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Cruising the Baltic Sea
Northbound
Tour Description:
Sail north across the Baltic Sea on a journey defined by water — the lifeblood of empires, trade, and exploration for more than a thousand years. From Copenhagen's colorful canals to Stockholm's archipelago of islands, this 7-night cruise traces the waterways that carried Viking longships, Hanseatic merchants, and royal fleets across Northern Europe.
Glide past medieval harbor towns and UNESCO-listed Old Towns, walk along ancient city walls overlooking the sea, and stand before Viking ships raised from the depths of Roskilde Fjord. In Gdańsk, maritime trade built pastel façades and reshaped history; in Tallinn and Helsinki, waterfront capitals reflect centuries of cultural exchange. Enriched by expert insight from your onboard lecturer and culminating in a farewell evening at Stockholm's Vasa Museum, this voyage follows the currents of the Baltic — where history flows as powerfully as the sea itself.
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Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing
Sail north across the Baltic Sea on a journey defined by water — the lifeblood of empires, trade, and exploration for more than a thousand years. From Copenhagen's colorful canals to Stockholm's archipelago of islands, this 7-night cruise traces the waterways that carried Viking longships, Hanseatic merchants, and royal fleets across Northern Europe.
Glide past medieval harbor towns and UNESCO-listed Old Towns, walk along ancient city walls overlooking the sea, and stand before Viking ships raised from the depths of Roskilde Fjord. In Gdańsk, maritime trade built pastel façades and reshaped history; in Tallinn and Helsinki, waterfront capitals reflect centuries of cultural exchange. Enriched by expert insight from your onboard lecturer and culminating in a farewell evening at Stockholm's Vasa Museum, this voyage follows the currents of the Baltic — where history flows as powerfully as the sea itself.
Highlights
TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – A farewell reception and dinner at Stockholm's iconic Vasa Museum, dining beside the world's only preserved 17th-century ship
Cruise alongside guest lecturer Åsa Övrelid, whose engaging expertise in Nordic and Baltic history adds rich cultural context and deeper meaning to your journey
All gratuities to Tauck Director(s), ship staff aboard Le Champlain, and local guides
Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions, valued at $4,693
Two nights each in Copenhagen and Stockholm at premier city-center hotels; guided walking tours in Helsinki and Tallinn
Highlights
TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – A farewell reception and dinner at Stockholm's iconic Vasa Museum, dining beside the world's only preserved 17th-century ship
Cruise alongside guest lecturer Åsa Övrelid, whose engaging expertise in Nordic and Baltic history adds rich cultural context and deeper meaning to your journey
All gratuities to Tauck Director(s), ship staff aboard Le Champlain, and local guides
Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions, valued at $4,693
Two nights each in Copenhagen and Stockholm at premier city-center hotels; guided walking tours in Helsinki and Tallinn
ITINERARY
ITINERARYArrive Copenhagen
Tour begins: 5:00 PM, Radisson Collection Royal Hotel or Hotel NH Collection Copenhagen. A transfer is included from Copenhagen Airport to the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel or the NH Collection Hotel. This evening, meet your fellow travelers at a welcome reception followed by dinner.
Colorful Copenhagen and a canal cruise
Copenhagen, Denmark's capital city, was once a small fishing village that served as an outpost for Vikings. From Old Danish, its name translates to "Merchants Harbor," and today's guided orientation tour reveals why. See the Little Mermaid statue honoring Hans Christian Andersen, Town Hall Square, and Nyhavn – a vibrant 17th-century waterfront lined with colorful façades and lively cafés. Then it's time to experience the city as locals do: from the water. Enjoy a canal cruise through Copenhagen's waterways before an afternoon at leisure, where you'll have access to Tivoli Gardens – one of the world's oldest amusement parks, beloved for its botanical gardens and old-world charm.
Viking ships in Roskilde & Embark ship
Today, travel to Roskilde for a visit to the Viking Ship Museum, where remarkably preserved vessels – recovered from the waters of Roskilde Fjord in the 1960s – bring the Viking Age vividly to life. Following time in Roskilde, continue to the pier to embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. This evening, enjoy dinner onboard as your Baltic Sea voyage begins.
Whimsical choices in Germany
Your ship arrives in Wismar this morning, a beautifully preserved Hanseatic port city on Germany's Baltic coast. From here, you might wish to visit Lübeck – a medieval city with a maritime past – for exploration on foot and by a canal, plus learning more about its marzipan tradition. Or perhaps journey through Germany's lush countryside for a visit to the fairy tale Schwerin Castle – set on its own island. Your third option is to explore Wismar on your own. Return to the ship and enjoy an evening capped off with the Captain's Gala Dinner as you sail onward.
