If one of the joys of a cruise vacation is going to many places and only unpacking once, then a Baltic cruise is pure bliss. Imagine visiting 10 countries in as many days, all from the same hotel that doubles as a floating resort. That’s an easy visual to conjure up, funds and free time providing, as jam-packed journeys are standard for a cruise destination that is anything but standard.
How different is the Baltic compared to other cruise regions? For one thing, its season runs from April to September, not year-round like the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Mexican Riviera. Also, an itinerary set in the Baltic Sea emphasizes city life over wildlife. Nature takes a backseat to culture, history, language and the arts.
If you want to see Northern Europe’s flora and fauna, book a voyage to the Norwegian fjords instead. And as for wildlife of a human kind, there’s not much of that, either. It’s a Baltic cruise, not a booze cruise.
But if your idea of wild is docking on a picturesque island to enjoy a day exploring a medieval village graced by the cutest-ever restaurant with a menu that’s only in Swedish — oh, and lovingly nestled between the ruins of two 13th-century churches —then by all means go stone-cold crazy on a Baltic cruise. Thirty-six ships representing 20 English-speaking cruise lines can take you there over six magical months next year. Not all 2025 itineraries include a stop in Visby, the well-preserved Hanseatic town and UNESCO World Heritage Site referre.