princess scandinavia cruise review

New Norwegian Fjords Cruise Review with Princess

A cruise to the Norwegian Fjords is guaranteed to offer breathtaking scenery with the chance to visit picturesque ports of call. In this post I share my Norwegian Fjords cruise review , including things to do in port and advice to help you make the most of a Norway cruise.

Norwegian Fjords Cruise Review on Sky Princess

We took a 7-night cruise on Sky Princess from Southampton in April. It wasn’t our first cruise on this ship, having taken a 4-night ‘seacation’ the previous year. It was good to sail on her again and spend more time enjoying the ship’s restaurants, venues and public areas.

Many major cruise lines offer ocean cruises to Norway so it’s worth checking the cruise itineraries and onboard facilities:

• P&O Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Viking Cruises

Which type of cabin should you book for a Norwegian Fjords cruise?

We opted for a balcony stateroom for this cruise trip because we wanted to ensure that we could take in the Fjords of Norway in the mornings as we sailed into the destinations. This was a really good decision as on most port days, the ship travelled up the Fjords early in the morning. As the Fjords were the main reason we booked this cruise it made sense to choose a balcony cabin.

We used our balcony in the mornings and evenings to make the most of the scenic cruising along the coast of Norway.

It was a bit chilly at times but Princess Cruises offered guests warm blankets we could use on the balcony and the top deck.

It’s definitely worth spending a little more for a balcony. In an inside cabin you must go to the outside decks to check the weather and to see the incredible views. As we cruised in April, outside of peak season, the price difference between an inside and balcony was minimal. For the best deals, I’d recommend looking at Norwegian Fjord cruises at the start or end of the peak season (April or September).

For unobstructed views, the ultimate room option would be a Sky Suite on Sky Princess . We were fortunate to stay in one on our previous cruise and enjoy the biggest balcony at sea. I’d recommend taking a look at my video tour and review to see if it’s for you.

What’s the best month to take a Norwegian Fjords cruise?

The main season for Norwegian Fjords cruises from the U.K. is April to September when the weather is the warmest. During this time of year you can expect more daylight hours and spectacular waterfalls as the snow and ice melts.

During the summer months of June, July and August you can expect to experience long days and a midnight sun.

You can cruise to Norway during the winter months with cruise lines such as Hurtigruten, which have smaller ships. During the colder months from October to February, you have a chance to see the Northern Lights . The best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis is in September and March. The sun sets much earlier in the winter, so there are less daylight hours, especially if your cruise takes you to the Arctic Circle.

Norwegian Fjords Cruise Review – Itinerary

Our 7-night cruise itinerary included two sea days and four port days. This was a good balance and gave us time to relax and enjoy the ship as well as visit the ports of call.

Day 1: Embarkation in Southampton

Day 2: Sea day

Day 3: Bergen

Day 4: Skjolden

Day 5: Olden

Day 6: Stavanger

Day 7: Sea day

We were a bit nervous about the conditions in the North Sea but it was surprisingly calm. Before the cruise I’d heard it can be quite rough seas but we were very lucky. I always take Dramamine with me in case I feel seasick.

Our first port of call was Bergen. It’s a good idea to head up to the outside decks during the approach for the best views. We were woken in the morning by the ship’s fog horn but as we neared Bergen the skies cleared and we enjoyed good weather for the rest of the day.

Bergen is known as the capital of the Fjords and has a population of approximately 286,000. Despite this, it still has a small town feel and is easily walkable. It is said to rain in Bergen 300 days a year so we were particularly blessed with clear skies and sunshine.

In Bergen, we chose to take the Fløibanen funicular railway to the summit of Mount Fløyen so we could admire the view of the city. We booked our tickets in advance before the cruise via the Fløibanen website. This allowed us to skip the queue for tickets and get straight on the funicular.

Tickets were around £12 per person return and there was no need to arrive for a particular time slot. The funicular is a short walk of around 15 minutes from Bergen cruise port and is well signposted.

If you’re comfortable in booking trips and excursions independently, this is definitely the best way to do it. It’s easy to find and you’ll save so much money. Our friends booked a cruise excursion to the funicular that included a short coach tour, which came to $100 per person!

The funicular in Bergen can get quite busy, especially because it’s a popular thing to do with cruise passengers. I’d recommend going there first to avoid large queues.

On a clear day, the views of Bergen from Mount Fløyen are pretty special and you can easily spend an hour or two at the summit, admiring the scenery. There are a couple of cafes and a gift shop as well as a resident herd of goats. If you want to walk down the mountain on foot there is a path that takes you through the woods.

In the afternoon, we decided to take a walk through Bryggen , which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 3 minutes from the funicular railway.

Bryggen (the dock) is an area of wooden buildings originally built for Hanseatic League commercial purposes. It’s now used for shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Sadly, Bryggen has suffered many fires over the years and so the buildings are not original but some still date back to the 1700s. You can wander the warren of tiny streets and imagine what life was like when Bergen was a major trading port.

On the dock front, there are plenty of places to stop for lunch and a drink and that’s exactly what we decided to do. The sunshine allowed us to dine outside at Madamfelle, also a live music venue, and it was a pleasant place to do a spot of people watching.

I ordered a Bergen fish soup for 119kr (approximately £10) as I wanted to try the local food but the restaurant also offered a wide range of other dishes including burgers, tacos, chicken wings and steaks. A word of warning, food and drink in Norway can be expensive and the beer in particular is very pricey. A small beer was £10 and a pint was £12.30!

After some time in Bryggen, we took a leisurely stroll back to the cruise ship.

Overall, I thought Bergen was a great port of call and I’d happily return to spend more time there. It was a very friendly city and so easy to explore independently.

Songnefjord and Skjolden

The next morning I decided to get up early to witness the journey through Sognefjord , the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. 5.00am seemed very early but it was the best time to view the sunrise over the fjord and I joined a small number of fellow passengers who had the same idea.

I decided the best place to see this scenic fjord was at the aft of the ship as I could see both port and starboard views on our approach. It was a magical time of day and definitely a bucket list moment.

I saw waterfalls, snow capped mountains and tiny wooden houses on the hillsides on our way to Skjolden. It was very cold at this time of day so I would definitely recommend grabbing a hot drink on your way to the top decks and wearing warm clothing.

If you don’t feel like getting up so early on your cruise, the good news is that you will do the same journey out of the fjord at the end of the day. The majority of passengers chose to do this as we left Skjolden.

Skjolden is a tiny village at the end of Songnefjord with a population of around 200 people. Most cruise passengers had shore excursions booked at this port and headed off on coach trips to see the mountains, glacier or take a walk with llamas. There were rib rides and standup paddle boards available to hire and we spotted these on our short walk to the village.

We had no plans in Skjolden as we’d attempted to pre-book some bikes in advance of the cruise but found most tourism businesses were closed until May. It’s worth knowing this if you are planning a Norwegian Fjords cruise in April.

We decided to take a short walk, which quickly turned into a long walk as we spotted a signpost to the Asafossen Waterfall . The walk was flat and took us past the Eidsvatnet Lake and through a footpath still thick with snow. The 180 metre waterfall is situated opposite a small campsite and ‘The Hand’.

The Hand is a wooden sculpture created in honour of a famous Austrian philosopher called Ludwig Wittgenstein , who chose to spend time in Skjolden for its peacefully environment whilst he took time to think and philosophise. He came from a rich family but decided to give away his inheritance and live a simple life to focus on philosophy.

He designed and built a small wooden cottage on a remote rock overlooking the Eidsvatnet Lake . After a wrong turn, we found ourselves at the foot of the path to his cottage so decided to go for a closer look. This walk is not for the faint-hearted and I was very glad of the ropes that were located toward the top of the climb. It was very steep and it took a few minutes to catch my breath when I reached the top.

I could definitely see why he’d chosen to build his cottage in this spot as the view over the lake was beautiful and the climb up ensured he was not bothered by visitors!

After that little adventure, we decided to head back towards the ship and grab a late lunch on the Lido Deck. Many cruisers were already back onboard enjoying the sunshine in the swimming pools and hot tubs. Some were even in their swimming costumes sunbathing!

For the sailaway we took position towards the aft and admired Songnefjord as we waved goodbye to the little village of Skjolden.

If we were to visit Skjolden again, I’d be inclined to book a shore excursion or hire a bike. Although it’s a nice place to explore on foot, there’s limited things to see and do beyond the walk we took.

Our third port of call was Olden , a small village with breathtaking scenery, even from the cruise port.

We had booked a morning excursion to the Briksdal Glacier , which involved a short coach journey to the starting point in the Jostedal Glacier National Park. We passed some stunningly glass-like lakes on the way and so I’d highly recommend sitting on the right side of the coach if you want to get the best views of them.

The Briksdal Glacier is the largest in mainland Europe and on this trip we were able to see one of the glacier arms.

I’d bought some walking boots in advance of this excursion but after listening to the onboard port talk, decided to wear my comfortable trainers as the walk seemed quite gentle. The steepest section of the walk was at the beginning but there were waterfalls we could stop and admire on the way.

Troll cars are available to hire for an extra charge for anyone who doesn’t want to walk. They didn’t seem to stop when going past the waterfalls. A ride in a troll car costs 250kr (£21.10) return or 150kr (12.66) one way and can be booked in advance or when you arrive depending on availability.

Along the trail to the glacier, there were information boards to show how environmental impacts have caused the glacier to retreat over time. Sadly, I fear that in years to come the glacier will continue to shrink. I’m just glad I was able to experience it now before it disappears out of sight.

I enjoyed this excursion as we were given free time. There was no guide we had to follow and we could simply go at our own pace without being herded. We had enough time at the glacier and once we’d returned to the starting point, coffee and cake had been arranged. We enjoyed a well-deserved rest before making our way back by coach to the cruise port.

Around the small cruise port in Olden there is little in the way of shops and cafes but it was a pleasant day to take a stroll. The natural scenery is Olden’s best asset and there is really no need for much more here.

Our sailaway from Olden was particularly memorable as the bar on the quay treated us to a musical send off with a playlist that included ‘Sailing’ by Rod Stewart, ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman and ‘Rocking All Over the World’ by Status Quo. Local people stood outside in their gardens and on their balconies waving goodbye. At this point we were treated to Princess Cruises’ iconic Love Boat horn , which made it even more special.

Our final port of call was Stavanger , a small city located in Southern Norway. It’s well-known for its Canning Factory Museum and Petroleum Museum but as none of these appealed to us we chose to explore the local area on foot. I’d stood on our balcony when we’d arrived and thought today was the day I didn’t need to wear a coat but unfortunately, after 15 minutes of being on land it started to rain!

We headed to Øvre Holmegate , a colourful street filled with bars and cafes, to get a hot drink and some shelter. This whole neighbourhood is very cheerful with its brightly decorated buildings and when the rain had passed it was a nice place to while away some time.

Unless you have booked an excursion in Stavanger or want to visit the museums, it’s difficult to spend a full day in port.

One thing that is interesting to look out for is the street art that is dotted around the city. You can also spend some time in the Old Town ( Gamle Stavanger ) that is right next to the cruise port. It’s an area of white wooden houses and cobbled streets dating back to the 18th Century that have been perfectly preserved.

What currency do you need for a Norwegian Fjords cruise?

Norway doesn’t accept Euros and so you should consider taking Norwegian Krone (plural Kroner) and a credit card that is suitable to use abroad. We use a Halifax Clarity credit card because it allows us to pay in foreign currency with no exchange fee and use ATMs with no additional fees.

Everywhere we visited accepted card payments so it’s one of the easiest ways to pay when in Norway.

Because Princess Cruises operates in U.S. Dollars we also took a small amount to tip staff.

Norwegian Fjords Cruise Review – Onboard Experience

Having cruised on Sky Princess previously, we were looking forward to spending more time onboard. We decided to pay for Princess Plus , which includes the drinks package, Wi-Fi and crew incentives (gratuities) so there was little else to worry about once we were onboard.

Medallion app

The introduction of the OceanMedallion and MedallionNet had the promise of being able to order food and drink via an app from anywhere on the ship and the ‘best Wi-Fi at sea’ but this seemed to become almost non-existent from our first sea day onwards.

On the first sea day, the weather meant that most cruise passengers were attempting to find places inside to sit and order drinks but this compounded the issue as the reduced crew tried to cope with the huge number of orders coming in.

After a 25-minute queue at the International Cafe and several failed attempts to order via the app we resided ourselves to the fact that we wouldn’t be making much use of the drinks package that day. Even ordering from the stateroom TV didn’t help matters.

It’s also important to point out in this Norwegian Fjords cruise review that this was the first cruise with Princess where we’d experienced people queuing for everything.

