Visiting the Baltic region on a Scandinavia/Russia cruise is truly an experience like no other, as this region is truly fascinating. These sailings will take you back in time to history-filled cities that are also modern and vibrant, with excellent dining, cafés, shopping, palaces, museums and endless culture.

Some of the cultures of the Baltic region date back thousands of years, with some of the world's oldest monarchies to some of the youngest democracies. A cruise in the Baltic region will offer you a diverse destination at each port and beautiful scenery. If you have always dreamed about visiting the Hermitage museum or seeing the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, or visiting the famous Rock Church of Helsinki or the Royal Opera House in Stockholm, the best way is by cruise ship.

Baltic cruises have grown in popularity over the years as more ships have added more cruise ships to do these itineraries. It is no surprise that more cruise passengers than ever before are selecting these Baltic (sometimes called Northern Europe or Scandinavia/Russia) itineraries, as they can take you to those "faraway lands" of magnificent palaces, onion-domed buildings, romantic bridges, pillared-cathedrals, fine restaurants, museums and some of the prettiest scenery found anywhere. There is something for everyone's taste. And a Baltic cruise is a wonderful way to see several fascinating cities and go from one diverse culture to another without the hassles of airports, buses or trains. You simply cruise in comfort from one port to another.

Due to the cooler climes found in this part of the world, the Baltic cruising season typically begins in May and continues through part of September. These sailings usually originate and end in Copenhagen, with port calls at Rotterdam, Hamburg and St. Petersburg. However, they may also call at Stockholm, Helsinki, Finland, as well as Riga (Latvia) and Tallinn, Estonia, and are often combined with Scandinavia cruises, which may include the Norwegian fjords.

A Baltic cruise is the perfect vacation choice for the summer, due to the cooler weather. It is also far more cost-effective than a land-based choice, as dining and hotels are quite expensive in this region, so there can be a great savings on an all-inclusive cruise.

Typically, Baltic cruises are of a longer duration, from 12- to 14-days, but some are now offered that shorter, for those who cannot get away for so long a time. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is one of the lines offering these weeklong cruises. Other lines that offer Baltic cruises of varying duration include Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Yachts of Seabourn and Fred.Olsen in the U.K.

Most of the cruise calling on St. Petersburg, considered the "jewel" of this itinerary, offer two full days with one overnight stay here. However, some do stay for two nights, with a two full days plus and one half day, as there is so much to see here.

Few places can match the history or majesty of St. Petersburg, once known as Leningrad, and it is usually the highlight of a Baltic cruise. Nicknamed the "Venice of the North" for its many lovely canals and Neva River, it is a cultural city, boasting the Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theater, home to the world-famous Kirov Ballet.

What a romantic port of call, especially during the "White Nights," from mid-June to July, when there is daylight around the clock! One can explore the city at any hour and it is a very unique experience. It is an experience just walking along the many rivers and canals. You will get to see the famous golden onion domes that mark the city.

On a Baltic cruise, shore excursions include the world famous Hermitage Museum, as well as beautiful buildings, including the Winter Palace, with its famous Gold Room, which was home to the Imperial family until 1917. Another is St. Isaac's Cathedral, with its famous dome and gilded cupola. Peterhof's famed onion domes, plus Catherine's Palace, with its famous recreated Amber Room, is in nearby Pushkin.

Copenhagen is as "wonderful" as ever and many Baltic cruises sail from this beautiful Scandinavian port, often on roundtrip sailings. It is a former Viking stronghold and is one of Europe's oldest cities. It is also the capital of the world's oldest kingdom, and is very cosmopolitan, lovely city. Copenhagen is also very easy to get around if you choose to explore on your own and visiting one of the many parks on a Sunday with countless beautiful babies in strollers give some insight into this popular Danish city. Copenhagen is a major Baltic port, boasting a small town charm. It is filled with parks, making it one of Europe's greenest capitals.

This beautiful port city is a great place to walk, especially the mile-long StrÖget, the pedestrian route, which is lined with shops, restaurants and cafés. The capital of Denmark also boasts colorful row houses and picturesque canals.

The Danish royal family resides here at Amalienborg Royal Palace and Rosenborg Castle is now a museum, housing the Crown Jewels and the Danish Crown Regalia. A popular place to get a true feeling for Copenhagen is Nyhavn Harbor, with its outdoor cafés and bars, with jazz music filling the air. It is right along the Nyhavn Canal, which you can experience via boat tours.

Of course, this is the land of Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote "The Little Mermaid" fairytale. Her famous statue can be found just a short walk from the Langelinie cruise pier. And there is a statue of the author himself.

But most would agree that the biggest attraction here is Tivoli Gardens. It is an amazing amusement park and something the entire family can enjoy, regardless of age. The gardens are filled with flowers and at night, turns into a fairyland.

Stockholm's beauty is legendary. This modern capital city is rich in history and natural beauty. Founded in the 13^th century, it still has many narrow streets and medieval buildings in its Old Town area, as well as the new cruise ship harbor area, featuring hotels, restaurants and cafés. As you enter Stockholm, your cruise ship will take you through the unique archipelagos, made up of over 24,000 small islands.

