Regal Princess – Baltic Cruise Review

Copenhagen

The embarkation and turnaround port of Copenhagen is a fantastic city to start your cruise from. No matter where your travelling from I would always aim to arrive a few days prior to give you time to explore the city, acclimatize to the time zone and as contingency for any unforeseen events like lost luggage or delayed flights. Assuming the latter doesn’t happen you can settle into your accommodation and explore the city prior to boarding the ship. Popular sites to visit include Nyvahn, the colorful row of houses comprising of shops and bars the line the harbor.

Copenhagen Card DISCOVER 80 attractions and public transport

Just outside the city center is one of Copenhagen’s most famous statues, the little mermaid was a gift from Danish brewer Carl Jacobsen and inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairytale. Copenhagen’s has several notable castles and museum in the heart of the city center such as Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace and Natural History Museum of Denmark. Something for all the family is Tivoli Gardens, the scenery is beautiful with exotic architecture, historic buildings, and lush gardens. The rides are all designed to match Tivoli’s architecture and gardens. Some rides are wonderfully nostalgic, while others will match the expectations of the keenest thrill seekers. Tickets are best purchased in advance to avoid disappointment. After exploring Copenhagen, the start of the cruise vacation truly begins…

Entertainment

Live entertainment venues include the central piazza, princess theatre deck 6,7 forward, princess live on 7 midship and vista lounge on deck 7 aft. Guesting looking to burn off the calories can check out the fitness center located on deck 19 aft or the running track on the open deck. Relaxation and pampering can be found in the spa with a variety of treatments to ease away the stress. The Lotus spa is located on deck 5 along with the enclave, relaxing hydrotherapy pools, saunas and steam rooms. A fully functioning map and location feature are built into the medallion app to help you navigate around the ship to explore in further detail.

Prior to boarding guests can be pre-book tours, specialty dining, spa treatments etc through the cruise personalizor. However all these are options can be booked at their respective venues and its probably wise to organize them on the first night to avoid disappointment. Shore excursions and guest services are located on deck 5 near the piazza for any consultation for general inquiries or available tours and procedures.

Before you settle in to the nights entertainment, don’t forget to head up to the top deck for the sail away party where their will be live music, cocktails and fantastic views of Copenhagen (weather permitting) as you depart on your Baltic adventure.

Oslo

Welcome to Oslo, Scandinavia’s oldest capital city. The first stop on your Baltic adventure, Oslo is a fantastic city to explore on foot, by bike or at leisure with the hop on hop off bus just outside the port. Take a tour of the cities famous sites including Vigeland Sculpture Park, The Royal Palace, Viking Ship Museum, National Opera House and Norwegian Museum of Natural History to name but a few.

Art lovers can visit the National Museum and see the famous Scream painting by Edvard Munch amongst other historic collections. Olso is also a great city for lunch with many trendy cafe’s and restaurants dotted around the cities waterfront. After a days exploring the final stop before heading back to the ship is Akerhus Castle. Walk freely around the castle grounds or take a guided tour and enjoy the views, architecture and history behind this medieval fortress.

Sea Day

The second day at sea is a time to unwind and relax in preparation for 5 days of continuous port exploration. As eluded to earlier the enclave is a great option to relax with various hydrotherapy pools, saunas and showers to keep you stress free. Weather permitting the Sanctuary on the open deck is a private area where guests can enjoy the pool, sun and drinks without the crowds and kids disturbing the tranquility. Sea days are also a great opportunity to check out the shops and boutiques, normally having sales on Baltic themed souvenirs, merchandise and gifts. The hub of the entertainment is focused in the Piaza with live events, music and entertainment scheduled throughout the day.

Tallinn

Estonia’s capital is a blend of old and new, Tallinn Old Town is one of the best preserved Hanseatic town centers in the world. A stone’s throw away you’ll find the city’s business center with modern towers and luxurious hotels, trendy neighborhoods and large shopping centers. Divided between a fortified upper portion and lively lower section, Tallinn Old Town, now a World Heritage Site, represents the historic heart of Estonia. Walking from the port it takes around 15 mins to arrive at the Viru Gates. Navigating onwards through the cobblestone streets into the old town square onwards to the upper town you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the city and the Gulf of Finland, accented by a multitude of church spires and towers. For the clearest panoramas, head to the viewing platforms around the edges of the walls. As you descend through the narrow streets be sure to visit the historic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral that serves as the dominating landmark in Palace Square. Witness the cathedral’s cupolas and golden crosses rising high above the rooftops.