The Medallion app continued to be unresponsive for the remainder of the cruise until the last day, when a crew member on Guest Services changed some of the settings on my iPhone. It was a disappointment as the technology worked so well the last time we were onboard.

After enquiring at the Internet Cafe and Guest Services it appeared to be an issue that Princess Cruises was fully aware of. We were told it was in communication with the software company to try to rectify the problems.

One loophole that we noticed during our cruise was when ordering drinks with the crew. The Medallion was not used at all and we were just asked for our cabin number. This meant that you could give any cabin number you liked when ordering a drink and there was no failsafe. On one occasion, we accidentally gave the wrong room number and were told it didn’t matter because that room had the drinks package too!

Regardless of the Medallion app issues you are unlikely to get good use of the MedallionNet Wi-Fi due to the geographical location of a Norwegian Fjords cruise. Coverage is lower in this region but if you know in advance not to expect much, anything you do get is a bonus.

The Wi-Fi on land is excellent so as soon as your ship docks you can access 4G if your phone contract allows. Three Mobile seems to provide the best coverage in its roaming package and therefore there are no additional charges.

Princess Crew

I couldn’t write this Norwegian Fjords cruise review without mentioning the staff onboard our ship. The Princess Cruises’ staff members were, as always, so friendly and helpful despite greater work pressures during our cruise. They all worked so hard with the additional restrictions of KN95 face masks that they wore at all times, even in port in their own time.

It’s understandable that Princess Cruises is doing everything possible to minimise the spread of infections and we felt completely safe at all times throughout the cruise.

Our cabin stewards were so helpful and it was a shame that we didn’t get to see our first steward at the end of the cruise after he was sent on ‘training’. We did wonder if this was a code word for something else…

Food and Restaurants on Sky Princess

The food onboard was good quality and my new favourite place to grab lunch is the Salty Dog Grill on the Lido Deck. It offers, burgers, hot dogs, loaded fries and tacos all freshly cooked to order.

For breakfast, we ate in the buffet, the Main Dining Room and ordered room service. The breakfast in the Dining Room was particularly pleasant and such a nice way to start the day. You definitely had to pick your times in the buffet in the mornings as quite a few people headed there. Especially if they couldn’t get into the dining room.

Room service on Princess cruise ships is complimentary and it arrived during the time we’d requested, which was fantastic. You may wish to consider ordering breakfast to your cabin on mornings when you want to save time or enjoy the views from your balcony.

Dinner in the Main Dining Room was good and our favourite meal was enjoyed on the second formal night. We particularly enjoyed the lobster tails and one of Princess Cruises’ classics – creme brûlée.

Having eaten in all three specialty restaurants on our previous cruise we decided to go back to our favourite – Sabatini’s . This is the Italian restaurant onboard with a $25 cover charge. We managed to get a table next to a window to enjoy the sea views and couldn’t fault the food and service. It was the quietest specialty restaurant on our cruise, which surprised me as the meal was exceptional.

I’d recommend reading my blog posts about the other specialty restaurants ( Crown Grill and Bistro Sur La Mer ). I’d definitely recommend booking these in advance to avoid disappointment.

Take a look at my useful guide to specialty dining on Sky Princess .

You should not miss a meal in Alfredo’s , the complimentary pizza restaurant that also offers salads, soup and pasta. It’s a popular choice for lunch but quieter during the evenings when most people eat in the Main Dining Rooms. The pizza is made to order in an open kitchen complete with pizza oven and the food was excellent.

On this cruise we finally decided to make the effort to go to Afternoon Tea in the Estrella Dining Room. This is complimentary and includes small sandwiches, cake, scones and tea. In all honesty is was OK and we’d probably not rush back but at least we gave it a try.

Norwegian Fjords Cruise Review – Entertainment

On our cruise, there was plenty of entertainment in the main venues of Sky Princess throughout the day and evening. We particularly enjoyed a violin duo who played in various places including the Piazza .

Generally, we prefer a bit of background music so we can sit and chat but we did enjoy a couple of different bands that played in the Piazza and Vista Lounge .

A new venue we spent some time in was Take Five , which is a jazz-themed lounge that replaced Crooners. Crooners was a favourite venue amongst Princess cruisers but to honest we much preferred this venue. Seating was limited so it was rare that we found a spot but it was a nice place to spend some time when we could.

Being a colder cruise, Movies Under the Stars still screened films but we didn’t brave the evening temperatures. The Bridge Cam was shown on the big screen so people could sit on their sunbeds and watch the sailaway (although we much preferred to see it ourselves on Deck 17 and 18).

Although we never spent any time in Princess Live! we noticed that there was always something going on there and seemed to be a vary versatile venue. There was ballroom dancing, quizzes, games, beauty demonstrations and art auctions. We preferred the Crown Grill bar that had comfy seats and a nice drinks menu.

The Princess Theater hosted nightly shows and I can highly recommend Rock Opera , which is my favourite show on Princess Cruises. There was a comedian who we’d enjoyed on our previous cruise and he certainly made the audience laugh. 5 Skies is the other big show currently on Sky Princess.

What to wear on a Norwegian Fjords cruise

Choosing what to wear for this type of cruise can be tricky as you need to pack for all weathers. During the day we wore jeans, t-shirts, jumpers and coats. In the evenings, we wore smart casual outfits and two formal outfits.

The level of formal wear was quite diverse on this cruise. People wore dinner jackets and sequinned long dresses to colourful dresses, smart trousers and a shirt. You can find the formal dress code for Princess Cruises here .

Some people chose not to dress up on formal night, which is totally fine to dine in the casual restaurants. It’s your cruise holiday and you can dress up as much or as little as you feel comfortable.

Norwegian Fjords Cruise Review – Final Thoughts

This was our first cruise to Norway and after hearing so much about the Norwegian Fjords, the destinations still surpassed my expectations.

Getting up early to experience the Fjords at sunrise was very special and I’d urge you to do it if you can.

I’ve tried to be as honest as possible in this Norwegian Fjords cruise review in order to share a true reflection of our cruise. The cruise was by no means perfect but we still enjoyed our time away and the stunning scenery we were treated to.

Having taken a river cruise a few years ago, this fjords cruise does have some similarities. If you enjoy the scenic cruising and smaller destinations a Norwegian Fjords cruise offers, I’d suggest considering river cruises.

Our favourite things from this cruise were:

• Being able to walk off the ship into the villages, towns and cities (another similarity to river cruises)
• Waking up to see the fjords from our balcony
• The warm welcome from local people in Norway
• The stunning scenery in the cruise ports
• The weather in April was surprisingly good
• The variety of entertainment venues on the cruise ship
• The friendly and helpful crew on Sky Princess
• Our meal at Sabatini’s specialty restaurant
• Breakfast in the Main Dining Room
• The Princess Cruises cocktail menu offered so much choice
• The Salty Dog Grill for quick lunches

I hope you’ve found my Norwegian Fjords cruise review useful. If you have any questions about the cruise, destinations or ship, feel free to pop them in the comments section.

Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food. Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!

Find me on: Twitter

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Princess cruises room service menu & guide, barbados cruise port guide (bridgetown), hawaii helicopter tour (doors off).

Thank you for your review, we are due to go this weekend and this was my first chance to do some research and I found your blog and that pretty much answered all my questions. I just hope we get a smooth sailing, fingers crossed 😉

Yes, hope so, we were very fortunate for a calm North Sea. I have just written some tips in another post for the fjords if that may be useful too https://cruiselifestyle.co.uk/2022/05/31/tips-for-a-norwegian-fjords-cruise/

Thank you for the in-depth review. I have been looking into cruises recently and your blog has so many helpful information!

thank you for reading!

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On Board the Regal Princess – Cruising Scandinavia and Russia

• Last Updated 1 March 2024

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My review of the 11-Night Scandinavia and Baltic Cruise from Princess Cruises, onboard the Regal Princess.

It was the trip of a lifetime. A 10 day Baltic Cruise through Scandinavia and Russia with Princess Cruises. From Berlin to Oslo, by way of Tallinn, St Petersburg, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Copenhagen… this was a dream itinerary for me and a trip I was very excited about.

But what about the ship itself? This is both a review of the Regal Princess and all its amenities – as well as a review of the 11-Day Scandinavia and Baltic Cruise itinerary.

I’ll be covering the whole trip in detail – including a summary of everything I got up to and all my highlights.

Since first writing this post, I’ve done a second trip onboard the Regal Princess: a 4-night cruise around the UK . So I feel like I know the ship pretty well by now – and I have several more blog posts covering pretty much everything you could want to know about the Regal Princess.

For now, though, here’s my review of the 11 Day Scandinavia and Baltic Cruise on the Regal Princess…

Is the Regal Princess Baltic Cruise For Me?

Regal princess baltic cruise itinerary – 11-day scandinavia and russia cruise, my regal princess review: the cruise experience, dining on board, ship facilities: pools, lotus spa, and gym, regal princess cabins, entertainment.

• Final Thoughts

Disclaimer:   My trip was kindly supported by Princess Cruises in collaboration with Traverse Events. As always, all words and opinions in the post are my own and unbiased. 

READ MORE: 9 Reasons to Book a Summer Seacation with Princess Cruises

O r: Isn’t Cruising Just for Old People?!

Until I went on my first cruise a couple of years ago , I was dead against the idea of cruising. In my head, a cruise ship was a giant floating resort that I’d be trapped on, surrounded by retirees who hated travel and were only there for the all-you-can-eat buffet.

But the reality is quite the opposite. Dan (who is an awesome blogger) has put it much better than I could in his cruise FAQs post , but to sum up I can say that cruising is a great way to travel, and not exclusively for the older market.

This cruise really is perfect for anyone – especially for someone who wants to see a lot of Scandinavia in a short space of time. Cruising is kind of like a mini tasting menu – you see a small amount of a lot of places, and you can use the experience to decide where you want to revisit. The added bonus of this particular Regal Princess cruise is that you can visit St Petersburg without a visa – for two whole days!

The Regal Princess has facilities and fun stuff for all ages. A lot of the organised activities were perhaps better suited to an older crowd (I’m not really a fan of ballroom dancing)… but then again I’m not the kind of person who likes organised activities. And I think everyone can enjoy their way through the collection of pools, hot tubs, and bars on board!

READ MORE: 12 reasons to take a cruise in your 20’s and 30’s . Great post from my cruise buddy Jess! 

Back to Top

For me, the biggest draw with this particular cruise was the itinerary . The 11 night cruise takes you all over the Baltics, calling at some of Scandinavia’s prettiest cities.

And in the middle, there are two whole days in St Petersburg. Normally it’s pretty tough to get a tourist visa for Russia, but if you visit on a cruise and have an official tour booked you can enter the country visa-free . Which is a massive selling point!

The normal itinerary starts and ends in Copenhagen*, but we did a slightly altered version of the full trip. Instead, we started in Berlin Warnemunde and ended in Oslo – but we still saw all the stops and got the full experience of the ship. These are my highlights of the Baltic cruise itinerary…

*This is the biggest turnaround, but you can tailor your cruise to suit. Guests can also embark/disembark in St. Petersburg, Berlin (Warnemünde), and Helsinki.

Tallin, Estonia

Tallin is normally the third stop of the cruise, but instead it was our first – after a full sea day sailing from Warnemunde. I thought it was a really pretty city, and had a fun day there, but I think one day in Tallinn was plenty of time to see most of the city so it makes a great cruise stop. We weren’t on a tour and just explored Tallinn at our own pace – the city centre is pretty small and walkable so this definitely isn’t somewhere you need a tour for.

We started the day in the Old Town, exploring the beautiful churches and pretty cobbled streets. After an extortionately priced coffee in the Raekoja Plats Square, we wandered down to the KGB museum. The tour of the secret 16th floor of the Hotel Viru was fascinating and hilarious (the guide kept making jokes that no one seemed to get). Finally, we spent the afternoon exploring Kalamaja district – a reclaimed industrial area from the Soviet era that’s become a hipster hotspot.

St Petersburg, Russia

For me, the massive draw of this Baltic cruise on the Regal Princess was getting two full days in St Petersburg. Russia is a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and St Petersburg in particular (thanks mostly to the movie Anastasia ).

Because you have to have a tour booked to see the city, we booked the Best of St Petersburg 2-Day tour through Princess Cruises . It took in all the major highlights of St Petersburg – which I covered in this blog post , along with lots of gorgeous photos of the city. We also booked to see Swan Lake at the Alexandrinsky Theatre. It was absolutely one of my highlights of the cruise, and something I really recommend.

Helsinki, Finland

After two full days in Russia, a half-day in Finland felt a little short. But we still packed it full of fun stuff with the Helsinki by Land and Sea tour. A cruise through the Helsinki Archipelago felt like a dreamy way to start the day, out in the fresh air with densely forested islands on either side and the dazzling blue of the Baltic glinting away.

