baltic cruises april 2023

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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.

With a history as long as its city wall, Berlin is a staggering destination for any traveler. On a Baltic cruise, honor those who lost their lives at the Holocaust Memorial. Watch history unfold as you visit the 20th-century remnants of the Berlin Wall. Or enjoy a change of pace touring the rooms and gardens of German dukes before you at Schwerin Castle.

Copenhagen boasts equal parts charm and culture. Before you set sail on your European cruise, indulge in thrills at Tivoli Gardens, and ride a bike along Nyhavn’s waterways, passing multi-colored homes on the way. Tour ancient fortresses, like Kronborg Castle, which inspired Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Or make a stop to see Copenhagen’s most famous symbol, The Little Mermaid.

With a deep-rooted respect for design, Helsinki is cloaked in elaborate styles from the present and past. On a Baltic cruise, admire the creative architecture of Suomenlinna Fortress, and learn about the city’s naval past. At Market Square, shop hand-crafted goods, or see a collection of artifacts at the Kiasma Modern Art Museum.

As a major trading port, it should come as no surprise that Oslo is home to many valuables. On a Baltic cruise, visit Vigeland Sculpture Park, and view over 200 colossal figures created by a famous Norweigan sculptor. Watch experts blow glass at the Hadeland Glassworks gallery. Or snap a photo at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, featured during the 1952 Olympic ski-jumping competition.

Covering 14 separate islands, Stockholm is a cultural playground waiting to be explored. On a Scandinavia cruise, waltz through the Royal Palace, and explore 600 royal rooms. Capture postcard-worthy shots of Stockholm City Hall, one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Or transport to the 10th century when you arrive in Sigtuna — Sweden’s original capital — and discover where it all began.

Travel back in time as you walk through the medieval streets of Tallinn, admiring the city’s preserved history and architecture. On a Russia cruise, journey through the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and learn about tsar regime. View tombs and coats of arms that live in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Or get a rare taste of local tradition at the Museum of Estonian Drinking Culture.

If you are interested in the longer Scandinavia & Baltic cruises, you’ll love Princess® Epic Voyages. Learn more about our expertly curated itineraries for your next extraordinary adventure.

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®.

European Cruise Articles

Read about storied attractions, charming history, diverse cultures and preparation advice for cruising Europe.

Explore Europe

Learn all about our exciting options to visit Europe from cruises to in-depth cruisetour vacations. 

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Five reasons to cruise from Southampton

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Travel, Airfare, & Hotels: Let Princess Get You There

Princess EZair® Flights

Stress-free airfare

Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time, and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty, and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.

EZair flight quotes are available on our cruise search result details pages.

Airplane to Ship Transfer

We get you where you need to go

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax

Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling, and the representative’s services.

Need help planning?

Princess Cruise Vacation Planners are a dedicated resource to help you every step of the way through the planning process of your cruise vacation. The best part is, their services are completely FREE!

Cruise deals & promotions

Find our top sales, deals, partnerships and promotions for our destinations all in one place. We run promotions throughout the year and sometimes run sweepstakes where you can win prizes!

#PrincessCruises Europe Connections

See Europe through our guests’ eyes.

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THE BALTIC SEA & SCANDINAVIAN Cruises

Medieval architecture, modern sensibilities and icy beauty await in Scandinavia and the Baltics.

In the countries around the Baltic Sea, you can expect vast forests, turquoise lakes, breathtaking fjords and fascinating cities. Explore Stockholm, the stylish and green Swedish capital, with its acres of parks and its medieval center, Gamla Stan. Bike through the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark, and hop on an urban roller coaster in Tivoli Gardens. Stroll around Helsinki's bustling market square, surrounded by graceful 19th-century buildings. Head to Tallinn, Estonia, to enjoy its lively cafes, galleries and medieval heritage.

Light Up Your Sense of Adventure

Medieval architecture, modern sensibilities and icy beauty awaits

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Wonders of the North

The Baltic Sea and Scandinavia are alive with vibrant landscapes to explore. Sail past Norway's majestic fjords, witness the Midnight Sun for yourself, or seek out hidden waterfalls in Estonia.  

MARVELOUS SIGHTS AWAIT

Hop aboard the Fjellheisen cable car for an ascent to Storstein Mountain, soaring 420 meters above sea level. Marvel at the sweeping vistas of the city and fjord below and immerse yourself in the marvelous beauty that surrounds.

ENDLESS DAYS

Experience the lively and fun atmosphere in Scandinavia during the Midnight Sun, when the sun remains above the horizon for most of the "day." Make like a local in Helsinki and head out to dinner at midnight in what feels like noon light.

Picture-Perfect Panoramas

Put on your walking shoes and go hiking around one of the port cities and admire the wild landscape of the North. Trek through part of Norway's Discovery Route, which runs from Stavanger to Bergen, and see snow-capped mountains towering over pristine fjords and thunderous waterfalls.

Baltic Beauty

The cities and towns of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are full of modern sensibility and medieval heritage. Explore Gothic town squares in Tallinn and Stockholm, journey down quiet canals and cafe-lined lanes in Amsterdam, or hang out with the locals in a Helsinki hot spot.  

Voyage to the Middle Ages

Stroll along the cobblestone streets in old Baltic Sea towns with their charming medieval architecture. Check out the Old Aker Church, the oldest still-standing building in Oslo, dating back to 1150. Head to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town in Tallinn, Estonia, and see Gothic buildings like the Town Hall and the Dome Church.

Canals and Alleys

Get to know Amsterdam with a cruise on its UNESCO-listed canal belt, dating back to the 17th century. Once you're back on land, do some shopping along the city's De Negen Straatjes ("The Nine Streets"): These quaint, cobblestoned lanes are lined with independent and vintage shops selling everything from fashion to home goods.

Helsinki of a Good Time

Immerse yourself in good times in Helsinki, Finland's fun-loving and historic urban center. Hike up the steps to the Helsinki Cathedral with its distinctive green dome, or get your thrills at Linnanmaki, the city's urban amusement park with the country's highest and fastest roller coasters.

Natural beauty and stylish cities beckon you to cruise the Baltic Sea

Admire Norway's impressive fjords surrounded by mountains, explore Scandinavia's medieval past, treat yourself to New Nordic cuisine, or go shopping for Swedish design.

Set Sail to Scandinavia

Take a Scandinavian cruise for an immersive experience in the region's culture and landscape. Learn about the Vikings in the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo , meander down canals of colorful houses in Copenhagen, and relish in impressionist art at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Broaden Your Horizons North

Sail to Northern Europe and for a broader range of adventures in the Baltic. From the awe inspiring Fjords of Geiranger, to the modernist cityscape of Hamburg, Germany , you'll get a chance to dig into the region's natural and urban excitement.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO As the Day Is Long, The Adventures Are Broad

There are adventures to be had every time of year in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. The high season lasts from June to August; all attractions are open during this time, and cities host many festivals. This is the time of year to go to experience the midnight sun in cities like Helsinki and Stockholm.

The shoulder season is in March, April, September and October. You can expect chilly nights and snow in the northern parts of the region. From January to April, when the days are shorter, some attractions close for the season, but this is the best time of year to see the epic, icy landscapes of the region.

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Saunas are a favorite winter-time activity. Keep an eye out for one to enjoy on your next cruise.

NEW TAKES ON CUISINE

The high-end gourmet New Nordic cuisine has become a hit in recent years, starting with a culinary revolution in Copenhagen with young, forward-thinking chefs serving deconstructed takes on traditional tastes and indigenous ingredients. Whether you go high-brow or traditional, Northern European food is sure to comfort and delight.

