Europe - North & the Baltic Cruises
The Baltic region consists of four Scandinavia states, three small Baltic states, Germany, Poland and Russia. It is open for cruising between May and mid-September (being half-covered by sea ice in winter). Its history extends from Roman and Viking times to becoming the sea graveyard of WWII. Cities worth visiting include the Scandinavian capitals of Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm. A must-see is historic St Petersburg (Russia) with the Winter Palace and the art treasures of the Hermitage. All the major cruise lines and small ships visit this region. Cruises sail from the UK, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Oslo and Bergen. If visiting St Petersburg look for an itinerary that gives you one or two nights’ stay to allow for worthwhile on-shore tours.