Sail through some of the most beautiful countries in Europe as Sea Cloud Spirit takes you on a 15-day cruise from Hamburg to Helsinki. Explore the countless canals and harbors of Copenhagen and admire the Nordic design, fashion, art, and modern architecture of Stockholm. Learn about the ancient histories of these Baltic countries and immerse yourself in their distinctive modern cultures. Along the way, visit ports such as Lysekil, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Visby, Stockholm, Mariehamn, and Tallinn.
Highlights
Enjoy the charming views of villages along the river Elbe
Explore the canals, lakes, and harbor basin of historic Copenhagen
Visit Visby, the oldest Baltic Hanseatic city
Admire Nordic design, fashion, art, architecture, and more in Stockholm
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Hamburg has seen many ships in its time. Richly laden Hanseatic cogs, famous 19th-century windjammers and giant vessels have dropped anchor in its port. The beautiful banks of the Elbe form prominent cordons for ships sailing in or out of the port of Hamburg. Moving towards the mouth of the Elbe, they glide by the patrician villas on the Elbchaussee, the Treppenviertel in Blankenese, the Airbus site and the picturesque banks of the Elbe with their green dikes and white beaches. You can catch charming harbor views of the little villages all along the banks of the Elbe.
Arendal is a Norwegian city in the county of Agder. The city serves as the administrative center of Arendal's municipality and the seat of Agder County Governor. A tiny area in the neighboring municipality of Grimstad is also included in the city.
Oslo, Norway's capital, is located at the mouth of the Oslofjord on the country's southern coast. It is well-known for its parks and museums. Many of these may be found on the Bygdy Peninsula, including the waterside Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, which houses 9th century Viking ships. The Holmenkollbakken is a ski jumping hill with spectacular fjord views. There's also a ski museum there.
Aarhus is a Danish city on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula. Den Gamle By is an open-air museum in the ancient town with centuries-old timbered homes. The Aarhus Botanical Garden's greenhouses are nearby. In the center, the multistory ARoS art museum shows global contemporary works. The underground Viking Museum explores early local history. Nearby, Aarhus Cathedral has restored 14th- to 16th-century frescoes
With its countless canals, lakes and harbor basin, water is an essential part of this city. The Inderhavnen (inner harbor) runs through the royal capital of Denmark like a wide river before flowing into the Sound. Once the boundary between the western and eastern districts, the harbor quays have now become the heart of the city. Streets, alleyways, parks, and squares all remain from the days when kings had them built. Each period of history has left its mark on the magnificent cityscape which includes several castles. In the midst of modern-day life, you can take a ride on a carousel in the Tivoli Gardens, follow the royal bodyguards with their bearskin hats as they march through the streets or visit the city's famous magical landmark, the little mermaid in the harbor.
Together with the chic seaside resort of Sopot and the port of Gdynia, the old Hanseatic city of Gdansk has a young and confident vibe. With its eventful past, the queen of the Polish Baltic cities was already prosperous and respected in the middle ages and was a flourishing trading center for many years. Its reconstructed historic old town is a work of art in its own right with sky-scraping brick Gothic edifices and grand patricians' houses boasting magnificent façades and gables which betray Flemish, Dutch and German influences. Everything is overshadowed by the imposing medieval church of St Mary which is the world's largest brick church. In the golden Hanseatic era, the route formed by the famous Long Market and Long Street between the Golden Gate and the Vistula was the lifeline of this prosperous city, which continues to trade successfully in Baltic amber to this day.
Surrounded by the deep blue sea, the second largest Baltic island is bathed in sunshine during the brief summer months and has the look of a small country in its own right. Lofty crags, strange limestone formations, broad sand and pebble beaches and forests with wind-bent pine trees form a coastal landscape which extends for almost 500 miles. Similarly diverse are the island's astonishing culinary delights and Gotland's rich history which includes prehistoric sites, unique treasures from the Viking era and Visby, the oldest Baltic Hanseatic city which has remained almost unchanged since its heyday in the middle ages. The old town with its imposing 2-mile, 13th-century circular wall was once christened 'regina maris' or 'queen of the sea' and provided a refuge for legendary pirate Klaus Störtebeker. Since 1805 it has been classified as a protected monument and since1995 it has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.