Catch a Cold-Water Fish

High-quality fish from the cold waters of the Arctic and Baltic Seas are integral to the region's cuisine. The most popular type of fish is herring, which is served in soups and fillets. Don't miss the chance to try a delicious haddock soup, with a creamy broth and plenty of hearty leeks and potatoes.

Cured for Hunger

For a tasty lunch in Denmark, you won't have to look far to get a smorrebrod, an open-face sandwich served on one slice of bread rather than two. Sink your teeth into dark-brown, hearty rye bread with savory slices of cured ham or smoked salmon, with horseradish for an added kick.

Scandinavian Sweets

Enjoy one of the many Scandinavian pastries or desserts: Try Sweden's gooey chocolate cake kladdkaka and the Norwegian cinnamon bun kanelboller. Keep an eye out for ice cream flavored with cloudberries, a local wild berry with a slightly tart bite and a floral sweetness.

Related Ports

Immerse yourself in the diverse cultures of Nordic cities such as Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm. Head further east to the architectural wonders of Tallinn, Estonia or get cultural in the museums and concert halls of Riga, Latvia. Be amazed by the natural wonders at the Arctic Circle, or go for some fjord-land hiking in Flam, Norway.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bergen, Norway

Alesund, Norway

Arctic Circle (Cruising), Norway

Berlin (Rostock), Germany

Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany

Cork (Cobh), Ireland

Flam, Norway

Geiranger, Norway

Hamburg, Germany

Honningsvag, Norway

Dublin, Ireland

Kristiansand, Norway

Molde, Norway

Olden, Norway

Oslo, Norway

Riga, Latvia

Skjolden, Norway

Stockholm, Sweden

Tallinn, Estonia

Tromso, Norway

Visby, Sweden

Waterford (Dunmore East), Ireland

Stavanger, Norway

Bremerhaven, Germany

Maloy, Norway

Haugesund, Norway

Kiel, Germany

Nordfjordeid, Norway

Related Destinations

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• Arctic Circle
• British Isles
• Midnight Sun
• Northern Europe
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Baltic Cruises April 2023

The Baltic Sea boasts a myriad of highlights, each more intriguing than the last. From the historic charm of Tallinn , Estonia , to the vibrant modernity of Stockholm , Sweden , the ports of call offer a compelling mix of past and present. St. Petersburg, Russia, often dubbed the 'Venice of the North', enchants with its opulent palaces and majestic cathedrals. As you sail along these waters, gaze upon the natural spectacle of sprawling archipelagos, dense forests meeting the sea, and the mesmerizing interplay of light that the Baltic region is famed for.

Cruise lines such as Azamara Cruises , Celebrity Cruises , Crystal Cruises , Holland America , MSC Cruises , Norwegian Cruises , Oceania Cruises , P&O Cruises , Princess Cruises , Regent Cruises , Royal Caribbean , Silversea Cruises , and Viking Cruises others offer itineraries that visit Baltic in April 2023. Easily find and compare Baltic cruises in April 2023 from Amsterdam , Bergen , Copenhagen , Dover , Le Havre (Paris) , Oslo , Rotterdam , Southampton , Stockholm , and Warnemunde (Rostock) , as well as other Northern European ports.

Baltic Cruise Schedule April 2023

The Baltic region is a year-round destination, with each season offering unique charms. Summer (June to August) provides long daylight hours and warm temperatures, perfect for exploring outdoor attractions and wildlife spotting. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) present milder weather and fewer crowds, ideal for city tours and nature walks. The winter months (December to February) add a magical touch to the region, with snow-covered landscapes and a chance to see the Northern Lights.

14-day Norwegian Fjords cruise from Bergen

Viking jupiter, viking ocean cruises.

Date: April 17, 2023

Ports of Call: Bergen, Bergen, Eidfjord, Stavanger, Oslo, Oslo, Aalborg, Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Bornholm, Gdansk, Mariehamn, Stockholm, Stockholm; View Itinerary

4-day Baltic cruise from Kiel

Msc fantasia, msc cruises.

Date: April 30, 2023

Ports of Call: Kiel, Ronne, Gdansk, Kiel; View Itinerary

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Baltic Sea & Scandinavia Cruises

A Scandinavia cruise delivers romantic scenery and a kaleidoscope of cultures. Experience more with our thoughtfully crafted Scandinavia & Baltic Sea cruise itineraries and overland tours. From Berlin’s monuments to Copenhagen’s castles, and every shining jewel in-between, our cruises show off the best of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea.

• Baltic Europe Destinations
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Explore Baltic & Scandanavia Destinations

Breathtaking fjords, picturesque islands, and dramatic coastal cliffs –stunning landscapes await you in Norway.

Admire high-quality design and architecture and discover the boundless opportunities for aquatic adventures like fishing and birdwatching waiting for you in Denmark.

No visit to Iceland is complete without exploring its breathtaking waterfalls, tranquil hot springs, and otherworldly lava fields.

Make the Most of Your European Cruise Vacation

Peruse our convenient Europe departure ports. Whether you’re interested in a 7-day cruise or a long voyage, your dream port is where the adventure starts.

Cruises from Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Cruises from Reykjavik, Iceland

Cruises From Copenhagen, Denmark

Cruises from Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Featured scandanivia & baltic sea cruise ports.

Berlin, Germany

Take in an intriguing, vibrant city with moving memorials of its history and contemporary galleries and boutiques.

Stockholm, Sweden

Bask in midnight sunshine during summer months and discover a vibrant capital stretched across fourteen islands.

Tallinn, Estonia

Find cobbled streetscapes and medieval churches converged seamlessly with a thriving modern tech culture.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Explore Dutch Renaissance castles, colorful shops, and eateries in this lively capital and home of Hans Christian Anderson.

Helsinki, Finland

Immerse yourself in a distinct arts and music scene, sumptuous saunas, and a UNESCO fortress on a gorgeous waterfront.

Featured Baltic & Scandanavia Cruises Shore Excursions

Excursions to incredible landscapes, stunning architecture, and culture-rich museums await on your Baltic Sea & Scandinavia cruise. Cruise the majestic fjords of Scandinavia or admire the awe-inspiring beauty of North Cape bathed in the glow of the midnight sun. Take a private tour of Berlin’s famous sights. Enjoy an evening of culture with an Estonian folk-dance performance. Explore the incredible Palaces of Copenhagen. It’s all here. 

Castles of North Zealand

Old Town & City Hall

Mt Dalsnibba & The Eagle Road

Baltic sea and scandinavia travel tips.

Find out what to experience on your Baltic Sea and Scandinavia cruise. Check out insider tips and recommendations for things to see and do, and every Baltic gem in between.

Best Time To Visit Iceland

While Iceland is incredible any time of year, the best time to visit depends on what you want to experience.

Packing List for Europe

Check out our best tips when packing for a Northern European cruise so you can comfortably move through dreamscapes with ease and feel prepared for any adventure.

Best Fjords in Norway

Discover our top 5 picks for the best fjords in Norway—and what makes each one unique.

Europe Cruise Onboard Experience

Travel to Europe’s most fascinating destinations on perfectly sized cruise ships offering unmatched service and an award-winning onboard experience. Enjoy entertainment for every preference and the best live music at sea. 

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Add flights and hotels before or after your cruise (or both!). Arrange ground transportation to create a custom cruise package.

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Book flights that depart and arrive in time for your Europe cruise with Holland America Line Flight Ease®. Find low prices, loads of options, and enjoy flexibility and support should plans change.