2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Tallinn

A short walk from the old town is Kalamaja, often considered a hipster area of Tallinn, this once closed off Soviet border zone is conveniently located between the scenic Tallinn coast and Old Town and features some real architectural gems. The area is best known for its colorful wooden houses, bohemian charm and industrial heritage represented the Seaplane Museum and Patarei Sea Fortress.

All the walking around will likely wet the apatite to try local the local delicacies Tallinn has to offer. Plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants are scattered around the old town and Kalamaja giving you endless choice of Estonian comfort food to elegant fine dining. Hearty soups, cured meats, sauerkraut and fresh fish are just a taste of the cuisine on offer in Tallinn, whatever your preference ensure to wash it down with honey beer, a local favorite.

Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour

Guests looking to discover the must see sites of St Petersburg can take the 2 day Ultimate St Petersburg. This will include visits to Peter and Paul Fortress, the Hermitage Museum Comprised of the Winter Palace and four other buildings home to one of the world’s greatest art collections. The afternoon continues with a visit to Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, site of the 1881 assassination of Alexander II. Your final stop before heading back to the ship is the awe-inspiring St. Isaac’s Cathedral, which boasts a massive dome that’s lavishly covered in 220 pounds of pure gold.

The evening concludes with a visit to the breathtaking Catherine Palace. First, you will be taken on a tour of the palaces’ imperial coaches while enjoying champagne and canapés. Then you will proceed to the palace interior which includes visits to the White Vestibule, Grand Hall, the Portrait Hall, the Crimson Pilaster and the Amber Room. After “Catherine the Great” makes her entrance, you will sit down in the Throne Room for a wonderful concert of classical music and then proceed to dinner and a folkloric performance in one of the restaurants in Pushkin.

Helsinki

The next stop on your Baltic adventure is a hop across the Gulf of Finland to the capital Helsinki. Helsinki is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in Scandinavia. Hailed as the “Daughter of the Baltic,” Finland’s capital is a city of graceful neoclassical buildings, striking modern architecture and spacious boulevards dotted with squares and parks. Famous landmarks include Temppeliaukio (Rock Church) a one-of-a-kind Lutheran church is built into a solid rock. Natural light pours in from the church’s glazed dome and the rough stoned interiors amplify sound, making it a unique concert venue.

Helsinki iconic white cathedral is located in Senate square just round the corner from market square where you’ll experience the energy and excitement of this seaside city. The square offers a festive atmosphere with rows of tents and stalls selling fur clothing, jewelry, food and souvenirs and more. Guest looking for something different can visit one the worlds largest ice bars where the walls, tables, even your own drinking glass that are carved from crystal clear ice. Alternately Nuuksio National Park is a great opportunity to experience the Finnish wildlife and landscapes. The park borders on the oak forest zone and the southern boreal forest zone, the park features a dedicated area for reindeer, many of which have been named and enjoy being hand-fed treats of lichen, the main food source of all reindeer in Finland.

Helsinki City Tour with Food Tasting

The second formal night of the cruise usually occurs on the eve of Helsinki giving guests another opportunity to dress up, take photos and enjoy live performances showcased by the Princess singers and dancers.

Stockholm

Concluding your Baltic cruise is a visit to Sweden’s capital, Stockholm. The majority of the season the ship would dock in Nynashamn roughly an hours drive from the capital. On one occasion in June when the conditions are perfect, the ship was able to navigate through the archipelago and dock right in the heart of Stockholm. This was a never actively promoted and a decision was made by the captain during the cruise based on prevailing conditions. Travelling from Nynashamn Stockholm covers 14 separate islands and is interwoven with bays, channels and inlets. The city skyline is a sea of copper roofs grown green with patina, towers, spires and graceful cupolas stand sentinel over the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan).

Walking Tour of Stockholm Old Town

For amazing panoramic views of the city take the Rooftop tour where you navigate the guided rails on the roof of the old parliament building over 43 meters high. Guests looking for something more down to earth can explore the Royal Palace or Vasa Museum featuring a 226-foot-long warship that sank on its maiden voyage in the middle of Stockholm in 1628. Plenty of the tours combine a landmark visit with time on your own, take advantage and explore Stockholm by foot, traversing narrow streets, canals and bridges with spectacular views around every corner.