This favorite cruise destination is set across 14 different islands, water accounts for a third of Stockholm's total area and its numerous waterways are crisscrossed by 57 bridges, while green parklands seem to be around almost every corner. And during the long summer days, there are countless open-air drinking and dining options for enjoying the magnificent natural setting Stockholm itself is a city of culture, boasting over 70 museums and the magnificent Royal Opera House.

One of the world's busiest and largest ports, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, is at the heart of several rivers as well as artificial waterways. While here, you can visit the Museum Buijmans van Beunigen and the Maritime Museum as well as go to the top of the 328-foot Euromast Tower, for a panoramic view of the city.

One of Rotterdam's main attractions is the Rotterdam Zoo (or Diergaarde Blijdorp, as it is known in Dutch), which is a modern zoo where visitors can see animals housed in naturalistic enclosures that resemble their natural habitats.

Shoppers, don't feel left out, this is a great place for you too! The city is divided into eight separate shopping areas, each offering something different. For an "old" Holland ambiance, there is the historic Delshaven area. The other shopping districts in Rotterdam include the Quartier Varie, which features a wide array of shops hidden along little streets and side roads and the Maritime Grandeur, which is along the Maas and features beautiful views of the various city landmarks along with small galleries and little shops. You can also visit the town of Delft, famous for its blue and white pottery. This picturesque town is also the birthplace of artist Johannes Vermeer of the Dutch Golden Age.

Hamburg, Germany, is often a port call on Baltic cruises and is the country's main port. Visitors to Hamburg will find an elegant city that is crisscrossed by over 40 miles of canals and bridges. There are several squares filled with cafés and the city, which has a high percentage of lakes and parks, offering a country feel, also boasts very upscale shopping and old buildings such as its city hall, called the Rathaus. Both Brahms and Mendelssohn were born here.

But a highlight of visiting the port of Hamburg is its many museums. They include the Kunsthalle, featuring some of Germany's finest art collections from the 13^th to the 20^th centuries.

The capital of Estonia, Tallinn faces Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland. And while not on every Baltic cruise itinerary, visitors to this port city find it to be a lovely walled town, with winding cobblestone streets and open air markets, where there can be string quartets, brass bands and even a choir. Local crafts are also sold, including jewelry and amber items, as well as the popular Russian nesting dolls.

In the Old City on Toompea Hill, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times, is the Toompea Castle. It was built in the 13^th-century and houses the Estonian Parliament. Also located here is the Art Museum of Estonia and the beautiful Dome Church, the nation's oldest, with its famous Baroque alter.

Another beautiful port you will sail to on Baltic cruises is Oslo, Norway, which is located at the head of the Oslo Fjord, surrounded by forested hills. Oslo is the perfect cruise destination for those who enjoy the outdoors.

This popular port city offers cruisers diverse shopping, many attractions, excellent shopping and dining. One of the main attractions here is the spectacular Opera House, which resembles an enormous iceberg! There is also the Viking Ship Museum, a must for families to visit! The Norwegian Folk Museum is the country's largest and is the world's oldest open air museum.

The lovely port city of Helsinki, is just an overnight cruise from St. Petersburg and Stockholm and is considered one of the most beautiful cruise ship harbors in the world. Finland is a small country with a rich cultural heritage. Reflecting this, Finns count among the world's top readers, and libraries, theatres and museums exert an irresistible attraction. A nation of five million people continues to enrich the world with great musicians, architects, designers and dancers.

Summer is festival time in Finland. Not surprising in itself, perhaps, but miraculous in the standard and popularity of the events. Opera, chamber and modern music, choral and church music, jazz, rock and folk music ring through the air; dance and theatre are staged in the most unexpected and imaginative places. The performers represent the world's elite, yet ticket prices remain affordable, so it's no wonder that the events attract over a million visitors a year. Explore the majestic Empire-style center of the capital, Helsinki, conceived in the mid-19^th century by architect C.L. Engel. Marvel at the Suomenlinna island fortress, the target of an Anglo-French bombardment during the Crimean War, and step back in time at the magnificent castles of Turku, Hämeenlinna and Olavinlinna. Or take a stroll through the wonderfully preserved old wooden towns of Porvoo and Rauma. Of course, now is your opportunity to experience first-hand a true Finnish spa!

Many of the Baltic (Scandinavia/Russia) sailings cruise from Copenhagen roundtrip and this offers a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the many pre- and post-hotel and land packages we offer, so you can take advantage of your time in this beautiful part of the world. These sailings offer something to cruisers of all age, young and old and are perfect for families looking for unique experiences and sites.

The Baltic region is surely one of the most beautiful in the world. There are many cruise deals and cruise packages now that are an excellent way to get the most for your money during these difficult economic times. It is also a good idea to book a pre- and/or post-cruise stay to get the most of your cruise vacation.