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Princess Baltic Cruise: An Amazing 11 Day Cruise through Scandinavia & Russia

If you have been considering a Baltic Sea Cruise through Scandinavia and Russia, look no further than the Princess Baltic Cruise aboard the beautiful Regal Princess. Offering a range of activities, multiple swimming pools and hot tubs along with incredible dining on-board and an amazing selection of ports of call, all of which combine together to produce a perfect Regal Princess itinerary. It is easily one of the best Scandinavian cruises on the market with a great mix of port days and sea days to help you explore 7 countries in 11 days – will a little bit of relaxation thrown in for good measure! Not convinced yet, read our full Princess Cruises Review below and start planning your Baltic Sea adventure.

A post shared by Vicki Louise (@maketimetoseetheworld) on May 12, 2018 at 1:47am PDT

Disclaimer: I was hosted as a guest of  Princess Cruises on board the Regal Princess Baltic Cruise , however all opinions, as always, remain my own. Read my Full Disclosure Policy Here .

In This Post

• 1.1 Quick Facts
• 1.2 Fun Facts
• 1.3.1 The Best Wi-Fi at Sea
• 1.3.2 Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs & Jacuzzis
• 1.3.3 Movies Under The Stars
• 1.3.5 Princess Sports Central
• 1.3.6 The SeaWalk
• 1.3.7 Watercolour Fantasy Show
• 1.3.8 The Spa & Enclave
• 1.3.9 Princess Theater
• 1.3.10 The Retreat & The Sanctuary (adults only)
• 1.3.11 Hang Out in the Atrium
• 1.3.12 Dance up a Storm at Club 6
• 1.3.13 Catch a Sunset At Sea
• 1.3.14 Princess Live!
• 1.3.15 Activities Coordinated by the Entertainment Staff
• 1.4.1 Casual Dining (included in your cruise fare)
• 1.4.2 Sushi & Ice-Cream
• 1.4.3 Specialty Dining (supplementary)
• 1.4.4 Drinks on Board
• 1.5 Plan the Perfect Sea Day(s)
• 2.1 Tallinn, Estonia
• 2.2 St Petersburg, Russia
• 2.3 Helsinki, Finland
• 2.4 Stockholm, Sweden
• 2.5 Copenhagen, Denmark
• 2.6 Oslo, Norway

All about the Regal Princess

Quick facts.

• The Regal Princess Cruise Ship was Christened by the original Love Boat Cast (who have recently been given a Walk of Fame Star on Hollywood Boulevard in their honor).
• She has a maximum capacity of 3,560 passengers and 1500 crew.
• She is 330m (1,083 ft) long and it takes 15-20 minutes to walk from one end to the other.
• She has 19 decks and is 66m (217 ft) high, and 47m wide (155ft).
• She has a total of 1,780 staterooms: 1,438 have a balcony (36 suites, 314 mini-suites, 358 deluxe balcony & 730 balcony cabins) + 342 inside cabins.
• The on-board kitchens use 272kg of butter each and every day!
• There are over 4,000 pieces of art on board available for purchase with art auctions held a couple of times a week.
• The ships cellars hold 18,000 bottles of wine.
• 250,000 eggs are used each week.
• 400kg of supplies are loaded onto the ship every 10 days with 7700kg of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed on each cruise.
• There is over 4000km of electrical cable on board (enough to travel between LA & NYC!)
• Her anchor weighs 14 tonnes!
• Your Daily Princess Patter – the ship’s newsletter – is left in the pocket outside your stateroom each night and is a guide to the next days activities, excursions, dining times and showtimes; It also spotlights some of the crew members on board to help you get to know a little more about the folks who are making magic on deck and making your cruise as special as it can be.

Entertainment & Things To Do On Board

The best wi-fi at sea.

If you have cruised before, you may be aware that ship based wi-fi often leaves a lot to be desired, but this is not a concern aboard the Regal Princess cruise line. In November 2017 she debuted exclusive and innovative Ocean Medallion technology which allows guests to have a truly personalized and stress free holiday experience. The medallion is tailored to each guests likes, dislikes and preferences and can even go as far as opening your stateroom door for you as you approach! A consequence to having this technology on board means that the Wi-Fi system has been totally upgraded offering a mostly seamless web surfing experience. The Princess Baltic Cruise also offers free wi-fi for all passengers to use Facebook messenger and Whatsapp. Guests can also purchase additional wi-fi for social network use only, or full scale access for unlimited browsing.

Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs & Jacuzzis

Movies Under The Stars

If you feel like you have over-indulged with all the amazing food and drink on board, or simply want to keep up with your day-to-day workout routine, the Gym has all the usual machines – treadmill, cross trainer, rowing machines and assisted weights along with a free weights room and yoga space. Regular gym goers will not be disappointed.

Princess Sports Central

The SeaWalk

Watercolour Fantasy Show

The Spa & Enclave

Princess Theater

The Retreat & The Sanctuary (adults only)

Hang Out in the Atrium

Dance up a Storm at Club 6

Catch a Sunset At Sea

  A post shared by Vicki Louise (@maketimetoseetheworld) on May 6, 2018 at 12:39pm PDT

Princess Live!

Activities Coordinated by the Entertainment Staff

From trivia, to dance classes, wine tasting to art auctions, the entertainment staff on board are there to make sure there is something to keep you busy for almost every hour of the day. Some activities are at an additional charge such as Bingo or Russian Doll Painting, but daily zumba, dance classes and live entertainment in the on-board bars is always free of charge – you just turn up and enjoy.

Dining On Board The Regal Princess Baltic Cruise

Casual dining (included in your cruise fare).

For a more formal dining experience, the Regal Princess’ 3 main dining rooms – Symphony, Allegro and Concerto – offer sit-down 3 course meals with menu options changing daily. Guest can choose to eat with only their group or join a table with other diners for fixed or anytime dining.

And if you are only after a quick bite to eat, the International Cafe (Deck 5 just off the Atrium and is open 24 hours) and the Princess Live! Cafe and perfect to place to pick up a snack or sweet treat.

And if you have a sweet tooth, Swirls (also poolside) is a great spot to grab a soft serve ice-cream as you soak in the sun and watch a movie on the big screen.

Sushi & Ice-Cream

Specialty Dining (supplementary)

Drinks on Board

You can drink in a different venue each night of your cruise, and you are never more than a few minutes walk from a bar. With the exception of Tea, non-specialty Coffee and Orange Juice at breakfast, and Lemonade, Iced-Tea and Water at lunch and dinner, all other drinks on board are not included in your cruise price.

Plan the Perfect Sea Day(s)

On the Regal Princess Baltic Sea Cruise there are a couple of Sea Days included in your itinerary. These days are the perfect time to really explore the ship and enjoy all the great things to do on board. And if you are feeling a little bit overwhelmed after reading through the list of things to do on the Regal Princess, we’ve put together a sample itinerary that will keep you entertained, pampered and relaxed on board.

• 7-8am: Order a room service breakfast and start your day watching the waves from your balcony
• 9am: Join the Ultimate Ship Tour – a 2-3 hour behind the scenes tour of the ship where you get to walk through parts of the ship that are only usually seen by cast and crew and ends with champagne and a chat with the captain on the bridge. You see the galleys, theater, medical center, laundry rooms, engine room, take a peek at the anchor and get to speak to some of the heads of department and crew that keep the ship running.
• 12-1pm: Lunch in the Horizon Court Bistro & Buffet or one of the casual dining rooms ( Concerto, Allegro or Symphony ).
• 1pm: Get some fresh air with a couple of laps of the jogging track – 8 laps = 1 mile!
• 2pm: Book yourself a Massage or Facial at the Lotus Spa and then spend an hour or so relaxing in The Enclave .
• 4pm: Watch a concert on the Movies Under The Stars screen on Deck 16 as you soak in the afternoon sun
• 5pm: Hop in a Jacuzzi with a cocktail or soft-serve ice-cream from Swirls
• 7pm: Book a table at one of the specialty restaurants for dinner. ( The Crown Grill or Winemakers Dinner were my favorites!)
• 9pm: Head back up to Deck 16 for the Watercolour Fantasy Show and take some photos of the SeaWalk when it is lit up at night, or catch on the Baltic Sea’s glorious sunsets.
• 10pm: Grab a seat in the Princess Theater for one of the incredible shows on-board.
• 10.30pm: Dance the night away! Join the nightly party in the Atrium and move onto Club 6 at midnight!

Ports of call on the Regal Princess Baltic Cruise

You can embark and disembark the cruise at several stops, with the majority of passengers joining in Copenhagen, St Petersburg or Warnemunde (Germany). We joined the cruise in Germany and have noted the port stops from there onward below. For each will will share key facts such as the location of the port and how easy it is to explore independently or whether you should opt for a shore excursion and how long you have in each port to help you plan your own Baltic Sea cruise adventure. It really is one of the best Scandinavian Cruises on the market.

Tallinn, Estonia

  A post shared by Vicki Louise (@maketimetoseetheworld) on May 5, 2018 at 2:11pm PDT

This beautiful Baltic town is perfect for exploring on foot, with the port a 20-30 minute walk from the town center. The town is split over two levels, with the upper level host to the beautiful Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, beautiful architecture and a gorgeous panoramic viewing spot over the old town below.

Wander the pretty streets and grab a coffee in the picturesque main square; or learn a little about Baltic history when step into the towns Soviet past at the KGB Museum in the Viru Hotel – where the walls were made half with microphones and half with concrete! And if you are wanting to get off the typical tourist trail, head to the creatives district – Telliskivi Loomelinnak – where you’ll find funky cafes, pop up Scandic designer shops and street art galore.

Extra: If you have a few days in Tallinn, be sure to check out the other things to do in Tallinn and look into grabbing the Tallinn Card for deals and discounts around the city.

St Petersburg, Russia

  A post shared by Vicki Louise (@maketimetoseetheworld) on May 8, 2018 at 10:54am PDT

You have 2 full days to explore St Petersburg, and due to the complicated nature of obtaining a Russian Visa, we highly recommend booking one of the Shore Excursions offer by Princess as these include a special visa to cover your visit. Being on a designated tour provided by Princess also means the ship cannot leave without you!

To get as much from your visit consider joining the 2 day Ultimate Tour of St Petersburg which escorted by a Russian guide includes all the Best Things To Do in Saint Petersburg including the Hermitage Museum (one of the largest and oldest museums in the world), Peter & Paul Fortress, Yusupov Palace (where Rasputin was murdered), a performance of Swan Lake by the Russian Ballet, Peterhof Palace and Gardens, The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood and St Issac’s Cathedral along with 2 traditional Russian style lunches – which both come with a shot of Vodka!

Helsinki, Finland

Even though you only have a short amount of time in Helsinki, it is enough to wander round and see some of the main sights and cover some of the top things to do in Helsinki . We took a boat cruise which docked at the waterfront craft market, visited Helsinki Cathedral & Senate Square, the stunning Sibelius Monument and the captivating Rock Church before taking a short stroll through the city and admiring the beautiful architecture and eclectic mix of old and contemporary designs. The port is located approximately 20 minutes from the center and the ship provide 6 Euro transfers for those who want to explore independently.

Stockholm, Sweden

  A post shared by Daniel James (@danflyingsolo) on May 8, 2018 at 11:35am PDT

Super Cool Stockholm is one of the best cruise ports on this Scandinavia itinerary – and the ship docks in the heart of the city. A short transfer may be required dependent on dock position but from there it is extremely walkable with gardens, the castle, beautiful underground stations and the old town a stones throw from each other, and the Abba Museum is just a short uber ride away.

And Don’t forget to stop for Fika (the Swedish term for coffee and cake) while you are wandering – which if you are in Stockholm in winter will have to be a daily occurrence to keep warm!