Back on land, we had a whistle-stop tour of Helsinki’s highlights, before a couple of hours of downtime. It definitely left me wanting more of Helsinki, and of Finland in general.

READ MORE: Island Hopping in the Finnish Archipelago – all about my last trip to Finland.

Stockholm, Sweden

After spending several days in Stockholm a couple of years ago, this was familiar territory for me – which is good as one day never feels like enough time for this city! It was lovely to spend a sunny morning exploring Gamla Stan, the colourful old town, and stop for fika (the Swedish ritual of having coffee and cake with friends).

For lunch, we swung by one of Stockholm’s most famous restaurants – Gondolen . It’s suspended in a crane-like metal structure above the city’s port, and has some seriously amazing views. Along with excellent Swedish food !

Copenhagen, Denmark

Normally the first port of the cruise, for us Copenhagen was the penultimate stop. It was a gloriously sunny day, and we made the most of it with a bike tour of the city. The bikes were electric, which made life easier – but even so, my personal recommendation would be to take a bus from the port to the city centre before beginning a bike tour. It was a nice intro to Copenhagen and we were able to see a lot of the city’s most famous sights. And I loved just cycling around in the sunshine, soaking up the ambience of the city.

Oslo, Norway

We didn’t have long in Oslo as we had to leave in the early afternoon to catch our flights. But Norway itself is a country I’ll definitely return to, and I’d like to spend at least another day in Oslo to see it properly. What I did see was a modern, cool-looking city with a LOT of trendy coffee shops.

Apparently, Oslo is known for architectural innovation – and the cubic glass shapes of the Opera House on the water’s edge were a pretty good example of that.

As the cruise ends in Oslo, you could easily extend your trip to see more of Norway. You could also visit Bergen, or head to Flåm and the Aurlandsfjord area for a couple of days to explore the fjords and surrounding villages!

All in all, it was an incredible itinerary with a lot of great stops. And as I said before, it’s a great way to sample a lot of this part of Europe in a short space to time. I definitely left most cities wanting more, and I’m already forming some plans to revisit a few of my favourites.

This was my first time travelling with Princess Cruises, and only my second ever cruise, so I had no idea what to expect. And while the itinerary was absolutely the biggest draw for me – I was excited to discover a new ship experience!

Cruising, in general, has a bit of a reputation, as I touched on above. It can sometimes be seen as too formal, or aimed at an older audience. But a cruise is whatever you make of it. The Regal Princess is a huge ship with loads of facilities and amenities, so guests can do whatever makes them happy. For me, that was mostly enjoying my leisure time, hanging out with my friends, and getting tipsy in the hot tub!

READ MORE: My UK Seacation with Princess Cruises

There’s a huge schedule of activities every day, featuring everything from tango lessons to Russian doll painting, but not much of it appealed to me. That doesn’t mean I had nothing to do, though. I had over a dozen bars to explore, seemingly endless food to sample, multiple pools and hot tubs to unwind in, and the occasional outdoor cinema experience. And that was plenty to keep me busy for eleven days!

READ MORE: 17 Things to do on a Regal Princess Sea Day

Service is always a big thing for me when it comes to travel, and on the whole, I thought the service on board the Regal Princess was fab. Particularly in the restaurants and bars. Our waiter Edgar from the Symphony Dining Room deserves a special mention, as do Peter, Prakash, and the rest of the team at Club 6. Everyone in the bars and restaurants was super friendly and really made us feel welcome.  The only thing I felt was lacking was a poolside order service – people didn’t come round very often and I didn’t love tearing myself away from the hot tub to get another drink!

I did think that the staff doing the checks as you got on and off the ship at the port could have been a bit friendlier. If walking into the dining room every night feels like coming home, surely coming back on board should too? I get that they’re busy doing a big job and dealing with a LOT of people every day – but it never hurts to smile! On the whole, though, the rest of the ship’s staff were amazing and I always felt right at home!

My favourite thing about cruising – besides the itinerary in this case – is always the food! There’s SO MUCH of it, and it’s all so good! I’ve already written a full review of the Regal Princess dining options and a breakdown of all the different restaurants, so I won’t dwell on it too much here.

But just in brief, the food on board the Regal Princess was excellent. And the choice is fantastic! There’s the main dining room, two enormous buffet restaurants, a poolside grill and pizzeria, a zillion cake options at the 24/7 International Cafe, and Alfredo’s pizza restaurant… all included in your cruise fare! Then there are speciality dining options and a few additional restaurants available for an extra charge. There’s so much to choose from, and absolutely no way you could get bored of it all. In fact, you could probably eat in a different restaurant every night!

My highlight was the Wine Makers Dinner, which at $40 was – I think – a pretty reasonable option for a special dinner. That price includes all your drinks, and every course is paired with a specially chosen (and generously poured) wine. It’s great if you want to try something different or mark a special occasion.

If I wasn’t in port exploring a new city, chances are I was in one of the hot tubs on the Regal Princess! This was definitely one of my favourite parts of the cruise. We had sunny, cold weather (the winds were literally Baltic!), but there was still nothing better than sitting in the hot water watching the world sail by. Especially with a glass of bubbly in hand!

There are three pools on board – two on the main lido deck, and a third in The Retreat, an adults only area near the front of the ship. While the main pool area was often quite busy, we frequently had The Retreat more or less to ourselves – so the two hot tubs there were by far my favourite. Better still, they were within calling distance of the bar, so we didn’t have to get out to order a drink.

Gym and Sports Facilities

Confession time – I never once used the sports facilities on board. No surprises there, if you know me! But if you’re less lazy than me, or you feel the need to burn off all those delicious breakfast pastries, the Regal Princess has you covered with a wealth of sports facilities on board. My fellow cruiser Charli DID make use of them, and came up with a great list of ways to stay fit and healthy on a cruise . So check that for inspiration, and check the list of sports facilities below to plan all the ways you’re going to combat your cruise indulgence:

• Fitness Centre with a well-equipped gym and a private aerobics studio
• Outdoor Jogging/Walking Track
• Center Court – can be used for basketball, tennis, volleyball and badminton
• Driving Range
• Batting Cage
• Simulated Laser Shooting
• Lawn Court – a grassy area for putting, bocce ball, croquet and lawn bowling
• Game Lounge –  including table tennis and virtual gaming with Kinect TM  systems
• Lots of daily activities, from ballroom dancing to zumba to yoga. Check the daily schedule for more details.

Princess Cruises Lotus Spa

This was one area of the Regal Princess’ facilities that I made sure to try! The Lotus Spa is a Princess Cruises staple and has been named Best Spa on a Cruise Ship by Spa finder Wellness 365. It’s a surprisingly big space, and the ambience inside was fabulously tranquil. On such a large ship, it feels pretty hard to escape all the crowds and noise – but the Lotus Spa felt totally cut off.

I spent a couple of hours relaxing inside The Enclave, the Lotus Spa’s thermal suite. Despite being fairly small, it wasn’t crowded or cramped inside. It’s a really beautiful space with a big hydro-therapy pool (I loved lying slumped on the bubble bench), two steam rooms, and a sauna.

Next, I had a full body Swedish massage in one of the stylishly decorated treatment rooms. It was so relaxing that I actually nodded off towards the end – and had to head back to The Enclave to lie down afterwards! If you have a sea day on your Regal Princess cruise and you need to escape for a while, I highly recommend the Lotus Spa experience.

I was in a Balcony cabin on my Regal Princess cruise, and was lucky enough to be right up on the Lido deck near the top of the ship. So the views from my balcony were gorgeous!

Balcony cabins are usually 214 to 222 sq. ft. At first glance, my room looked kind of small, but in actual fact it was surprisingly spacious. The rooms are really well designed to make use of the space, and I liked the enormous wardrobe area. But my favourite part of the room was the bed! Princess Cruises are known for their beds – which have been voted among the best cruise ship beds by Cruise Critic  – and I adored mine. It was so comfy, and I found it very hard to tear myself away from it most mornings.

My other highlight was the balcony, a lovely big space with a table and chairs which was perfect for lazing about watching the world – or the sea – go by! If you’re not on a tight budget, it’s definitely worth the splurge to opt for a room with a balcony. The interior cabins look perfectly nice, but you can’t beat waking up to a brand new view from your own private balcony every morning!

As I’m writing this post, I still can’t get over just how much there is to DO on board the Regal Princess! I feel like I haven’t even touched on half of it. In this Regal Princess review, I’m only really covering the aspects of the ship that I tried for myself – and the ones that I think would interest travellers similar to me.

I never had time to try the Princess Live gameshow experience, for example. And I’m gutted about that because it sounds right up my street – live gameshows filmed in an on-ship production studio? Totally on board with that idea! And I only glimpsed the enormous casino, but I did wind up embarrassing myself on the dance floor of Club 6 most nights. Again – it’s all about tailoring your cruise to YOU. There’s something for everyone.

What I did have time to enjoy, I’ve tried to include here. From the Instagram-worthy Seawalk (a glass walkway 128 feet over the ocean), to live music performances in the elegant central piazza, to the coloured fountain show after dark… there’s just so much to do on the Regal Princess that you’d struggle to do it all.

Princess Theatre

I’ll be honest here; I had visions of cringey cabaret and cheesy audience participation. Thankfully, the Princess Theatre is a far cry from the Butlins-style evening entertainment I was picturing. In fact, it’s a full-blown theatre company with a different show every night – and with several big musical numbers created by some incredible directors and choreographers.

During my 10 day Baltic cruise on the Regal Princess I caught three shows. The lively, pop-song-packed Fiera was great fun, while Princess’ signature show BRAVO was a bit more sedate and featured some incredible talents. The singers were all amazing, and the production quality was almost West-End-worthy. My favourite was the Sweet Soul Music show, though, which really showed off the dancers’ talents – and made the most of the two powerful female lead singers’ stunning voices.

Movies Under the Stars

On the Lido deck, there’s a massive outdoor screen towering above the pool. During the day, there were occasional shows – like recordings of live concerts, or nature documentaries – which was great entertainment when we were chilling in the hot tub. I loved watching a Shania Twain concert from a sun lounger with a beer in hand!

But at night, the whole Lido deck transformed into an outdoor cinema – complete with blankets and fresh popcorn. It’s such a cool idea, but unfortunately, May in the Baltics wasn’t quite the right season for al fresco viewing! It was a little bit too chilly most nights, but in nicer weather (or for people who packed more sensible clothing than I did) this is a fantastic idea!

My Regal Princess Review – Final Thoughts

Hopefully, what this post shows is that  you really can have whatever kind of holiday you want on a Princess Cruise. Want to drink the bar dry and pester the DJ with terrible song requests all night? Head to Club 6! Want to chill out in the sunshine with a book? Hit up a cabana in The Retreat! In need of some R&R… book yourself a treatment at the Lotus Spa.

There’s something for all tastes and ages so just tailor your own cruise around you to create your perfect holiday.

If you’re thinking about a cruise, but you’re not too sure it’s for you, I really recommend booking a Baltic cruise like this one. An interesting itinerary packed with cool cities, a ship full of fun things to do, and plenty of different ways to unwind. It’s the perfect combination.

My final highlight of the cruise? The Sail Away party as we left Copenhagen on the official first day of the cruise – our last night. Because you just haven’t lived until you’ve attempted to do the Cha Cha Slide inside a hot tub after many glasses of champagne!

Cost: from £ 1,269 Start/Finish: Roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark Next cruise dates: click here

Have you ever taken a cruise on board the Regal Princess, or any other Princess Cruises ship? Share your experiences in the comments. I’d love to hear what you thought!

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12 thoughts on “On Board the Regal Princess – Cruising Scandinavia and Russia”

what an awesome way to see a great region of the world!

It’s a great way to see a lot in a short time!

This ship looks wonderful. You should try a cruise around the Black Sea (Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia and Ukraine)

Ooh that’s definitely on my cruising wish-list, thanks!

This is a really good introduction to cruise travel for those who haven’t tried it before. We also dismissed it as ‘not our style’ until we tried it and loved it! Definitely would try it again.

Same here!! This is my second cruise now and I’d definitely do another. Not at all what I’d expected and a geat way to see a lot with a short timeframe!

We are going on this cruise on 27 April! My excitement level is now 5 x after reading your post!! Did you see anything of Warnemunde? Were people saying it was worth the long trip to Berlin? Any clothing you’d recommend? Thanks Tamara

Eek that’s so exciting Tamara – I’m thrilled for you. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time!!!