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Extend your trip by a few days. Add a hotel package to your Europe cruise and indulge in a comfortable, convenient overnight before or after your cruise.

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BALTIC CRUISES

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Book Your Baltic Cruise Holiday

Cruise to the Baltic Sea and experience Northern Europe's numerous cultures, history, languages and natural beauty. Your Baltic holiday becomes a Scandinavian cruise taking you to areas once sailed by Viking explorers through Scandinavia with several itineraries having stops in the fascinating countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Other notable stops for your Baltic cruise also include Estonia, Poland, Germany and Latvia. See all the various Baltic Cruise itineraries and book your adventures to Northern Europe today.

Note: The safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. Due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine we have made the decision to alter itineraries and remove calls to St. Petersburg, Russia from our sailings.

About BALTIC CRUISES

Why Take A Baltic Cruise?

Only Norwegian lets you cruise to the Baltic in your own personal way. Offering a diverse array of cruise ports to visit throughout your journey, cruisers enjoy a Baltic cruise holiday that offers the perfect balance of leisure and adventure. Step on board one of our award-winning cruise ships and unlock a once-forbidden corner on a European cruise .

What to Do on a Baltic Cruise

There are so many things to do on a Baltic cruise. on a cruise to St. Petersburg .--> On a cruise to Berlin , walk right through what used to be Checkpoint Charlie, a key symbol of the Cold War. Head west and watch the changing of the guard in front of the Stockholm Palace, an uninterrupted tradition for nearly 500 years. And, from your balcony, feel like a Viking as you behold the staggering fjords sliced deep into Norway’s mountainous western coast. Explore the possibilities of Northern Europe.

Baltic Cruise Tips

As you travel to the various countries on your Baltic Cruise, you should remember a few things for your trip. There are many things to do and see at the ports so plan your day and pace yourself to have enough energy for the entire trip and excursions. The currencies used in each country can vary from the British pound, Swedish krona, Danish krone, Polish złoty, Norwegian krone, and the euro. Be prepared to exchange for the correct currency and have a credit card on hand preferably without a foreign transaction fee. Pack comfortable shoes for your cobblestone filled walks and prepare for various weathers as it can be cold, rainy or hot depending on the time of year.

Discover the wonders of Northern Europe on board the beautiful Norwegian Breakaway. Step back in time on the medieval cobblestone streets of Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter. Take advantage of an overnight in St. Petersburg, giving you time to take in the breathtaking Amber Room in Catherine Palace and explore the immense Hermitage Museum. And sail amid the quiet splendor of the Stockholm Archipelago after a tour of City Hall, where Nobel Prizes are presented.

Embark from Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or Stockholm for a fascinating journey of Europe’s most beautiful and exciting cities. Prepare to experience Baltic cruise ports of call like Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg’s, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Bergen, Norway; Lerwick, Shetland Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland; Dublin, Ireland; and so much more!

Baltic Cruise DEPARTURE PORTS

Baltic Cruises from Amsterdam

Embark from Amsterdam, affectionately known as the "Venice of the North." This city is actually situated below sea level and built entirely on stakes driven into the ground.

Baltic Cruises from Copenhagen

Sail from the capital of Denmark. Filled with canals, cobbled squares and copper spires, Copenhagen is also Scandinavia's most cosmopolitan city.

Baltic Cruises from Stockholm

Cruise from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden and a city laced by an ingenious network of waterways and bridges strung between a freshwater lake and the sea.

Discover More With A Baltic Cruise Shore Excursion

When you take one of Norwegian's Baltic Cruise Shore Excursions , you'll immerse yourself in more culture and adventure than ever before. Take Helsinki by Land & Sea and pass by islands full of museums, parks and gardens, waterfront saunas and Helsinki's icebreaker fleet. Step on board your exclusively chartered train to the bustling city of Berlin. Or drive through the picturesque Estonian countryside to one of the oldest towns of Estonia. Wherever you go, the mystery and magic of Europe are yours to discover.

A Baltic Sea Family Holiday THEY'LL NEVER FORGET

A Baltic Sea Holiday for the Whole Family

There are family holidays. Then there are the kinds of enriching family holidays your family will remember forever. Cruise the Baltic Sea with Norwegian Cruise Line and discover the ease and convenience of unpacking once and experiencing it all. Thanks to the freedom and flexibility Norwegian offers, you're ready to experience the best Baltic family holiday ever. Because, with families, it's all about options. And we've got them, from accommodations that fit all families to delicious dining choices even finicky eaters can't refuse. We haven't forgotten about teens – they also have an exclusive onboard refuge at Entourage.

Select Your Baltic Cruise Accommodation

Contemporary Accommodations

Travel to Europe with Norwegian Cruise Line and enjoy freedom of choice all along the way. Whether you're bringing the whole crew and staying in a mini suite, enjoying a balcony stateroom with some of your best friends, or relaxing in our affordable inside staterooms, we've got just the room for you.

Stay in The Haven, our most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations. Not only will you have access to all the ship has to offer, you'll enjoy the personal service of a concierge and 24-hour butler throughout your entire stay. From embarkation to debarkation The Haven will provide the perfect escape.

Explore With Freedom & Flexibility

Discovering the history, awe and grandeur whilst travelling to the Baltics is a breeze, with more choices of what to do and see, and more freedom to do it your way. That's the beauty of the freedom and flexibility you'll experience with Norwegian Cruise Line. Unpacking once and journeying from city to remarkable city. Exploring by day and coming back to a variety of onboard activities, one-of-a-kind entertainment, plus more dining options than days of the week. Dressing up or going casual. Dining with friends or savouring a romantic dinner à deux. Doing what makes you happy with no restrictive timetables, ever. Because your holiday is exactly that - yours.

Find The Best Baltic Cruises

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Embark on Baltic & Scandinavia Cruises

For a limited time, receive more luxury for less with up to a 4 category upgrade* on select sailings.

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Nordic Explorations

A place of fabled tales where rolling forests give way to chic cities, the Baltic and Scandinavia regions are a celebration of Nordic culture, castles and cutting-edge design. Discover traditional food markets like Riga Central Market, Tallinn’s picturesque Old Town, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and much more. Our Scandinavia cruises bring you what makes this region such a treasured travel destination – from Stockholm’s colorful Gamla Stan to the picturesque canals and renowned museums of Amsterdam and beyond.

Baltic & Scandinavia Cruises Special Offers

Baltic & Scandinavia Shore Excursions

From insider tours of iconic attractions and immersions in local communities to gourmet, chef-led tasting tours, our Baltic and Scandinavia shore excursions bring you the best of the regional cuisine, culture and history. Overnights in ports such as Bordeaux, Berlin, London and Stockholm plus many extended evening stays across the region give you the chance to not only visit top attractions, but also create time for in-depth explorations, dinners ashore and leisurely, meaningful touring.

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Baltic & Scandinavia Ports

Extend your stay before or after your Baltic and Scandinavia cruise at one of these luxurious hotels, carefully selected for their superb location, ambiance, world-class standards of service, cuisine and amenities. Our hotel packages include free air date changes up to 3 days before or after your cruise and free transfers between the airport, hotel and ship as well as porterage. You’ll also enjoy the services of our exclusive Oceania Cruises hospitality desk at each hotel.

Featured Baltic & Scandinavia Hotels

Kimpton De Witt

Amsterdam, netherlands.

