Cruises on the Baltic: the subtleties of sea voyages and routes

Do you want to combine a trip on a handsome ship with sightseeing? And at the same time that everything was as in a hotel with "All-inclusive" and a lot of entertainment on board? So that every day you meet a new city or that you see the impressive beauty of distant shores? All these pleasures give tourists sea cruises. The Baltic, unlike the southern seas, is attractive for travelers also with low prices. In this short essay we will consider water travels along this water area. When is the best time to go? Which cruise to prefer? How much is it? What can you see during the trip? What do you recommend to consider those tourists who have already cruised the Baltic Sea? We will answer these questions below.

Pros and cons of cruises in the Baltic

Although this area belongs to the basin of the Atlantic Ocean, it belongs to the "inner" seas. From the north it is surrounded by an extensive Scandinavian peninsula, from the south - the coast of Poland and Germany. In the east of the sea are the territories of Russia and the Baltic republics, and the Danish archipelago closes it from the west. Such an arrangement within the land makes the Baltic a fairly calm water area. There are no severe storms and strong currents. This circumstance makes cruises in the Baltic Sea completely safe and attractive even for those who can not stand even the slightest pitching. Sea voyages are not a round-the-clock stay on board. On the contrary, the program of cruises includes ground excursions. But tourists do not shake for hours on the bus to come to an interesting city. And they spend the night in cabins aboard their cruise liner. As for the minuses of traveling through the Baltic, the reviews say only one thing: northern weather does not have to sea bathing. Water in the water area in July-August warms only to +17 degrees.

When to go on a cruise on the Baltic

There is no one settled opinion on this issue. One likes to watch the white nights on board the cruise liner, the other to the northern lights. Many tourists recommend to go on a sea voyage in the period from May to September. But also Christmas and New Year cruises in the Baltic are popular. The tourist season in this sea experiences only two recessions per year. This time is from mid-January to late April and from mid-October to the onset of Christmas holidays in Europe (December 20). Choosing the time for sea voyage, it should be noted that some parts of the Baltic Sea freeze in winter. Therefore, the number of cruise routes is reduced. But the farther west, the more the warm breath of the Gulf Stream is felt. And the winter trip will be no less interesting than the summer. After all, the New Year's excursion program includes a visit to the village of Santa Claus.

Popular routes

For Russians, the point of departure for a cruise on the Baltic is reasonable St. Petersburg. After all, this city stands near the Gulf of Finland. But there may be options. For example, cruises on the Baltic from Minsk. Ships depart from the port of Riga or Tallinn. Such sea voyages differ from each other not only by duration, but also by saturation. You can choose and combined tours, for example, sea cruise + beach vacation. Or with a trip deep into the mainland (sailing by liner to German Kiel and a two-day bus excursion to Berlin). There are also such routes, which are designed especially for lovers of the northern nature. Such cruises presuppose not only visiting cities, but also swimming in Norwegian fjords or traveling through the countless islets of the Aland archipelago. There are many routes, which include the words "the capital of the Baltic". Here it is necessary to take into account that the port of departure (for Russians - St. Petersburg) is also considered. Thus, if the cruise is called "The Two Baltic Capital", then it will be a simple trip on ferries from St. Petersburg to Tallinn or Stockholm and back.

Onboard Facilities

All ships plying only on the Baltic Sea and not beyond its borders are equal in class to ferries. Tourists from Russia are served by such companies as St. Petersburg. Peter Line, "Viking Line", "Talink", Silja Line. But do not think that a cruise on the Baltic by ferry will take place in Spartan conditions. Modern cruise liners can be compared not even with hotels, but with whole floating resorts. On board some of them there are swimming pools, tennis courts, saunas and other infrastructure. The cabins, like hotel rooms, differ depending on the category. There is an economy for four people and without a window. These cabins are located on the lower decks in the middle. Conveniences for budget travelers are on the floor. There are cabins with a small round porthole. As in resort hotels, there are suites and suites on board the liner. They are located on the upper deck and are equipped not only with a window overlooking the water surface, but also a terrace. Such cabins are equipped with all the benefits of civilization.

