Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea

• Exclusive journey to experience seven countries during a cruise on the Baltic Sea from Oslo, Norway to Stockholm, Sweden.
• Created in our tradition of innovative programming and educational travel.
• Access to ports unavailable to larger vessels and an included excursion in each port.
• Specially arranged cruise in Copenhagen, Denmark, through the old canals and port to see the city’s iconic sites.
• Traveler’s choice excursion options in Gdansk, Poland; Klaipeda, Lithuania; Riga, Latvia; and Helsinki, Finland.
• Two UNESCO World Heritage sites — Historic Centre of Riga, Latvia; Historic Centre (Old Town) of Tallinn, Estonia.
• Norway Pre-Tour Extension and Stockholm Post‑Tour Extension.

Arrive at Oslo Gardermoen Airport. Proceed through the immigration checkpoint to the baggage claim area and retrieve your luggage. After completing a customs screening, meet a Gohagan & Company representative.

Transfer to embark the deluxe World Traveller. Savor dinner on board the ship this evening. Dinner will be served each evening during the cruise.

The ship departs Oslo this evening, sailing overnight to Gothenburg, Sweden.

A delicious breakfast will be served each morning on board the ship.

Gothenburg City Tour. Take a morning tour of Sweden’s gregarious second city. Compact and eminently walkable, the city is known for its Amsterdam-style canals, leafy boulevards and welcoming atmosphere. Discover Gothenburg through the architectural landmarks and history of the city, founded by King Gustav II Adolph in 1621. Stop at the hilltop Masthugg Church to admire the panoramic view of Gothenburg and its harbor. Then, take a leisurely stroll through the 17th-century Haga district, Gothenburg’s first suburb. Stroll through vibrant public squares and see the iconic Carl Milles’ Poseidon statue, which has become a symbol of the city. Admire the grand Beaux Arts-style city hall and Wenngrenska Villa, both typical of the 18th century’s grandeur. Walk past the Gothenburg Opera House. Nearby, spy an interesting office building called “The Lipstick” by locals for its ultra-modern shape and red floors at the angled top.

Return to the ship and tuck into a delicious lunch.

Tjolöholm Castle. This afternoon, take a coach tour through the scenic Swedish countryside to the peninsula where Tjolöholm Castle sits. One of Scandinavia’s leading Arts and Crafts properties, this fascinating manor house was designed by architect Lars Israel Wahlman in the Tudor style for merchant James Fredrik Dickson and his wife, Blanche. As you tour the manor, learn how this state-of-the-art estate had many comforts that far exceeded the standards of the day.

Free Time: Enjoy some free time to stroll the estate’s gardens before returning to Gothenburg and the ship.

Welcome Reception: Join your fellow travelers for the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner on board this evening.

The ship departs Gothenburg, sailing overnight to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Copenhagen City Tour. On a tour of the world-class capital of Denmark, drive to the site of the old fish market, Gammel Strand, to embark on a sightseeing cruise through the canals and the port of Copenhagen. Pass major buildings such as Christiansborg Palace, the Naval Church and the Old Stock Exchange before entering the harbor where you will see the ancient Battery Sixtus and the fortress, Three Crowns. Also pass the Little Mermaid statue before entering the canal of Christianshavn, with its fine mixture of ancient warehouses, houseboats and modern architecture. Drive towards the City Hall Square where the famous pedestrian shopping area, Strøget, begins. Stop here and spend a little free time exploring the area.

Return to the ship for lunch on board, or stay in Copenhagen to get lunch on your own, if you wish.

Free Time: Spend your afternoon at leisure around Copenhagen this afternoon.

The ship departs Copenhagen late afternoon, sailing overnight to Gdansk, Poland.

This morning, enjoy breakfast and free time aboard. After a delicious lunch, embark on your excursion in Gdansk.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions. 