On its Baltic side, Stockholm looks out to an archipelago of thousands of craggy islands while to the west lies the vast Lake Mälaren. The city itself spans 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges. In the middle of the city, island are the origins of Sweden's magnificent capital. Yellow-gold townhouses, splendid Renaissance palaces dating back to the city's heyday and the royal palace crowd the old town of Gamla Stan, a heritage site boasting a medieval network of narrow cobbled streets that lead down to the water's edge. With a third of its area occupied by water and another third by green spaces, this cultural city manages to be both modern and traditional. Here you will find Nordic design, fashion, art, modern architecture, boulevards, promenades, royal residences, seats of government and no fewer than three UNESCO world heritage sites.
The Åland archipelago, an autonomous Swedish-speaking province in Finland with its own flag, is situated between Sweden and the Finnish mainland in the north of the Baltic Sea. Mariehamm, the only town in the Åland islands and capital of the archipelago, can be found on the main island of Fast Åland. It was named after Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Tsar Alexander II, who founded the town in 1861 when Finland and Åland were part of the Russian Empire. The second-largest port in Finland was home to one of the last large fleets of windjammers. With its wonderful smooth red granite cliffs, the Nordic landscape on the approximately 6,500 unspoiled islands and skerries remains pristine and virtually uninhabited.
Day 14: Helsinki, Finland
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Finnish capital sits on the seafront overlooking countless islands and skerries off the coast. The center is compact and charming. The protestant cathedral styled on St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg overlooks Senate Square with its magnificent neo-classical façades and reflects the splendor of a capital which once served the Tsars. Later, the middle classes showcased their national confidence in Finnish Art Nouveau, its curved lines oozing functionalism and modernism. Indeed in 2012, the trend toward simple, accomplished Finnish style earned Helsinki the title of world design capital. Above all else though, Helsinki is an ever-changing city shaped by the sea - a lively hub in constant flux.
Day 15: Helsinki, Finland | Disembark
1 Breakfast
The Finnish capital sits on the seafront overlooking countless islands and skerries off the coast. The center is compact and charming. The protestant cathedral styled on St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg overlooks Senate Square with its magnificent neo-classical façades and reflects the splendor of a capital that once served the Tsars. Later, the middle classes showcased their national confidence in Finnish Art Nouveau, its curved lines oozing functionalism and modernism. Indeed in 2012, the trend toward simple, accomplished Finnish style earned Helsinki the title of world design capital. Above all else though, Helsinki is an ever-changing city shaped by the sea - a lively hub in constant flux.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Superior Single
Superior Single Cabins (approx. 13 and 14.5 m²/139 and 156 sq ft) are equipped with a single bed, a small sitting corner with a table and a chair, a dressing table and a wardrobe. The bathroom is equipped with a sink, shower and WC. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
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Superior
Superior Cabins (approx. 16.5 to 19 m²/177 to 204 sq ft) are equipped with a double bed (two single beds), a small comfortable sitting corner with a chair or couch and a table as well as a dressing table, wardrobe and bureau. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a sink, shower and WC. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
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Deluxe
Deluxe Cabins (approx. 20 m²/215 sq ft) are equipped with a double bed (two single beds), a small comfortable sitting corner with a chair or couch and a table as well as a dressing table, bureau and wardrobe. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a sink, shower and WC. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
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Deluxe Lido
Deluxe Lido Cabins (approx. 16.5 to 20 m²/177 to 215 sq ft) are equipped with a double bed (two single beds), a small comfortable sitting corner with a chair or couch and a table as well as a dressing table, bureau and wardrobe. The spacious bathroom is equipped with a sink, shower and WC. These cabins have portholes and are located on the Cabin Deck.
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Junior Suite
Junior Suites (approx. 26 to 30 m² /280 to 323 sq ft including balcony) are located on the Panorama Deck and offer a private balcony and panoramic windows. The cabins include a sitting corner with a couch and a table, two single beds (of 90 cm x 200 cm each), which can be placed separately or as a double bed, and a walk-in closet. The bathroom is equipped with a sink, WC and bathtub.
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Owner's Suite
Owner's Suites are located on the Panorama Deck, and have a sitting area and panoramic windows as well as a private balcony. Each of the suites (approx. 36 to 39 m²/388 to 420 sq ft including balcony) is equipped with two single beds (of 95 cm x 200 cm each) that can be placed separately or as a large double bed, and a walk-in closet. The bathroom features sink and bathtub; the WC is separate.
Notes
Rates are based on double occupancy. A limited number of cabins can be booked for individual use for an additional charge.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