Copenhagen, Denmark

  A post shared by Vicki Louise (@maketimetoseetheworld) on May 13, 2018 at 11:38am PDT

Copenhagen is an absolutely fantastic cruise port and one of my favorite stops on the Princess Baltic Cruise Itinerary. The ship docks approximately 15-20 minute drive to the city but we were able to join a bike tour (on electric bikes) immediately after disembarking the ship. We cycled to the Little Mermaid Statue, St Albans Church, The Palace, Colourful Nyhavn, Trivoli Gardens and Rosenborg Gardens before returning back to the ship – and were very grateful for the electric assistance on the ride back!

Oslo, Norway

Our final port of call on the Princess Baltic Cruise and offering passengers a whole 12 hours to explore, Oslo…. Depending on where the ship docks the town center is a short 15-20 minute walk away or the ship arrange for a short coach transfer to the main ferry terminal which is in turn 5 minutes walk to the center.

Oslo is a great city to wander around for a couple of hours and for those history buffs the Viking Museum is a great place to spend a few hours, but we highly recommend joining a tour and getting to some of Oslo’s attractions outside the city such as the Vigland Sculpture Park, iconic Holmenkollen ski jump or even out to the Fjords.

STILL NOT CONVINCED? HERE ARE MY TOP REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD HOP ON-BOARD A PRINCESS BALTIC CRUISE:

– Incredible On-Board Facilities & Inclusions to help you Come Back New – Excellent Food & Dining Options – The Best Baltic Cruise Itinerary with a great mix of destinations and sea days – Allows for more time on shore than any other cruise line

And that’s a wrap folks! I hope this post has given you a run down of everything to expect on your Regal Princess Baltic Cruise with Princess Cruises – or if you were only thinking about joining this incredible cruise around Scandinavia and Russia, that we have convinced you to go ahead and book! It’s an incredible cruise and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it every bit as much as I did!

Oh, and if you liked this article – or have already been on this Princess Baltic Cruise, please tweet, flip, pin or share with your cruise loving friends on Facebook and encourage them to come aboard! I’d really appreciate it!

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Hi There! Thanks for reading my ultimate guide to Princess Baltic Cruise: An Amazing 10 Day Cruise Through Scandinavia & Russia . I just wanted to let you know that this travel guide contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something after clicking a link, I may get a small commission – which is at absolutely no cost to you . If you enjoyed this article and are going to be searching for some of the things I mention anyway, I would love it if you could click through from the links above & thank you in advance! Read my full Disclosure here . And thank you for reading the MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld Travel Blog.

Friday 28th of June 2019

Hi Tammy, We paid $253.51 for taxes and port expenses.In addition,our travel agent charged us $357.50 for port charges.Aren't port charges port expenses?

Tuesday 25th of June 2019

Hi Vicky Thanks for your posts, I booked the trip on 15 July 2019 . I want to book 2 days tour in Russia & combined with the ballet show at night time, is it possible & which show is better. Thanks a lot in advance. Tammy

Vicki Garside

Wednesday 26th of June 2019

Hi Tammy Great to hear you have booked the cruise, I'm sure you will have a fantastic time. With regards to the tours, please contact Princess Cruises directly or your cruise travel agent. As a independent travel writer I am unable to assist with booking any tours or extras on board.

Tuesday 4th of June 2019

Hi Vicki, we have already booked on Regal Princess for 7/4/19 with pre-booked tours in Stockholm, St Petersburg( 2 lunches included) and Berlin. In both Stockholm and Germany we were told to use Euros only and No U.S. dollars or credit cards would be accepted. Can you tell us if we must do the same for St Petersburg, Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki and Tallin?

Many thanks, Gene

Thursday 6th of June 2019

As with most countries in Europe, US Dollars are not accepted as standard. Each of the countries/cities mentioned have their own currency, with the exception of Helsinki (Finland) which also operates on the Euro alongside Stockholm (Sweden) and Germany.

However, credit cards are accepted in all countries.

Linda Corley

We're booked on this cruise out of Copenhagen on June 23...just a short time now! We're taking the high speed train to Moscow when we dock in St. PETERSBURG. I am hoping this will be worth the price. So excited to read your review and it just makes me more excited.

Bob Meadows

Friday 12th of October 2018

Read your excellent review, have booked June 12th next year, departure out of Copenhagen.

That's wonderful news Bob! I'm sure you'll have an absolutely fantastic time, and I'm so pleased my post was helpful in your decision making!

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Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

Unpack once and visit seven different scandinavian countries.

Best Cruise Line Itineraries

Recommend Magazine 12-time winner

On a Baltic cruise with Princess®, unpack once and visit seven different countries within Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Let the gold-lined palaces and monuments recount stories from these revolutionary regions. Along the way, meet the many famous figures that call these lands home. From Vikings to castles and cathedrals, relive history as you come face-to-face with these significant sites.

Scandinavia & Baltic cruises

On a Scandinavia and Baltic cruise, discover a whole new way of life. Feel the spirit of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan, hear from craftsmen in Tallinn and explore Helsinki’s Senate Square, where art, culture, religion, politics and education converge. Trek throughout these cities alongside expert guides who hold secrets of seasons past. Or step into the homes of locals to uncover long-standing traditions.

Featured Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise Ports

Discover some of the world-renowned destinations that await you on an Scandinavia & Baltic cruise with Princess.

Why Cruise Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

From astounding fjords to astonishing palaces, the treasures of Scandinavia and Baltic region welcome you to explore.

Step back in time

Get up close to historical gems on a Baltic cruise with Princess. View ships and treasures found in royal burial mounds of the Oslo fjord at the Viking Ship Museum. Or learn what it’s like to be a prize winner at Stockholm's Nobel Peace Museum, and get up close to the world’s oldest preserved warship at the Vasa Museum

Fjords & Viking Legends

Formed by the hands of the glaciers

A Baltic cruise is your key to the Norwegian Fjords — Mother Nature’s crown jewel. Upon arriving in Stockholm, ride along the brinks of Tyrifjord, a 52-mile inlet that boasts greenery and deep blue waters. Relax amidst the serenity of Oslo Fjord, and discover treasures from beneath its seas at the Viking Ship Museum. With Princess, sail to Scandinavia’s oldest capital and revel in the natural wonders before you.

Unique Architecture

Magnificent and monumental

Travel to lands where ancient architecture abounds. Wander the cobbled streets of Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Explore a treasure trove of late Renaissance and Rococo architecture in Copenhagen, like Rosenborg Castle, Kronborg Castle or Frederiksborg Castle. Or walk through 'Upper Old Town,' home to some of Tallin's oldest and most notable structures. Experience it all on a Baltic cruise.

Shore excursions

Our award-winning Scandinavia and Baltic cruise shore excursions bring you to palaces, Viking heritage and hidden gems. In partnership with Discovery™, tour three royal residences in Copenhagen — including Fredensborg and Frederiksborg Castle. You’ll also enjoy a Hamlet-themed journey through Kronberg Castle, which inspired the famous play. Or travel through a traditional Danish village, and discover hundreds of years of history along the way.

Local connections

On a Baltic cruise, learn the secrets to crafting an Estonian beer from a master brewer, and pair your sips with snacks. Journey through Tallinn’s most notable sites — including Palace Square and the Great Guild Hall. Or stroll through Stockholm’s ‘Haymarket,’ and sample regional delicacies while hearing from chefs and vendors.

Enjoy even more history and culture with More Ashore late-night departures and overnight stays. On a Baltic cruise, see Berlin’s most iconic sites — like Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. Or stroll under the Nordic twilight, and end the night at Oslo’s Ice Bar.

Baltic & Scandinavia Cruise Onboard Experience

Curated comfort, world-class entertainment and international flavors await you.

Experience Scandinavia without ever stepping off the ship. Our onboard activities bring the diverse cultures of the region directly to you. Sing, dance, feast and celebrate in a way that only the Baltic and Princess know how.

Accommodations

Your home away from home

Your stateroom is where you rest and recharge between adventures. That’s why every room is equipped with the expertly designed Princess Luxury Bed, 100% Jacquard-woven cotton linens and our SLEEP program created by a board-certified sleep expert. From interior cabins to full suites, unwind in any of our staterooms, and enjoy peace of mind with the option of connected rooms for families of four or more traveling together.

Flavors that inspire

Take a week-long vacation on a Bahamas cruise with more to love, calling on additional Caribbean ports. Visit Princess Cays for a day in the sun, sand and surf. Then have more time to explore Trunk Bay – one of the “Cruise Wonders of the World” – during a late-night stay in St. Thomas on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. From relaxation to adventure, experience cruises to the Bahamas that have more range with Princess.

Entertainment

Find your joy

Embark on adventures by day, and indulge in entertainment by night. Watch Movies Under the Stars® at our 300-square-foot outdoor theater. Attend original productions from Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz, composer of  Wicked . Or learn traditional moves, like Flamenco or Irish stepdance, and listen to popular music from the destinations on your itinerary. On a European cruise with Princess, the choice is yours.

Youth & Teen Center

Step outside the classroom

Our European cruises were crafted with every guest in mind — even the younger ones. From 6-month old babies to 17-year old teens, kids can unwind and relax or play and explore. In partnership with Discovery™, kids can learn even more with special insights about Italy, Greece and everywhere in between. With engaging activities on board and ashore, kids can see history books come to life before their eyes.

Reset, recharge, relax

Your European cruise should be every bit as refreshing as it is inspiring. Unwind in the Sanctuary, a retreat just for adults, and relish in tranquility. Or book an appointment at the Lotus Spa®, named "Best Spa on a Cruise Ship" by Spafinder Wellness 365™. Enjoy relaxing treatments — like facials, hot stone massages and detoxifying wraps — that will leave you recharged for upcoming adventures.

Vegas hits the seas

Experience the thrill of cards, dice, roulette and blackjack at the casino onboard our European cruises. Learn from experts — like our staff or perhaps other guests nearby — and put your skills to the test. More casual players can pull up a seat at the slot machines for the same adrenaline at their own speed. For an afternoon full of games, join fellow travelers for Bingo, or compete in scheduled group tournaments.

Sailing Scandinavia & Baltic cruises

Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from small to large vessels. While aboard, marvel at Europe’s breathtaking scenery and enjoy regionally inspired cuisine. Those sailing on Scandinavia and Baltic cruises even have the chance to experience Sky Princess®.

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An Active Traveller’s Review Of The Princess Cruises Baltic Sea Itinerary

I’ll be honest with you, until I accepted an invitation from Princess Cruises to experience their Baltic Sea itinerary I’d never considered booking a cruise .

It wasn’t because I’d heard bad things about cruising, or that the idea of visiting multiple countries in one trip didn’t appeal to me, I think I just assumed that I wouldn’t enjoy staying in close quarters with so many other people all taking the same trip as me.

Full disclosure, as I write this I’m travelling as a guest of Princess Cruises aboard one of their newest ships the Regal Princess .

I’ve just spent the day at sea and tomorrow morning I’ll wake up in Copenhagen Denmark where I depart the ship and head home.

If you’d like to take a look at the full itinerary on the Princess Cruises website please click here .

A FIRST TIME CRUISER’S REVIEW OF THE PRINCESS CRUISES EXPERIENCE

I’m an active traveller who loves researching new destinations and putting together an itinerary that fits my style of travel , so to tell you the truth I was quite intrigued to find out what the cruise travel experience was like. Having spent five days aboard Regal Princess cruising the Baltic Sea I’m thrilled to say that I’ve taken to cruising like a duck to water . Pardon the pun.

On arriving at the German port of Warnemunde where I was meeting the ship, I was quite intimidated by the sheer scale of the vessel.