Cruising the Baltic Sea
Enjoy a full day at sea as your ship sails toward Poland. Take advantage of the onboard amenities – from lounges and sun deck to the pool and spa – or simply settle in and watch the Baltic glide by. In addition to Tour Director-led presentations, your onboard guest lecturer, Åsa Övrelid, shares engaging insights into Nordic and Baltic history, bringing the region to life through stories of maritime trade, royal dynasties, and the powerful forces that shaped the Baltic world – past and present.
Charming Gdańsk
A port city rich in Polish history, Gdańsk is often called Poland's prettiest city for its Baltic coastal charm and colorful façades along Long Market. A morning tour introduces you to life here—past and present—as you stroll through its Old Town (rebuilt after World War II), past vibrant merchant houses and along the waterfront. Visit St. Mary's Church, one of Europe's largest brick churches, then pause for a pierogi and Polish beer tasting. Continue to the European Solidarity Centre in the historic shipyards, where the story of the Solidarity movement comes to life. Your time in Gdańsk concludes with a private organ recital at Oliwa Cathedral.
Visit Visby
Your ship arrives in Gotland this morning, a charming island off Sweden known for its medieval history and coastal beauty. You'll have a choice of two excursions today. One option is a leisurely walk through the UNESCO World Heritage town, past towers and narrow alleyways to a viewpoint overlooking the sea and the evocative ruins below, topped off with a taste of Gotland. Alternatively, set out on a more active walk along Visby's medieval city wall, exploring 13th-century fortifications including towers, ancient gates, and ruins. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the ship and sailing onward.
Finland's capital city & a rock church
Coastal, modern, and unmistakably Nordic, Helsinki balances refined design with centuries of history. Arrive this afternoon for a guided city tour that showcases the highlights of Finland's capital. Visit Senate Square, defined by Helsinki Cathedral and its green domes (you may wish to step inside). Continue to the remarkable Rock Church, excavated directly into solid granite and topped by a dome punctuated with skylights. Then pay tribute to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius at his monument – an abstract sculpture of hundreds of steel pipes. Enjoy dinner back onboard this evening.
Timeless Tallinn
Wake up in Tallinn, Estonia's capital, where storybook charm meets layered history throughout its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town. Explore both the upper and lower town, and visit St. Nicholas' Church, where you'll enjoy an organ performance. Then choose how you'd like to continue: travel back in time with a visit to the Viimsi Open Air Museum in a seaside village, home to a collection of historic coastal buildings and farms; or visit Estonia's Memorial to the Victims of Communism for a poignant perspective on the country's Soviet-era past. Back onboard, enjoy an afternoon of cruising and the Captain's Gala Dinner.
Disembark and Stockholm sightseeing
Say farewell to your ship and hej to Stockholm this morning. Built across 14 islands and connected by 57 bridges, Sweden's capital is best experienced from the water—so begin with a scenic sightseeing canal cruise through its many waterways. Then step ashore for a guided walk through Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town, where colorful 17th- and 18th-century buildings line narrow streets and squares. Pause for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting Stockholm's City Hall, home of the annual Nobel Prize banquet. Inside, see the Golden Hall, shimmering in more than 18 million golden mosaic tiles. Check in to your hotel late afternoon; the evening is free for dinner at your leisure.
Stockholm's royal residence & Vasa Museum evening
Built in the 1600s, Drottningholm Palace – whose name means "Queen's Island" – was once the private summer residence of the Swedish Royal Family. This morning, enjoy a guided visit through its elegant rooms, including ornate halls, bedchambers, sitting rooms, and dining rooms. You'll also visit the fully working palace theater, built in 1766 and regarded as one of the best-preserved theaters of its era in the world. With original stage machinery still in use, it offers a fascinating look at how court entertainment once captivated the Queen and her guests. Later, gather for a farewell reception and dinner at the Vasa Museum. Dine beside the world's only preserved 17th-century ship, Vasa, built to be Sweden's flagship but famously capsizing on her maiden voyage.
Journey home from Stockholm
Tour ends: Stockholm. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Radisson Strand Hotel Stockholm or Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel to Stockholm's Arlanda International Airport; allow three hours for international flight check-in.