Exuding a modern approach to luxury through fresh, refined rooms, Kimpton De Witt features imaginative spaces steeped in inspired Dutch design. Experience an immersive labyrinth of contemporary millwork, lush layers and clean lines. Each room opens the door to grand inspiration and eclectic treasures. Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam's thriving city center, this hotel inspires you to imagine, explore, create and find a comfortable place to relax. Unwind in the leafy garden conservatory. Savor a meal at the hotel’s local restaurant. Enjoy a nightcap in the cozy House Bar, which dates to the Dutch Golden Age. With Kimpton De Witt’s unique personality and heartfelt service, you can consider this intimate boutique hotel as your personal sanctuary.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Welcome to SKT. PETRI hotel in Copenhagen, located in the heart of the trendy Latin Quarter in the city center and only 20 minutes away from Copenhagen’s airport by metro. With 288 elegantly furnished hotel rooms and suites, the hotel offers modern comfort in a minimalist, yet cozy, Scandinavian-design setting. When you stay at SKT. PETRI, the staff will be your key to the city. They know the exciting attractions in Copenhagen and want you to know the capital as they do.

Millennium Bailey’s Hotel - South Kensington

London (southampton), united kingdom.

This hotel is a beautifully renovated Victorian London townhouse, located in the heart of fashionable South Kensington. The hotel combines style and character and is one of the most traditional and popular hotels in the area. Quintessentially English in decor and style, the rooms have been designed with the comfort of guests in mind and combine unique features and furnishings with modern amenities. The interior of the hotel is extremely elegant and retains many of its original features, with its sweeping staircase, stained glass windows and intricate stonework. Situated opposite the Gloucester Road Underground station, this hotel offers access to many transport links and is perfectly positioned for guests visiting many of the British capital's most popular attractions.

Grand Hotel Oslo

Oslo, norway.

The Grand Hotel in Oslo is Norway’s best known and most prestigious hotel. The luxury hotel first opened its doors in 1874 and for over 140 years, it has been host to the people of Norway, international guests, world leaders, celebrities and the Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Henrik Ibsen, the world-renowned Norwegian author, made the luxury hotel one of his favorite daily haunts. The guest experience is based on true Nordic luxury that is delivered by the hotel’s well-trained and enthusiastic international team. The Grand Hotel has 274 rooms, including 54 Suites that are a blend of historic design, a rooftop bar with magnificent views, a restaurant, lobby bar, 19 meeting rooms, Artesia Spa Grand Hotel and fitness room.

Land Programs

Our Baltic and Scandinavia Overland, Pre- and Post-Cruise Land Programs invite you to immerse yourself in the fascinating history and old-world charm of these regions. These multi-day, in-depth Land Programs include exclusive tours, premium hotel stays, airport transfers when arriving and departing the day your program begins and ends, and oftentimes locally inspired meals and porterage too.

Featured Baltic & Scandinavia Land Programs

Amsterdam: Art & Architecture

Explore the architectural landmarks and world-class museums in Amsterdam and discover traditional ways of life in the nearby countryside. Highlights include a tour of the famed Van Gogh Museum and a cruise along Amsterdam’s beautiful canals. Enjoy free time to explore other museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Anne Frank House. In contrast to cosmopolitan Amsterdam, see the Netherlands’ famed windmills and a local cheese farm in the countryside, as well as people practicing traditional trades like clog-making.

• 3 nights at the Radisson Blu or similar hotel (superior room)
• All sightseeing per the itinerary
• English-speaking tour guide

London & Its Charming Countryside

This unique Land Program couples the cosmopolitan attractions of London with the quintessentially British countryside in the Cotswolds. Fully guided by a London expert, discover a variety of popular attractions such as the Hampton Court Palace and Buckingham Palace and enjoy a Champagne cruise on the River Thames as you take in views of the city and famous landmarks. Also explore the historic city of Oxford and visit Stonehenge, one of the great wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe.

• 3 nights at the May Fair Hotel (superior room) or similar hotel
• Taste of Britain two-course meal with a drink in a top London restaurant
• Two-course meal and a drink in a Cotswold’s village pub
• Entry to Hampton Court with guided tour by expert Hampton Court guide
• River Thames cruise with commentary and glass of Champagne
• Entry to Christ Church Oxford and Oxford guided walking tour
• Transportation and the services of an English-speaking tour guide for two days of sightseeing and all associated expenses

Relics and Landmarks of Oslo

Cruise the majestic Oslofjord lined with forested hills before heading ashore to explore the enchanting city of Oslo at length. Sleek and contemporary, Oslo Opera House seems to rise from the water, while Vigeland Park is a lush green oasis filled with more than 200 sculptures. Discover the city’s history at the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum and the city’s nightlife at the trendy Ice Bar Oslo. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the entirety of Oslo from the Holmenkollen Ski Jump.

• 3 nights at the Grand Hotel Oslo or similar hotel (superior room)
• 3 breakfasts
• 2 lunches, including soft drinks
• 1 drink at the Ice Bar
• 2-hour Oslofjord cruise
• All entrances mentioned in the itinerary
• Private airport to hotel transfer on Day 1

Today’s Featured Baltic & Scandinavia Cruises

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Baltic Sea Cruises

Fairytales come true on a Baltic and Scandinavian cruise

Most travellers to Europe overlook the authentic experience offered by the Baltic Sea, with fjords, glaciers, and highly diversified landscapes gently balanced with a forgotten yet well preserved Medieval history.

Embarking on an MSC Baltic Cruise, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the stunning views and history that surrounds this sea, without any of the crowds and distractions of other European destinations. The Baltic Cruise 2023-2024 season includes a host of different ports of call, each more amazing than the last.   Enjoy the beauty of Stockholm , technological hub and capital of Sweden, where strolling along ancient cobbled streets and alleys is the best way to make your way through the old heart of the city. Edvard Eriksen’s famous Little Mermaid will welcome you to the port of Copenhagen . Inspired by famous writer and poet Hans Christian Andersen, it is the true symbol of the city. On a Baltic cruise, you’ll be exposed to the forgotten history of Eastern Europe. While the recent past is one involving bloody but proud fights against the Soviet Union for independence, reaching even further back will reveal Medieval roots that can be traced through the fairy-tale-like forests and towns of the Baltic countries. Escape the crowds, wander castles lost in time, and sip the fresh air of unspoiled natural wonders during the Baltic Cruise 2023 and Baltic Cruise 2024 seasons. Start looking for your ideal Northern Europe itinerary  today and don’t miss out on the Baltic cruise deals MSC always has on offer.

Most travelers to Europe overlook the authentic experience offered by the Baltic Sea, with fjords, glaciers, and highly diversified landscapes gently balanced with a forgotten yet well preserved Medieval history.

BALTIC CRUISES 2023

Set sail on a baltic cruise adventure with msc poesia.

Step into the pages of a fairytale with a 7 or 11-night Baltic cruise. From May to September travel in luxurious style on MSC Poesia and discover the best of Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. With 10 hours in each port, you will have plenty of time to fully explore the marvelous northern capitals such as Riga, Tallin, Helsinki and Copenhagen. Lengthy stays in Stockholm, including overnight moorings, allows you a complete immersion in the Swedish capital’s cultural treasures.

Book now your next Baltic cruise and Scandinavian cruise!

A dreamlike tale journey through the Baltic with MSC Fantasia

This summer, indulge in a 7-night Baltic cruise aboard MSC Fantasia. Your journey begins in Kiel taking to the Hygge heaven of the Danish capital, Copenhagen famous for its royal palaces and Michelin cuisine. Sail northward and explore Tallinn , one of Europe’s most unspoiled walled cities, with its medieval streets and majestic merchant houses. In Finland, discover the architectural beauty and scenic lakes of Helsinki while in Stockholm , known as the "Venice of the North”, experience its rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and world-class museums. Put pen to paper and write a fairytale adventure through the wonders of this incredible northern region with MSC Cruises.