If you’ve never seen a cruise ship up close imagine the biggest multi-story car-park you’ve ever seen and triple it. To put it into perspective using some fun stats the ship’s captain Tim Stringer shared with me, the ship is 141,000 tonnes when fully loaded, uses around 700,000 US dollars in fuel to sail the 11 day route around the Baltic, and rises 60 metres above the waterline .

To put it bluntly, it’s bloody enormous.

That being said, this means that the ship has pretty much the same amenities as a land-based resort. I’ll go into more detail about what’s on offer later in the post, but for now I’ll simply say that I’ve been extremely happy with the level of comfort and service on board .

PRINCESS CRUISES’ BALTIC ITINERARY IS IDEAL FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

The first thing that piqued my interest in Princess Cruises’ invitation was their Scandinavian and Russian itinerary.

An 11-day cruise, the ship travels around the Baltic Sea calling in at Copenhagen, Oslo, Warnemunde (Germany), Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm , and guests can check in and out at either St Petersburg, Copenhagen, or Warnemunde; which is where I joined the ship last Wednesday.

In some cases, special requests can be made to join the ship at any of the other ports. Contact your booking agent or Princess Cruises directly for more information.

Of the full 11 day trip only two days are spent at sea, one at the beginning and another toward the end of the route. The ship docks in St Petersburg for two days, and spends one day in each of the other ports on the itinerary. This brings me to one of the main reasons I decided to join Princess Cruises here in the Baltic; as a cruise passenger you can visit Russia without a visa .

GUESTS CAN VISIT RUSSIA WITHOUT A VISA

Anyone who has ever tried to get a Russian visa will tell you that it is a reasonably complex process , not a simple ‘just check the box’ kind of task. It can be costly (around £200 for British travellers), and you have to attend a Russian Visa Application Centre in either London, Manchester, or Edinburgh to submit your application.

Full entry requirements for UK citizens can be found here .

Cruise or ferry passengers can stay in Russia for 72 hours without a visa if they have booked tours through officially licensed companies. Guests are free to use any authorised travel agency (not just cruise ship tour companies), however the visa-free exception applies only to those who join an organised tour.

You can confirm that the operator is licensed by asking them to send you a tour ticket , which is called a blanket visa or booking confirmation, and will let you pass the customs/immigration offices without any other documents except a valid passport and key card for the ship.

Note that if anything happens to your passport during your stay you must get an exit visa to leave Russia so be militant about keeping an eye on your documents during your stay

MY 48 HOUR CRUISE STOP IN ST PETERSBURG

I opted for a two-day tour of St Petersburg and booked through Princess Cruises for two reasons:

Number one, they were offering second row seats to watch the ballet Swan Lake at the oldest theatre in St Petersburg as part of the package!

Number two, the ship always waits for its own tours to return, whereas if you have an issue with a third party tour and don’t make the port in time for departure the captain will not wait for you.

READ MORE POSTS FROM MY TIME ABOARD REGAL PRINCESS

PRINCESS CRUISES’ BALTIC SEA ITINERARY IS ON POINT

If you sat me down and asked me to make a list of cities in northern Europe that were on my bucket list, every single one of those on Princess Cruises’ itinerary would have made the grade.

Showcasing the very best of Scandi culture and Baltic charm, the route encompasses iconic sites like the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Tallinn’s picturesque medieval streets, and Copenhagen’s colourful Nyhavn neighbourhood .

If you follow me on Instagram you can watch highlights from my stories in my gallery; check out the wanderlust inducing pics in my feed by clicking here .

Over the course of the next seven days I’ll be adding more city guides to this section of the post so book mark it and pop back soon 😊

THE EXPERIENCE IN PORT FULFILLED MY DESIRE FOR ADVENTURE

I was a little bit nervous about whether or not I would enjoy cruise travel. I often see cruise ship tours as I explore the world and more often than not the participants look like cattle being herded around by a rather stressed guide talking in multiple languages. I think in some cases this is true of cruising, but it’s far from the experience I’ve had with Princess Cruises.

Other than in Russia, where guided tours are mandatory for everyone departing the ship, their Baltic itinerary allows for self-directed travel at each port . So that’s exactly what I’ve done. For me, a tour-bus style scenario isn’t enjoyable, but in every port I’ve been able to get off the ship and either walk to or hop on some public transport to get to the points of interest I’m keen to see.

If you do choose to manage your own itinerary at each port just be aware that YOU MUST BE BACK AT THE SHIP IN TIME TO DEPART . They will not wait for you if you are late and you will be responsible for making your own way to the next port of call to carry on the cruise!

Not sure what to pack for your next cruise? Take a look at my cruise packing list here .

THE REGAL PRINCESS ‘ON BOARD EXPERIENCE’ IS IMMENSE

I feel this section should be a whole new blog post on its own, there’s just so much to say.

I’ll start with my cabin (known as a stateroom), which I thought would be the most important place for me on the ship however it’s actually the place in which I spent the least amount of time!

PIN THIS POST TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS FOR LATER 

Save this post and re-visit it when you want to book your next cruise!

REVIEW OF BALCONY STATEROOM ABOARD REGAL PRINCESS

• My First Look at Regal Princess
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• Princess-Cruises-State-Room-Review-3
• Princess-Cruises-State-Room-Review-4

I’m staying in a balcony suite which can be arranged as a queen or twin room. I’m on the 12 th deck, called Aloha (there are 19 in total), and I’m pretty close to the back of the ship.

The room is well equipped with a desk and chair, mini-fridge (which you can opt to have set up as a mini-bar), shower room, and hanging clothes storage . The bed is extremely comfortable and the pillows are firm but soft enough to pummel into which ever shape is comfy. The balcony is a luxury but to be honest it’s so cold here that I’ve not actually been out to sit on it yet. If you’re on a tight budget I’d suggest that an internal room would be more than adequate – you’ll only be in there to sleep and shower.

As a British traveller who loves her tea the one thing I’d suggest you note is that there are no tea and coffee making facilities in the room , however one call to room service and there’s a pot delivered to my door within minutes. If you’re made keen on tea you could bring a travel kettle with you, just remember to bring a US plug adapter.

Other in-room amenities include a flat screen TV, bath robes and slippers, toiletries including shower gel and shampoo, and a hairdryer.

MEDALLION CLASS WIFI – YOU CAN SKYPE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE BALTIC SEA

As someone who is permanently attached to one of a number of devices I was thrilled to hear that the ship offered the next generation of satellite WIFI, known as Medallion Net . For as little as $9.99 per day I could connect all my devices, and although the speed wasn’t akin to the super-fast broadband we have at home, I could do 90% of what I needed to without too much waiting around.

If you’re looking to make VOIP calls, update your social media and share photos with friends the net will be more than sufficient.

REVIEW OF THE FACILITIES ON BOARD REGAL PRINCESS

There are a huge amount of facilities offered on the ship and I’m sure I’ll forget to cover a few in this guide so I’ve linked to the PDF ship guide produced by Princess Cruises and you can download it here .

The public areas of the ship are spread across decks four to seven, and on decks 16 to 19.

DINING OPTIONS ON REGAL PRINCESS

The ship has three main dining rooms that serve a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day . They are located at the aft of the ship on decks five and six. Here you’ll find traditional restaurant favourites as well as a menu of daily specials. Depending on your food and beverage package you can dine anytime or book a table each night.

In addition, Regal Princess also offers two specialist restaurants, an Italian and a Grill, as well as a 24 hour café, two buffets, a pizzeria, burger bar, gelato stand, pastry shop, and smoothie bar. I certainly found that my tastes were catered to and I’m confident yours well be as well .

By far my favourite dining experience was the Wine Maker’s dinner. For a $40 cover charge per person you can treat yourself to a four-course dinner with paired wines on a private table in one of the main restaurants . George our maître d shared his knowledge of the ship’s vast wine cellar and served up some truly sumptuous dishes accompanied by delicious wines from around the world. This would be the ideal dining experience if you’re celebrating a special occasion during the trip.

Vicki from @MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld has put together this  guide to dining options on board Regal Princess, check it out if you’re keen to see the various restaurants and bars in more detail.

ON BOARD ENTERTAINMENT ON REGAL PRINCESS

Wow, where do I start.

I think my favourite of the ship’s many amenities is the fitness centre. I know that sounds really dull but making sure I kept up my fitness allowed me to make the most of my time away .

Equipped with everything you’d find in your local gym back home, the ship also offers yoga, pilates, spa treatments (try the ginger and lime body scrub and massage) and personal training sessions, as well as health seminars covering a range of topics like spinal health and nutrition.

Read my smart tips to stay fit and healthy on a cruise here.

There’s also a running track that encircles the 19th deck; seven laps make a mile. It’s a great way to kick start the day, especially when the ship has just arrived into a new port as you have first dibs on a view of the new destination!

You’ll be pleased to know that next on my list is the Sea View Bar. As the ship sails away from each port the bar tenders whip up sundowners to be sipped on the deck as the sun sinks below the horizon. Situated on deck 16, the Lido Deck, here you’ll find most of the swimming pools and sunbathing areas on board, and despite the Baltic weather (we averaged about 16 degrees with sunny skies) I found I spent quite a lot of my free time here .

As soon as the sun has set the giant movie screen jumps to life and each night a programme of movies plays under the stars. If you’re lucky you can nab yourself a spot in a hot tub and settle in for the duration, it’s heavenly!

Other highlights include a casino (only open when in international waters), a theatre (the shows are fabulous, my favourite was Fiera), a nightclub, and a signature feature of Regal Princess, the SeaWalk.

Although I’m not great with heights I loved walking out over the ocean and watching the waves crash 60 metres beneath my feet . It was such a thrill to see the ship below and look out toward the oceanic horizon.

IS THE PRINCESS CRUISES EXPERIENCE RIGHT FOR ACTIVE TRAVELLERS?

In short, I found that Princess Cruises offered everything a traveller would need to enjoy their stay aboard and allowed their guests to define their itinerary in every port.

My initial concern that I would find myself in an ‘organised tour’ scenario was far from the relaxed, independent experience I enjoyed, and I would recommend Princess Cruises and their Baltic Sea itinerary to other active travellers of any age. For me, the main attraction of cruising is the convenience of a multi-stop itinerary without the need for multiple flights and hotel check-ins .

I did find that there was a much smaller proportion of people my age (early 30s) compared to those over 60, however I didn’t find this off putting and actually met a number of very interesting retirees who chose to cruise in order to see as much of the world as possible in their later years.

My time on board was incredibly enjoyable and thanks to the amazing hospitality, 5-star amenities, and world-class itinerary, I’d definitely recommend the experience to my friends and family, and book to travel with Princess Cruises again.

If you’ve enjoyed my active traveller’s review of Princess Cruises’ Baltic Sea itinerary keep an eye out for other posts in the series coming soon!

INSPIRED? PIN THIS POST TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS!

Have you been cruising before? Would you recommend it to other active travellers? Share your experiences with me in the comments below.

This is quite an amazing blog post. Keep up the great work.

Am now prepared to go on this cruise. So informative with helpful tips and suggestions!

Great news, thanks for your comment Kim. I hope you have a fabulous time aboard!

This looks cool! As a Latvian, I have also never thought of going on a cruise in the Baltic Sea – not until now haha. I doubt they go to Russia now though

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On Board the Regal Princess – Cruising Scandinavia and Russia

• Last Updated 1 March 2024

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My review of the 11-Night Scandinavia and Baltic Cruise from Princess Cruises, onboard the Regal Princess.

It was the trip of a lifetime. A 10 day Baltic Cruise through Scandinavia and Russia with Princess Cruises. From Berlin to Oslo, by way of Tallinn, St Petersburg, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Copenhagen… this was a dream itinerary for me and a trip I was very excited about.

But what about the ship itself? This is both a review of the Regal Princess and all its amenities – as well as a review of the 11-Day Scandinavia and Baltic Cruise itinerary.