I didn’t see much of Warnemunde as we started the cruise a day later than the itinerary due to time constraints, so we flew into Berlin and drove to Warnemunde and pretty much got straight on the ship. I personally probably wouldn’t spend 2.5 hours driving to Berlin and back just for one day, but if you’ve never been and you’re keen to see Berlin I guess it wouldn’t be too bad. Warnemunde itself is quite pretty. Or if you want a day trip that’s not as far as Berlin, these are all well recommended: Schwerin Castle, Wismar, Lubeck, and Bad Doberan. From Bad Doberan you can take a steam train back to Rostock, which is very close to Warnemunde, so that’s probably what I’d do if I did the trip again!

Clothing-wise, you’ll want some fancy clothes for the formal nights, but don’t feel like you have to wear a ball gown as I saw plenty of people looking rather casual still. I dressed in the kind of thing I would wear to a wedding. Most nights I wore a dress and some sparkly flip flops to dinner and that was generally fine. Other than that, you want at least a couple of swimsuits in case the first doesn’t dry before your next pool session! And lots of comfy clothes for exploring cities. Decent footwear is a must!

Hope that helps – have an amazing trip!

Ps any comments on shopping? On board or what to look for in particular ports? Best prices?? ?

I didn’t really do any shopping myself so I’m not sure. I’d avoid the souvenir shops that pop up close to the ports, though, as they’re always overpriced. Look for markets or local independant shops instead. In Tallinn the Kalamaja district is a really cool area with pop-up shops in an old industrial warehouse type building, and some nice restaurants. It’s a great place to pick up more interesting souvenirs and hand-crafted goods etc. Gamla Stan in Stockholm is another great area for shopping, there are loads of unique little boutique shops there. We found a really cool little jewellery shop there – I wish I could remember what it was called.

Wonderful thanks! I’ve read about a tour with a company called Friends of Dave in Warnemunde which takes in the sites you mentioned so we are giving that a go. Looking forward to reading about your next adventure Emily!

Aaah that sounds perfect!! Have a great trip :)

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Cruising Scandinavia, St Petersburg and the Baltic Sea with Princess Cruises

Home » Travel Style » Cruise » Cruising Scandinavia, St Petersburg and the Baltic Sea with Princess Cruises

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Updated: 2nd July 2018

DISCLOSURE: PRODUCED IN PARTERNSHIP WITH PRINCESS CRUISES

‘I love getting off the ship and seeing everything of course, but boy, it’s the people you meet that make it so damn exciting’  she laughed as we clinked a couple of Long Island Ice Teas together in the saloon bar following a weekend of dashing around St Petersburg.

I don’t think we even knew each other’s name at that point, but we had spent a good couple of days catching up nightly. In the ‘real world,’ there was an ocean and nearly 30-years between, but on a cruise ship all that goes out the window.  The journey really is as important as the destination. 

To be honest, it was the itinerary that really drew me to this cruise; I used to assume cruising would be islands around the Med or Caribbean and that didn’t really appeal. But the chance to visit the capitals of the Baltic Sea without unpacking every day, expensive hotels and annoying flights more than had me sold and I came away from my first  Princess Cruise  with an entirely different perspective on life at the seas. I think, in a big part, due to the fantastic stops made on a Baltic Sea cruise.

My top 5 things about this Cruise

1. The Itinerary  – with seven cities over eleven days much of the time was spent exploring destinations on fairly long port days which was awesome.

2. Waking up in a new destination (nearly) every day  – It’s true, cruising really does feel like a holiday. You go to sleep, wake up, pop on the balcony for sunrise, and the ship has done all the hard work while you snooze.

3. Meeting so many new people  – I thought cruising would be different from my usual travels as I wouldn’t make as many connections but boy I was wrong. With 5000 people on the ship (yet it never felt crowded), there was the chance to make so many new friends from around the world.

4. Venturing to Russia without a visa –  This was a massive bonus for time and money, and it was an excellent introduction to the country.

5. Enjoying a more relaxing way of travel –  I went for a massage, I chilled out in hot tubs, and I unapologetically ate heavily from the all-inclusive menu, things I wouldn’t usually treat myself to on a typical trip.

CRUISE DETAILS

This  11-day Baltic Sea cruise  with Princess Cruises starts from £999pp for an interior stateroom based on twin-share*. Taking in Warnemunde Germany, Oslo Norway, Copenhagen Denmark, Stockholm Sweden, Helsinki Finland, St. Petersburg Russia and Tallinn Estonia, it offers a great chance to explore many cities in a short vacation.

*load factor, dates, availability and other factors will affect the final quoted price

So, where did we go?

With only a few sea days, much of the time was spent on land exploring the multitude of capitals across the Baltic sea. We visited seven different destinations (though know you can join the cruise at a few different points providing more flexibility) – the map below highlights the route of the ship with Copenhagen being the most popular embarkment point. A bonus is Norwegian Air offer some very cheap flights here.

If you haven’t checked out the video at the top of the page do so, you can see a brief tour of each city and find a summary below. Want to know more about each destination and what you can fit into one day? Click the links to take a look!

*Note the ‘time in port’ as detailed below can change cruise to cruise based on numerous things, the Princess Cruises website will show the correct timetable depending on the date you choose. 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Time in port:  5 am – 6 pm

Transport/distance:  Around a 20-minute bus to the city or hire bikes for a leisurely cycle in like I did

Excursions available:  From canal cruises, city tours, local fishing villages through to renaissance castles, the Princess team can book various trips onboard.

Copenhagen is just a seriously cool, clean and contemporary city with plenty of history thrown in. We arranged bikes from the Shorex team and cycle into the city which doesn’t take long as sights such as The Little Mermaid are under a 30-minute ride away. The best thing about discovering Denmark on bikes is that you can nip between all of the attractions. From the world-famous Tivoli Gardens to the colourful houses and cafes of Nyhavn, the poster child of Copenhagen, there are plenty of ways to fill a day in the capital of Denmark. Just be warned, this city ain’t cheap, but there are a few ways to save money in Copenhagen .

READ MORE: ONE DAY IN COPENHAGEN

Warnemunde, Germany

I boarded the ship here after flying into Hamburg, so can’t comment much on what is around to explore. This is another significant benefit of this particular Princess route is that they have various points you can start and leave the ship meaning you can tailor your cruise to be more personal.

Time in port:  7 am – 9pm

Transport/distance:  Although marked as Berlin’s port, it is around 3-hours away with Hamburg being closer. Trains or ideally the cruise transfer services will be needed here.

Excursions available:  While travel to Berlin or Hamburg is possible, the most exciting excursions, in my opinion, were those taking in the various castles and lakes of northern Germany.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn was one of the most surprising ports of call for me and the ship parked up just a short walk from the old-town, so you can casually stroll in after a leisurely breakfast. Being so well preserved, the old-town with its turrets, grand churches and people in traditional dress feels like a medieval world gone by. Flip that with the contrast of the redeveloped and trendy area by the train station where designer pop-ups and uber-cool restaurants hang out and your time on land here can feel like two different destinations in one.

Time in port:  8 am – 5 pm

Transport/distance:  A 20-minute walk or short bus to the city

Excursions available:  Tallinn is super easy to explore by foot, but with a fascinating history, you might want to opt for a private guide. Winetasting, beer making and lighthouse cycle tours are just some of the unique excursion offerings by Princess. READ MORE: ONE DAY IN TALLINN

St Petersburg, Russia

Forget everything you ever hear about Russia in the press and head to St Petersburg with an open mind. St Petersburg is a city of art, of beauty, of creatives and a progressive mindset and it blew me away! From palaces that cover entire parks to churches with thousands of ornate tiles, the architecture here is outstanding. Our guide was excellent and provided plenty of time to ask questions and discuss daily life in the city, and we had enough time to not only walk the streets and get a feel for the place but also some extraordinary activities. Early access to the Hermitage Museum and top seats to the Russian Ballet, all organised by Princess Cruises pre-booking power.

Time in port:  2-days, 6am – 6 pm

Transport/distance:  Around 40 minutes transfer

Excursions available:  If you want to take advantage of no visa entry to Russia, you must book an excursion off the ship either with Princess directly or an authorised local agent. I’d highly recommend the ‘Best of’ tour specifically for small groups and adding an early entry to the Hermitage museum.

READ MORE: TWO DAYS IN ST PETERSBURG

Helsinki, Finland

To be honest, while Finland is a country I really want to explore the capital city of Helsinki was likely the least exciting stop for me. Relatively compact I think we had more than enough time here to see the main attractions such as the Cathedral, markets and museums and we even fit in a sneaky small cruise around the small islands nearby which Princess offer as a stand-alone activity.

Time in port:  10 am – 6pm

Transport/distance:  Approx 20 minute bus

Excursions available:  I took the local boat tour before exploring the city by bus and then solo on foot. Princess has some pretty cool excursions here including distillery tours and local farm visits. READ MORE: ONE DAY IN HELSINKI

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is hands down one of my favourite cities and having been multiple times before I’m not sure how subjective I can be about one-day here. In our group, it seemed to be the place everyone decided they would want to come back to. That said, you can fit a lot into one day and additional days would likely be spent checking out the never-ending museum offerings and just soaking up the super lifestyle of hanging out in Stockholm.

Do use the public transport to explore here as most of the stations are pieces of art themselves, check out one of the museums and get blissfully lost in Gamla Stan, the cute and colourful old-town – there are plenty of ways to spend  one day in Stockholm .

Time in port:  Varies depending if docking in the city or Nynashamn. We docked in Nynashamn so had longer, 7 am – 7 pm

Transport/distance:  If in the city, short walk. If Nynashamn, around an hour by bus or train

Excursions available:  With excursions around both Stockholm and the fishing villages of Nynashamn available there is plenty to pick from, but the rooftop tour of Stockholm, complete with a safety harness, is by far one of the most exciting.

Things to do with one day in Stockholm, Sweden

Exploring the city by subway.

With many of the stations having unique artwork displays covering the jagged rock caves, you can get around quickly on your day trip here while also admiring an underground art gallery.

It’s worth checking out all of the best  Stockholm underground stations  even if they aren’t near something you want visiting though if you only have one day in Stockholm, then pick a handful to explore.

Marvel at a museum

You’ll also find plenty of museums in Stockholm, including the impressive Vasa museum which houses the old ship in its entirety and pays homage to just how important the oceans have been to Sweden over the years. In fact, there are countless  museums and galleries in Stockholm , the Abba one is good for a laugh, and the Photographic is one of my favourites, but there is something for everyone.

Grona Land, an assessment park on one of the islands is a great pick for families or if you just want to kick back with a picnic lunch then head to Djurgarden, a leafy island where many locals can be found relaxing.

Having coffee and cake with friends is such a big deal in Sweden it has its own name: Fika. Danish pastries, especially cinnamon buns, can be found in countless cafes so settle in and get your people watching skills out to enjoy a cheeky sweet treat in the name of local culture.

Get lost in Gamla Stan

The old town, Gamla Stan, is where you will likely spend most of your time in the city if you only have one day in Stockholm. Start in Stortorget, the oldest square in the old town and then get blissfully lost in the small streets of tall colourful houses leading off the square.

Visit the Royal Palace

While you can go inside the Royal Palace which is still in use today if you want to save time or money, then admire it from the outside where gold crowns line the fence, and the guards stand on duty in their navy blue suits. Changing of the guard is quite dramatic to watch and can include guards on horses and an accompanying band, up to date information on times can be found on the  official website .

Oslo, Norway

I got off the ship in Oslo, another city I have visited before and one I 100% think is covered in a day. For me, the beauty and magic of Norway are actually outside the cities and waking up at 6 am to watch the sail in past Fjords, small cabins and through the mist was the best part. With a long port day here you could quickly jump on the metro to the end of the line and enjoy a half day hike in Norway beautiful nature or hang around the city and visit sights such as the Opera House, Fortress and Maritime Museums.

Time in port:  8 am – 10 pm

Transport/distance:  Short walk or bus into the city

Excursions available:  With cycling tours, city overviews, galleries or Viking ship specialised excursions, for those not wanting to explore on their own you have plenty to choose from.

READ MORE: ONE DAY IN OSLO

What options were there for excursions or solo adventures?

Princess Cruises have an abundance of excursions, from small groups to large buses, typical tourists sight right through to a range of ‘Off the beaten path’ tours which are ideal for the more intrepid or if you have already been to a destination before. They can also usually conjure up and create something for tailor requests through one of their many local agencies, so if you want a bike to meet you at the port or a private driver, it is also not a problem.

That said, at nearly all our ports (excluding St Petersburg) it was easy to access the city via either public transport or walking which means if you do just want to venture off solo then that is 100% possible.  Something I just assumed wouldn’t be easy on cruises, but now I know how close most ports are, especially on the Baltic Cruise, it indeed is.