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• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Gdynia , Poland
• Helsinki, Finland
• Kiel , Germany
• Klaipeda, Lithuania
• Kotka (Helsinki), Finland
• Oslo, Norway
• Riga, Latvia
• Southampton (London), United Kingdom
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Tallin, Estonia
• Visby, Sweden
• Warnemunde (Berlin) , Germany

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MSC Cruises

Baltic Cruises

Discover the beauty of the Baltics with a cruise that immerses you in the culture of destinations such as Stockholm, Lithuania, Finland, Norway and Russia.

This enchanting region is the land of castles, magical lakes and architecture. The storybook ruins of Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, and the ghostly ruins of Ludza Castle in Latvia make the Baltics a place of mesmerising wonder and wanderlust.

Cruises often visit countries on the way to the central Baltics, including Norway and Denmark – gateways to the Baltic Sea. Here, explore the ancient fjords and mountains of Oslo or the historic capital city, Copenhagen, and set the enticing tone of what is to come as you travel close to the Baltic regions. The three main Baltic cities, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, are peaceful and picturesque. A pastel palette of residential areas complete with turrets and fairytale castles.

With so many fascinating itineraries to choose from, our expert Cruise Concierge team can help to plan your perfect Baltic cruise holiday. Call us now to hear about the best ways to cruise the Baltics.

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Related Countries

Kristiansund

Kristiansund is a town and also name of the municipality on the western coast of Norway. It is known as the dried codfish capital of Norway. 

It is a city situated in the middle of the sea, located over four islands. The small local ferry Sundbaten takes visitors and locals alike between the Kirkelandet, Innlandet, Nordlandet and Gomalandet. 

The Norwegian Clipfish Museum is located at Milnbrygga wharf. The town was built partly on the fishing heritage of clipfish, which is split, salted cod dried traditionally on the cliffs along the sea. 

Kraftkar cheese is from here, and Snadderfestivalen is the annual food festival every June, which celebrates local food, craft beer and aquavit. 

Finnsnes is a small town in the municipality of Troms og Finnmark county.

Finnsnes has an avid fishing and agriculture industry, with fish farming growing in importance, and popular week-long summer festival. Its central park has a natural lake within it. 

It is known as the gateway to Senja, being located on the mainland near the Island of Senja just across the Gisundet Strait. 

Senja is known as an adventure-filled island and a minuature Norway, with mountains, fjords and small communities.

Sortland, Vesteralen Islands

Nesna is a pretty, former trading post village on the mainland of Norway that is part of the Helgeland traditional region in Norway's Nordland area. 

The picturesque islands of Hugla, Handnesoya and Tomma are seen from the village and by cruise ships sailing in the area. The village still runs in quite a traditional way and locals can be seen going about their daily lives, mainly involved in the local fishing industry.

The small fishing village of Øksfjord in Finnmark lies in the far north of Norway, in the Artic above 70°. It is an ideal port to see what real rural Norwegian life is like, with a population of merely 500 in the whole district of Loppa, which Øksfjord is the administrative centre for.

Øksfjordjøkulen, the fifth largest glacier in Norway is nearby, to the southeast of the village, and stands at nearly 4,000ft above sea level. It is the only glacier in mainland Norway which calves directly into the sea. This is something that only happens with glaciers in the Arctic, and nowhere else in the world, so is a facinating and unique event to see. 

12,000 years ago, the Komsa, a tribe of Meolithic hunter-gathers lived in the area. 

Øksfjord grew in the nineteenth century, when huge shoals of herring arrived. The main industries there today are fish processing plants and shipyards, showing the importance of maritime industry to the area.  

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Baltic Sea Cruises

Architecture, history, and stunning scenery await you on a Baltic Sea Cruise

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Discover Old European Charm on a Baltic Sea Cruise

If you’ve ever wanted to step inside a Medieval fairytale, a Baltic Sea cruise most certainly delivers. Experience the Middle Ages as you explore Tallinn’s UNESCO-protected Old Town. Marvel at Denmark’s magical castles, and amble along the cobblestone streets and radiant, historic buildings of Gamla Stan in Stockholm. Explore religious sites and the all-encompassing history of Berlin. Spend the afternoon in one of Helsinki’s fascinating museums, then take a dip in the deep blue Baltic Sea.

Embark on an unforgettable cruise vacation aboard Celebrity Apex or Celebrity Silhouette, where you’ll find stylish accommodations, luxurious amenities, and globally inspired cuisine. Discover the beguiling countries that surround the Baltic Sea with Celebrity Cruises, voted “Best Cruise Line in Europe” for nine consecutive years at Travel Weekly’s 16th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Baltic Sea Cruise Highlights

Castles & palaces.

The countries along the Baltic Sea are brimming with historic castles and palaces. Go on a whirlwind tour of the famous castles of North Zealand outside of Copenhagen to see the royals’ part-time residence and the setting for Hamlet . Admire the stately Stockholm Palace where the King of Sweden resides. Explore the majestic Catherine Palace, the former summer retreat of Russian tsars. Revel in the romance and splendor of these opulent landmarks.

Outdoor Escapes

Kayak the Finnish archipelago surrounding Helsinki, or explore the scenic countryside of Porvoo. In Stockholm, venture beyond the city to the Långholmen Kajak, a Venice-like system of canals where you can enjoy a Swedish gondola ride. Venture to the Malusi islands off the coast of Estonia to spot seals in their natural habitat.

Urban Exploration

The extraordinary cities you’ll visit on a Baltic Sea cruise are brimming with culture, history, and excitement at every turn. Admire the quintessential rust-colored roofs of Tallinn. Stroll alongside the vibrant facades of Gamla Stan’s storied structures in Stockholm. Do as the locals do and bike through Copenhagen’s streets, admiring the sleek Scandinavian design juxtaposed with hundreds of years of history at every turn. 

Featured Ports

Copenhagen, denmark.

A stop in Copenhagen makes for a fabulous day in port while on a cruise to Scandinavia and to Northern Europe’s capitals. Spend the day admiring the city’s opulent castles and stroll along the colorful waterfront district of Nyhavn. Don’t forget to try a Danish brew and sample local eats at a food hall while you’re here.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in northern Europe. The city’s Old Town is filled with medieval houses and cobblestone alleyways still protected by the remnants of the city wall. Aside from Tallin’s charming city, you can venture to the countryside to sip vodka amongst the ruins of Rakvere Castle, or sample cheese at a local dairy farm.

Stockholm, Sweden

Discover Stockholm, the trend-setting capital of Sweden known as “Beauty on the Water”. Get a glimpse of a time before industrialization at Skansen, an open-air museum and zoo that showcases Sweden’s traditional way of life and exotic wildlife. Spend an afternoon at the Nationalmuseum or the Vasa Museum for a crash course in Viking history and Swedish art. No trip to the city is complete without spending a few hours in Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town.

Baltic Sea Cruise Itineraries

On a cruise to the Baltic Sea, you’ll sail on award-winning ships like Celebrity Apex or Celebrity Silhouette. Itineraries range from 11 to 13 nights and depart from Rotterdam or Amsterdam, Netherlands and Southampton, England (which is conveniently close to London) from May to August.

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Why Sail on a Baltic Sea Cruise with Celebrity

Experience some of Europe’s most riveting cities while sailing in complete luxury on one of our cruise ships. Lounge at the Lawn Club and watch the Baltic Sea glitter as day turns to dusk. Sample local beer in Estonia, then try a new cocktail at one of our innovative bars. After a long, unforgettable day spent exploring Stockholm or Helsinki, you’ll be welcomed back to the ship, where exquisite cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and luxurious staterooms and suites await.