I’ll be covering the whole trip in detail – including a summary of everything I got up to and all my highlights.

Since first writing this post, I’ve done a second trip onboard the Regal Princess: a 4-night cruise around the UK . So I feel like I know the ship pretty well by now – and I have several more blog posts covering pretty much everything you could want to know about the Regal Princess.

For now, though, here’s my review of the 11 Day Scandinavia and Baltic Cruise on the Regal Princess…

Is the Regal Princess Baltic Cruise For Me?

Regal princess baltic cruise itinerary – 11-day scandinavia and russia cruise, my regal princess review: the cruise experience, dining on board, ship facilities: pools, lotus spa, and gym, regal princess cabins, entertainment.

• Final Thoughts

Disclaimer:   My trip was kindly supported by Princess Cruises in collaboration with Traverse Events. As always, all words and opinions in the post are my own and unbiased. 

READ MORE: 9 Reasons to Book a Summer Seacation with Princess Cruises

O r: Isn’t Cruising Just for Old People?!

Until I went on my first cruise a couple of years ago , I was dead against the idea of cruising. In my head, a cruise ship was a giant floating resort that I’d be trapped on, surrounded by retirees who hated travel and were only there for the all-you-can-eat buffet.

But the reality is quite the opposite. Dan (who is an awesome blogger) has put it much better than I could in his cruise FAQs post , but to sum up I can say that cruising is a great way to travel, and not exclusively for the older market.

This cruise really is perfect for anyone – especially for someone who wants to see a lot of Scandinavia in a short space of time. Cruising is kind of like a mini tasting menu – you see a small amount of a lot of places, and you can use the experience to decide where you want to revisit. The added bonus of this particular Regal Princess cruise is that you can visit St Petersburg without a visa – for two whole days!

The Regal Princess has facilities and fun stuff for all ages. A lot of the organised activities were perhaps better suited to an older crowd (I’m not really a fan of ballroom dancing)… but then again I’m not the kind of person who likes organised activities. And I think everyone can enjoy their way through the collection of pools, hot tubs, and bars on board!

READ MORE: 12 reasons to take a cruise in your 20’s and 30’s . Great post from my cruise buddy Jess! 

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For me, the biggest draw with this particular cruise was the itinerary . The 11 night cruise takes you all over the Baltics, calling at some of Scandinavia’s prettiest cities.

And in the middle, there are two whole days in St Petersburg. Normally it’s pretty tough to get a tourist visa for Russia, but if you visit on a cruise and have an official tour booked you can enter the country visa-free . Which is a massive selling point!

The normal itinerary starts and ends in Copenhagen*, but we did a slightly altered version of the full trip. Instead, we started in Berlin Warnemunde and ended in Oslo – but we still saw all the stops and got the full experience of the ship. These are my highlights of the Baltic cruise itinerary…

*This is the biggest turnaround, but you can tailor your cruise to suit. Guests can also embark/disembark in St. Petersburg, Berlin (Warnemünde), and Helsinki.

Tallin, Estonia

Tallin is normally the third stop of the cruise, but instead it was our first – after a full sea day sailing from Warnemunde. I thought it was a really pretty city, and had a fun day there, but I think one day in Tallinn was plenty of time to see most of the city so it makes a great cruise stop. We weren’t on a tour and just explored Tallinn at our own pace – the city centre is pretty small and walkable so this definitely isn’t somewhere you need a tour for.

We started the day in the Old Town, exploring the beautiful churches and pretty cobbled streets. After an extortionately priced coffee in the Raekoja Plats Square, we wandered down to the KGB museum. The tour of the secret 16th floor of the Hotel Viru was fascinating and hilarious (the guide kept making jokes that no one seemed to get). Finally, we spent the afternoon exploring Kalamaja district – a reclaimed industrial area from the Soviet era that’s become a hipster hotspot.

St Petersburg, Russia

For me, the massive draw of this Baltic cruise on the Regal Princess was getting two full days in St Petersburg. Russia is a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and St Petersburg in particular (thanks mostly to the movie Anastasia ).

Because you have to have a tour booked to see the city, we booked the Best of St Petersburg 2-Day tour through Princess Cruises . It took in all the major highlights of St Petersburg – which I covered in this blog post , along with lots of gorgeous photos of the city. We also booked to see Swan Lake at the Alexandrinsky Theatre. It was absolutely one of my highlights of the cruise, and something I really recommend.

Helsinki, Finland

After two full days in Russia, a half-day in Finland felt a little short. But we still packed it full of fun stuff with the Helsinki by Land and Sea tour. A cruise through the Helsinki Archipelago felt like a dreamy way to start the day, out in the fresh air with densely forested islands on either side and the dazzling blue of the Baltic glinting away.

Back on land, we had a whistle-stop tour of Helsinki’s highlights, before a couple of hours of downtime. It definitely left me wanting more of Helsinki, and of Finland in general.

READ MORE: Island Hopping in the Finnish Archipelago – all about my last trip to Finland.

Stockholm, Sweden

After spending several days in Stockholm a couple of years ago, this was familiar territory for me – which is good as one day never feels like enough time for this city! It was lovely to spend a sunny morning exploring Gamla Stan, the colourful old town, and stop for fika (the Swedish ritual of having coffee and cake with friends).

For lunch, we swung by one of Stockholm’s most famous restaurants – Gondolen . It’s suspended in a crane-like metal structure above the city’s port, and has some seriously amazing views. Along with excellent Swedish food !

Copenhagen, Denmark

Normally the first port of the cruise, for us Copenhagen was the penultimate stop. It was a gloriously sunny day, and we made the most of it with a bike tour of the city. The bikes were electric, which made life easier – but even so, my personal recommendation would be to take a bus from the port to the city centre before beginning a bike tour. It was a nice intro to Copenhagen and we were able to see a lot of the city’s most famous sights. And I loved just cycling around in the sunshine, soaking up the ambience of the city.

Oslo, Norway

We didn’t have long in Oslo as we had to leave in the early afternoon to catch our flights. But Norway itself is a country I’ll definitely return to, and I’d like to spend at least another day in Oslo to see it properly. What I did see was a modern, cool-looking city with a LOT of trendy coffee shops.

Apparently, Oslo is known for architectural innovation – and the cubic glass shapes of the Opera House on the water’s edge were a pretty good example of that.

As the cruise ends in Oslo, you could easily extend your trip to see more of Norway. You could also visit Bergen, or head to Flåm and the Aurlandsfjord area for a couple of days to explore the fjords and surrounding villages!

All in all, it was an incredible itinerary with a lot of great stops. And as I said before, it’s a great way to sample a lot of this part of Europe in a short space to time. I definitely left most cities wanting more, and I’m already forming some plans to revisit a few of my favourites.

This was my first time travelling with Princess Cruises, and only my second ever cruise, so I had no idea what to expect. And while the itinerary was absolutely the biggest draw for me – I was excited to discover a new ship experience!

Cruising, in general, has a bit of a reputation, as I touched on above. It can sometimes be seen as too formal, or aimed at an older audience. But a cruise is whatever you make of it. The Regal Princess is a huge ship with loads of facilities and amenities, so guests can do whatever makes them happy. For me, that was mostly enjoying my leisure time, hanging out with my friends, and getting tipsy in the hot tub!

READ MORE: My UK Seacation with Princess Cruises

There’s a huge schedule of activities every day, featuring everything from tango lessons to Russian doll painting, but not much of it appealed to me. That doesn’t mean I had nothing to do, though. I had over a dozen bars to explore, seemingly endless food to sample, multiple pools and hot tubs to unwind in, and the occasional outdoor cinema experience. And that was plenty to keep me busy for eleven days!

READ MORE: 17 Things to do on a Regal Princess Sea Day

Service is always a big thing for me when it comes to travel, and on the whole, I thought the service on board the Regal Princess was fab. Particularly in the restaurants and bars. Our waiter Edgar from the Symphony Dining Room deserves a special mention, as do Peter, Prakash, and the rest of the team at Club 6. Everyone in the bars and restaurants was super friendly and really made us feel welcome.  The only thing I felt was lacking was a poolside order service – people didn’t come round very often and I didn’t love tearing myself away from the hot tub to get another drink!

I did think that the staff doing the checks as you got on and off the ship at the port could have been a bit friendlier. If walking into the dining room every night feels like coming home, surely coming back on board should too? I get that they’re busy doing a big job and dealing with a LOT of people every day – but it never hurts to smile! On the whole, though, the rest of the ship’s staff were amazing and I always felt right at home!

My favourite thing about cruising – besides the itinerary in this case – is always the food! There’s SO MUCH of it, and it’s all so good! I’ve already written a full review of the Regal Princess dining options and a breakdown of all the different restaurants, so I won’t dwell on it too much here.

But just in brief, the food on board the Regal Princess was excellent. And the choice is fantastic! There’s the main dining room, two enormous buffet restaurants, a poolside grill and pizzeria, a zillion cake options at the 24/7 International Cafe, and Alfredo’s pizza restaurant… all included in your cruise fare! Then there are speciality dining options and a few additional restaurants available for an extra charge. There’s so much to choose from, and absolutely no way you could get bored of it all. In fact, you could probably eat in a different restaurant every night!

My highlight was the Wine Makers Dinner, which at $40 was – I think – a pretty reasonable option for a special dinner. That price includes all your drinks, and every course is paired with a specially chosen (and generously poured) wine. It’s great if you want to try something different or mark a special occasion.

If I wasn’t in port exploring a new city, chances are I was in one of the hot tubs on the Regal Princess! This was definitely one of my favourite parts of the cruise. We had sunny, cold weather (the winds were literally Baltic!), but there was still nothing better than sitting in the hot water watching the world sail by. Especially with a glass of bubbly in hand!

There are three pools on board – two on the main lido deck, and a third in The Retreat, an adults only area near the front of the ship. While the main pool area was often quite busy, we frequently had The Retreat more or less to ourselves – so the two hot tubs there were by far my favourite. Better still, they were within calling distance of the bar, so we didn’t have to get out to order a drink.

Gym and Sports Facilities

Confession time – I never once used the sports facilities on board. No surprises there, if you know me! But if you’re less lazy than me, or you feel the need to burn off all those delicious breakfast pastries, the Regal Princess has you covered with a wealth of sports facilities on board. My fellow cruiser Charli DID make use of them, and came up with a great list of ways to stay fit and healthy on a cruise . So check that for inspiration, and check the list of sports facilities below to plan all the ways you’re going to combat your cruise indulgence:

• Fitness Centre with a well-equipped gym and a private aerobics studio
• Outdoor Jogging/Walking Track
• Center Court – can be used for basketball, tennis, volleyball and badminton
• Driving Range
• Batting Cage
• Simulated Laser Shooting
• Lawn Court – a grassy area for putting, bocce ball, croquet and lawn bowling
• Game Lounge –  including table tennis and virtual gaming with Kinect TM  systems
• Lots of daily activities, from ballroom dancing to zumba to yoga. Check the daily schedule for more details.

Princess Cruises Lotus Spa

This was one area of the Regal Princess’ facilities that I made sure to try! The Lotus Spa is a Princess Cruises staple and has been named Best Spa on a Cruise Ship by Spa finder Wellness 365. It’s a surprisingly big space, and the ambience inside was fabulously tranquil. On such a large ship, it feels pretty hard to escape all the crowds and noise – but the Lotus Spa felt totally cut off.

I spent a couple of hours relaxing inside The Enclave, the Lotus Spa’s thermal suite. Despite being fairly small, it wasn’t crowded or cramped inside. It’s a really beautiful space with a big hydro-therapy pool (I loved lying slumped on the bubble bench), two steam rooms, and a sauna.

