How can you turn your nose up at majestic cities like Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Rostock, Copenhagen and Oslo? These are regular ports of call on a Baltic cruise and all thrilling places to spend a day or two.
The Baltic Sea, called the East Sea by many European countries, was traditional Viking territory. They once sailed these seas fearlessly but you can now do so in comfort on a modern cruise liner. Rape and pillage is out these days but at least you can happily invade and be made most welcome in all these cities.
If your image of cruising is long, lazy days at sea then forget it. Baltic cruising can be hectic with nights at sea and days in port. A hasty breakfast, disembark around 8.30, explore some new capital city, back by 5.30pm for a sail-away cocktail, dinner, entertainment, bed. Next morning it all begins again. Days at sea can sometimes come as a welcome relief!
Larger
cruise ships have to take the longer journey around Denmark to enter the Baltic
but medium to small cruise ships can save around 280 nautical miles by using the
Kiel canal and give their passengers an unforgettable experience!
Starting in 1887, this canal was cut from the entrance to the River Elbe on the north sea through to Kiel in the Baltic, a distance of 98km or 60miles, and was completed in eight years. In runs entirely through German territory in the region just below Denmark. Over the years it has been deepened and widened to its present width of 162m (530ft). The shipping using the canal is heavily regulated.
Entering through a lock, eight hours of gentle sailing through the canal takes you into a fantasy world. Families picnicking in almost touching distance, cyclists passing the ship, cows staring in surprise and people making that simple connection to us by waving. A barbecue on deck ensured we did not miss a moment of the unfolding spectacle.
Choose your ship carefully, the Kiel Canal is not to be missed.
Once in the Baltic, capital cities lie anticipating your arrival. At each city, cruise lines lay on excursions, accompanied by an erudite tour guide, to show off the highlights or special places of interest. They generally represent good value and are much appreciated by many clients. Alternatively, you may wish to explore independently and the detailed account of each city, linked to this page, will offer practical advice to help you do this. Many cities offer some form of day cards, at a cost, which usually include free transport and free museum entrance which makes them not just convenient but very economical. For the independent explorers, cruise ships usually lay on a free shuttle bus service to the town centre except when the dock lies close to the centre.
Entering the Kiel canal
Below are thumb nail sketches of the main ports of call. For a more detailed account of each city loaded with practical advice for the independent traveller just follow the link.
Stockholm, a city of islands each like a miniature town, welcomes you to Sweden
Gamla Stan, the old town, within walking distance of the dock is a natural starting place, although you could just as easily use the shuttle bus to take you to the Opera House, just a little further into town. Must see: the City Hall, the Vasa museum, the old town and the Royal Palace.....more Stockholm
Helsinki, clean as a summer ice carving, ticks with the precision of a Harrison clock. Wonderful National Romantic architecture imparts a 19th century feel to a very modern city. The Lutheran Cathedral, the Rock Church, the Senate square, the Sibelius monument and the open market can all be squeezed into a busy day....more Helsinki
St Petersburg: this is one place which you cannot explore on your own unless you have taken the trouble to obtain a visa in advance. Otherwise the ship has a group visa to allow you to join excursions organised by the cruise line. There are so many tours on offer that ships usually dock for two to three days. Even from the skyline you can pick out the colourful domes of Russian orthodox churches and there are palaces to visit, wonderful monuments and the Hermitage Museum..... more St Petersburg
Gentle Tallinn, capital of Estonia, such a contrast to St Petersburg, captivates by its quiet charm. The Medieval old town is a top attraction but the Kadriorg Palace from the Tsarist period and the wonderful Estonian open air museum should be high on any list...... more Tallinn
Rostock & Warnemunde, located in the mouth of the Warnow river in what was formerly East Germany, these two locations lie just a few miles apart. Warnemunde is a seaside resort on the Baltic, Rostock lies further inland. Cruise ships dock at Warnemunde and there are easy transport connections, by train or ferry to Rostock
Brick Gothic churches, especially St Peters, and striking gable houses are a feature of Rostock, once the most important member of the Hanseatic League. St Mary’s church too, now used as a concert hall, demands attention especially the awe-inspiring astronomical clock but the town square with its fascinating bronze statues is the place to take coffee.
Warnemunde has a very fine and popular beach, colourful shops and houses and its famous Teepot. Great for relaxing, if you want to leave the ship for a few hours...... more Rostock/Warnemunde
Copenhagen, Denmark, greets you with its iconic Little Mermaid which everybody wants to stand alongside and be photographed. The authorities are thinking of spoiling the fun by moving the mermaid to slightly deeper waters which probably means death by drowning for the determined overconfident desperate to reach it. Perhaps it will remain just talk. You will not have time to test out the country’s 3,500km of sandy beaches but you will be able to see lots of statues, spires, fountains as well as a palace, the Tivoli amusement park, a fascinating Medieval village and Nyhavn, a canal street with colourful house façades and bars. Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen, as the song goes, is spot on........ more Copenhagen
Oslo,
Norway: this is where you brush up on your Viking history. A quick ferry journey
across the harbour will take you to the Viking Museum and a short walk away is
the Kon-Tiki museum. One museum not to be missed, which lies adjacent to where
ships dock, is the Medieval Akershus castle. When you are museum weary head for
a large shopping centre in the city centre for some refreshing therapy......
more Oslo
arriving in Oslo, docking by the Akershus Castle
All cruise destinations offer something special but the Baltic is unique with so many great capitals to hand. It is very much a growth area for cruising so there will be more and more offers available in future. On top of all that there is another unforgettable special piece of magic, the white nights of summer when the sun almost forgets to set.