What is life like on the Regal Princess?

I’ve written a big post on  Cruise FAQ’s and Myths  which you should check out for some more answers but it was very different from what I expected.

Firstly, given the vast number of people onboard I expected it to feel jam-packed, but Princess ship design focuses on creating lots of smaller areas, from games rooms to multiple bars and lounges so that you feel comfortable and in a smaller environment.

The rooms are also rather spacious, especially with a balcony (like mine, see below) as a place to retire to if you want some me-time. Room Service is included in the price, and there are plenty of new release movies on the TV so if you just want a chill day that is entirely possible.

Most days started with a leisurely breakfast, a walk around the roof-top running track (I don’t run when I’m on holiday :P) before disembarking for a day of adventures. By night, a sit down a la carte meal (also included) followed by either a hot-tub dip or cocktail on the open roof deck watching a movie was the perfect way to end a day. Casinos and Club 6, the nightclub, also cropped up once or twice!

Let’s talk about the food…

I expected cruising to be quite samey when it came to food, buffets and repetitive menus but that couldn’t be any further from the truth.

There were countless dining options included in the price from A La Carte restaurants, buffets, bars serving up snacks through to ice-cream, burger grills and even a popcorn hut on the open decks. One thing is for sure; you won’t go hungry.

There are some dining upgrades available at a surcharge, but these range from only $20-$40 and when some of them include wine-pairing, such as the magnificent wine room in the dining hall, they are rather good value. My favourite was Sabatini’s, the Italian dining restaurant which had some of the best food I have ever eaten.

My friend Emily who was also on the ship has written a detailed  review of dining on Regal Princess  – worth checking out if you are in the mood to salivate right now!

Drinks are not included however, but with wine starting from $6 a glass and cocktails at $9 it is all fairly priced, especially considering a pint in Oslo might set you back $14. Drinks packages are available for the thirsty so you can essential bulk buy drinks on the ship. Brining more than one bottle of booze onboard isnt allowed so you do need to factor in both your drinks and excursion money to the final price.

What activities are available onboard?

It’s actually nuts how much you have on offer on the ship – multiple pools and hot tubs (some heated), a rooftop cinema and smaller ‘live’ studio showing movies and live game-shows and competitions, a theatre, all the food, gym, running track, tennis court, spa, relaxation area and then on top of that a whole host of daily activities ranging from art auctions to local inspired classes. If you want to see the whole of the ship,  check our my mates Jess post as she takes you on a  tour of Regal Princess .

But does it get boring being stuck at sea?

I have very itchy feet so I also though cruising might make me feel a bit bored but with countless activities and countless new friends to find that is certainly not the case on a ship like this. They even have decent wifi on the ship which costs around $10 a day but for ship wifi and how good it was the price seemed fair, especially if you need to stay connected to work during your holiday.

How to spend a Sea Day?

You are honestly spoilt for choice. Princess Cruises have an app which will show you all the available activities for the day (and let you order room service breakfast, boom!) and from there you can map out a jam-packed day or take it as lazy as you want.

If you want to indulge then book into the Spa for a treatment (excellent massages I’ll say *additional cost) before heading up to the adult only Retreat to hang out in the pool in a relaxed environment. There is an area called ‘The Sanctuary’ alongside the Retreat but The Sanctuary has an entrance fee attached, given how few people were in the complimentary Retreat I didn’t see the point in investing in this area.

For those wanting to stay active onboard, there is plenty of sports activities and even a running track on the top deck. The gym is large and well-stocked and also offers classes such as Yoga to join in. Charli, my fit friend who visited the gym far more than I wrote up a guide on  how to stay healthy on a cruise ship  with some handy tips.

Beyond that, go and make connections. Do anytime dining where you can join a group table at lunch and dinner and make some new friends onboard. Head to the trivia quiz and make the team with strangers. Hang out in a bar and share beers with some mates you just haven’t met yet or attend one of the ‘single mingles’ if you are looking for love while sailing the seas!

Entertainment on the ship

Alongside the Princess Live theatre I said about with events through the day and the Movies under the stars on the rooftop, there are countless performances throughout the ship daily.

From small quartets of classical music to large bands rocking up the atrium, you’ll find something to soothe your ears or get your feet dancing. Princess often has speciality bands, and performers join for just one week which also keeps the entertainment fresh. The Sail Away parties, welcome parties and Formal nights (where everyone looks all dapper and in good spirits) offer some of the best evenings for entertainment.

Also, a massive shout out to the Theatre team who put on exceptional shows nearly every night from classical to contemporary performances the amount of talent on the stage was insane. I spent years training at drama school, and some of those voices deserve to be on the west end, so it was a treat to settle into a comfy seat, cocktail in hand and enjoy an epic performance without having to buy a ticket.

Indulgent or Intrepid?

I think ultimately Cruising can be whatever you want it to be, that was my main takeaway. If you wish to indulge yourself in fine foods, fine wines and no-expenses-spared excursions before returning to the ship and being pampered in the spa that is possible. Heres some tips on how to have  a truly indulgent day at sea .

If however you are more like me and want to make lots of new mates, find off the beaten path spots on port days and come away with a load of new contacts in your phonebook from all walks of life than you can make the experience a lot more intrepid than you might believe.  Hit the link below for my top tips on how to do so.

Anything I didn’t like?

Overall I really enjoyed my trip with Princess Cruises, and there were hardly any negatives. At times the service was a bit OTT in a more American style and occasional non-existent at a few bars while waiting for staff to turn up but in general, the crew were excellent.

I’d also love to see Princess Cruises lead the way by banning all straws and single-use plastics onboard. While they have limited them on the open decks and have recycling bins, for an ocean-based business, I would love to see them, and balloon drop parties, taken off the agenda.

This  11-day Baltic Sea cruise  with Princess Cruises starts from £999pp for an interior stateroom based on twin-share*. Taking in Warnemunde Germany, Oslo Norway, Copenhagen Denmark, Stockholm Sweden, Helsinki Finland, St. Petersburg Russia and Tallinn Estonia, it offers a great chance to explore many cities in a short vacation.

*As stated above I was a guest of Princess Cruises

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Hi Dan, amazing review! We will do The same Cruise. Can you give me the data of the bike rental that gave you the bikes in the pier at Copenhague? Thanx a lot! Mariana

Hi Mariana,

The bike rental was actually arranged by the concierge on the cruise, but there is also another company with bike pick up and drop off self-service stands across the city – https://bycyklen.dk/en/find-a-bike/

I’ll see if I can find out the actual company we used too.

Great Review! We had a wonderful Baltic cruise with Princess Cruises too! ☺

Just sharing our trip itinerary and review too!

https://discoverbooktravel.com/baltic-cruise-southampton-trip-report-and-itinerary/

Wow, with so many days and the lux inside, the price is actually pretty good. Hope I could try this one day :)

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An Active Traveller’s Review Of The Princess Cruises Baltic Sea Itinerary

I’ll be honest with you, until I accepted an invitation from Princess Cruises to experience their Baltic Sea itinerary I’d never considered booking a cruise .

It wasn’t because I’d heard bad things about cruising, or that the idea of visiting multiple countries in one trip didn’t appeal to me, I think I just assumed that I wouldn’t enjoy staying in close quarters with so many other people all taking the same trip as me.

Full disclosure, as I write this I’m travelling as a guest of Princess Cruises aboard one of their newest ships the Regal Princess .

I’ve just spent the day at sea and tomorrow morning I’ll wake up in Copenhagen Denmark where I depart the ship and head home.

If you’d like to take a look at the full itinerary on the Princess Cruises website please click here .

A FIRST TIME CRUISER’S REVIEW OF THE PRINCESS CRUISES EXPERIENCE

I’m an active traveller who loves researching new destinations and putting together an itinerary that fits my style of travel , so to tell you the truth I was quite intrigued to find out what the cruise travel experience was like. Having spent five days aboard Regal Princess cruising the Baltic Sea I’m thrilled to say that I’ve taken to cruising like a duck to water . Pardon the pun.

On arriving at the German port of Warnemunde where I was meeting the ship, I was quite intimidated by the sheer scale of the vessel.

If you’ve never seen a cruise ship up close imagine the biggest multi-story car-park you’ve ever seen and triple it. To put it into perspective using some fun stats the ship’s captain Tim Stringer shared with me, the ship is 141,000 tonnes when fully loaded, uses around 700,000 US dollars in fuel to sail the 11 day route around the Baltic, and rises 60 metres above the waterline .

To put it bluntly, it’s bloody enormous.

That being said, this means that the ship has pretty much the same amenities as a land-based resort. I’ll go into more detail about what’s on offer later in the post, but for now I’ll simply say that I’ve been extremely happy with the level of comfort and service on board .

PRINCESS CRUISES’ BALTIC ITINERARY IS IDEAL FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

The first thing that piqued my interest in Princess Cruises’ invitation was their Scandinavian and Russian itinerary.

An 11-day cruise, the ship travels around the Baltic Sea calling in at Copenhagen, Oslo, Warnemunde (Germany), Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm , and guests can check in and out at either St Petersburg, Copenhagen, or Warnemunde; which is where I joined the ship last Wednesday.

In some cases, special requests can be made to join the ship at any of the other ports. Contact your booking agent or Princess Cruises directly for more information.

Of the full 11 day trip only two days are spent at sea, one at the beginning and another toward the end of the route. The ship docks in St Petersburg for two days, and spends one day in each of the other ports on the itinerary. This brings me to one of the main reasons I decided to join Princess Cruises here in the Baltic; as a cruise passenger you can visit Russia without a visa .

GUESTS CAN VISIT RUSSIA WITHOUT A VISA

Anyone who has ever tried to get a Russian visa will tell you that it is a reasonably complex process , not a simple ‘just check the box’ kind of task. It can be costly (around £200 for British travellers), and you have to attend a Russian Visa Application Centre in either London, Manchester, or Edinburgh to submit your application.

Full entry requirements for UK citizens can be found here .

Cruise or ferry passengers can stay in Russia for 72 hours without a visa if they have booked tours through officially licensed companies. Guests are free to use any authorised travel agency (not just cruise ship tour companies), however the visa-free exception applies only to those who join an organised tour.

You can confirm that the operator is licensed by asking them to send you a tour ticket , which is called a blanket visa or booking confirmation, and will let you pass the customs/immigration offices without any other documents except a valid passport and key card for the ship.

Note that if anything happens to your passport during your stay you must get an exit visa to leave Russia so be militant about keeping an eye on your documents during your stay

MY 48 HOUR CRUISE STOP IN ST PETERSBURG

I opted for a two-day tour of St Petersburg and booked through Princess Cruises for two reasons:

Number one, they were offering second row seats to watch the ballet Swan Lake at the oldest theatre in St Petersburg as part of the package!

Number two, the ship always waits for its own tours to return, whereas if you have an issue with a third party tour and don’t make the port in time for departure the captain will not wait for you.

READ MORE POSTS FROM MY TIME ABOARD REGAL PRINCESS

PRINCESS CRUISES’ BALTIC SEA ITINERARY IS ON POINT

If you sat me down and asked me to make a list of cities in northern Europe that were on my bucket list, every single one of those on Princess Cruises’ itinerary would have made the grade.

Showcasing the very best of Scandi culture and Baltic charm, the route encompasses iconic sites like the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Tallinn’s picturesque medieval streets, and Copenhagen’s colourful Nyhavn neighbourhood .

If you follow me on Instagram you can watch highlights from my stories in my gallery; check out the wanderlust inducing pics in my feed by clicking here .

Over the course of the next seven days I’ll be adding more city guides to this section of the post so book mark it and pop back soon 😊

THE EXPERIENCE IN PORT FULFILLED MY DESIRE FOR ADVENTURE

I was a little bit nervous about whether or not I would enjoy cruise travel. I often see cruise ship tours as I explore the world and more often than not the participants look like cattle being herded around by a rather stressed guide talking in multiple languages. I think in some cases this is true of cruising, but it’s far from the experience I’ve had with Princess Cruises.

Other than in Russia, where guided tours are mandatory for everyone departing the ship, their Baltic itinerary allows for self-directed travel at each port . So that’s exactly what I’ve done. For me, a tour-bus style scenario isn’t enjoyable, but in every port I’ve been able to get off the ship and either walk to or hop on some public transport to get to the points of interest I’m keen to see.

If you do choose to manage your own itinerary at each port just be aware that YOU MUST BE BACK AT THE SHIP IN TIME TO DEPART . They will not wait for you if you are late and you will be responsible for making your own way to the next port of call to carry on the cruise!

Not sure what to pack for your next cruise? Take a look at my cruise packing list here .

