Have questions? We're here.
A moment of stillness in Copenhagen

Cruising the Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys

Helsinki - Copenhagen - Example 8 Day Cruise aboard Le Champlain
Talk with an expert
Build your ideal Baltic Sea trip. Call 1.406.541.2677
Start Planning My Trip
Embark on an 8-day cruise aboard the Le Champlain, featuring an exclusive onboard presentation by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Polish President Lech Walesa in Gdansk, Poland. Explore the Baltic’s rich history and vibrant cities, from Helsinki’s stunning Art Nouveau architecture to Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, a Hanseatic League gem—Discover Stockholm’s cobblestone Gamla Stan and the medieval charm of Visby on Gotland. Visit Klaipeda to explore Lithuania’s Curonian Spit or delve into local traditions. In Gdansk, the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, witness history in action. Conclude in Copenhagen, home to the regal Christiansborg Palace.
Aerial view of the town of VisbyExplore vibrant CopenhagenBeautiful architecture of Tallinn, EstoniaCity view of Stockholm, SwedenA view of Helsinki, the largest city in Finland.Sailboats docked at harbor in VisbyA moment of stillness in Copenhagen
Highlights
  • Explore Helsinki’s historic center, modern architecture, and elegant charm
  • Visit Tallinn’s medieval center, Gothic Town Hall, and rich history
  • Stroll Stockholm’s Gamla Stan, Royal Palace, and vibrant culture
  • Experience Gdansk’s golden door, Hanseatic architecture, and historical charm
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
0

Full Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Helsinki | Embark

Nestled on Finland's southern peninsula, Helsinki effortlessly combines cosmopolitan energy with timeless elegance and natural beauty. Wander through its historic center, where pastel-hued neoclassical buildings stand alongside striking modern architecture. In the vibrant Kallio district, indulge in local delicacies like graavilohi, a sweet and aromatic marinated salmon. For a tranquil escape, unwind in Keskuspuisto Park, just moments from the city's lively heart.

Day 2: Tallin

Situated at the northern tip of Estonia, Tallinn is captivated by the picturesque charm of its medieval architecture. Stroll through narrow streets in its historic center, where the Gothic Town Hall has stood since 1404. Landmarks like the Kiek in de Kok Tower, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Toompea Castle glimpse the city’s rich history. Tallinn, once a thriving hub during the medieval era, is home to beautifully preserved monuments that reflect its storied past. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this UNESCO World Heritage-listed gem.

Day 3: Stockholm

The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Malar Lake and the Baltic Sea. In Gamla stan, meaning "old town" in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgarden, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centers: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th-century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world's largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.

Day 4: Visby, Gotland

This old Hanseatic city lies on the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants and the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don't miss Saint Mary's Cathedral with its octagonal steeples and Powder tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafes; indeed, roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island's specialties: saffron pancakes with red fruit.

Day 5: Klaipeda

Klaipeda was founded in the 13th century by Christian crusaders from the German Order of Teutonic Knights. Its strategic location on the edge of the Baltic Sea has made it a source of conflict between Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, and even the French since its creation. Today, the legacy of Klaipeda's rich history is a great multiculturalism. This is the main port of Lithuania and the country's third-largest city. The beautiful landscapes of the surrounding Baltic coast make it a popular tourist destination. The city center is very pleasant to visit due to its architecture blending German and Scandinavian influences.

Day 6: Gdansk

This ravishing city on the Baltic Sea is nicknamed "the golden door of Poland," you can understand why when you see its beautiful Hanseatic architecture. Be charmed by the moldings and gables that enhance the colorful facades of the houses. You can take a pleasant stroll among the crafts shops along the Vistula Quays. In elegant Mariacka Street, the amber jewelers will tempt you into their boutiques. You can visit the church of Saint Mary and its astronomical clock. Not far, the majestic Long Market square offers the famous Artus Court and the rich Gdansk History Museum.

Day 7: Gudhjem, Bornholm

Lying in the southwest of the Baltic Sea, the medieval village of Gudhjem, on the island of Bornholm, is one of Denmark's most visited and popular villages. As you stroll along its picturesque streets, be captivated by its varied landscapes, easy way of life, and the authenticity of this charming town with half-timbered houses topped with red roofs in the Danish tradition. Along these charming streets, it is here that the first herring smokehouses were built in the mid-19th century, attracting all the region's fishermen. Tucked away in a gorgeous natural setting composed of rocky cliffs, dense forests, and beaches of white sand, Gudhjem will provide an unforgettable interlude where time will seem to stand still.

Day 8: Copenhagen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometers away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high color of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches, which weave through the canal networks and the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. You can try out the smorrebrod, traditional Danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese, or smoked fish.

Ship/Hotel

Le Champlain

Le Champlain Pool
Ponant Sauna
Swimming pool

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$9,190 2-3 travelers
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Cabin
Deluxe Stateroom
Area: 19 m². 4m² private balcony with French window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower.
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
Area: 19 m². 4m² private balcony with sliding bay window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower.
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
Area: 19 m². 4m² private balcony with sliding bay window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower.
Cabin
Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
Area: 19 m². 4m² private balcony with sliding bay window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower.
Cabin
Deluxe Suite
Area: 27 m². 6m² private balcony with sliding bay window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower. Up to 3 passengers per cabin.
Cabin
Prestige Suite Deck 5
Area: 38 m². 8m² private balcony with sliding bay window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower.
Cabin
Prestige Suite Deck 6
Area: 38 m². 8m² private balcony with sliding bay window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower.
Cabin
Privilege Suite
Area: 32 m². 8m² private balcony with sliding bay window. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower. Up to 4 passengers per cabin.
Cabin
Grand Deluxe Suite
Area: 45 m². 30m² private balcony with sliding bay windows. King-size bed or twin beds, and shower + bathtub.
Cabin
Owner's Suite
Area: 45 m². 30m² private balcony with hot tub and sliding bay windows. King-size or twin beds and shower + bathtub.

Notes

Please Note:
Fares are based on double occupancy and are capacity controlled. Rates may increase at any time as the ship sells out and subject to change without notice.
Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Port Fees
  • Unlimited Wifi
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • Gratuities to Onboard Crew
  • “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
  • 24h Room Service (special selection)
  • English-Speaking Lecturer 
  • Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
  • Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
  • Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
  • A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
  • One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
  • Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Helsinki to the ship on the day of embarkation
  • Transfer from the ship to the airport in Copenhagen at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Visa Fees
  • Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
  • Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
  • Luggage Handling 
  • Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
  • Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
  • Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
  • CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

Map

Inquire

* By providing your phone number, you consent to receive direct phone calls or SMS messages from our Trip Planners to get the process started. We do not share your information with third-parties.
Change & customize to make it yours.
Travel Agents

We Love to Talk Travel

Call 1.800.344.6118
or
Chat Now
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney

Top Baltic Sea Travel Destinations

Baltic Sea Trips by Duration

More Reasons

Why Travel With Adventure Life

All News

Recognized By