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Discover Baltic Cruises

Set sail on a Baltic Sea cruise to discover one of the world's most dynamic regions that offers a captivating blend of culture, history, and picturesque landscapes. From majestic palaces and awe-inspiring architecture to medieval old towns and coastal cities, this region is rich in attractions.

Book a Baltic cities cruise to immerse yourself in Estonia's historical heritage, marvel at the architectural wonders of Lithuania, and uncover cultural treasures in European cities along the Baltic Sea coast.[ReadMore]

Baltic Region Highlights

From the moment you set sail, you'll encounter a series of captivating ports that offer something unique at every stop. Explore the fairy-tale charm of the Nyhavn waterfront in Copenhagen, to the beautiful islands along the Stockholm Archipelago which stretches out into the Baltic.

As you journey through, you'll also have the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of other charming Baltic cruise ports, each with its own distinctive character. In Klaipeda, Lithuania, wander around the Old Town with its colourful half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets. Visit the medieval Toompea Castle and the stunning Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, known for its intricate onion domes; and don't forget to climb Toompea Hill for breathtaking panoramic views.

Architecture, History & Landscapes

Come across culture-rich streets, renowned architecture that spans the ages and fascinating history revealed through countless museums when you cruise the Baltic Sea. Witness the remnants of ancient Viking settlements, medieval castles perched atop rugged cliffs, and grand castles that once housed royalty. The architectural diversity is mesmerising, with Gothic spires piercing the sky in cities like Tallinn and the modern, sleek designs found in Scandinavian capitals.

Every moment on a Baltic cruise from the UK presents an opportunity to lose oneself in the rich tapestry of history, stunning natural beauty, and architectural wonders that define the Baltic region.

Baltic Countries

Cruises to Baltic

Helsinki to Dover in six nights • S2414DOV

• See the Tall Ships in beautiful Helsinki as you join Borealis
• Visit the romantic fairytale Schwerin Castle from Warnemünde
• Embrace the Finnish culture of taking saunas

Discovering the Cities of the Baltic • L2421

• Visit Schwerin Castle from Warnemünde 
• Experience Baltic traditions such as fishing or cycling
• Sail through the picturesque Kiel Canal on board Balmoral

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Scenic Waterways & Cities of Scandinavia • L2511

• Explore Oslofjord, the Kiel Canal and canals of Copenhagen
• Embrace Norway's friluftsliv and Denmark's hygge cultures
• Discover the palaces of Oslo and Copenhagen

Fairytale Castles & Old Towns of the Baltic • L2514

• Discover the enchanting cities of Riga, Tallinn and Copenhagen
• Immerse yourself in Estonian life at the Song & Dance Festival
• Uncover the Hanseatic history of the Baltic region

Fairytale Castles & Old Towns of the Baltic • S2532

• Discover the magic of the Baltic's extraordinary landmarks
• Browse around enchanting Baltic Christmas Markets
• Experience local festive food and drink

Scenic Waterways & Cities of Scandinavia • L2614

• Enjoy celebrations in Olso on Norway National Day
• Embrace Sweden's fika and Denmark's hygge cultures
• Experience scenic cruising of Oslofjord and Gothenburg

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Baltics Cruises

Full of history and culture, the Baltics is a fascinating destination to cruise to.

On a cruise along the Baltic Sea, you'll discover countries filled with rich history and exciting cultural traditions. Take in some world-class views of the Northern Lights in Finland, get a glimpse of the midnight sun in Greenland, or stroll through medieval streets in Estonia and feel like you're in a fairytale. From magnificent castles to grand palaces, on a cruise to the Baltics, you'll be immersed into a captivating world of natural beauty and old European charm.

Popular Baltic countries to cruise to

The happiest country in the world. On a cruise to Finland, you'll discover plenty of wide open spaces, unspoilt forests, and beautiful lakes.

Home to many famous composers including Beethoven, on a cruise to Germany you'll discover a country which is rich in history and culture.

The birthplace of Lego and Hans Christian Anderson, Denmark has a rich history for you to discover on a cruise.

Other Baltic countries to cruise to

The world's largest island, in Greenland you'll find majestic glaciers, magnificent icebergs and charming fishing villages.

From a diverse range of stunning natural environments to buzzing, cosmopolitan cities, a cruise to Sweden offers something for everyone.

Nature lovers will adore a cruise to Estonia, this compact and cosmopolitan Baltic nation is packed with stunning national parks and forests.

Popular cruise lines for Baltic cruises

Norwegian cruise line.

Looking for relaxation and freedom? Then put Norwegian Cruise Line on top of your list.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line has offered a more traditional experience since the late 1800s.

P&O Cruises

This quintessentially British line has been a firm favourite since they began way back in the 1850s.

Baltic cruise deals

Browse all our amazing Baltic cruise deals below. Use the filters to narrow down the results to find the perfect cruise for you.

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Baltic Cruises from Southampton

The best of the baltic sea, 2023, 2024 & 2025 cruises from southampton.

With Northern Europe so close to home, adventure is practically on our doorstep with Baltic cruises from Southampton. Travelling to the Baltic States is an eye-opening expedition all year round, with exciting “must-see” attractions from the natural beauty of Lahemaa National Park in Estonia, to historical landmarks like the Doma Cathedral in Latvia.

With a rich cultural heritage and interesting diversity, it’s no surprise the Baltics is fast becoming one of the most popular cruise holiday choices. Whether it’s history, local life, or cuisine, this region — made up of Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — has something different to offer at each destination.

Fairy-Tale Cities

Occupying a unique frontier position on the European continent, a journey to the Baltics is an ideal holiday for those who want to take the road less travelled. Dominated by pretty landscapes with gothic castles and old-world cobbled streets, cities like Tallinn and Riga have a charming fairy-tale aura about them.

Wander through the impressive Art Nouveau district of Vecrīga, or explore the architectural wonders of UNESCO World Heritage Site Vanalinn. From markets to museums, every experience on your trip will be a moment to remember.

The Nordic shores also beckon, where the trendy metropolitan landscape belies remnants of a Viking past, but only at first glance. However, it’s not all artifacts and monuments. Rock paintings make way for cutting-edge marvels — like the Löyly floating sauna or Black Diamond Royal Library — when you take in the sights of these harbour cities. Enjoy a boat ride through the waterways of Stockholm, stroll leisurely along a marina in Helsinki, or pay your respects to the Little Mermaid statue on Copenhagen’s promenade — wherever your journey takes you, you’ll discover that this part of Europe blends old and new like no other. And if you’re fortunate enough to celebrate the festive season here, you might even find out for yourself the true meaning of hygge!

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Oceania cancels 2023 cruises to the Baltics

By ReaderGirl57 , April 25, 2022 in Oceania Cruises

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ReaderGirl57

I just read on a roll call for a 2022 cruise that Oceania has cancelled their 2023 cruises to the Baltic region. A quick search of their website shows no ports east of Germany in the south and Sweden in the north. We have a Baltic Cruise (minus St. Petersburg) scheduled for August. Any ideas on what this might mean for Baltic Cruises for 2022?

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I saw multiple Baltic cruises w ports in Finland, Estonia, Latvia that are about to be released in May for 2024.  I can see how 2022 might not get there due to P’s war.

Anyway, it doesn’t make sense for 2023 to be canceled already. 2022 is much more likely to encounter difficulties, no?

I had one Oceania cruise cancelled 20 days before Embarkment and another at around 45 days prior. So one thinks they’re now canceling them a year out.   

