Discover Northern Europe by Sea
Visitors to the Baltic States and Norway find the region easy to explore. English is widely spoken, cities are well organized and clean and it is a relatively safe area for setting out on your own.
There are some great finds for shoppers too. Baltic amber, Norwegian pewter and knitwear, Estonian linens, Russian crafts and Danish design stores will keep you busy. The local markets are always a good bet for bargains but watch out for replica amber. The best place to buy the real thing is at jewellers' shops in Poland, the largest producer of amber in the world.
It is an excellent region for cruising as there are so many countries close together. You can explore during the day and use your ship as a hotel, waking up next day in another interesting country.
- The Northern Europe cruising season runs from spring to fall when the region experiences long daylight hours.
- Copenhagen, Denmark is the major cruise port in Northern Europe. This delightful city was recently voted 2009 Port of the Year by Princess Cruises' passengers. Copenhagen is easy to navigate with superb dining, great shopping and an excellent array of accommodation for pre or post cruise stays.
- Cruises also depart for the Baltic and/or Norway throughout the summer from ports in England and the Netherlands as well as Oslo, Norway and Stockholm, Sweden.
- Itineraries may be round-trip or one way between these ports and range from a few days to two weeks or more.
- Baltic itineraries often include a call at Norway's beautiful capital city of Oslo or ports in The Netherlands, Belgium and England.
- Norway itineraries include the spectacular fjords, on Norway's west coast, plus calls further north like Tromso, Trondheim and Honningswag, the jumping off point for the North Cape. Some cruises combine remote Spitsbergen and Iceland with Norway. The fjords plus Scotland or Southern Norway are other possibilities.
- If you want to see it all on one vacation, combine the Norwegian Fjords and the Baltic on longer cruises like Grand Voyages or back to back sailings.
- Some North Atlantic crossings also visit Northern Europe. Holland America offers such a crossing every summer. This August, Eurodam sails a 29-day crossing from Amsterdam to New York via the Baltic, Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland.
Regional Highlights
- The Norwegian Fjords –Often voted the most beautiful cruising area in the world, Norway's fjords are breathtaking. Geiranger Fjord is the most spectacular as you sail by steep mountainsides with magnificent waterfalls plunging to the sea. Ships call at the town of Geiranger at the head of the fjord. Go ashore for a variety of excursions including kayaking and mountain drives. Walk to the lookout for the perfect photo of your ship in the fjord which has become the most famous of Norwegian travel shots.
- North Cape – Across the Arctic Circle, at the top of Norway sits North Cape, the most northerly point of land in Europe. A Mecca for adventure travellers, it is the ideal spot to observe the Midnight Sun in June/July when Norway's Arctic has continual daylight. The visitors centre sits atop the 307 meter high cliff and contains a number of interesting displays about the region's history and geography. Toast your adventure at the lounge cut into the cliff face which offers a commanding view across the Barents Sea. The port of call is Honningsvag from where you take a 45 minute drive across the beautiful Arctic tundra to North Cape.
- St. Petersburg – This city is the jewel in the crown of the Baltic Sea ports. Specially planned by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, the result is an architectural masterpiece with magnificent palaces, theatres, churches and government buildings at every turn.
The list of "must see" places is lengthy so the more days your ship stays here the better. Many ships call for two or three days and offer a wide range of full and half day excursions so you can see the main sights including the world famous Hermitage Museum, take in the art and architecture, attend the ballet or a concert and learn about the city's tumultuous history.
You don't need to worry about getting a visa if you are taking an organized tour from your ship or through a Russian tour company. However, if you want to go ashore alone, you will need to apply for a Russian visa which involves a lot of paperwork, takes time and is quite costly.
- Ports of the Hanseatic League – You'll be surprised to discover the variety of interesting medieval ports on your itinerary, all trading partners of the Hanseatic League and all quite distinctive including the old towns of Bergen, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; Gdansk, Poland; Riga, Latvia; Rostock, Germany and Tallinn, Estonia. Tallinn's medieval centre is authentic complete with the world's oldest pharmacy, dating from 1422, and locals dressed in costume. Try an authentic medieval meal at one of the many restaurants.
- Berlin or Mecklenburg-West Pomerania? - From the port of Warnemunde, Germany, day tours are offered to Berlin. The 12 hour tours include a 3-hour drive each way. For some travellers it is worth it to see the highlights of Berlin. Others prefer to spend the day discovering the area of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania with its charming villages, rolling landscape, Baltic Sea resort towns, historic railway, well preserved monastery and the medieval town of Rostock.
- The Kiel Canal - By transiting the Kiel Canal from the Baltic to the North Sea, ships save hundreds of miles of travel time around Denmark. It also gives you a chance to cruise through a lovely part of rural Germany, under seven bridges, past several villages and some tranquil pastoral settings. Where else in the world will you see a flock of sheep from your stateroom window? This is more like a river cruise. Only small ships can traverse the hundred year old canal so look for it on the itineraries of Oceania, Seabourn, Silversea, Holland America, Azamara Club Cruises and the small ships of Princess sailing between Western Europe and the Baltic.
Cruising Northern Europe is one of the most enriching experiences you can have. The diverse range of history and culture, plus Norway's dramatic scenery, will certainly keep you stimulated every day of the voyage.
For a selection of sailings with special amenities, see our list of Baltic and Norway cruise specials.
By Susan Milne
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