Meals on board

This question should be clarified immediately at the tour operator, from whom you buy a cruise on the Baltic from St. Petersburg. More often than not, sea voyages suggest a "full board" or "all inclusive" meal, which is reasonable: where does the passenger get to eat on the high seas? But there are also small cruises. For example, "Two capitals". The ship arrives in Stockholm and stands in the port for two or three days. Passengers are offered breakfast, after which they make independent or group trips around the city. If you book an all-inclusive cruise, you should ask what bars and restaurants you can visit "for free". As a rule, there are several such establishments on board a cruise liner. There is always a restaurant with a couture cuisine, which is served by the menu. You can immediately book a table or do it at the reception of a floating hotel.

Entertainment on board

You do not have to look with longing for the land in anticipation of interesting excursions. After all, the liner ferry that cruises the Baltic is not only a floating hotel, but a whole resort complex with shops, a casino and a SPA complex. And, as well as in a five-star hotel, passengers are waited with various shows, discos and other entertainments. On some ships there are two teams of animators - for adults and children. On board the cruise liner from "all inclusive", all passengers, regardless of the cabin category, can visit the cinema, sauna, play billiards, swim in the pool and, if lucky with the weather, sunbathe on the solar deck. So do not have to be bored. There are such cruises, and most of them, when the ship sails only at night, and from morning till evening awaits its passengers in any port. But you can book a trip, during which you can fully enjoy the view of the endless sea surface.

Myths about cruises

Tourists are inclined to transfer to sea voyages the negative experience that they experienced in bus tours. Do not be afraid that cruises in the Baltic in many countries are associated with a long standing on the border and a tumultuous passage of control. No, all these formalities you go through only when sailing from the first port. Then you pass your passport to the reception of the floating hotel. And each time when crossing the border (entering a new port), the country's migration service deals not with each individual passenger, but with the responsible officer of the staff. When descending from the gangway, you are issued a special card, which serves as a pass to the ship's board, as well as an identity card. Another myth concerns pitching. But, let's repeat, the Baltic Sea is relatively calm compared to others. And modern liners are such that on their board the storm is invisible. So you do not have to give up all-inclusive food because of seasickness.

Excursion program

Do you want to get better acquainted with the architecture and culture of the Nordic countries? This can be done by repeating the path of the Vikings along the Great Sea Route, after cruising the Baltic. The reports say that there is always a Russian-speaking guide aboard the ship leaving St. Petersburg. If you are interested in more excursion program and less - sea trips, then you can choose the appropriate tour. For example, "Three capitals". The cruise lasts five days and six nights. During this time the ship is visited by Tallinn and - on the way back - Kotka in Finland. And the third capital in this cruise is Stockholm. In the capital of Sweden, the cruise liner of the company "Costa Mediterranea" costs three full days. In any case, each cruise provides for passengers a walking tour of the coastal city-port. Many tour operators include in the program of sea voyage and visiting museums, theme restaurants with national cuisine, water parks, ethnographic "villages", etc. There are cruises that include bus excursions deep into the mainland. Such trips can take two days (with a stop at the hotel)

Description of the route: cruise "4 capital of the Baltic"

It seems that we have reported all the subtleties of sea voyages. We now describe the route of one such cruise. As we have said, tours around the capitals and cities of the Baltic can be of different duration, and the route is different in length. Of course, you can go from St. Petersburg to Stockholm. But it will be rather a short journey than a cruise. "4 capital of the Baltic" - the most optimal tour. The ship leaves St. Petersburg in the evening and arrives in Helsinki the next morning. After a day in the capital of Finland, the liner leaves at sea and arrives in Stockholm by the morning. Then passengers can take a break from a busy excursion and spend more days on board until the airliner arrives in Copenhagen. The next day, tourists are already walking around Warnemünde (Germany). If you choose the 11-day cruise "6 capitals", you will be able to see more Oslo and Tallinn. Combined trips will give you the opportunity to sunbathe in Polish Gdańsk or on the German island resort of Rügen.

Cruise "Music of the fjords and the city of the Baltic": description

Norway is the most remote from St. Petersburg shore of this water area. Therefore, on average, tours to the fjords last about a week. But it is possible to plow the Baltic waves for ten days or more. Therefore, the cruise routes are different. But they all include visits to the famous fjords of Norway: Hardangerger, Geiranger and Sogne. As a rule, the cruise liner also enters the capital of the country, Oslo. The program of some tours includes visits to cities such as Kirkenes and Bergen.

Finally

Cruises on the Baltic from St. Petersburg is a great opportunity to see the world and at the same time have a good rest. Such a voyage is a good (albeit expensive) alternative to tiresome bus tours. Many tourists were satisfied with this trip and would like to repeat it.