THE REGAL PRINCESS ‘ON BOARD EXPERIENCE’ IS IMMENSE

I feel this section should be a whole new blog post on its own, there’s just so much to say.

I’ll start with my cabin (known as a stateroom), which I thought would be the most important place for me on the ship however it’s actually the place in which I spent the least amount of time!

PIN THIS POST TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS FOR LATER 

Save this post and re-visit it when you want to book your next cruise!

REVIEW OF BALCONY STATEROOM ABOARD REGAL PRINCESS

• My First Look at Regal Princess
• Princess-Cruises-State-Room-Review-1
• Princess-Cruises-State-Room-Review-3
• Princess-Cruises-State-Room-Review-4

I’m staying in a balcony suite which can be arranged as a queen or twin room. I’m on the 12 th deck, called Aloha (there are 19 in total), and I’m pretty close to the back of the ship.

The room is well equipped with a desk and chair, mini-fridge (which you can opt to have set up as a mini-bar), shower room, and hanging clothes storage . The bed is extremely comfortable and the pillows are firm but soft enough to pummel into which ever shape is comfy. The balcony is a luxury but to be honest it’s so cold here that I’ve not actually been out to sit on it yet. If you’re on a tight budget I’d suggest that an internal room would be more than adequate – you’ll only be in there to sleep and shower.

As a British traveller who loves her tea the one thing I’d suggest you note is that there are no tea and coffee making facilities in the room , however one call to room service and there’s a pot delivered to my door within minutes. If you’re made keen on tea you could bring a travel kettle with you, just remember to bring a US plug adapter.

Other in-room amenities include a flat screen TV, bath robes and slippers, toiletries including shower gel and shampoo, and a hairdryer.

MEDALLION CLASS WIFI – YOU CAN SKYPE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE BALTIC SEA

As someone who is permanently attached to one of a number of devices I was thrilled to hear that the ship offered the next generation of satellite WIFI, known as Medallion Net . For as little as $9.99 per day I could connect all my devices, and although the speed wasn’t akin to the super-fast broadband we have at home, I could do 90% of what I needed to without too much waiting around.

If you’re looking to make VOIP calls, update your social media and share photos with friends the net will be more than sufficient.

REVIEW OF THE FACILITIES ON BOARD REGAL PRINCESS

There are a huge amount of facilities offered on the ship and I’m sure I’ll forget to cover a few in this guide so I’ve linked to the PDF ship guide produced by Princess Cruises and you can download it here .

The public areas of the ship are spread across decks four to seven, and on decks 16 to 19.

DINING OPTIONS ON REGAL PRINCESS

The ship has three main dining rooms that serve a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day . They are located at the aft of the ship on decks five and six. Here you’ll find traditional restaurant favourites as well as a menu of daily specials. Depending on your food and beverage package you can dine anytime or book a table each night.

In addition, Regal Princess also offers two specialist restaurants, an Italian and a Grill, as well as a 24 hour café, two buffets, a pizzeria, burger bar, gelato stand, pastry shop, and smoothie bar. I certainly found that my tastes were catered to and I’m confident yours well be as well .

By far my favourite dining experience was the Wine Maker’s dinner. For a $40 cover charge per person you can treat yourself to a four-course dinner with paired wines on a private table in one of the main restaurants . George our maître d shared his knowledge of the ship’s vast wine cellar and served up some truly sumptuous dishes accompanied by delicious wines from around the world. This would be the ideal dining experience if you’re celebrating a special occasion during the trip.

Vicki from @MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld has put together this  guide to dining options on board Regal Princess, check it out if you’re keen to see the various restaurants and bars in more detail.

ON BOARD ENTERTAINMENT ON REGAL PRINCESS

Wow, where do I start.

I think my favourite of the ship’s many amenities is the fitness centre. I know that sounds really dull but making sure I kept up my fitness allowed me to make the most of my time away .

Equipped with everything you’d find in your local gym back home, the ship also offers yoga, pilates, spa treatments (try the ginger and lime body scrub and massage) and personal training sessions, as well as health seminars covering a range of topics like spinal health and nutrition.

Read my smart tips to stay fit and healthy on a cruise here.

There’s also a running track that encircles the 19th deck; seven laps make a mile. It’s a great way to kick start the day, especially when the ship has just arrived into a new port as you have first dibs on a view of the new destination!

You’ll be pleased to know that next on my list is the Sea View Bar. As the ship sails away from each port the bar tenders whip up sundowners to be sipped on the deck as the sun sinks below the horizon. Situated on deck 16, the Lido Deck, here you’ll find most of the swimming pools and sunbathing areas on board, and despite the Baltic weather (we averaged about 16 degrees with sunny skies) I found I spent quite a lot of my free time here .

As soon as the sun has set the giant movie screen jumps to life and each night a programme of movies plays under the stars. If you’re lucky you can nab yourself a spot in a hot tub and settle in for the duration, it’s heavenly!

Other highlights include a casino (only open when in international waters), a theatre (the shows are fabulous, my favourite was Fiera), a nightclub, and a signature feature of Regal Princess, the SeaWalk.

Although I’m not great with heights I loved walking out over the ocean and watching the waves crash 60 metres beneath my feet . It was such a thrill to see the ship below and look out toward the oceanic horizon.

IS THE PRINCESS CRUISES EXPERIENCE RIGHT FOR ACTIVE TRAVELLERS?

In short, I found that Princess Cruises offered everything a traveller would need to enjoy their stay aboard and allowed their guests to define their itinerary in every port.

My initial concern that I would find myself in an ‘organised tour’ scenario was far from the relaxed, independent experience I enjoyed, and I would recommend Princess Cruises and their Baltic Sea itinerary to other active travellers of any age. For me, the main attraction of cruising is the convenience of a multi-stop itinerary without the need for multiple flights and hotel check-ins .

I did find that there was a much smaller proportion of people my age (early 30s) compared to those over 60, however I didn’t find this off putting and actually met a number of very interesting retirees who chose to cruise in order to see as much of the world as possible in their later years.

My time on board was incredibly enjoyable and thanks to the amazing hospitality, 5-star amenities, and world-class itinerary, I’d definitely recommend the experience to my friends and family, and book to travel with Princess Cruises again.

If you’ve enjoyed my active traveller’s review of Princess Cruises’ Baltic Sea itinerary keep an eye out for other posts in the series coming soon!

INSPIRED? PIN THIS POST TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS!

Have you been cruising before? Would you recommend it to other active travellers? Share your experiences with me in the comments below.

This is quite an amazing blog post. Keep up the great work.

Am now prepared to go on this cruise. So informative with helpful tips and suggestions!

Great news, thanks for your comment Kim. I hope you have a fabulous time aboard!

This looks cool! As a Latvian, I have also never thought of going on a cruise in the Baltic Sea – not until now haha. I doubt they go to Russia now though

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More From Forbes

How to see the best of northern europe on a scandinavian cruise.

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Cruise ship passengers enjoy the view of Sweden’s Stockholm archipelago from the Royal Caribbean ... [+] ship ‘Serenade of the Seas.’

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the culture of the Vikings or explore what makes people in the Nordic region the so-called happiest on earth, you could do a lot worse than book a Scandinavian cruise.

Scandinavia—and Norway in particular—is an expensive place to travel around, so a cruise can make financial sense for those seeking an introduction to the region. For one price, you get your travel, accommodation, meals, and entertainment covered.

Such a trip offers the opportunity to sample various Scandinavian travel highlights , whether you prefer the Scandinavian capitals, the stunning Norwegian fjords, or soaking up the atmosphere of beautiful islands and historic ports in the Baltic Sea.

Popular Scandinavian Cruise Itineraries

Many different types of itinerary can be advertised as Scandinavian cruises. Typically, they focus on the Nordic capital cities. Some may also include the highlights of the Baltic Sea region, including the Baltic countries and ports in the north of Germany and Poland.

With popular Norwegian fjords cruises together with midnight sun and northern lights tours to the north of Norway also available, there is a lot of diversity in Scandinavian cruises.

Scandinavian Capitals : Cruise itineraries starting in the U.K. or Germany and calling in at two or even all three of Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen have long been popular.

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The Nyhavn district of Copenhagen, Denmark, is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers ... [+] visiting Scandinavia.

Helsinki is often included on such itineraries. If you want to explore modern Scandinavia while gaining access to some of the region’s best museums, such an itinerary is a perfect choice.

Such itineraries tend to be shorter, and are a great introduction to both cruising and Scandinavia, with limited sea days and plenty to see and do while in port.

Baltic Sea : Longer Scandinavian itineraries often include stops at Baltic Sea islands and ports. The beautiful Estonian capital city, Tallinn, or the Latvian capital, Riga, are particular highlights, as are ports on the northern coastline of Germany and Poland.

For those interested in Viking history, look out for smaller ship itineraries featuring Visby on the wonderful island of Gotland .

One such trip is this 12-night itinerary from Celebrity Cruises, which includes a visit to both Visby and Tallinn. Other highlights include a visit to Stockholm and Copenhagen, including an overnight stop in the latter.

The old city walls of Visby on Gotland island, a popular cruise port.

Norwegian Fjords : By far the most variety can be found in the Norwegian fjords region , with almost all major cruise lines operating at least some itineraries here. Although port calls in Flåm and Geiranger will soon be severely limited, many alternative ports will still be able to welcome some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Whether you prefer the action-packed ships of Royal Caribbean or MSC, or the smaller ships that can sail along narrower fjords, there will be a Norwegian fjords itinerary for you.

Following the recent rise in popularity of the region as a cruising destination, the fjords season has extended, with trips available as early as April and as late as September.

British line P&O Cruises operates its relatively new megaship Iona in the fjords region for much of that period, with regular departures from Southampton on a popular 7-day itinerary.

Midnight Sun : Although all summer cruises in the region will experience long summer days, specific midnight sun itineraries set sail for the far north of Norway to let guests experience the thrill of being outside with the sun in the sky at midnight. Many of these trips visit Honningsvåg, which allows guests to travel by bus to the North Cape.

Northern Lights : In recent years, Scandinavia—or more specifically Norway—has become a year-round cruising destination thanks to the growth in popularity of northern lights cruises .

Aurora borealis in the sky seen from a cruise ship in Arctic Norway.

These itineraries can be found heading north of the Arctic Circle between October and early April.

Planning Tips For Scandinavian Cruises

Cruising in Northern Europe offers a fantastic variety of excursions and experiences, from historical city tours to adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures.

The region’s love of the outdoors lifestyle means active experiences are easy to find, both through cruise line excursions and independent operators.

The high levels of English comprehension across the region means booking your own activities and exploring ports independently is much easier than in many other parts of the world. Even so, look for independent tours that take place earlier in the day to reduce any time-related risk.

No matter when you visit Scandinavia, pack for all weathers. The height of summer can be marred by heavy rainfall, while it’s possible to get sunburnt in the snow-covered conditions of February and March.

Pack a versatile wardrobe. Layered clothing accommodates the region's variable weather, while specialized gear might be necessary for specific excursions.

Cruising And Sustainability

Prospective travelers should be aware of environmental concerns associated with cruising in this pristine region. The industry is moving towards sustainability, with initiatives to introduce zero-emission vessels in sensitive areas, particularly the UNESCO-listed Norwegian fjords .

Some local initiatives protesting against cruise travel have also gathered momentum, so cruisers should be aware of these issues before setting foot ashore.

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Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

Unpack once and visit seven different scandinavian countries.

Best Cruise Line Itineraries

Recommend Magazine 12-time winner

On a Baltic cruise with Princess®, unpack once and visit seven different countries within Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Let the gold-lined palaces and monuments recount stories from these revolutionary regions. Along the way, meet the many famous figures that call these lands home. From Vikings to castles and cathedrals, relive history as you come face-to-face with these significant sites.

Scandinavia & Baltic cruises

On a Scandinavia and Baltic cruise, discover a whole new way of life. Feel the spirit of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan, hear from craftsmen in Tallinn and explore Helsinki’s Senate Square, where art, culture, religion, politics and education converge. Trek throughout these cities alongside expert guides who hold secrets of seasons past. Or step into the homes of locals to uncover long-standing traditions.

Featured Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise Ports

Discover some of the world-renowned destinations that await you on an Scandinavia & Baltic cruise with Princess.

Why Cruise Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

From astounding fjords to astonishing palaces, the treasures of Scandinavia and Baltic region welcome you to explore.

