Baltic, Norwegian Coastal and Fjord Cruising
Most Britons in search of a close-to-home cruise head for the sun and sights of the Mediterranean. But this is not the only option available. During the summer months if you head north instead of south, you'll find other places to visit equally rich in history and culture, with magnificent cities, tranquil fjords, unforgettable scenery, sunny weather and even some lovely beaches. The joy of cruising these regions is that you'll see sights such as mist-shrouded fjords and spectacular waterfalls, that you just couldn't view from land. You'll also find it easier on your budget. Baltic cities like Oslo and Copenhagen are fascinating to visit, but hotel and restaurant prices are high. On a cruise you can choose whether to go ashore and sample the local cuisine, or stay on your own "floating hotel" to eat. You also have all the facilities of the ship to enjoy.
Most itineraries for Baltic cruises include the great cities of Northern Europe. The majority of them will include the historic city of St Petersburg, and cruising is a good way to tour Russia's most beautiful city, as it cuts out the red tape and need for visas associated with land-based holidays.
Cruising is also an excellent way to appreciate Norway, the land of the Midnight Sun, with 24 hours of daylight during the summer, with its natural beauty and unspoiled landscapes. Along its West coast, deep fjords cut into steep mountain ranges, with the stillness only broken by waterfalls. In older villages wooden houses spill down towards docks where Viking longships, and later whaling vessels, were once moored.
Unlike on many other cruises, on Baltic cruises you are rarely out of sight of land. There is a constantly changing backdrop provided by one of the world's most dramatic coastlines, from the temperate climes of Bergen in the south, to the glacier-covered Svalbard Islands, on the edge of the Arctic. The ships tend to be smaller, providing a more intimate ambiance. You can also cruise on working ships which transport goods and local people along the coast. The North Cape, barely 1,000 miles from the North Pole, is featured in many coastal cruise itineraries. The landscape is a blend of the flat and sheer cliffs rising 300 metres out of the Arctic Ocean.
What to Pack
Summer temperatures in the Baltic can be as high as southern Europe, but on tours of the coastal regions, you should always be prepared for rain. For day wear, light summer clothing is recommended, but a warmer jacket is recommended for evening to combat the occasional sea breeze. While ships these days do not impose strict dress codes, most people still see dressing up as part of the pleasure of a cruise. You will need to pack a couple of smart outfits for the Captain's Welcome party, and Farewell Cocktails.
Ports of Call
Baltic Cruises
Cities which are part of Baltic cruise itineraries include:
Amsterdam - a relaxed city of tall gabled houses, leafy canal walks, pavement cafes and excellent shops. Here you can visit the house of wartime diarist Anne Frank, the Vincent van Gogh Museum, or the the Rijks Museum, which has a large collection of works by Rembrandt.
Copenhagen - home of the world famous Little Mermaid sculpture, and also famous for its shopping. This centres round the Stroget, Europe's longest pedestrianised shopping street, which offers plenty of pretty pavement cafes for tired husbands. If historical sites interest you more than shops, you can explore the imposing Christiansborg Palace, stroll the battlements of Kronenberg Castle (formerly Elsinore, the setting for Shakepeare's Hamlet), or enjoy all the fun of the fair at the famous Tivoli Gardens.
Helsinki - located on the Katajonkka peninsula, the elegant Finnish capital is built around a stylish esplanade, boasts lovely Art Nouveau buildings and is famous as the birthplace of composer, Jean Sibelius.
Stockholm - a European city of culture, it is set among a myriad of small islands, has the wonderful medieval quarter of Gamla Stan to explore, as well as a museum housing the world's oldest identified warship, which sank in the harbour in 1628.
Oslo - a city of beautiful parks and tranquil lakes, Oslo is a charming city with 18th and 19th century frescoed houses and the Viking House full of Viking ships and treasures.
Tallinn - capital of Estonia, with a magnificent 15th century domed church and fabulous architecture from its times of Teutonic, Polish and Russian rulers.
Riga - capital of Latvia, one of the Baltic's most beautiful cities with fine examples of Baroque, Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture.
St Petersburg - the jewel in the Baltic crown rates an overnight stay on many cruise itineraries, so passengers have time to take it all in. Here can be found the Hermitage Gallery, with an astonishing array of artistic treasures; the battleship Aurora whose gun signalled the start of the Russian revolution; and magnificent palaces, including the Versaille-like Peterhof.
Norwegian Fjords
Fjord cruise itineraries include:
Bergen - the gateway to the fjords region, with much of its medieval centre preserved in spite of numerous fires. It is the second largest city in Norway and also the country's cultural centre.
Trondheim - was the first Viking capital of Norway and became the country's ecclesiastical centre following the death of St Olav in 1030 as pilgrims from all over Europe came to the town to be healed at his shrine. The city's other main attraction is its numerous wooden buildings, including the Stiftsgarden Palace.
Ålesund - as so much of the town is surrounded by water it appears to be floating alongside the passing boats. Ålesund was destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt in Art Nouveau style.
Norwegian Coastal
Norwegian Coastal itineraries can include:
Tromsø - this most pleasant town boasts of being both the Paris of the North and the Gateway to the Arctic. It is familiar as the starting point of many Polar expeditions.
Hammerfest - the world's most northerly town is at the same latitude as northern Siberia, but is largely ice-free due to the off-shore Gulf Stream. It has been a popular trading town for the last 200 years.
The North Cape - a cruise around the North Cape will reveal some of the world's most spectacular scenery. A cruise of the Nordfjord will bring you to Honningsvag, the world's most northerly village, which lies well within the Arctic Circle. Visiting a Lapp village takes you to a lifestyle which has been unchanged for centuries.
Who goes there?
Cruise Lines offering Baltic cruises include the following:
For more information on Baltic Cruising, contact David Brown Travel