While some cruise holidays seek out the sunshine and sandy beaches, there are other cruise holidays that focus on providing guests with magnificent cultural experiences, and Baltic cruise holidays tick that box.
Taking in several spectacular countries over a short period of time, a Baltic cruise will likely be quite different to other cruise holidays you may have experienced before.
To help you prepare, we’ve created a guide for your first cruise to the Baltics, where we seek to answer many of the typical questions asked.
Where does a Baltic cruise go?
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are collectively known as the Baltic States.
However, these are not the only countries visited on a Baltic cruise holiday. Itineraries usually take in parts of Scandinavia and Northern Europe too.
There are some fantastic Baltic cruise itineraries departing from the UK, which are often two-week holidays. You can also start from Copenhagen, Amsterdam or Stockholm, where shorter itineraries are offered as the embarkation points are closer to the Baltics.
When going on your first Baltic cruise, expect to be busy, particularly on the shorter ones. There are usually plenty of port stops, visiting incredible places such as Oslo, Stockholm, Riga, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tallinn, Warnemunde (Berlin), St. Petersburg, Gdansk and Hamburg. You may even find Baltic cruises that also take in some of the stunning fjords in Norway.
Whichever itinerary you opt for, you can expect a holiday packed full of history, beautiful scenery and landmarks, and fascinating cultures.
What is the best time of year for a Baltic cruise?
The best time for a Baltic cruise is during the summer peak season, in the months of July and August. You will usually have to pay a bit more, but the weather is much milder, meaning you can enjoy more of what these remarkable countries offer.
The weather for Baltic cruises is never guaranteed, even during the warmer seasons. However, you do have better chances of sunshine in the summer, and temperatures often reach around 24 °C.
There will be significantly more cruises sailing to the Baltics in the summer, so you’ll have more options, but it could also be a lot busier at the destinations.
With the weather in Baltics in the winter being freezing and snowy, often with temperatures around -5°C, you may wonder whether Baltic cruise ports are open at this time.
Perhaps surprisingly, the Baltics are a year-round destination, so Baltic cruise ports are open, and some cruise lines do offer winter cruises here; just make sure you pack carefully for the more extreme weather!
What to pack for a Baltic cruise
When planning how to pack for a Baltic cruise, you’ll need to take a much different approach than if you were visiting the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
Alongside your essential documentation, suitable onboard clothing (formal evenings, lounging by the pool etc.) and pastimes, there are a few other things you need to consider when packing for a Baltic cruise.
Below are a few of our packing tips for a Baltic cruise:
Bring a few pairs of comfortable shoes. There’s so much to explore at your port stops, so make sure you can easily walk around to enjoy it all.
Consider suitable weather-appropriate clothing. If you choose to go on your first Baltic cruise during the winter season, bring plenty of warm clothes, a coat, scarf and hat to make the most of your trip without getting too chilly!
In summer, you can afford to pack lighter clothing and will likely need sunglasses, a sunhat and sunscreen. However, you may still also want a warm layer or two for cooler evenings.
Bring a waterproof jacket and perhaps a compact umbrella. Whatever the time of year, there could still be rain, so make sure you’re prepared.
Bring your camera and charger so that you can take plenty of pictures.
Don’t forget to change your currency.
What is the best currency for a Baltic cruise?
Deciding on your Baltic cruise currency can be a little tricky. As well as the Euro and the British pound, you can face prices in the Danish krone, Norwegian krone or Swedish krona.
While the Euro is the official currency of countries such as Finland, Holland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, it is often also accepted in some other countries you’ll visit in the Baltic region. Therefore, it is probably the best currency for a Baltic cruise.
However, like much of the world these days, credit and debit cards are widely accepted. So, as long as you have yours to hand, there will be few situations where you can’t use this as your go-to Baltic cruise currency.
How much does a Baltic cruise cost?
As with all cruises, there are lots of moving variables when it comes to cruise holiday prices.
For example, you’ll find different deals depending on the cruise line you decide to sail with, the cabin grade and the packages they offer. It also depends on the time of year, the cruise length and the destinations visited on your Baltic cruise.
To provide a rough idea, we’ve recently seen cruise lines offer 7-night Baltic cruises for next summer starting at $600 per person. However, ultra-luxury cruise lines have one-week Baltic cruises priced at over $10,000 each.
There are mid-range cruises at $1,500 – $2,500 per person, which could be good options if it is your first cruise to the Baltics.
If you’re planning your first Baltic cruise, you’re in for an exciting time!
