 rooms and 8,000 paintings.
The “City That Floats On Water,” Stockholm sits on 14 islands, with meandering shop-lined streets, palaces and parks. Don’t miss the Vasa Museum, housing a royal flagship raised from the harbor more than 300 years after she sank in 1628.
Copenhagen is chock full of attractions, including Stroget, Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street and the dazzling display of the Danish crown jewels at Rosenborg Castle.
Helsinki’s marketplace, next to the ship terminal, is a colorful introduction to this city. Attractions are a short ferry ride away, including the “Gibraltar of the North,” Suomenlinna Fortress, which has guarded the entrance to the city for 200 years.
These are just a few of the attractions that you won’t want to miss on Baltic cruises. From fjords to majestic cities, Baltic cruising offers an immensely satisfying cruise experience.
Read a full account of a family cruise in the Baltic, “Cruising White Nights.”