Gdansk Old Town Walking Tour. Begin this guided tour at the grand Green Gate, built in 1568 as a residence for Poland’s monarchs. See the Gdansk port, stroll along the Motława River and view the iconic Gdansk Crane. Walk the Royal Route and the Long Market to see the magnificent Neptune’s Fountain; the 14th-century Artus Court, inspired by Britain’s King Arthur; and St. Mary’s Church, the second-largest brick church in the world. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore the Old Town shops and cafes.
Minimum: 20 passengers / No maximum
Activity level: Active

Solidarity Tour. On this guided tour, begin at the entrance to the historic Gdansk Shipyard, where the Solidarity Movement — the first independent trade union in the Soviet Bloc — began in 1980. See the Monument to the Fallen Shipyard Workers of 1970, which commemorates the deaths of some 45 locals killed while protesting the communist regime. Next, tour the European Solidarity Centre, established to study and foster freedom, democracy and solidarity. This unique, five-story complex includes a museum, an atrium filled with trees and greenery, conference halls, library archives, reading rooms and a rooftop terrace. 
Minimum: 20 passengers / Maximum: 90 passengers
Activity level: Moderate

The ship departs Gdansk tonight, sailing toward Klaipeda, Lithuania.

Klaipeda. Klaipeda is a port city with a strong seafaring identity. It was founded in the 1250s by the Teutonic Knights, who named the settlement Memelburg, later shortened to Memel. Initially, the city was separated from the rest of Lithuania and ruled by Germany. After WWII, Klaipeda was united with Lithuania and called by its Lithuanian name.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions. 

Palanga and Klaipeda. Begin the day with an excursion to nearby Palanga, a popular sea resort town with soft white-sand beaches, dunes and a wooden pier constructed in the late 1800s. Visit the Amber Museum, housed in the Tiškevičiai Palace, a beautiful Neo-Renaissance structure built in the late 1800s. Through the museum’s fascinating exhibits, learn how amber is formed and why the Baltic is one of the best parts of the world to find it. Particularly interesting are the amber specimens that encase insects and plants. Stroll the Palace grounds and visit the Botanical Garden.

Finish up with a return to Klaipeda for a walking tour of the Old Town, which features German-style, 18th-century wood-framed buildings, winding cobblestone lanes and red-brick port warehouses. Strolling along the tree-lined streets, you’ll see cafes, bars and shops; unusual sculptures are dotted throughout the town. Visit Theater Square, the city’s main gathering spot, which is home to the neoclassical Drama Theater.
Activity level: Moderate

The Curonian Spit and Nida. Take a ferry and a scenic drive to reach the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This unusual 60-mile-long sand dune peninsula ranges from 350 yards wide at its narrowest point to 2.4 miles wide at its widest. The land spit, located with the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Local residents have toiled tirelessly to fight erosion and maintain the spit, which is forested in some areas. Visit the Hill of Witches, a fascinating outdoor sculpture gallery showcasing the local tradition of woodcarving. Continue to Nida, a small fishing village on the Curonian Lagoon. During the walking tour of the village, try local smoked fish and beer.
Activity level: Active

Free Time: After both Traveler’s Choice options, you may stay in Klaipeda’s Old Town for lunch on your own and walk back to the ship afterward. Alternately, return to the ship to have lunch on board.

This afternoon, the ship departs Klaipeda, sailing for Riga, Latvia.

Enjoy breakfast and free time aboard this morning. After an early lunch, embark on your excursions in Riga.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions. 

Riga City Tour.

Depart the ship by motorcoach to Elizabetes Street to view Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture in the UNESCO-inscribed Historic Centre of Riga. Continue to view architectural examples of the 18th and 19th centuries, including Eclecticism, Romanticism, Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Baroque styles. Pass the Latvian National Opera House, city canal and Freedom Monument, and learn about the Baltic Way Footprint Monument. Begin a walking tour. In Dome Square, visit St. John’s Church and enjoy a brief organ concert. Next, see St. George's Church, located opposite St. Peter's. Walk to the Great Guild Hall Square and admire the German-style architecture. See the Three Brothers, the oldest housing complex in Riga, and the House of the Blackheads, which originated in the 14th century — both integral parts of Riga's rich architectural landscape.
This a 4-hour tour. 
Activity Level: Moderate

Jewish Heritage Exploration.