Next, I had a full body Swedish massage in one of the stylishly decorated treatment rooms. It was so relaxing that I actually nodded off towards the end – and had to head back to The Enclave to lie down afterwards! If you have a sea day on your Regal Princess cruise and you need to escape for a while, I highly recommend the Lotus Spa experience.

I was in a Balcony cabin on my Regal Princess cruise, and was lucky enough to be right up on the Lido deck near the top of the ship. So the views from my balcony were gorgeous!

Balcony cabins are usually 214 to 222 sq. ft. At first glance, my room looked kind of small, but in actual fact it was surprisingly spacious. The rooms are really well designed to make use of the space, and I liked the enormous wardrobe area. But my favourite part of the room was the bed! Princess Cruises are known for their beds – which have been voted among the best cruise ship beds by Cruise Critic  – and I adored mine. It was so comfy, and I found it very hard to tear myself away from it most mornings.

My other highlight was the balcony, a lovely big space with a table and chairs which was perfect for lazing about watching the world – or the sea – go by! If you’re not on a tight budget, it’s definitely worth the splurge to opt for a room with a balcony. The interior cabins look perfectly nice, but you can’t beat waking up to a brand new view from your own private balcony every morning!

As I’m writing this post, I still can’t get over just how much there is to DO on board the Regal Princess! I feel like I haven’t even touched on half of it. In this Regal Princess review, I’m only really covering the aspects of the ship that I tried for myself – and the ones that I think would interest travellers similar to me.

I never had time to try the Princess Live gameshow experience, for example. And I’m gutted about that because it sounds right up my street – live gameshows filmed in an on-ship production studio? Totally on board with that idea! And I only glimpsed the enormous casino, but I did wind up embarrassing myself on the dance floor of Club 6 most nights. Again – it’s all about tailoring your cruise to YOU. There’s something for everyone.

What I did have time to enjoy, I’ve tried to include here. From the Instagram-worthy Seawalk (a glass walkway 128 feet over the ocean), to live music performances in the elegant central piazza, to the coloured fountain show after dark… there’s just so much to do on the Regal Princess that you’d struggle to do it all.

Princess Theatre

I’ll be honest here; I had visions of cringey cabaret and cheesy audience participation. Thankfully, the Princess Theatre is a far cry from the Butlins-style evening entertainment I was picturing. In fact, it’s a full-blown theatre company with a different show every night – and with several big musical numbers created by some incredible directors and choreographers.

During my 10 day Baltic cruise on the Regal Princess I caught three shows. The lively, pop-song-packed Fiera was great fun, while Princess’ signature show BRAVO was a bit more sedate and featured some incredible talents. The singers were all amazing, and the production quality was almost West-End-worthy. My favourite was the Sweet Soul Music show, though, which really showed off the dancers’ talents – and made the most of the two powerful female lead singers’ stunning voices.

Movies Under the Stars

On the Lido deck, there’s a massive outdoor screen towering above the pool. During the day, there were occasional shows – like recordings of live concerts, or nature documentaries – which was great entertainment when we were chilling in the hot tub. I loved watching a Shania Twain concert from a sun lounger with a beer in hand!

But at night, the whole Lido deck transformed into an outdoor cinema – complete with blankets and fresh popcorn. It’s such a cool idea, but unfortunately, May in the Baltics wasn’t quite the right season for al fresco viewing! It was a little bit too chilly most nights, but in nicer weather (or for people who packed more sensible clothing than I did) this is a fantastic idea!

My Regal Princess Review – Final Thoughts

Hopefully, what this post shows is that  you really can have whatever kind of holiday you want on a Princess Cruise. Want to drink the bar dry and pester the DJ with terrible song requests all night? Head to Club 6! Want to chill out in the sunshine with a book? Hit up a cabana in The Retreat! In need of some R&R… book yourself a treatment at the Lotus Spa.

There’s something for all tastes and ages so just tailor your own cruise around you to create your perfect holiday.

If you’re thinking about a cruise, but you’re not too sure it’s for you, I really recommend booking a Baltic cruise like this one. An interesting itinerary packed with cool cities, a ship full of fun things to do, and plenty of different ways to unwind. It’s the perfect combination.

My final highlight of the cruise? The Sail Away party as we left Copenhagen on the official first day of the cruise – our last night. Because you just haven’t lived until you’ve attempted to do the Cha Cha Slide inside a hot tub after many glasses of champagne!

Cost: from £ 1,269 Start/Finish: Roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark Next cruise dates: click here

Have you ever taken a cruise on board the Regal Princess, or any other Princess Cruises ship? Share your experiences in the comments. I’d love to hear what you thought!

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12 thoughts on “On Board the Regal Princess – Cruising Scandinavia and Russia”

what an awesome way to see a great region of the world!

It’s a great way to see a lot in a short time!

This ship looks wonderful. You should try a cruise around the Black Sea (Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia and Ukraine)

Ooh that’s definitely on my cruising wish-list, thanks!

This is a really good introduction to cruise travel for those who haven’t tried it before. We also dismissed it as ‘not our style’ until we tried it and loved it! Definitely would try it again.

Same here!! This is my second cruise now and I’d definitely do another. Not at all what I’d expected and a geat way to see a lot with a short timeframe!

We are going on this cruise on 27 April! My excitement level is now 5 x after reading your post!! Did you see anything of Warnemunde? Were people saying it was worth the long trip to Berlin? Any clothing you’d recommend? Thanks Tamara

Eek that’s so exciting Tamara – I’m thrilled for you. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time!!!

I didn’t see much of Warnemunde as we started the cruise a day later than the itinerary due to time constraints, so we flew into Berlin and drove to Warnemunde and pretty much got straight on the ship. I personally probably wouldn’t spend 2.5 hours driving to Berlin and back just for one day, but if you’ve never been and you’re keen to see Berlin I guess it wouldn’t be too bad. Warnemunde itself is quite pretty. Or if you want a day trip that’s not as far as Berlin, these are all well recommended: Schwerin Castle, Wismar, Lubeck, and Bad Doberan. From Bad Doberan you can take a steam train back to Rostock, which is very close to Warnemunde, so that’s probably what I’d do if I did the trip again!

Clothing-wise, you’ll want some fancy clothes for the formal nights, but don’t feel like you have to wear a ball gown as I saw plenty of people looking rather casual still. I dressed in the kind of thing I would wear to a wedding. Most nights I wore a dress and some sparkly flip flops to dinner and that was generally fine. Other than that, you want at least a couple of swimsuits in case the first doesn’t dry before your next pool session! And lots of comfy clothes for exploring cities. Decent footwear is a must!

Hope that helps – have an amazing trip!

Ps any comments on shopping? On board or what to look for in particular ports? Best prices?? ?

I didn’t really do any shopping myself so I’m not sure. I’d avoid the souvenir shops that pop up close to the ports, though, as they’re always overpriced. Look for markets or local independant shops instead. In Tallinn the Kalamaja district is a really cool area with pop-up shops in an old industrial warehouse type building, and some nice restaurants. It’s a great place to pick up more interesting souvenirs and hand-crafted goods etc. Gamla Stan in Stockholm is another great area for shopping, there are loads of unique little boutique shops there. We found a really cool little jewellery shop there – I wish I could remember what it was called.

Wonderful thanks! I’ve read about a tour with a company called Friends of Dave in Warnemunde which takes in the sites you mentioned so we are giving that a go. Looking forward to reading about your next adventure Emily!

Aaah that sounds perfect!! Have a great trip :)

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• Princess Cruises

Review of my trip on the Star Princess: Baltic Cruise

By thehistorychic , September 13, 2007 in Princess Cruises

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thehistorychic

I did a travel blog of my recent Baltic cruise on Star Princess (we were on the 8/28 through 9/9 cruise). I thought I would share: http://whereintheworldisflea.blogspot.com . It was a great trip but here is my overall review.

SAS Airlines: Economy class is very cramped so if you can afford to upgrade to business at least it is probably worth it. The flight is good though, 2 free alcohol drinks, movies (new releases to DVD), and the food was pretty good.

Train Station/Train Copenhagen: The train is very clean and I enjoyed riding it. The people in Copenhagen, including the station, are very friendly and helpful. The baggage claim/check is downstairs and there is only one small elevator so you may have to wait. Also you have to use kroner or a debit card so be prepared for that.

Clarion Hotel Copenhagen: It is a decent hotel. The rooms are small but they were clean. They come with hairdryers but you will need converters for everything else. Also they have free tea and cakes at 3 am and a free dinner buffet type of thing. Breakfast cost though it is pretty good. Free Wi-Fi.

Comfort Inn Europa Copenhagen: It is a nicer hotel, there was a cleanliness issues in my parents room but ours was nice. No free meals though and the staff was a little less friendly. Our room was much bigger though and more space equaled more comfort. It had free Wi-Fi too. Bring your converters, no hair dryer supplied.

Star Princess Boat: The boat was nice sized with plenty of deck space if that is your cup of tea. It was clean and the crew was helpful: check in/out was pretty much standard and entering/exiting is easy as long as you follow the protocols.

Star Princess Entertainment: The musicals were pretty good. The dancers were amazing. The singers were OK. All of them put on a good show though -- definitely worth seeing. The first comedian -- Dan Bennett was a better juggler than comedian. He had a few good cracks but he was just not that funny. Duggy Brown was funny. He is worth seeing. The ship board activities were fun and there was a little bit for everyone. John and Julie were great cruise directors and their staff was fun!!!

Star Princess Food: Buffet was really hit or miss. The staff was not all that friendly and the food not all that good. It did have a few good days but overall it was just standard. Tequilas was very yummy!! The steak (Ribeye for me) was good, the appetizers were good, and the wait staff was nice. You do have to pay to eat here and reservations are required. Dining Room was good. Angel our waiter was fantastic. The menu had a bit of everything on it and the food was very good. The last night the teak was a bit tough but every other night was pretty good.

Star Princess Crew: I found that the cabin stewards were friendly and helpful. The crew staff were fun and upbeat. The waiters on deck and in the buffet were OK but not all that helpful. The bar(s) staff were pretty good but slow. The deck crew, security, and tour staff were all very good at making things go smoothly.

Star Princess Cabins: We had a balcony stateroom. There were 3 of us in there and while a little bit cramped, it was nice. The ceiling bed was a bit hard but the other two beds were comfy. The balcony was nice to have through the Fjord and Archipelago.

Sweden: Royal Palace and Old Town--Old Town was worth seeing and spending time in the area is fun and relaxing. The Palace wasn't all that impressive but the changing of the guards was fun to watch. The Palace is a working palace, so parts are closed at times.

Finland: We didn't get to stop the waters were to rough.

St. Petersburgh: Peterhof Palace and Gardens, A night at Catherine's Palace, and the Hermitage and Gold Room. Peterhof was great. Very beautiful and tons to see. Catherine's Palace was an experience to be had. It was my second favorite excursion of the trip. You got basically a private tour that you can use flash photography. Then you get a champagne ballet reception and a Russian dinner with folk show. The Hermitage and the Gold Room. I was not impressed with how fast they shuffle you through. If you are an art lover, you will want to go but otherwise skip it. The Gold Room is really just trinkets and jewelry.

Tallin, Estonia: We did on our own (not through the ship) and had fun. The shuttle is $5 both ways ( I walked back, it is a bigger hike than you think0.

Gdansk/Gdynia Poland: We did the on your own excursion through the ship (cheaper than a cab ride to the city). We go to see plenty and it was a fun day.

Oslo Norway: The Open Air Folk Museum and City Highlights tour was my favorite tour of the trip. We saw the sculpture park, ski jump, folk museum, and bus ride through the city.

Copenhagen, Denmark: Did the city bus tour and canal tours. Both were great and you can walk to most tings you want to see in the city. Tivoli was nice too see too.

I think I covered it all..I can't wait till my next trip.

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Thanks for sharing your observations. It sounds like an interesting cruise.