Step back in time

Get up close to historical gems on a Baltic cruise with Princess. View ships and treasures found in royal burial mounds of the Oslo fjord at the Viking Ship Museum. Or learn what it’s like to be a prize winner at Stockholm's Nobel Peace Museum, and get up close to the world’s oldest preserved warship at the Vasa Museum

Fjords & Viking Legends

Formed by the hands of the glaciers

A Baltic cruise is your key to the Norwegian Fjords — Mother Nature’s crown jewel. Upon arriving in Stockholm, ride along the brinks of Tyrifjord, a 52-mile inlet that boasts greenery and deep blue waters. Relax amidst the serenity of Oslo Fjord, and discover treasures from beneath its seas at the Viking Ship Museum. With Princess, sail to Scandinavia’s oldest capital and revel in the natural wonders before you.

Unique Architecture

Magnificent and monumental

Travel to lands where ancient architecture abounds. Wander the cobbled streets of Stockholm’s old town, Gamla Stan, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Explore a treasure trove of late Renaissance and Rococo architecture in Copenhagen, like Rosenborg Castle, Kronborg Castle or Frederiksborg Castle. Or walk through 'Upper Old Town,' home to some of Tallin's oldest and most notable structures. Experience it all on a Baltic cruise.

Shore excursions

Our award-winning Scandinavia and Baltic cruise shore excursions bring you to palaces, Viking heritage and hidden gems. In partnership with Discovery™, tour three royal residences in Copenhagen — including Fredensborg and Frederiksborg Castle. You’ll also enjoy a Hamlet-themed journey through Kronberg Castle, which inspired the famous play. Or travel through a traditional Danish village, and discover hundreds of years of history along the way.

Local connections

On a Baltic cruise, learn the secrets to crafting an Estonian beer from a master brewer, and pair your sips with snacks. Journey through Tallinn’s most notable sites — including Palace Square and the Great Guild Hall. Or stroll through Stockholm’s ‘Haymarket,’ and sample regional delicacies while hearing from chefs and vendors.

Enjoy even more history and culture with More Ashore late-night departures and overnight stays. On a Baltic cruise, see Berlin’s most iconic sites — like Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. Or stroll under the Nordic twilight, and end the night at Oslo’s Ice Bar.

Baltic & Scandinavia Cruise Onboard Experience

Curated comfort, world-class entertainment and international flavors await you.

Experience Scandinavia without ever stepping off the ship. Our onboard activities bring the diverse cultures of the region directly to you. Sing, dance, feast and celebrate in a way that only the Baltic and Princess know how.

Accommodations

Your home away from home

Your stateroom is where you rest and recharge between adventures. That’s why every room is equipped with the expertly designed Princess Luxury Bed, 100% Jacquard-woven cotton linens and our SLEEP program created by a board-certified sleep expert. From interior cabins to full suites, unwind in any of our staterooms, and enjoy peace of mind with the option of connected rooms for families of four or more traveling together.

Flavors that inspire

Take a week-long vacation on a Bahamas cruise with more to love, calling on additional Caribbean ports. Visit Princess Cays for a day in the sun, sand and surf. Then have more time to explore Trunk Bay – one of the “Cruise Wonders of the World” – during a late-night stay in St. Thomas on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. From relaxation to adventure, experience cruises to the Bahamas that have more range with Princess.

Entertainment

Find your joy

Embark on adventures by day, and indulge in entertainment by night. Watch Movies Under the Stars® at our 300-square-foot outdoor theater. Attend original productions from Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz, composer of  Wicked . Or learn traditional moves, like Flamenco or Irish stepdance, and listen to popular music from the destinations on your itinerary. On a European cruise with Princess, the choice is yours.

Youth & Teen Center

Step outside the classroom

Our European cruises were crafted with every guest in mind — even the younger ones. From 6-month old babies to 17-year old teens, kids can unwind and relax or play and explore. In partnership with Discovery™, kids can learn even more with special insights about Italy, Greece and everywhere in between. With engaging activities on board and ashore, kids can see history books come to life before their eyes.

Reset, recharge, relax

Your European cruise should be every bit as refreshing as it is inspiring. Unwind in the Sanctuary, a retreat just for adults, and relish in tranquility. Or book an appointment at the Lotus Spa®, named "Best Spa on a Cruise Ship" by Spafinder Wellness 365™. Enjoy relaxing treatments — like facials, hot stone massages and detoxifying wraps — that will leave you recharged for upcoming adventures.

Vegas hits the seas

Experience the thrill of cards, dice, roulette and blackjack at the casino onboard our European cruises. Learn from experts — like our staff or perhaps other guests nearby — and put your skills to the test. More casual players can pull up a seat at the slot machines for the same adrenaline at their own speed. For an afternoon full of games, join fellow travelers for Bingo, or compete in scheduled group tournaments.

Sailing Scandinavia & Baltic cruises

Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from small to large vessels. While aboard, marvel at Europe’s breathtaking scenery and enjoy regionally inspired cuisine. Those sailing on Scandinavia and Baltic cruises even have the chance to experience Sky Princess®.

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By ckrcjr , January 11, 2020 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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We are booked on the Crown Princess 7 day Scandinavian cruise for July 2020.  Very excited as this will be our first European cruise!  I have been trying to find excursion info for the ports but find most info is for the fjord cruise.  Has anyone taken this cruise and have any suggestions for excursions?  Typically we book independent excursions for the Caribbean but since these ports are all unfamiliar to us we are not sure if we should stick with ship excursions.  The ports are Kristinsand Norway, Oslo Denmark, Skagen Denmark and Copenhagen Denmark.  All thoughts are welcome - if there are any suggestions as what is a must do or something to "skip" that is welcome too.  I have done a search on these boards but limited info for Kristinsand and Skagen.  

Thanks so much for any of your thoughts!

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I am interested in any suggestions, I will be doing this cruise August 2021 on the Grand.

Oslo is in Norway.

This is a Copenhagen topic with many ideas - happy to answer specific questions 

.. and topic for Skagen -questions are welcome

Cornishpastyman1

We did this in Skagen. It was a beautiful day so we went to the beach  😀  We paid by app for the bus to Grenen but the Sandormen there is cash only, I think it was 30 D kr pp. All the best, Tony

6 hours ago, hallasm said: Oslo is in Norway. This is a Copenhagen topic with many ideas - happy to answer specific questions   

Thank you for  correcting my quick typing error - Oslo is definitely in Norway.   I have been looking at a few Copenhagen threads and will be asking more questions soon.  Thank you for the offer!

Danish viking

May i suggest my own Wonderful Copenhagen thread 🙂

Thank you everyone for some helpful info.  I appreciate each and every one.

Cornishpastyman1 - we are hoping to go to Grenen and it appears the bus would be much cheaper than the ship's tour - and give us more time to enjoy the area.  The ship will be in port from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. so it sounds like we could do this and still explore the town.

Hallasam - are there any other suggestions that would be a must see/do while we are there?  Looks like a wonderful port to visit!

Thank you all again - and will be checking the Copenhagen threads again for more hints as well!

1 hour ago, ckrcjr said: Hallasam - are there any other suggestions that would be a must see/do while we are there?  Looks like a wonderful port to visit!

More information here

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2559816-skagen-denmark-question/?tab=comments#comment-55214729

highlights are Skagens Art Museum, visit to Grenen, The Sand Covered Church and Råbjerg Mile(Dune)

4 hours ago, ckrcjr said: Cornishpastyman1 - we are hoping to go to Grenen and it appears the bus would be much cheaper than the ship's tour - and give us more time to enjoy the area.  The ship will be in port from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. so it sounds like we could do this and still explore the town.      

With those long port hours and the ship very close to the town you can very easily do that, even if you don't get off the ship until say 10 am. It won't matter at all if you lose 20 minutes once or twice waiting for a bus, and if the weather's bad you can call the whole thing off without being committed to a tour.

Oslo is a very easy port to DIY with a bit of advance planning. Ship's excursions tend to travel by private bus, which isn't always the fastest way to get around the city, since several roads are restricted to public transit.

What to see depends a lot on your interests. Art? History? Architecture? Nature?

With zero additional information, this is a (rather exhausting) one-day itinerary that hits my top picks:

• Pick up an Oslo Pass at the cruise terminal and head towards the city hall to catch the tram #12 (towards Majorstuen). Get down at Vigelandsparken and explore the sculpture park. In exchange for studio space, Gustav Vigeland agreed to donate the rest of his life's work to the city, and the park contains myriad (nude) sculptures celebrating the human form through all walks of life.
• Back at the main entrance, catch the bus #20 (towards Skøyen) to Olav Kyrres plass. Switch to the #30 (towards Bygdøy) and get down at Folkmuseet to visit the open-air folk museum. The grounds are quite extensive and contain various historic buildings relocated from around the country, including an iconic wooden stave church. Several of the buildings contain exhibits about traditional Norwegian culture, and in the summer there are often living history demonstrations.
• Grab a quick lunch at the cafe (or plan ahead and bring along a picnic).
• Walk next door (or catch the 30 bus one stop if happens to be there) to the Viking Ship museum to see the famous viking burial ships and related archaeological finds.
• Hop back on the bus #30 and get down at Bygdøynes to explore the Fram Museum of polar exploration. Home to the ship that carried Roald Amundsen south on his expedition to first reach the South Pole, this museum tends to be a pleasant surprise for visitors. There are a number of displays detailing historic polar exploration, and the Fram itself is open for visitors to explore.
• Next door to the museum is the pier for the Bygdøy ferry, which will take you across the harbor and back to the city hall dock near the main cruise pier.

The Oslo ski jump and museum is worth a visit.  Getting there by Metro is a great journey as you climb out of the city to the surrounding hillside.

• 1 month later...

Adventures ahead

Doing the same cruise in September and expecting rainy weather. Following this thread!

Oslo is a very easy port to DIY with a bit of advance planning.   With zero additional information, this is a (rather exhausting) one-day itinerary that hits my top picks: Pick up an Oslo Pass at the cruise terminal and head towards the city hall....

On 2/15/2020 at 4:17 AM, Adventures ahead said: Doing the same cruise in September and expecting rainy weather. Following this thread!

We will be on that one too! But I’m hoping for sun 

We were able to easily DIY copenhagen on our own, even with a  3 year old in tow.  Public transport is wonderful there.  You might want to take a canal cruise, as this is a very pleasant way to see the city.  Try to find a warm, dry patch for that if possible.    

• 4 months later...

hoping for sun as well, great tips, much appreciated

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Princess Cruises - Scandinavia Cruise

During one of Princess Cruises' Scandinavia itineraries, you'll have the opportunity to take in some of Europe's most spectacular natural beauties. Scandinavia is a haven for adventure enthusiasts, offering a wide range of excursions and off-board activities. Embark on thrilling hikes through Norway's stunning national parks, go kayaking in the archipelagos of Sweden, or set out on a dog sledding adventure in Finland. Explore the Arctic Circle and chase the mystical Northern Lights, or experience the exhilaration of white-water rafting in Norway's pristine rivers. The opportunities for adventure and outdoor exploration are limitless in this breathtaking region.

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Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Scandinavian culture and history. Engage in captivating lectures and interactive experiences that shed light on the region's Viking heritage, royal traditions, and folklore. Discover the vibrant indigenous Sami culture in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, and learn about their nomadic way of life. From ancient Viking sagas to modern design and culinary delights, Scandinavia offers a captivating blend of history and contemporary cultural experiences.

Princess Cruises Scandinavia Cruise Schedule

Scandinavia cruises are the ideal way to see the world and you can see a selection of these cruises from Princess Cruises. Princess Cruises have an exciting range of cruises from the British Isles to incredible Northern Lights and the magnificent Norwegian fjords and Scandinavia, via the Baltic States and Russia, all of which can be enjoyed without having to travel too far to join your cruise ship.

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Date: May 19, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Bruges, Rotterdam, Oslo, Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Hamburg, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

5-day Scandinavia cruise from Southampton

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12-day Northern Europe cruise from Southampton

Date: September 12, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Rotterdam, Bruges, Oslo, Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Hamburg, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Princess Cruises website.

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The 8 best Hawaii cruises in 2024 and 2025

C ruising the Hawaiian Islands offers U.S. travelers an immersive South Pacific escape with all the comforts of home. In fact, the Aloha State is in many ways an ideal cruise destination. It has year-round sunny weather, four main islands featuring varied topographies — including sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, volcanic mountains and vibrant green valleys — and a wide array of land- and water-based activities.

The main caveat? Hawaii cruise options are somewhat limited — just a fraction of what's available in the Caribbean — and many itineraries involve multiday crossings from the West Coast. Only one cruise line offers Hawaii itineraries throughout the year; most others visit during specific months or when repositioning ships in spring and fall.

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Looking for the Hawaiian Islands sailing that's right for you? Here's a look at the eight best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler.