Chances are overwhelmingly Fake News.

Cancelling SPB  is a given at this point in time  but going to Sweden/Finland/Denmark are still on the table 

Estonia could be on the chopping block 

 If Putin decides to invade those Countries  there will be no cruises in Europe 🤔

I believe that Oceania has "canceled " Russian ports of call on their 2022 and 2023 cruises but have not canceled the whole cruise.  Oceania is replacing the Russian ports with a revised itinerary.  We had this occur on our Fall 2022 Baltic/Arctic cruise.

I did a more in-depth search on their website. Of the 37 cruises listed as “Baltic and Scandinavia” for 2023, only two stop in Finland, Poland, or the three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Maybe not a total pullout, but surely a huge change from previous years. So I believe the roll call member was telling the truth when she said that the cruise she had booked was cancelled. 

1 hour ago, ReaderGirl57 said: I did a more in-depth search on their website. Of the 37 cruises listed as “Baltic and Scandinavia” for 2023, only two stop in Finland, Poland, or the three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Maybe not a total pullout, but surely a huge change from previous years. So I believe the roll call member was telling the truth when she said that the cruise she had booked was cancelled. 

It would be helpful if you told us exactly which cruise she is talking about......

There is an excellent chance that things in the entire region will be in a state of flux ..... years after  Ukraine

  While not mentioned,  the far east / China will be worthwhile observing in the wake of any outcomes in the west..........     Realize the world is in a very fragile geo-political state..  Too many players too many goals. Too many unknowns at this point to rely on anything..    

29 minutes ago, basor said: It would be helpful if you told us exactly which cruise she is talking about......

She didn’t say. It was a roll call for a 2022 cruise in which this was mentioned. The point is that that Oceania surely had many cruises going to St. Petersburg and the Eastern Baltic in 2023 but now, with St. Petersburg off the table, they have re-routed a number of them and currently have only two cruises in the Eastern Baltic in 2023. Perhaps they feel that SPB is the big draw there - and they are probably correct in that assessment.

Just now, ReaderGirl57 said: She didn’t say. It was a roll call for a 2022 cruise in which this was mentioned. The point is that that Oceania surely had many cruises going to St. Petersburg and the Eastern Baltic in 2023 but now, with St. Petersburg off the table, they have re-routed a number of them and currently have only two cruises in the Eastern Baltic in 2023. Perhaps they feel that SPB is the big draw there - and they are probably correct in that assessment.

That is correct, the cruises have been rerouted and so you can choose to keep your booking and go on the new itinerary or cancel but Oceania did not cancel the cruise....this happened to us on our Baltic 2022 cruise.  It is probably just semantics, cruise not canceled but all Russian ports canceled.

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Hurricane Beryl Tracker

By William B. Davis, Madison Dong, Judson Jones, John Keefe, and Bea Malsky

Beryl was a Category 4 hurricane in the Caribbean Sea late Tuesday Eastern time, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory .

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Mapped: Top destinations for cruises across the world in 2024

A new map has revealed the most popular cruise destinations in each country – and the Caribbean ’s tropical waters floated to the top of the list for seafaring travellers.

Travel insurance company All Clear compiled the map of over 100 cruise destinations from every continent based on Google search volumes between April 2023 and March 2024.

Though ancient harbours in the Mediterranean and frosty drifts past Antarctica ’s icebergs make for impressive cruise itineraries, island-hopping cruises around the Caribbean were found to be the most popular perspective voyage.

For tourists from Lithuania, Sweden, the UK, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius and much of South America , the Caribbean’s paradise islands topped the cruise route wish list.

With over 2.8 million searches in 11 months, holidaymakers seemed keen to explore palm-studded white sand ports, including Disney ’s Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbean ’s Perfect Day at CocoCa, as part of their next getaway.

Journeys to see the sundrenched Med and marine life in Alaska were the second and third most searched destinations with 2.1 million and 1.8 million searches respectively.

Mediterranean journeys were found to be particularly alluring to Europeans seeking Spain, France and Italy, while Australians and New Zealanders long to discover Antarctica and the idyllic Maldives presented the biggest draw for Asian travellers.

With new multi-port routes making their maiden voyage each cruise season, setting sail on your choice of the seven seas has risen in popularity.

According to research from the insurance provider, 66 per cent of Brits are considering a cruise for their next trip overseas as demand for the all-inclusive holidays on the water spikes.

Letitia Smith, head of communications at AllClear, said: “It’s fascinating to see the number of travellers eager to set sail on unforgettable journeys around the world’s oceans, seas, and rivers.

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Top 20 most searched for cruises worldwide 2024

• Caribbean Cruise – 2,824,180
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NATO in 2024—Can Its European Members Deter Further Russian Aggression?

Key Takeaways

Nearly 20 years ago, NATO member states agreed to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense. Today, less than two-thirds of NATO members have reached that mark.

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The war in Ukraine—now in its third year—has caused North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states to reflect on their own security. This reflection takes many forms, including the relationship between the United States and the European NATO states, the appropriate levels of members’ defense spending, the Russian conventional threat to Europe, and, most concertedly, the Russian nuclear threat.

Given Russian actions in Ukraine and its conventional and nuclear threats to NATO, it is worth exploring how NATO members can best deter such threats. Such analysis should consider the nature of the existing Russian threat, NATO’s defensive capabilities, and how NATO has deterred aggression historically. By conducting such analysis, NATO members can identify both existing shortfalls in their current deterrence postures and identify how they can strengthen deterrence strategies that could stave off Russian aggression.

Given the prioritization of China within U.S. defense policy, REF coupled with the need to focus U.S. resources and power to deter Chinese aggression, REF it is particularly important that European NATO members assume the primary burden of the conventional deterrence and defense of Europe. REF

Deterrence: First Principles

For the purposes of this Backgrounder , deterrence refers to the ability of an actor to discourage another actor from taking a specific action by denying him the benefits of the action (also known as deterrence by denial) or by instilling in him the fear of the consequences of taking such an action (also known as deterrence by punishment). REF

Deterrence by denial often focuses on active defenses (such as missile defenses) or conventional forces that prevent an actor from achieving military objectives. Less often, deterrence by denial incorporates a degree of resilience or redundance in the capabilities being targeted. In this sense, if an adversary tried to destroy the U.S. spaced-based satellite constellations using a nuclear weapon, a deterrence-by-denial strategy would incorporate the ability to field inexpensive replacement satellites rapidly. In this way, an actor that saw no benefit to destroying the U.S. satellite constellation (because it could be easily, rapidly, and inexpensively replaced) might well be deterred from pursuing such a course of action in the first place. Alternatively, missile defenses that shoot down enemy missile salvos targeted at the American homeland could deter an adversary from launching a missile attack in the first place if that adversary believed that any missile attack was doomed to failure.

Deterrence by punishment focuses on the ability of an actor to impose costs on an aggressor and ideally convince an aggressor that the costs he will incur will outweigh the benefit of any such action and thus be deterred. In this sense, an actor that launched a nuclear strike on another actor might face an even larger nuclear retaliation that resulted in unacceptable losses for his own side. Deterrence by punishment, of course, is not limited to nuclear punishment. Sanctions or conventional military responses are all potential deterrence actions that rely on the deterrence-by-punishment approach.

For deterrence to be effective, it must be credible. To be credible, a deterrence strategy must have the means to back up said strategy with specific capabilities, the willingness to employ those capabilities, and an effective communications strategy that conveys (at varying degrees of certainty) said capability and willingness to all relevant parties. Failure to do all three of the above undermines an actors’ deterrence strategy. As an example, a deterrence-by-punishment strategy that relied on nuclear retaliation would not be credible if the actor that was trying to deter did not have his own nuclear weapons or an extended deterrent guarantee from a nuclear-armed ally.

