Cruising Scandinavia & the Baltic Sea (2023)

Arrive in Copenhagen and transfer to your luxury vessel this afternoon. Join fellow guests for an onboard welcome reception this evening.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: D

Leave Copenhagen behind and settle into your luxury small ship as it makes its way toward Poland. A&K’s enrichment program begins today with the first presentations by your guest speakers, who provide insight into the history and culture of the countries on your itinerary. You may also take advantage of the ship facilities, including relaxing lounges, panoramic fitness room and sauna.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

Spend the day as you wish in Gdansk, with shore excursions led by our experts on the ground. Perhaps take a guided walking tour through the Old Town, visiting the Golden Gate, Artus Court, Gdansk Town Hall, St. Mary’s Church and Neptune’s Fountain before strolling along the Moltawa River. Alternately, visit the Museum of the Second World War, take a scenic countryside drive and pay an introspective visit to the Stutthof concentration camp. Or traverse the Brick Gothic Srodmiescie district to the European Solidarity Centre, where you learn about the Solidarity Movement and see where the August Agreements were signed. Finally, choose to visit the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, followed by a lunch of local specialties. Back on board your luxury cruiser, attend a talk by Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former president of Poland Lech Walesa, followed by cocktails and a meet-and-greet.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

Explore the port city of Klaipeda on an optional walking tour of Old Town, visiting the old castle grounds, German-style warehouses and Theatre Square with its Simon Dach Fountain, followed by a visit to the new Museum 39-45. Alternately, stop by the oldest Lithuanian brewery for a tour and tasting, or visit a nearby cattle farm. Return to the ship in time for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruising.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

Soak up the charms of Latvia with a day trip to its quirky capital, Riga. Join a walking tour of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and attend an organ concert in the Dome Cathedral. Discover Riga’s famed Art Nouveau-style architecture, which encompasses about one-third of the city centre buildings. Opt for a walking stroll featuring remarkable façades and visit the Art Nouveau Museum, with its authentic 1903 interior. Foodies can choose to whet their appetite with a visit to the bustling Central Market followed by a hands-on cooking class in one of Riga’s top restaurants. For a more active experience, a bike ride takes you through Riga’s Old Town as well as the park-like Great Cemetery, where you learn about Latvian family traditions.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

Arriving in Stockholm this afternoon, choose from one of several excursions ashore. Perhaps take a walking tour of Gamla Stan (Old Town), revelling at the Storkyrkan cathedral and Stortorget; then, visit the Royal Palace. Alternately, explore Stockholm City Hall, with its iconic spire featuring the Swedish national coat of arms. You may instead see a 17th-century Swedish warship and recovered artifacts at the Vasa Museum, followed by a drive through the city centre. Or take a thrilling guided tour from the rooftop of the Old Parliament House. Finally, you may partake in a Nordic food experience, sampling Swedish specialties from local purveyors.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

Continue exploring Stockholm, perhaps visiting Drottningholm Palace and Theatre. Art lovers can take an art tour, starting at Milles Garden and proceeding to Waldemarsudde, former home of landscape painter Prince Eugen. See his work and collection of Swedish turn-of-the-19th-century art. This afternoon, either soak up the breathtaking views of Stockholm from the city’s rooftops, visit the famous 17th-century ‘Vasa’ warship or take a guided walk through Old Town.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

Disembark in Tallinn and take a guided walking tour of the city’s Old Town, admiring Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and vistas from atop Dome Hill. Then, see the main square, home to the Town Hall, St. Mary’s Cathedral and the oldest pharmacy in Europe. End your excursion sampling medieval dishes at a neighbourhood restaurant. Opt for a taste of nature, leaving the city behind for a brisk bog walk through the enchanting Estonian forest. Or instead, drive past Tallinn’s Old Town to Lahemaa National Park — the country’s oldest national park — and a manor house, where you sample and learn about Estonian vodka.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

Uncover the charms and traditions of Helsinki on a number of included excursions. Take a panoramic tour and see Embassy Park and Helsinki Cathedral in Senate Square. Continue along Mannerheim Street — Helsinki’s main thoroughfare — and see the Parliament House, the National Museum of Finland, the new Opera House and Finlandia Hall, the stadium that hosted the 1952 Olympics. Then visit the unique underground Temppeliaukio Church and the Sibelius Monument. Alternately, explore medieval Porvoo, which includes a guided cruise along the Porvoo River and parts of the Gulf of Finland archipelago. At Haikko Manor, sit down to a waterfront lunch. Return to Helsinki for a brief city tour, stopping at Sibelius Park and Senate Square before passing the Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Others may decide to relax like a local with a Finnish sauna experience and nature walk. Your ship overnights in Helsinki, providing the opportunity to spend more time ashore.

'Le Champlain' | Meals: BLD

After breakfast, bid farewell to your ship and crew, and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B

This journey contains some active elements, including walks over uneven terrain and optional, challenging hikes.

Note: Itinerary is for guidance purposes only and may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the Captain due to weather and sea conditions, medical emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances beyond A&K’s control.

Minimum age is 7 years.

Categories 4–8 include butler service aboard the ship.

First group event: embarkation between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Jul 15.

Last group event: disembarkation by 9:00 a.m. on Jul 24

Note: Proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 is required for this journey, including a booster shot if vaccination was received more than four months prior to departure (two months for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine).

Included with this Luxury Expedition Cruise

• An Exclusively Chartered, All-Inclusive Voyage Led by A&K’s Expedition Team and Local Guides
• Pre- and/or Post-Cruise Stays at Stylish, Ideally Located Hotels and A&K-Led Excursions
• Airport Meet and Greet and Transfers
• Private Balcony with Every Onboard Accommodation and Butler Service with Every Suite
• Maximum Personnel-to-Guest Ratio of 1 to 1.3 and ship occupancy limited to 80 percent
• Culinary Program Featuring French-Inspired Cuisine, Including House Drinks, Afternoon Tea and Pastries
• 24-Hour Room Service and Breakfast in Bed on board
• Choice of Curated, All-Inclusive Shore Excursions
• Enrichment program, lectures and presentations
• Traveller’s Valet Laundry Service on board
• All Gratuities, Port Charges and Taxes
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on Board and in Hotels
• Onboard Service from an English-Speaking Staff, Including an Accredited Physician
• 24/7 A&K On-Call Support