Introduction

The Baltic region is a hugely popular cruise destination all summer long, as the evenings stretch out and the populations of Stockholm, Olso, Copenhagen and Helsinki take to outdoor living, filling up parks, waterfronts and pavement cafes.

Most cruises take in the main capitals, heading as far east as beautiful St Petersburg, where they usually spend a couple of nights, giving guests a chance to explore the spectacular Winter Palace and Hermitage in depth. Some also visit the pretty Baltic States, calling at fairytale Tallinn or Riga, and many include a call at Warnemunde in north Germany, the jumping-off point for day trips to Berlin.

A Baltic cruise is essentially a cultural experience and a great opportunity to savour a potted history of the area. There's plenty of shopping, although this is not the cheapest part of the world! The region is also ideal for a family cruise with a difference; there's great entertainment for all ages in each port, from Stockholm's fantastic Vasa Museum to the fun-filled Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

Western Norway is a cruise destination for lovers of the outdoors, with its magnificent fjords, craggy mountains and sleepy offshore islands. Ports of call are close together and most cruises allow maximum time ashore to explore the small, wooden towns and quaint villages that are typical of this region. Almost every town is a working fishing port and in summer, when the sun barely sets, everywhere is buzzing with street life.

Further north lies the land of the midnight sun, and many cruise lines operate special cruises in June and July to admire the phenomenon. Some of these go all the way beyond the North Cape to Spitsbergen, a remote archipelago on the top of the world, where you stand a good chance of seeing polar bears.

Anywhere in Norway, though, offers breathtaking scenery, rich history and excellent shopping for tasteful, handmade souvenirs. Fresh air, friendly people and a feeling of wellbeing are guaranteed!

Find out more information on your possible ports of call:

Denmark- Aarhus, Copenhagen. Estonia- Tallinn. Finland- Helsinki. Greenland- Nuuk (Godthab), Julianehab. Iceland- Reykjavik. Latvia- Riga. Norway- Alesund, Bergen, Flam, Hammerfest, Honningsvag, Leknes, Oslo, Spitsbergen, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim. Russia- St Petersburg. Sweden- Gothenburg, Stockholm.

Top Baltics and Fjords Cruises

Date	Nights	Itinerary	Cruise Line/Ship	Price
14/12/2010	7	Baltics Cruise - Outside cabin + £50 Free spending money	P&O Artemis	£589pp
24/05/2010	7	Springtime in the Norwegian Fjords Cruise	Discovery	£899pp
26/05/2010	14	Baltic Cruise + £200 free spending money	P&O Azura	£1129pp
04/06/2010	12	Baltic Capitals Cruise	Norwegian Sun	£1159pp
02/06/2010	14	Exclusive - Spitsbergen & Fjords + £200 free spending money	P&O Oriana	£1289pp
08/08/2010	12	Baltic Cruise + £100 free spending money	P&O Aurora	£1349pp
10/07/2010	14	Baltic Cruise	Celebrity Eclipse	£1429pp