The best Baltic cruises for 2026 and 2027

Silversea

Silversea runs a strong Baltic programme from June to September in both 2026 and 2027, with most sailings between Copenhagen and Stockholm and plenty of time ashore. Itineraries operate predominantly on Silver Dawn, while Silver Spirit ventures into the region on a handful of voyages built more around the British Isles, Norway and the Netherlands. Most are fly-cruise, though the occasional UK departure makes life easier. Silversea's fares cover drinks, gratuities and dining across a range of venues, and on Silver Dawn you can sample Scandinavian flavours through the line's S.A.L.T. programme.

Best for 2026: Stockholm to Copenhagen on Silver Dawn, August 2026

Best for 2027: Southampton to Stockholm, a convenient no-fly UK departure, July 2027

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas brings its all-inclusive style to the Baltic across three summers, sailing June to September in 2026, April to August in 2027 and May to August in 2028, with the dedicated Baltic sailings starting in June. Operated on Seven Seas Grandeur and the recently refurbished Seven Seas Voyager, the real draw is the included shore excursion programme, ideal in a region with so much to explore, from city treasures and country outings to bicycle tours and Regent's keynote 'local' experiences. Only a handful of departures leave from the UK and they sell out quickly. Most of 2026 is now sold out, with just a few suites left, including on our pick below.

Best for 2026: Nordic Majesty, Copenhagen to Stockholm on Seven Seas Grandeur, with only a handful of suites remaining

Best for 2027: Nordic & Baltic Jewels, Stockholm to Copenhagen on Seven Seas Voyager, July 2027

Best for 2028: Spires & Sea, Stockholm to Copenhagen on Seven Seas Voyager, June 2028

Seabourn

Seabourn brings its quietly indulgent, all-suite style to the Baltic on the intimate Seabourn Quest. The line sails the region in August 2026, then in May, August and September 2027 and again from May to August 2028, with many voyages folding the Baltic into longer journeys that also take in Iceland or Norway. The all-inclusive experience is relaxed yet polished, with open-seating dining, complimentary drinks throughout and a generous crew-to-guest ratio. Those longer combination itineraries are some of our favourites for anyone with time to go deeper.

Best for 2027: Norwegian Fjords & Baltic Nights, Dover to Copenhagen, on Seabourn Quest, August 2027

Best for 2028: North Cape, Scandinavian & Baltic Explorer, Dover to Copenhagen, on Seabourn Quest, June 2028

Windstar

Windstar's small yachts, three with sails and soon to be five without, have a laid-back, unpretentious feel that suits easygoing travellers. The Baltic programme runs predominantly on the all-suite Star Pride, with Star Explorer joining in 2027. The signature route is the Seven Gems of the Baltic between Copenhagen and Helsinki, sailing in July 2026 and again in June and July 2027, and some longer combination voyages weave in the Norwegian Fjords too. It is an informal, value-conscious way into a region better known for grander ships.

Best for 2026: Seven Gems of the Baltic, Stockholm to Copenhagen, on Star Pride, July 2026

Best for 2027: Star Collector Scandinavian and Baltic Delights, Helsinki to Copenhagen, on Star Pride, June 2027

Ponant

Ponant is wonderfully French, from the styling and the joie de vivre to the lavish cuisine and complimentary drinks, served in light Scandi-style cabins that feel just right for the Baltic. Its 184-guest Explorer-class ships sail among the great historic cities of the Baltic Sea, and there is even an unusual winter Baltic programme on the pioneering icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot. Amongst our favourite journeys are the Smithsonian Journeys voyages in 2027 and 2028, which add expert speakers and genuine cultural depth to the itinerary.

Best for 2027: Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea with Smithsonian Journeys, Copenhagen to Helsinki, June 2027

Best for 2028: Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea with Smithsonian Journeys, Copenhagen to Helsinki, June 2028

Hapag-Lloyd

The Baltic is home turf for Hapag-Lloyd, and it shows. The Hamburg-based line offers more Baltic options than almost anyone, over a longer season, with the 500-guest Europa 2 at the heart of it. Rated the highest-scoring ship in the world by the Berlitz Cruise Guide, Europa 2 pairs light-filled Nordic elegance with a relaxed contemporary style, and the bilingual sailings make it easy for international guests. Hapag also runs some unusual expedition voyages, including a collection of winter Baltic cruises on their expedition vessels, found on our sister site Mundy Adventures, alongside the summer programme. Being a German cruise line, it is fair to say they know these waters best.

Best for 2026: City Hopping Along The Baltic Sea, Kiel to Hamburg, August 2026

Best for Christmas 2026: Hygge Baltic Sea Advent Cruise, Hamburg round-trip, December 2026

Best for 2027: Maritime Breeze On The Baltic, Kiel to Hamburg, September 2027

Best expedition for 2028: Expedition Indian Summer In Lapland, Hamburg to Kiel, September 2028

Oceania

Oceania is the best-value line in this guide, and the Baltic is a real strength, with more than 60 itineraries across 2026 and 2027, though many 2026 dates now have limited availability. The sailings run on Insignia, Marina, Sirena and Vista, so there is plenty of choice of ship and length, and some itineraries pair the Baltic neatly with the UK. Food lovers are well looked after, with generous time in port to get under the skin of each city.

Best for 2026: Baltic Sea Discovery, Copenhagen to Stockholm, July 2026

Best for 2027: Northern Exposure, Southampton round-trip, June 2027

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys, the ultra-luxury ocean brand from the MSC Group, is new to the Baltic in 2027, building on the Northern Europe programme it is sailing this year on Explora III. The 2027 season runs from May to July on Explora IV, and the line expands again in 2028 with a longer programme from May to September. Both Northern European seasons include Norway, as well as a series of dedicated Baltic journeys. The 2027 voyages range from seven to nine nights, while in 2028, the itineraries can be combined into longer journeys that never repeat a port. Expect a contemporary European feel on spacious ships with a conservatory pool ideal for cooler water cruising.

Best for 2027: A Journey Through Baltic Capitals & Nordic Elegance, Warnemünde to Copenhagen, July 2027

Best for 2028: An Extended Journey through Nordic Capitals & Baltic Culture, Copenhagen round-trip, May 2028 (a combo sailing without repeating ports)

Best shorter sailing: A Journey of Nordic Capitals, Artistic Port Towns & Baltic Island Heritage, Copenhagen to Stockholm, May 2028

Let us guide you

Wherever you choose to sail, the Baltic is well worth a little planning. Talk to us and we will match you to the right ship, itinerary and dates, whatever your budget or style. We will help you find the best Baltic cruise for you.