Thanks for sharing your cruise. It sounds like you had a great time.

Thanks for a great review! I hadn't considered the evening at Catherine's palace but now I may do it.

jacketwatch

We took that cruise in June. I am surprised to hear that you could not dock in Finland. Does that happen often or was this a rare occurence?

D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL

Thanks for the detailed information on your cruise.

The question I have for you is what type of turbulence did you encounter if any on this trip ? I am very interested as I have a wife that at times is prone to motion sickness.

Soontoretire

Thanks for the review. I was mostly interested in the ship comments, as we will be on her next spring. Glad you had a great time

Thank you for your review. We're going next year so your review is helpful. We're considering the Catherine's Palace tour and it sounds like you get both the ballet and folk show. That would be amazing.

My parents and sister did the Folk Show and also had a great time. If you want to look at pictures you can go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehistorychic . It has pics from the whole trip (still uploading the last day). We all did different excursions, so I can ask them if ya'll have any questions about some of the other excursions :)

Turbulance, we didn't really have any except for the last day and the Helsinki day. The Helsinki day we couldn't port because it was an unprotected harbor (I am not sure but I think that means it wasn't enclosed so the turbulance made it unsafe to dock) and I am not sure if that is common or not. The last day though was the only day that people were getting a little ill as it was more ship side to side than up and down (if that makes sense). Otherwise this was a very calm ride and peaceful :)

Thanks for taking the time to write a review. We'll be on the Star in November - Aegean & Egypt. Really looking forward to it.

cruisemom42

I did this in 2006 and it was fantastic. The atmosphere of being in the palace at night was undescribable. You walk through the front doors and through the ranks of liveried footmen, and you really do feel like you've gone back in time. When we went, they had courtiers dancing (18th century style) rather than ballet; the illusion being that you were "guests" of Catherine at the palace. I think the ballet would be great too.

The dinner was fantastic, and you have a view of the front facade of Catherine's Palace from the restaurant windows. Because of the long hours of daylight, you get to appreciate it all evening.

When we went, the waiters were very liberal with the vodka -- tip 'em a little extra and you can plan on having a very merry time indeed.

Thanks for the detailed information on your cruise. The question I have for you is what type of turbulence did you encounter if any on this trip ? I am very interested as I have a wife that at times is prone to motion sickness.   Thanks   Soontoretire

We took that ship in June and the motion was negligle, practically nothing.

Yes the group at the table next to us had a few shots of the vodka, the waiters will be liberal if you ask them. I really loved the Catherine's Palace excursion and would do it again in a heartbeat. Oh and you get champagne too at the reception, so they like you to be a "GOOD" mood LOL :)

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Baltic Cruise with Princess Cruises | The Itinerary

What to expect on a Baltic Cruise with Princess Cruises

When I think of a cruise I imagine long warm days sailing through the Mediterranean sea sipping wine and meandering in flip flops through the cobbled streets of a Greek town. Or floating in the Caribbean with a rum cocktail exploring white sand beaches to the sound of steal drums.

But cruising doesn’t have to be confined to the Southern hemisphere. What about all those awesome Scandinavian and Nordic countries we want to explore in style without hundreds of internal flights, changing hotel rooms and stress.

Welcome to a Baltic Cruise.

Recently I embarked on my first ever cruise with Princess Cruises and it wasn’t through the Med, oh no. We were sailing the Baltic sea and exploring loads of new countries and cities north of the equator – what a week of adventure!

Want to know what it’s like on board a Princess Cruises Ship?

Read: my princess cruises review  aboard the regal princess.

Having done a couple of Mediterranean cruises before  I was incredibly excited for this new itinerary. 6 countries in 9 days all with so much charm I was yet to discover.

Let’s take a look at the itinerary for a Princess Cruises Baltic Cruise :

I must admit I’d never thought to visit Estonia before, but our first destination docked in Tallinn – the country’s capital – and it was so cute! Cobbled streets with a walled old town and real gothic feel.

We took a trip to the KGB Museum which actually turned out to be really interesting! Held inside the Hotel Viru the museum itself is tiny, more of a guided personal tour than a lavish museum with swanky displays and info points, but it’s fascinating. Our guide led us up to the secret floor once used by KGB spies and told us stories of how they bugged the walls, phones and even side plates inside the hotel!

Entry costs 11 euros and lasts around 45 minutes to an hour and we managed to simply rock up and get in on a tour but you can also book online – it’s worth a stop off!

The main square is lovely for a coffee in the Estonian sunshine. It reminded me a lot of Krakov in Poland with stunning architecture, wide cobbled streets and friendly people! Although do be prepared to pay top mark for your drinks in the main square as it’s a popular spot indeed.

READ: 48 Hours in Krakov – What to Do, Where To Stay and What To Eat

If you fancy something a little different to explore then you can hop in a taxi to the hipster area of the city where we found a cool place for lunch in Tallinn – F-Hoone. With super reasonable prices, delicious traditional and fusion dishes and an epic desert menu, this is certainly the place to eat in Tallinn.

Around F-Hoone just a short walk away you’ll find the old markets and a very cool little building with some pop-up shops, perfect for a spot of scandi shopping. Vintage dresses, local jewellery designers, cool homeware and more. Just make sure to leave room in your suitcase!

Tallinn is a pretty cool little place to explore – definitely do this one on your own and take it at your own pace. Make time to find a viewpoint and look out over the city and try some of their Estonian Piroukad – delicious little pierogies you don’t want to miss!

48 Hours in St Petersburg

Russia. One of the big pulls on this trip for me! It’s a tricky country to get into and usually your visa will set you back around £60-80 but if you book a tour with Princess they sort all of this for you so you’re able to head off and on the ship as you please – just watch out for the queues and possibly an interrogation at the passport window, we are in Russia after all!

We started our time in St Petersburg with a trip to The Hermitage Museum – the largest Museum in the world! Now I’m not usually a huge museum person despite having visited a number in my time! But I have to say that The Hermitage was fascinating and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

It does get incredibly busy however so they offer a limited number of early entry tickets – these are well worth investing in if you can get hold of some. It was like having the entire place to ourselves for an hour which is great for photos and taking on information from your guide.

In the evening as we were docking over night, we booked another shore excursion – The Russian Ballet! We made our way to the Alexandrinsky theatre in St Petersburg to watch Swan Lake with a gass of fizz and felt very special indeed. This excursion is amazing if you’re stopping in St Petersburg on your cruise, what an experience you don’t want to miss!

The next day we visited Peterhof Palace, a stunning house around 40 minutes outside of St Petersburg’s centre. Peterhof gets super crowded so be prepared to be shuffled along by the babushkas and take your photos fast!

On our tour I adored visiting the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and St Isaac’s Cathedral – both were absolutely stunning. The architecture and detail in both buildings was insane. For me they even rivalled some of the cathedrals in Barcelona.

On both days we had lunch included in our tours which meant we got the chance to try some traditional Russian food – a big hobby of mine when I’m in a new country! The Russian food we had was tasty even though it didn’t look great! My favourite restaurant was a place called Biblioteka – super funky interiors, nice staff and well put together plates, definitely a cool place for lunch in St Petersberg if you’re looking for somewhere to eat….Just watch out for the vodka shot chasers with each course, when in Russia ey!

We also got a chance to enjoy a river cruise through St Petersburg which was also lovely as the sun came out and we were all given a glass of fizz to relax with as our guide talked us through the sites.

We did so much in our 48 Hours in St Petersburg, it was incredible and a real highlight of the cruise. I’d definitely recommend booking a Princess Shore Excursion for Russia to get your visas and help you navigate this wonderful city.

SEE MORE: WATCH MY CRUISE VLOGS HERE !

I’m gonna just put it out there: I LOVE FINLAND. It’s one of my favourite places in the world and every time I come back it fills me with instant feelings of ease. I’ve visited Finnish Lapland before on one of the most inspirational trips of my travelling so far, explored the central sauna region of Finland and spent a few days in Helsinki too! So when I saw we were stopping off here on our cruise I was very excited.

READ : 8 Surprising Reasons Why Finnish Lapland Should Be Your Next AUTUMN Break

We booked onto a land and sea cruise with Princess to see as much of Helsinki as we could during our stop here. It started on a boat sailing around the city with a lovely insight into the more rural side of Finland. With quaint little red wood houses, individual wooden piers out into the lakes for post sauna dipping and lots of greenery it was incredibly relaxing floating along to water with the incredibly fresh Finnish air filling our lungs.

READ: Exploring Central Finland – The Sauna Region

After the first part of our tour we swapped our oars for wheels as we took to land! Stopping at some beautiful buildings and sculptures with our guide talking us through the local culture and lifestyle in the city, it was nice to see the contrasting sides of Helsinki from the bustle of the centre to the tranquil outskirts.

If you can, head over to The Sibelius Monument in Sibelius Park as that really is something to behold, and check out some of the open air markets near the water for a Cinnamon bun and a nice hot coffee!

READ : What To Do With a Few Hours in Helsinki

Of course one of the big cultural activities in Finland is Sauna and there are plenty of places to try it in Helsinki. My favourite is Löyly , a super modern and uber cool public sauna in the centre. Book in advance on their website to come down for a session – A two-hour booking for the sauna costs around 19 euros – and their restaurant has awesome food too for a spot of lunch.

Sauna is a way of life in Finland, so I think it’s a fantastic thing to do during your stop in Helsinki. The Find believe the sauna draws out not only physical toxins, but mental ones too and most big decisions are made in a Sauna. Give it a go, see how you feel…and enjoy that post-sauna beer too!

Personally for this stop I think it’s best to explore on your own instead of booking a tour. Walk around, use the trams and get a feel for the Finnish capital.

Stockholm is another city I’ve wanted to visit for such a long time, so when I saw it on the itinerary I was a bit giddy! I’d head wonderful things about the architecture, the people and most importantly – the food! So getting a whole day to explore was such a treat.

We went it alone again for this one instead of booking a tour and I’m glad we did, there’s so much to see!

For the ABBA fans amongst us there is of course The ABBA Museaum in Stockholm which I have to say looks like a lot of fun! But instead we chose to spend our time exploring the beautiful cobbled streets of the old town and the cherry blossoms which had just bloomed in the city centre.

In Sweden they Fika, so we did too! Fika is a Swedish term for having coffee and cake with friends, and there’s plenty of pretty places in the old town to Fika! It’s such a lovely concept and we just couldn’t resist – especially with a big slab of blueberry pie!

Food was a big pull for me visiting Stockholm and I was right to be excited by it. The flavours are so fresh, as is the fish and if you’re lucky with the weather like we were there’s nothing better than sitting outside in the sun with a cold glass of wine and some gravlax. If you’re looking for a good spot for lunch in the city then  Erika Gondolen is a real winner. With panoramic views of the city and top notch nosh, grabbing a table there would be a big recommendation from me.

I loved our time in Stockholm and I cannot wait to come back. It’s certainly one of the cities on our itinerary that has sparked even more wanderlust in me after having a taster with Princess. As with a lot of Scandinavian countries it’s a pricey one, so make sure you take some extra spending money so you can really enjoy yourself…and eat lots of cake!

Our last big stop on the cruise was Copenhagen, another place I’ve wanted to visit for a while. For this we booked a private tour around the city….by bike! I’ll hold my hands up and say I’m not the best biker in the world but these were electric and so much fun! Copenhagen is a great city to bike around and the cars and people are incredibly considerate so even if you’re a little nervous, definitely give this a try.

On our Copenhagen bike tour we saw a few landmarks of the city including the Little Mermaid, which was a lot smaller than I imagined it would be!