After a brief motorcoach tour of the city, learn of the moving Jewish history that has been lived in Riga, long a multicultural melting pot. Visit some of the important sites and memorial places, including the location of the former Great Choral Synagogue built in 1868, once the city’s largest and most beautiful synagogue. On July 4, 1941, Latvian nationalists, under the direction of Nazi forces, burned down the synagogue with hundreds of Jewish worshippers locked inside. A solemn gray stone marker with the inscription “Magen David” stands where the tragic event took place. The Old Jewish Cemetery was where Riga’s Jews were buried from 1725 until 1941, when it was incorporated into the ghetto and became a communal grave for large numbers of those killed.
The site was destroyed after the war and is now a memorial park. On the outskirts of Riga, you’ll stand before a tombstone memorial where the Rumbula massacre took the lives of some 25,000 Jewish victims from all over Europe in just a few days during the Nazi terror.
Return to the city and visit the Museum of Occupation. The museum reveals Latvia’s history from 1940 to 1991, when Riga experienced occupations by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Conclude the tour with a walk through Riga’s Old Town Hall Square.
This a 5-hour tour.  Minimum 20/Maximum 60 participants
Activity Level: Active

No matter which excursion you choose for today, when it concludes, you can return to the ship for dinner or stay in town and make plans to dine on your own.

Tonight the ship departs Riga, sailing toward Helsinki, Finland.

Spend the full day at sea taking in the scenery, enjoying onboard lectures and mingling with fellow passengers. Enjoy three delicious meals and the many luxurious amenities on board.

Helsinki City Tour. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is also known as “Daughter of the Baltic Sea.” Take a panoramic motorcoach tour that includes Senate Square—with its neo-classical architecture of the 1840s—and its surroundings, making up the oldest part of central Helsinki. See the Presidential Palace and Parliament Building, City Hall, Finlandia Hall, the Opera House and the 17th-century University of Helsinki. Also, see Helsinki Cathedral, which is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran church. Pass by the colorful Market Square in the South Harbor and stop to see the modernist Sibelius Monument, designed by Eila Hiltunen as an artistic homage to Finland’s most famous composer, Jean Sibelius. Visit the subterranean Temppeliaukio Church (only possible if no church services are in progress) called the “Rock Church,” as it was impressively hewn into solid natural bedrock.

Free Time: Take advantage of time at leisure to explore the market square and main shopping streets, Norra Esplanaden and Södra Esplanaden, before returning to the pier to re-embark the ship.

Enjoy lunch on board.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included excursions. 

Village of Porvoo. This afternoon, travel by motorcoach to tour the charming village of Porvoo. Embark on a walking tour of the historic Old Town, founded in 1346. Stroll the cobblestone streets and see the brightly painted wooden houses; pass the Cathedral and the Old Bridge. After the tour, enjoy free time to explore the charming shops, galleries and cafes.
Activity level: Moderate

Local Finnish Sauna Experience. Unwind as you indulge in this quintessential restorative Finnish sauna ritual. The facility includes both a traditional smoke sauna and a wood-burning sauna—each can accommodate about 20 bathers at a time. Both offer direct access to an outdoor seating area and the sea for cooling off after the steam. There are separate changing facilities and showers for men and women; bathing suits must be worn at all times. A guide will accompany the group to provide information and answer questions.

 Included: private guide, two soft drinks per person, towels, seat cover, soap and shampoo.

Guests need to bring a swimsuit and any additional toiletries.

This excursion operates with a minimum of 30 passengers and a maximum of 60.

Activity level: Moderate

The ship departs Helsinki tonight, sailing overnight to Tallinn, Estonia.

Tallinn City Tour. Tallinn’s UNESCO World Heritage-designated Historic Centre (Old Town) has remained virtually unchanged for 600 years. Tour around the ancient city walls, then begin a walking tour of Toompea, the hill on which Tallinn is centered. See the landmark 19th-century Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea Castle. Continue your walking tour down narrow streets and steep stairs to the Lower Town. Walk through the town square to see the 13th-century St. Nicholas Church. Visit the medieval Tallinn Town Hall, the seat of Estonia’s Parliament, which dominates the Town Hall Square and is the only surviving Gothic hall in Europe. Admire the intricately painted main chamber and the guest book, signed by Mikhail Gorbachev and the Dalai Lama, among other illustrious guests.

Free Time: Enjoy some free time to explore Tallinn after your tour. Return to the ship for lunch on board.

Farewell Reception: This evening, bid adieu to your new friends and fellow travelers at the Captain’s Reception and Dinner.

The ship sails overnight to Stockholm, Sweden.