Norwegian Cruise Line's 7-night Inter-island Hawaii

For travelers who want more aloha time than the typical eight-hour port call allows, Norwegian Cruise Line has a solution. Its 2,186-passenger Pride of America lets vacationers sample four Hawaiian islands over seven days, with overnights in Maui and Kauai, plus port calls on both Hilo and Kona on the island of Hawaii. In total, this itinerary offers nearly 100 hours of shore time.

Pride of America sails round-trip from Honolulu every Saturday year-round. As a U.S.-flagged ship, it's the only large vessel permitted to sail this way. Not only do you skip the long Pacific crossing that most cruise ships do to reach Hawaii, but passports are not required for U.S. citizens, and you can tack on pre- or post-cruise stays on Oahu.

The overnights on Maui and Kauai also mean it's possible to try several of Hawaii's signature experiences that most port calls don't allow. Passengers can catch dusk or dawn from atop Maui's massive 10,023-foot dormant volcano with sunrise and sunset excursions to the Haleakala Crater. And with the ship in port all night on Kauai, guests who want to enjoy traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music and hula performances can book the Luau Kalamaku for a fun evening out.

Pride of America, which has been cruising Hawaii since 2005, doesn't have the onboard thrills (race track, virtual-reality gaming, waterslides) of Norwegian's newer ships , but that's okay because the islands, not the ship, are your main destination. Its American-themed decor celebrates U.S. cities in a vibrant, and at times, kitschy way, but a 2021 refurbishment left its cabins and public spaces feeling refreshed.

Many of Norwegian's specialty dining venues (which incur a surcharge) are on board, including Cagney's Steakhouse, Le Bistro (here, it's Jefferson's Bistro), Moderno Churrascaria and Teppanyaki.

Who should go: Anyone seeking a convenient way to island-hop — and see a lot of Hawaii — by making the most of the generous shore time with a combination of independent exploration and shore excursions. Most sailings attract couples ages 50 and older, although summer and holiday sailings have plenty of families on board.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

UnCruise Adventures' 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes

Cruisers seeking a less traditional, more carefree Hawaii experience can have it from November to April aboard UnCruise Adventures ' 36-passenger Safari Explorer. The seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary, which begins either on Molokai or the island of Hawaii, is an unconventional one designed for those who enjoy going off the beaten path in an intimate and more authentic setting. U.S. passports aren't required to sail.

UnCruise visits four islands — Maui and Lanai plus Molokai and Hawaii — and focuses on not only their striking landscapes and underwater beauty but also the cultural traditions, cuisine and music of the Hawaiian people. On Molokai, where there's not a single traffic light and the lifestyle is slow-paced, passengers get a chance to "talk story" with locals and enjoy a pa'ina (feast) and evening jam session. Lanai activities range from snorkel, paddleboard and kayak excursions to off-road adventures exploring the privately owned island's dramatic sea cliffs, red rock formations and vast fields once filled with Dole pineapples.

Most UnCruise sailings are during Maui's humpback whale season, so sightings while cruising off the coast of Maui are possible. You might also catch glimpses of dolphins and sea turtles. A "Captain's Choice" day is a wild card determined by the weather, marine life in the area and other factors, while the final two days are spent exploring the Big Island of Hawaii — including a hike up Hualalai volcano and a skiff ride along the rugged coast.

Constructed in 1998, Safari Explorer was designed with adventure itineraries in mind (in summer the U.S.-flagged ship repositions to Alaska). Its size allows it to navigate areas larger ships can't reach, which in Hawaii means bays and coves ideal for snorkeling or watersports.

With such a small number of passengers aboard, guests get to know each other — and Safari Explorer's friendly and knowledgeable crew — quite well. Passengers come together over meals featuring locally sourced ingredients, and as all UnCruise fares include unlimited wines, spirits and microbrews, shipmates can raise a glass without worrying who's buying a round. It all lends itself to an exclusive yet utterly relaxed week of cruising.

Who should go: The ship's laid-back onboard vibe paired with its land- and water-based activities make the Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary ideal for active travelers seeking a nature-focused itinerary — although cruise fares (which start around $5,900 per person) are among the priciest for a Hawaii cruise.

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Holland America's 17-night Circle Hawaii

Travelers who have more than two weeks to spare and who prefer to arrive in Hawaii via ship rather than an airplane can do so on Holland America 's 17-night Circle Hawaii itinerary. They'd better also love sea days because crossing the Pacific from San Diego or Vancouver to Honolulu and back requires 10 days.

That means passengers enjoy five or six days in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii. Some itineraries stay in select ports overnight. Cruises departing from San Diego also call on Ensenada, Mexico. With either departure port, passports will be required.

The itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam and 1,432-passenger Zaandam.

Travelers with more time on their hands can also visit Hawaii as part of longer Pacific island cruises with Holland America. Koningsdam will sail a 35-night Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas itinerary in 2025 that combines visits to four Hawaiian islands with calls on five islands in French Polynesia and Fanning Island, Kiribati (and 20 sea days).

Related: Holland America unveils epic cruise to Hawaii and Alaska for 2025

Zaandam will also sail 51- to 56-night Tales of the South Pacific itineraries that visit multiple islands in Hawaii and French Polynesia along with ports in the Cook Islands, American Samoa and Fiji.

Holland America is popular with cruisers ages 60 and older, many of them retired, who have time to enjoy longer itineraries on ships that offer good value with a focus on culinary and musical enjoyment. Two of Koningsdam's most popular venues are its live entertainment area with three venues — B.B. King's Blues Club (for Memphis-style rhythm and blues), Billboard Onboard (for chart-topping hits played by a live pianist) and Rolling Stone Rock Room (for a live band playing classic rock), and World Stage, a theater with a 270-degree screen used for both special BBC Earth in Concert and theatrical productions.

Onboard specialty dining options (at an added cost) include Pinnacle Grill for steaks and seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine and Rudi's Sel de Mer for French Brasserie specialties and seafood.

Who should go: Mature travelers who prefer not to fly and who enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. They should also love sea days as much (or even more so) than port exploration.

Related: 16 mistakes cruisers make on cruise ship sea days

Princess Cruises' 15- or 16-night Hawaiian Islands

Princess Cruises is also a good option for longer sailings. The cruise line offers numerous round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego in the fall and winter.

The majority of sailings are aboard the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess and Ruby Princess from San Francisco, and the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess and 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess from Los Angeles.

Ships are in port for nine to 11 hours in Hawaii (Hilo), Kauai and Maui and for 16 hours in Oahu. Itineraries include a stop in Ensenada, Mexico (so passports are required), plus nine or 10 sea days.

The ships feature many of Princess' popular dining venues, including Alfredo's Pizzeria (a sit-down venue serving personal-size pizzas), Crown Grill for steaks and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. There's plenty of outdoor space for soaking up the sun — including an adults-only sun deck — and a dazzling Piazza for enjoying cocktails, gelato and pop-up street performers.

Fans of Princess' Movies Under the Stars poolside screenings (with free popcorn) and Discovery at SEA enrichment programming will have ample time to enjoy these perks on a Hawaii sailing.

Who should go: These sailings will appeal to couples or groups of friends who prefer to have a wide choice of sailing dates, can take the time to enjoy a leisurely Pacific crossing and appreciate Princess' focus on quality cuisine and a sun deck designed for relaxation rather than thrills.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

Celebrity's 9- to 12-night Hawaii Cruise

Travelers seeking modern interior decor on a ship designed with couples in mind can visit Hawaii aboard Celebrity Cruises ' 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice or 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge on itineraries ranging from nine to 13 nights — but only if the timing is right. That's because the line offers only two sailings per ship each year (in spring and fall) as the ships reposition between Alaska and destinations in the Pacific. The itineraries are one-way (Vancouver to Honolulu or vice versa) with passports required.

These cruises call on three ports on two islands: Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo and Kona (Hawaii), with one or two overnights in port and 10 hours ashore on one-day visits. All include five days in a row at sea. Since the itineraries either begin or end in Honolulu, there's also a chance for some pre- or post-cruise exploration.

Sea days offer opportunities to enjoy the chic, grown-up ambience and amenities aboard these ships. Each vessel offers multiple complimentary and extra-fee specialty restaurants. Celebrity Solstice features Tuscan Grille for Italian specialties and steak and Murano for modern French cuisine, while Celebrity Edge offers the whimsical Le Petit Chef and the international Eden Restaurant.

Celebrity's signature Martini Bar and many other onboard watering holes keep the grown-up vibe going day and night. Choose cruise fares that include alcohol and Wi-Fi, or pay a lower rate and pay for your drinks as you go.

Who should go: The slightly shorter one-way sailings and the ships' contemporary ambience make these itineraries ideal for couples and groups of friends seeking a relaxing escape — especially Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s, who are Celebrity's target market.

Related: 6 national parks you can reach by cruise ship (and 2 are in Hawaii)

Carnival's 14- or 15-night Hawaii from Los Angeles

If fun is your cruise mantra, the "Fun Ship" brand Carnival Cruise Line offers a handful of round-trip sailings to Hawaii from Los Angeles (Long Beach) aboard the 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance. Like other roundtrips from the West Coast, these itineraries spend just five days in Hawaii, offering eight to 14 hours of shore time in ports on four islands: Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii. Along with enjoying eight sea days, guests will also call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Carnival Radiance first sailed under that name in 2021, but it's not a new ship. Before an epic makeover, it sailed for the cruise line as Carnival Victory. Ship features include many of Carnival's signature complimentary and extra-fee dining venues, including Guy's Burger Joint and Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, BlueIguana Cantina, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi Express.

Additional guest favorite destinations on board include the RedFrog Pub, Alchemy Bar and WaterWorks aquapark. Expect high-voltage theater shows from Playlist Productions at night and poolside interactive contests by day.

Who should go: Socially inclined cruisers who love Carnival's emphasis on onboard fun and can appreciate a colorful ship with a lively ambience and lots of day and evening activities.

Related: Best Hawaii cruise tips for getting the most from your island-hopping trip

Royal Caribbean's 9- to 13-night Hawaii Cruises

A megaship cruise experience to Hawaii is available, too — with pricing that's quite affordable. Royal Caribbean cruises there on two vessels in one of its newer classes of ships: the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

All are one-way cruises just before or after the Alaska cruise season (so late April or early October) between Oahu and Vancouver (or vice versa). The ships call on two Hawaiian islands and spend four or five days in a row at sea. Passports are required since these itineraries begin or end in Vancouver.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas feature a mix of thrills for all ages. These include RipCord by iFly simulated sky diving, FlowRider simulated surfing, bumper car racing in the SeaPlex indoor activity complex and the North Star sightseeing capsule, which ascends 300 feet above the top deck for 360-degree views.

Both ships also offer 14 dining venues, including the innovative Wonderland, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and kid-favorite Dog House, as well as bar options that include Schooner Bar for by-request piano tunes, Boleros for mojitos and merengue and Bionic Bar for drinks poured by robotic bartenders. Entertainment includes live cover bands in the Music Hall and multimedia music and dance performances in Two70.

Who should go: Cruisers who love a big ship with a wide array of dining choices, all kinds of evening entertainment and plenty of exciting activities to pass the time on sea days. Quantum-class ships are great for families, but the sail dates might not work for those with school-age kids.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Viking's 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn

For a guaranteed adults-only sailing in a relaxed, boutique-style setting, upscale cruise line Viking also offers round-trip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 on its 930-passenger Viking Neptune.

What sets Viking apart from most of the other lines offering Hawaii cruises is that it includes a free shore excursion in every port. These include a highlights tour of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and a visit to a scenic waterfall and the Kilohana sugar plantation on Kauai. Additional excursions can be booked at an extra charge.

The 16-night Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailings visit four islands — Hawaii (Hilo), Oahu, Kauai and Maui — and like other round-trip sailings from the West Coast include 10 sea days and a call on Ensenada, Mexico, so passports are required.

Viking Neptune will also do 32-night Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailings round-trip from Los Angeles in late 2024 and early 2025 that visit four islands in Hawaii and four in French Polynesia.

The ship, which debuted in 2022, features sleek Scandinavian-inspired decor, a soothing spa with a complimentary thermal area, an aft infinity pool and hot tub, a panoramic Explorer's Lounge and five onboard restaurants. Specialty restaurant Manfredi's serves an extensive menu of Italian specialties, while The Chef's Table offers rotating five-course themed menus, including Asian, French and California-inspired.

In addition to the free shore excursions, pricing includes complimentary wine or beer with lunch and dinner, specialty dining at no extra charge, crew gratuities and transfers.

Who should go: Couples who prefer the quieter ambience of a ship that doesn't allow anyone under 18 onboard, doesn't have a casino and offers presentations by regional experts that enhance immersion into local culture. Viking cruisers are generally over age 55.

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