The royal residences were incredibly open and you can walk right into their courtyards – it’s quite interesting to see, and after that we made our way over to Tivoli Gardens which I think are a must if you’re visiting Copenhagen. First of all they’re absolutely stunning with beautiful gardens, flowers and trees. They also have some adorable cafes to sit with your coffee – we especially loved Cakenhagen for a delicate cake and cup of the good stuff! Well worth a visit, especially on a sunny day.

Our time in Copenhagen whizzed by and as we cycled back to the ship I really felt like we’d done so much on our little two wheeled adventure! What a great way to see the city!

Didn’t get much time in Oslo as we were departing mid-route but if you’re booking this cruise you’ll have time to explore and see the city. Take a look at my travel blogger buddy Vicky Flip Flop’s Weekend Guide to Oslo for some ideas on what to do during your time there.

We just about had time for a coffee and some people watching at a local vegan cafe before it was time to head to the airport, but we did see some awesome looking floating saunas around near the library if you’re brave enough to give those a whirl!

AT SEA DAYS

We had two full at sea days during our trip which were much appreciated after lots of walking and exploring in our city stop offs!

Find out everything there is to do on a sea day:

Read: my princess cruises ship review.

I’d never thought about doing a Baltic cruise before but it was incredible. I got to see so many cities and countries that have been on my bucket list for ages and yet I’d never got round to visiting. It was a fantastic way to taste lots of new places all in one week and the amount of new experiences we crammed in was astounding!

I love a Mediterranean cruise for relaxation and a good re-charge, but for exploring new cities and a sense of adventure, it’s Baltic all the way!

Find your next cruise with Princess Cruises here !

Would you try a Baltic Cruise with Princess Cruises?

*Paid collaboration with Princess Cruises. All photos and opinions are my own – I absolutely loved seeing a new part of the world from the comfort of our cruise ship, well worth booking!

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Princess Cruises to the Baltic Sea

We found you 29 cruise s

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Crown Princess Baltic Cruise Review

on April 25, 2018

Well! A mere ten months after completing our Baltic Sea cruise aboard the Princess Cruises ship Crown Princess I’ve finally finished posting all the various ship and excursion photos and can get around to a brief (I am such a liar) overview and review of this particular holiday at sea.

Cruise Overview

This was described as a Baltic Heritage cruise lasting 14 nights from June 3rd, 2017 until June 17th, 2017. The itinerary was as follows:

• Southampton, UK
• Zeebrugge, Belgium
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Tallinn, Estonia
• St Petersburg, Russia
• Helsinki, Finland
• Gdynia, Poland

We booked this cruise in September of the previous year and chose an aft-facing, balcony cabin for the first time: state room D735 . The cost of the cruise was £1899 per person and we each had $100 of onboard credit to spend as we used a future cruise deposit from a previous cruise to cover the down payment. The cost of the balcony cabin in this case fit well within what we consider to be a reasonable price to pay for that type of room; we tend to only go balconies if we can and we set an approximate limit of £150 per person per night for that. For the size of balcony we got on this cruise this was a great price – you can see video footage of our balcony from our post as we were in Southampton on the first evening here: Crown Princess, Aft Balcony, Departing Southampton – but we’ll probably stick to our preferred location of foreward, starboard-side from now on as we found we missed the waves going past the room in the morning or evening. Admittedly, the Baltic Sea was almost flat as a pancake for most of the cruise so this possibly wouldn’t have made that much of a difference.

Cruise Preparation

Other than what you’re going to pack for a couple of weeks on a cruise which is really up to you the only things to absolutely remember, of course, are:

• making sure your passport has over six months left on it from the end of the cruise
• possibly arranging a visa to visit Russia
• travel insurance
• getting to/from the cruise terminal

Our passports were fine.

You only need a Russian visa when visiting St Petersburg on a cruise where you’re in port for just a couple of days if you’re planning to do your own thing when you get there. If you arrange excursions either with the cruise line itself or with a reputable organiser then the visa requirements will be taken care of for you.

While we didn’t need to use the services of a local guide I can make a couple of recommendations in case you want to arrange a more personal tour of St Petersburg that most likely will save you time and money when you’re visiting Russia. These recommendations are based on their social media activity; they seem like nice people.

• Anna Gaplichnaya of st-petersburg.guide has a very engaging Instagram account where you can pick up some Russian language lessons for free ahead of your trip to St Petersburg.
• St Petersburg Best Guides make an effort on Twitter to post interesting content and they’re engaging with other people’s posts too.

Travel insurance is a must and it’s well worth checking to make sure that your particular insurer covers you for where you’ll be travelling and that you’ll be on a cruise. For us, where we’ve found ourselves more and more often booking last-minute cruises these days we’ve started using annual, worldwide cruise cover from Cover For You . This works out the most economical and flexible method for us and the cruise cover means that if our ship can’t get into a port we can claim back compensation (if this happens to you make sure you get a letter from the reception on your ship that explains the port was missed and the reason for it as your insurers will want that information).

Getting to the cruise terminal for us meant driving as Southampton’s not that far away (and why we cruise a lot) and it’s the simplest means to get there. Southampton port has very nearby parking for people cruising with some of the other lines but if you’re travelling with Princess then your options are a little more limited. We’ve found ourselves using Penguin Cruise Parking over the last few years and they’ve been great. A simple drive to their lot in Marchwood, just across the water from the cruise terminals, then you and your luggage are whisked across to where you need to be by minibus with a similar trip when you return.

Baltic Cruise Itinerary And Excursions

Other than Belgium every single port of this cruise on Crown Princess would take us to somewhere new and with the exception of Estonia where we had some specific desires that weren’t covered by any existing excursions we booked trips for every port through Princess Cruises. Our general approach when it comes to cruising and excursions is that the first time in any port we will almost always book a trip with the cruise company in order to get a feel for the place and an idea about the distances that’s not often that easy on maps or in reviews, all with the safeguard of knowing that we can’t miss getting back on the ship at the end. We also like planning excursions so that we’re not doing the same sort of thing more than once. On a previous cruise around South America we encountered passengers who’d booked to go and see penguins in three different place. I guess they really liked penguins but we like to mix it up a bit; some history, some architecture, some landscapes, boat trips if possible, unusual trips, etc.

A summary of the ports follows with links to the more in-depth reviews and plenty of photos that I’ve written up about each stop on the itinerary:

Belgium This was our second time in Belgium but on our first trip we’d been to Ghent; this time we took a walking tour followed by boat trip down the canals of Bruges . We had lovely weather and the city itself was steeped in history and resplendent with wonderful-looking architecture. The excursion was well-organised so that we didn’t have to queue anywhere and we never felt rushed. My minor criticism of the tour as a whole was that the canal portion more-or-less went over the same area of the medieval city we’d already covered with the same information imparted but we like being close to the water so we enjoyed it nonetheless.

• Bruges Walking Tour
• Bruges Canal Boat Tour
• Free Time In Bruges

Denmark We did want to see the Little Mermaid statue when we were in Copenhagen because, although it’s a cliché and it’s great to see something very few people see, there’s something to be said for seeing the main tourist sights too, especially on your first visit somewhere. However, with nothing else in the Danish capital catching our eye on the excursions list we were drawn instead to a full-day visiting a couple of famous castles with a meal between them, hoping that we’d have time at the end to hunt down the statue as we’d heard it wasn’t too far from where the ship docked. In fact, our excursion finished with a photo opportunity at the statue so this didn’t matter but for reference I’d say it was about 15-20 minutes away on foot but easy to get to. The castles were both excellent for different reasons and the meal was… interesting. We got to drink local beer that wasn’t Carlsberg, though, so that was good.

• Frederiksborg Castle ( Outside and Inside )
• Fredensborg Palace
• Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s Castle)
• The Little Mermaid And Leaving Denmark

Sweden We live in a naval port, home to HMS Victory , HMS Warrior , and the Mary Rose amongst others so when we saw there was a place called the Vasa Museum in Stockholm housing a near intact historical ship too we felt almost compelled to check it out. Neither the museum nor the city hall that we also visited disappointed at all although the tour itself wasn’t the greatest use of time, we felt. I’d definitely recommend both places, though. From what we saw of Sweden’s capital city we’d have no qualms about returning for an extended stay as the number of interesting-looking museums in close proximity was constantly catching our eye during our time here and we wondered afterwards if it might have been possible to explore more of interest to ourselves on our own. The Stockholm Archipelago was beautiful on the cruise out from Sweden as the general overcast weather of the day gave way to sunshine.

• Cruising Into Stockholm
• Stockholm City Hall
• Vasa Museum
• Gamla Stan, Stockholm
• Cruising The Stockholm Archipelago

Estonia Everything we’d read about Tallinn indicated that getting from the port to the old part of the city was both quick, easy to do on foot, and impossible to get lost doing so and all that turned out to be true. Having checked out excursions on offer there was nothing we saw that we thought we couldn’t do on our own and there were a few places I liked the look of that weren’t on the tourist trail. As it turned out the places I wanted to go were all closed even though everything online indicated that they shouldn’t be so Estonia’s attractive capital ended up being more of a general photowalk with occasional stops for local beers. Our trip to the city coincided with the visit of the Belgian national football team for a game so the city was flooded with fans, all of whom were in good spirits I’m happy to say. Tallinn was an incredibly photography-friendly place, so simple to get around, and it’s arguable as to whether you’d get more from an organised tour than just a general map and some information from online.

Russia Russia was obviously the big appeal of this Baltic Sea cruise on Crown Princess because it had the possibility of being the most strange location. As it turned out St Petersburg was very European in its feel and general outlook so other than a little more effort to get on and off the ship while passports were checked and stamped this stop fit right in with everywhere else on the cruise and wasn’t as culturally disparate as we were hoping. Two days was an awfully short amount of time to try to fit in as much as possible and, realistically, you can’t do it all. With the two days here appearing in the middle of five days of non-stop ports it can also prove to be very tiring. Obviously, if you’re only going to come the once then make the most of it but once you see how much there is to see and how very friendly and appealing the city is you might want to consider further trips or longer ones to not have everything crammed in as much as possible. We opted for one very long day followed by a half-day trip so as not to be too fatigued; our full day incorporated two excursions with one visiting various places in the city and the other being a ballet show, something we wanted to do as soon as we decided we were visiting. I don’t think I can find fault with anything we saw or did and I would not hesitate to return to St Petersburg again and would very much like to see more of Russia some day too.

My one piece of advice for any cruise visitors – that I also mention in a couple of the photo posts – is to pay attention to the prices of souvenirs at the port and consider buying them there rather than in St Petersburg itself; we found most things far cheaper at the port although you may find more outlandish gifts in the city.

• Church Of The Saviour On Spilled Blood
• Palace Square
• Saint Isaac’s Cathedral
• Vasilievsky Island
• The State Hermitage Museum
• Swan Lake Ballet At The Alexandrinsky Theatre
• Saint Petersburg Riverboat Excursion
• Griboyedov Canal
• Saint Petersburg Cruise Port

Finland Helsinki was another stop where we almost decided to not take an excursion. From where we knew the cruise ship would dock it looked like with the time in port we should have there would be plenty available to make our way to where most of the things of interest were. The only two issues we could see were that the Sibelius Monument was an outlier location-wise in terms of attractions and there was always a risk that if the ship were delayed for any reason this would cut down options considerably. In the end we opted for a fairly short excursion to see the monument and the rock church and we thought we’d ask if we could make our own way back to the Crown Princess if there was time; as it turned out we were offered this choice anyway and took it. You can read more about the monument and the church at the links below but I would say that Helsinki was the port we liked least on the cruise and that’s possibly a result of the incessant rain that accompanied us but also I think because the things we did see were not terribly grand; they lacked a wow factor. I’d love to return to Finland and give it another chance to excite me, though, but perhaps with better weather.

