The art and architecture is extraordinary, and history buffs will enjoy the tales at every port of call. The clear air of the Baltic, the light-filled nights in the height of the summer, the glorious lush forests and the long sandy beaches distinguish the area from all others, with picturesque islands evoking childhood memories of Moomins! Add in great food and drink, wonderful opportunities for hiking and cycling, and magical music too, and you have the perfect multi-faceted destination.
To really make the most of a trip to the Baltic, we recommend cruising on a small ship, which for us means no more than 1,000 guests. This will allow you to visit some of the smaller ports that the big ships can't reach, and you'll enjoy extra space and enhanced service on board. For those who prefer the intimacy of a ship with fewer than 500 guests, there are some key Baltic bonuses, which means you are closer to the action, and will need less travelling time for city excursions.
Best Baltic Cruises 2024 & 2025
1. Windstar Cruises
Windstar's fleet of small ships, three with sails and three without, offer a laid-back and unpretentious vibe, perfect for easy going travellers. In 2024 and 2025 look out for an extended Baltic programme featuring 9-, 10- 17-day itineraries on the 'stretched' all-suite Star Legend with 312 guests, with some cruises mixing in stops in the lovely Norwegian fjords.
2. Ponant
Francophiles and lovers of a chic and stylish joie de vivre will find Ponant's 184-passenger Explorer class ships hard to resist this summer and next as they sail among the historic cities of the Baltic Sea and there are even some highly unusual winter cruises on the pioneering Le Commandant Charcot. Look out for Ponant's prestigious partners on board - on certain cruises there is an outstanding music programme, or other cultural enhancements with Christies, for example.
Fares include lavish French cuisine, and drinks of course, and your light and airy accommodation is appropriately Scandi-style, perfect for a Baltic cruise.
3. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
The 500-guest Europa 2 is the highest rated ship in the world according to the Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships.
Her 8- or 12-day bilingual Baltic cruise departing in July 2024, 2025 and 2026 is a wonderful opportunity to test out whether you agree, and to sample the light-filled Nordic elegance and contemporary relaxed style of this lovely ship.
4. Silversea
In summer 2024 Silversea's 596-guest ship Silver Dawn offers a selection of Baltic options, with plenty of time to explore ashore before returning to your stylish home from home for relaxed elegance and plenty of dining options.
Next year, the lovely 608-guest Silver Spirit will sail in the Baltics, offering a stylish and contemporary environment. Silversea's inclusive pricing covers your drinks and gratuities, as well as dining in a range of venues.
5. Crystal
What could be nicer than to visit the Baltic on the spacious Crystal Symphony or Serenity, with plenty of dining choices, outstanding service and lots to do on board?
Options include a 12-night sailing from Dover to Stockholm departing on 30th July 2024, as well as multiple Baltic options next summer with some returning to the UK for an easy disembark.
6. Oceania Cruises
For food lovers who enjoy unpretentious cruising, Oceania's ships cruise the Baltic on 7-, 10-, and 12-night voyages between June and October in 2024 and 2025, with some departing from the UK and visiting some more unusual ports of call away from the crowds.
7. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent's sparkling ships offer multiple July 2024 and 2025 departures on intriguing 10-, 12-, 14- and 18-night Baltic itineraries.
Regent's all-inclusive shore excursion programme is perfect for a Baltic cruise, with so many treasures to explore, as well as trips out to the country, gastronomic delights, bicycle tours, and Regent's keynote 'local' options.
8. Viking Ocean Cruises
Travel on one of Viking's 930-guest vessels between May and September 2024 and 2025 on lovely two- or four-week itineraries in the Baltic Sea, cruising between London, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and many other Baltic cities, some of which mix in the British Isles or the beauties of southern Norway and the fjords for a nicely balanced itinerary.
Viking's many airy Nordic style ships are interchangeable, and all offer value pricing which includes a shore excursion in most ports, gratuities and wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.
