Travelling through Cruise is on the bucket list of most travel enthusiasts. When you want to travel multiple destinations, which happen to be spread over multiple countries in a limited time period, taking a cruise is the best option. The cluster of Scandinavian countries bordering the Baltic Sea in Europe is the region which can be best covered on a cruise. It has become immensely popular in recent years. The countries consisting of the nations of Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia & Norway are a wonderful mixture of culture, languages and possesses a bounty of art and ancient historical relics.
This summer world’s leading cruise liners are taking multiple Cruises to the Scandinavian countries. The weather at that time is warm, with daylight hours much longer than the rest of the year. The major cruises to the Scandinavian countries this year are Regal Princess, MSC Meraviglia, Costa Magica, Brilliance of the Seas, Celebrity Silhoutte and Norwegian Cruise.
Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Getaway was introduced to the Norwegian fleet in 2014.In 2019 Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship is beginning from June, mostly covering the ports of Copenhagen, Berlin, Tallinn, St. Petersburg Helsinki and Stockholm. This beautiful ship has a capacity of over 4,000 passengers. It is providing a wide variety of staterooms ranging from spa suites, interconnecting rooms, spacious villas and solo studios taking into consideration for both family and solo guests. This is the only cruise ship which has Waterfront, an open-air promenade designed to connect guests with the ocean with walkway lined with shops, restaurants and bars. . Norwegian Getaway offers 28 unique dining experiences - more than all the others. Other highlights are the private beach club Haven, The Mandara Spa, a three storey fitness complex, Aqua park, variety of lounge bars and show venues, a signature nightclub and a casino.
Following are some of the famous ports of a Scandinavian cruise-
COPENHAGEN,DENMARK
A number of cruises start their journey from this port. You can travel to Copenhagen, Denmark; a vibrant city with an ode to its Viking heritage visible in its every vibe. The capital of Denmark is Often named as ‘the best city to live in’. The popular places of this city are the Trivoli Gardens, the Frederiksberg Palace, the magnificent Copenhagen Opera House and the Nyhaven, one of the most picturesque harbours in the world, with a row of multi-colored row houses fringing along the Danish coastline and also some of the world’s best restaurants. The best way to explore the city is through the electric bike tour.
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Visiting St Petersburg on a cruise means that you get to by-pass the requirement of a Visa. As long as you’re booked on to an official tour organised by the ship, you’ll be granted access to the country at the cruise port’s immigration. One can start the tour of Russia with the Hermitage Museum. The Hermitage of St Petersburg’s is equivalent to The Louvre in Paris. St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum has 3 million works of art including Da Vinci, Monet, Renoir and the largest collection of Rembrandt. This sensational building is spread across 7 historic buildings. Following the Hermitage you can visit Peter and Paul Fortress and the Yusupov Palace. Seeing the Russian Ballet performs in St Petersburg is a lifetime experience.
Never miss the chance of exploring the famous Peterhof Palace and its extensive grounds, the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood and St Issac’s Catherdral. Tour to St Petersburg, Russia on a Scandinavian cruise is something you cannot afford to miss.
TALLINN, ESTONIA
You will enjoy travelling to Estonia on a Scandinivian cruise. Tallinn is a wonderful city of Estonia located on the banks of the Baltic Sea. This Medieval Old Town with full of colourful buildings will feel you transported again into a history book. You can Stop for a drink on the iconic Town Hall Square. Check the famous Alexander Nevsky Orthodox cathedral, with it’s intricate coving and dome-like spires.
To see the modern side of the town, visit the Telliskivi Creative City. It is a regenerated industrial area of the city which is now home to cafes, restaurants and pop-up shops. It’s a hipsters paradise and shares a contrast between the Tallinn’s historical Old Town.
HELSINKI, FINLAND
With its broad streets, neoclassical mansions and the giant maritime fortress of Suomenlinna, the Finnish seaside town of Helsinki is a striking combination of culture, art, architecture and breathtaking greenery. The Kauppatori or the Market Square is the central point for getting a taste of Finnish culture and cuisine, The Finnair Sky Wheel is the place where you get the beautiful view of the entire city. Tour to Finland on a cruise will give you some wonderful memories.
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
The capital city of Sweden is also known as the Venice of the North. You will definitely enjoy your Trip to Stockholm, Sweden on a Scandinavian cruise. Vasa museum is for everyone enamored with Sweden’s Viking heritage. The museum is in the form of the massive Swedish battleship Vasa that sank in 1628. Visit the Royal National City Park, Ericsson Globe, the City hall, the palace where the Swedish royal family resides and Ostermalm, the fashion hub of the country with the world’s best labels. You could take a sightseeing tour with an open two-deck bus or by boat. The Cherry Blossom trees in Kungsträdgården is a must watch. You will simply love Stockholm because of the Swedish custom of enjoying Fika – basically a guilt-free coffee and cake break what’s considered as a social institution in Sweden.
Tips for a Cruise
If you’re thinking of booking a cruise, here are a few tips -
Organised tours and independent sightseeing – enjoy a mixture of group tours and independent exploring. In Russia you will need to join an organised tour for visa purposes. Other cities, like Tallinn and Stockholm, are easily explored on foot.
Get a prepaid travel money card– you pretty much need a new currency for every destination on this trip. Instead of taking out cash use a prepaid travel money card. They have lower foreign transaction fees than regular bank card.
Pack sturdy walking shoes and layers – you need comfortable shoes. Travelling through so many countries in a cruise demands a couple of sturdy pairs of shoes that you can walk around all day in. You’ll also need lots of light layers so that you can strip off as and when you need to.