• Sibelius Monument
• Tempeliaukion Kirkko, The Rock Church
• Helsinki In The Rain
• Helsinki Port Street Art

Poland We picked an excursion with a short tour into Gdańsk and some free time as our assumption for this final stop on the Baltic cruise was that Gdynia – where we were docked – was little more than a port city. That’ll teach us not to research properly. It actually looks like there’s plenty to see there and along with the nearby city of Sopot would be a great reason to return to this area of Poland in the future. However, it was to Gdańsk that we went and although the tour was a little stiff in terms of presentation it was packed full of information. The city itself was lovely too; incredibly picturesque. Our only gripe was that the one thing my wife wanted to buy – cherry amber – eluded her. The people were friendly and there was so much to see and do. This is a country we’d never really considered before for travelling purposes but it should be up there on everyone’s list.

• Gdańsk Walking Tour
• Inside St Mary’s Church
• Free Time In Gdańsk

Crown Princess Cruise Ship Experience

Another faultless Princess Cruises experience overall on a ship we’d cruised on once before. Food was generally excellent (with one exception; see links below) and drinks were what we’ve become used to. We’d still like Princess to come up with an affordable drinks package especially as they’ve now stopped the BOGO offerings that we enjoyed so much on the Crown Princess.

Service was superb and a special mention must be made of Carlos in the Adagio bar who was the friendliest and most helpful individual member of staff we’ve ever cruised with.

Entertainment is one of those areas that we shy away from in general so we can’t really comment on that aspect of this trip. The actor James Cosmo was a guest speaker on our cruise although we somehow missed that announcement in the Princess Patter and only realised after his talk when we bumped into him at a bar. Guest speakers on cruises out of the UK are becoming more common on Princess now which is good to see.

The ship’s condition was perfectly fine. I’ve seen some people complain before about rust spots or slightly worn carpets but these things never bother us; it’s a metal ship at sea; thousands of people are aboard; get over it. The ship has now had a refurbishment to refresh bedding and some other areas.

While our balcony was impossible to distinguish from any other balcony room we’ve had on a Grand-class ship the balcony was immense. A fabulous location for privacy and we liked the white noise of the wake too (but check some of the videos in the links below to see how you feel about the wake noise if you’re not sure). However, if you want a private place to sun yourself on then pay attention to which way the cruise ship is heading. The huge depth of the balcony means much of it is nearly permanently in shade; we liked it but you might not. We’ve got nothing against the aft location and if the price was right we might take one again but we prefer something foreward that gives more of a sense of travelling.

A few more posts from our time on the cruise ship:

• Cruising Under The Great Belt Bridge
• Crown Princess Cruise Ship On A Sea Day
• Food, Drink, And Sea Views

Cruise Review Summary

One irritation with specialty dining aside there were no negative aspects of the cruise itself that come to mind and in terms of itinerary the only thing I would say is that when compared to most of our other cruises this one featured the least cultural difference as it was northern European. For that reason we probably wouldn’t rate it as highly as heading back to Asia or South America or seeing what the Middle East or Africa has to offer but if you have a desire to see a sizeable chunk of Europe and you’re done with the Mediterranean then this is something not to be missed.

Highlights of the cruise were mainly all Russian as we’d wanted to visit the Hermitage, drink vodka, eat caviar, and see a ballet performance there and we managed all of them (in one day as it turned out).

An excellent cruise that I’d not hesitate to recommend. There’s not a port I wouldn’t go back to although, to be fair, that’s true of everywhere in the world, and Princess Cruises are a fantastic choice for visiting those places.

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• Princess Cruises

Sky Princess in the Baltic Sea

By Traderboy , May 27, 2022 in Princess Cruises

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I believe the Sky princess Baltic  cruise returns to Southampton tomorrow.

Can anyone update us on how the cruise has gone. 

Were all the port days as expected?

Any problems?

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I'll be anxious to hear also.

I was on this trip with my husband and I’m pleased to confirm that it was absolutely wonderful – no complaints whatsoever. The staff, food and general ambience were all excellent and we felt very safe. More people were wearing masks than we expected especially in the lifts and whilst walking around the ship. We were on a sailing that was only 45% full however, and although this probably contributed to the speed of our drink ordering and lack of waiting times in the restaurants at times it did feel a little under populated (if that’s possible). All the ports were as expected and we enjoyed them all, again, we were blessed with good weather so that may have made a difference! If you have any specific questions I’ll be happy to answer them for you.

Our opinion on the medallion is that it’s better with than without though there were glitches at times. Wi Fi surprisingly good thought the cruise.

19 hours ago, lynxie said: I was on this trip with my husband and I’m pleased to confirm that it was absolutely wonderful – no complaints whatsoever. The staff, food and general ambience were all excellent and we felt very safe. More people were wearing masks than we expected especially in the lifts and whilst walking around the ship. We were on a sailing that was only 45% full however, and although this probably contributed to the speed of our drink ordering and lack of waiting times in the restaurants at times it did feel a little under populated (if that’s possible). All the ports were as expected and we enjoyed them all, again, we were blessed with good weather so that may have made a difference! If you have any specific questions I’ll be happy to answer them for you.   Our opinion on the medallion is that it’s better with than without though there were glitches at times. Wi Fi surprisingly good thought the cruise.

That is so good to hear as there is a live from at the moment which does not sound too good as the ship is 95% full and there are few staff so long lines the OP says

So pleased you had a wonderful time.

could you please share any info about Helsinki port - did Princess offer a shuttle to the centre and if so what was the cost? Thank you

36 minutes ago, windsor26 said: That is so good to hear as there is a live from at the moment which does not sound too good as the ship is 95% full and there are few staff so long lines the OP says

It’s currently half term here in the UK and so the kids are off school for a week so maybe this might be a reason why the ship is almost full. My parents were on Sky Princess 2 weeks ago and they said although they sometimes had to wait & there were occasionally queues they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and said the food was lovely. I’m due to board Sky Princess myself on 11 June so I will see first hand myself what it’s like.

I’m afraid our Helsinki stop was cancelled so we never went there though we did enjoy Germany instead - bit misleading to call it Berlin though as it was a long way from there -at least 2.5 hrs on the train each way.    

We spoke at some length with a staff member who told us they didn’t like it when the ship was quiet as the time went so slowly  - they actually prefer a busy ship even though it’s more work for them. Some lunch times it seemed there were more staff than passengers!

7 hours ago, Tug10 said: It’s currently half term here in the UK and so the kids are off school for a week so maybe this might be a reason why the ship is almost full. My parents were on Sky Princess 2 weeks ago and they said although they sometimes had to wait & there were occasionally queues they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and said the food was lovely. I’m due to board Sky Princess myself on 11 June so I will see first hand myself what it’s like.

Thank you  half term of course

Thank you Lynxie for this information.

So Helsinki was cancelled and Berlin was a long way from the port.

what were the other ports like and how close to the destination was the berth?

Did you do an overnight at Copenhagen?

presumably the evening shows were easy to get into with the ship only half full.

what were your feelings about Sky Princess compared with othe4 a Princess ships?

Did everyone feel safe in the Baltic with the War going on?

Asking for a friend who is booked on July 10 - do you have to take Princess tours in port or can you go on your own?

23 hours ago, Traderboy said: Thank you Lynxie for this information.   So Helsinki was cancelled and Berlin was a long way from the port.   what were the other ports like and how close to the destination was the berth? Did you do an overnight at Copenhagen?   presumably the evening shows were easy to get into with the ship only half full. what were your feelings about Sky Princess compared with othe4 a Princess ships?   Did everyone feel safe in the Baltic with the War going on?  

Firstly and most importantly yes, we felt very safe and would not have known there was any trouble if we had not tuned into the news now and again to keep abreast of current events.

We did not do any excursions but made our own way ashore at every port, I’ve give you a brief run down on what we did but obviously there were plenty of other options!

Gdynia - we walked from the ship to the station and caught the train into Gdańsk- very easy and cheap to do, about 40 mins. Trains go every 10 mins or so. Explored the old town in the morning and then returned to Gdynia in the afternoon after buying a picnic lunch in a supermarket- enough food for 4 plus drinks cost the equivalent of £5! Walked around the town before returning to the ship about 5 ish

Visby was beautiful, a longish  and hilly walk from the ship but we’ll worth the effort. The town was also hilly and we spent some time exploring the  botanical garden. We’ll worth the visit as was the town museum ( good place for lunch!) 

Stockholm was a fairly long  train ride from the port (another fair walk too!), we did a HOHO bus and boat trip there. Wouldn’t really recommend the bus to be honest, the traffic was really bad (roadworks) and it seemed to spend a lot of time picking up passengers from hotels and an other cruise terminal! We also spent time wandering around the old town before catching the train back. There had been an incident on the railway and the train terminated a couple of stops from the port but luckily we managed by some fluke to catch a local  bus back to the right station and returned in plenty of time. It was a lesson on not leaving things too late!

The nearest we got to Russia was Tallin in Estonia, a lovely town with friendly people and lots to see.Easy flat walk from the ship. Spent a good few hours walking around, lots of cobbles. We saw the old apothecary and walked up some steep hills to the Russian church which gave us an excellent view over the town. 

After two sea days (we needed them at this point!) Our next port was for  Berlin, although we decided it was just too far so explored the pretty seaside town of Warnemunde, though we did take a train in to have a look at Rostock in the morning. All great and really enjoyable. Those who did do the excursion to Berlin said it was incredibly tiring - I think it was mainly those who had come from the US or Australia who did it as they might not get the opportunity again.

Next was an overnight stay in Copenhagen. Haven’t learnt our lesson in Stockholm, we decided to use the first afternoon to catch the train from the city centre  across THE bridge (it featured very heavily in a popular TV series in the UK. We took our passports as the other end is in Sweden (Malmo) where we had a coffee and brief wander around before we returned to the ship.No one asked to see the passports at any time but I think they may do spot checks.  There was a shuttle bus into the town from the ship, $20 each for a 2 day pass. The second day we explored Copenhagen using the HOHO bus and boat, this time it was good and we all enjoyed it. We saw the little mermaid and also walked along a bit further to see the Genetically Modified Mermaid statue which I thought was more moving than the original though not nearly as pretty. Back to the ship to recuperate before our last port -   

Kristiansand. Very short walk to the most beautiful town which was almost spookily deserted until we found out it was a religious holiday and everything was shut. It didn’t spoil the day though, the walk along the seafront past the water fountains was beautiful and we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. A good and quiet end to a very busy and active cruise!

Just one thing that might (or might not) be of use to you - the only place we drew local money out was Gdańsk, everywhere else it was easy to use either cards or Apple Pay for coffees souvenirs and fares.   

We had a fantastic time which was helped a lot by the good weather we had despite the bad forecasts. I don’t know how enjoyable it would have been walking in the rain…. I would imagine it would be difficult to fit in as much as we did had we had mobility problems. All the old towns were cobbled, sometimes very roughly and it would be nigh on impossible to get a wheelchair or scooter through the streets - and very uncomfortable if you did so.   

Sorry, forgot to address your other questions 

Yes, we were extremely fortunate to have plenty of available seating in the theatre, at times it was remarkable how many empty seats there were. Even the two big production shows had plenty of spaces (in the early showing anyway, I don’t know what the late one was like as we were in bed by 10;every night after all that walking!)

I’ve been on several other Princess ships and I thought the Sky was beautiful though we did feel the lack of Skywalkers to sit reading indoors with the sea views. It was a lot newer than we’ve been on before and felt very modern in comparison with the Grand or Crown for example 

Many thanks Lynxie for your answers about the cruise.

They will certainly help us as we prepare for the same cruise on September 3rd.

Your 45% full sounds lovely especially when compared with the live report from the subsequent cruise.

Perhaps it is the war that will be putting some people off an extended cruise in the Baltic Sea.

we are looking forward to our cruise very much. We should have gone in 2020 and then in 2021 . Third time lucky we hope!

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