Similarly, if a leader issued statements about retaliations that were not at all proportionate to the action being deterred, that, too, would not be credible. As an example, a leader saying that he would use nuclear weapons to destroy a neighboring state if the state did not agree to a proposed trade agreement would not be seen as credible because it is unclear if any leader would be willing to destroy an entire nation over a single trade agreement. Similarly, if a leader was known for making clear statements about what he or she would not allow and set numerous “red lines”—and then failed to enforce said red lines—actors around the world would question the will of that leader, thereby undercutting the efficacy of that state’s deterrence posture.

Finally, a state must convince the target of a deterrence message that its actions could result in a significant (very possibly nuclear) response. Such a deterrence message could be stated explicitly, either publicly or privately, or implied with varying degrees of ambiguity. (The threat that leaves something to chance.) Conversely, relying on missile defense as a deterrence-by-denial strategy—but not disclosing said missile defense before an adversary launches a strike—would not be an effective deterrence strategy, as it failed to convince the deterrence target not to attempt missile strikes in the first place.

To recap: For deterrence to be effective, it must deter a specific actor (say, China) from taking a specific action (say, invading Taiwan), and it must be credible by having the capability to back it up (sufficient military forces to deny the occupation of Taiwan), the will to do so (a President willing to employ those forces), and a communicated declaratory policy that conveys its intentions either explicitly (a senior official who says repeatedly that Taiwan has a “rock solid” security guarantee) or ambiguously (the threat that leaves something to chance through strategic ambiguity).

NATO’s Early Cold War Posture: Deterrence Through Conventional Forces and Nuclear Advantage, 1947–1961

In the early Cold War, the Western democracies worried about Soviet-backed communist expansion into Europe. After subverting coalition governments in Poland and Czechoslovakia, Soviet proxies attempted to subvert or overthrow governments across much of Europe, including France, Greece, and Italy. Soviet pressure manifested itself in multiple ways, including the Berlin airlift crisis and a civil war in Greece.

Once the immediate political crisis of the post-war governments was settled by the late 1940s, both the Western democracies and the Soviet-dominated East began to rearm following the post-war demobilization. The United States then decreased its military strength from 3.1 million people under arms to 391,000 by 1947, with similar relative drawdowns across Britain and France.

By the late 1940s, however, as relations with the Soviet Union deteriorated and the Cold War began to develop, the West began to reverse course. REF By 1949, NATO (then a new military alliance) decided to field large military forces to deter a Warsaw Pact invasion of Western Europe.

This situation was a combination of deterrence-by-denial and deterrence-by-punishment strategy. NATO believed that by fielding a robust conventional military force it could deny the Soviets and the Warsaw Pact a successful invasion of Western Europe by inflicting severe damage on the Soviets. At the same time, the very act of using military force to deny Soviet objectives—which may have included strategic and conventional bombings of targets inside the Soviet Union itself—would incorporate deterrence by punishment. The concept of massive buildups of NATO forces is made clear by the 1952 Lisbon Communique, in which the North Atlantic Council said that NATO states would begin with “the earliest building up of balanced collective forces to meet the requirements of external security within the capabilities of member countries.” REF

By the early 1950s, NATO began to field massive numbers of conventional forces in Europe to deter a Soviet-backed invasion of Western Europe. NATO’s fielding of large conventional numbers was meant to convince the Soviet leadership not to initiate war just as much as it was designed to win a war should the Soviets decide to invade. The goal was war avoidance through a combination of deterrence by denial and deterrence by punishment.

Today, it is easy to forget how many Allied forces were stationed at the front lines of the Cold War. The United Kingdom had four entire divisions in West Germany alone, with as many as 130,000 troops. REF By 1952, the United States had more than 250,000 military personnel across Europe, eventually reaching a high-water mark of 400,000 by the beginning of the 1960s. REF Meanwhile, West Germany itself fielded a military of half a million, with 12 heavy-tank divisions providing the backbone of NATO’s conventional force in Europe. REF By 1955, NATO fielded 25 active divisions and 25 reserve divisions in Europe.

As impressive as these numbers are, it became apparent to policymakers in Washington before the end of the first decade of the Cold War that NATO ground forces were facing a quantitative disadvantage that they would be hard pressed to overcome—particularly given that a significant number of those NATO forces were devoted to occupation—as opposed to combat—duty in West Germany.

Indeed, a potential Soviet invasion of Europe was an omnipresent threat—and given the estimated size of Soviet-backed Warsaw Pact forces, such an invasion may have been successful. As the 1950s wore on, NATO force planners watched an ever-growing threat manifest on the other side of the Iron Curtain. By the mid-1950s, NATO estimated that the Soviet Union had approximately 2.5 million to 2.8 million troops in its ground forces, with 26 divisions comprising half a million soldiers deployed across Eastern Europe—with 10 heavy armored divisions and 10 motorized divisions stationed in East Germany alone. REF The Soviet army stationed 6,000 tanks in East Germany. NATO estimated that the 26 divisions in Eastern Europe were backed up with 75 divisions in Russia east of the Ural Mountains which were equipped with 29,000 tanks. These forces were again backed up with another 40 to 125 reserve divisions that could be mobilized within 30 days. In addition, Western defense planners estimated that non–Soviet Union Warsaw Pact nations fielded an additional 800,000 men across 60 divisions. REF

At the same time during the early Cold War, the United States was assuming greater defense commitments, particularly in East Asia, as it was rebuilding Japan, defending South Korea from communist invasions from the north, and supporting Taiwan from invasion from mainland China.

Given the disparity in manpower and the need for significant military capabilities in both Europe and Asia, the United States came to a bipartisan consensus that matching the communists conventionally was a losing proposition, as it was unclear that the West could field the conventional forces necessary to deny the Soviets from invading Western Europe. Nor was it all clear that the punishment these conventional forces could impose on the Soviets was severe enough to deter an invasion to begin with. Then-Secretary of State Dean Acheson in his memoirs noted that the estimated annual costs to field a force comparable to that of the Warsaw Pact would be roughly $50 billion—this at a period when the Defense Department’s annual budget was $13 billion. REF

Some type of offset was needed to overcome the communists’ conventional advantage without bankrupting the United States or its allies—all of which were still rebuilding from the Second World War.

By 1957, the Eisenhower Administration adopted the “New Look” strategy to offset Soviet ground superiority by leaning into an American comparative advantage: nuclear weapons and airpower. REF By building a large bomber force capable of penetrating Soviet air defenses and dropping nuclear weapons on Warsaw Pact nations, the Eisenhower Administration sought to deter Soviet aggression by threatening “massive retaliation.” This clearly was nuclear deterrence by threat of punishment and helped to launch both Strategic Air Command and the ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nuclear force. Nuclear weapons, under the Eisenhower Administration, became the cost-effective offset designed to counter Soviet conventional advantage and, ultimately, deter Soviet-sponsored attacks. It simply required the capability and willingness to use nuclear weapons to annihilate Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces—both of which the United States had under President Eisenhower.

NATO’s Mid–Cold War Posture: Deterrence Through Flexible Response, 1962–1981

In 1961, the Kennedy Administration came to power at a time of reassessment of the Soviet threat. The Sino–Soviet split demonstrated that communism was not a monolith. Khrushchev called for “peaceful coexistence” with the West—while still claiming that the Soviets would “bury” NATO. REF At the same time, Washington was promoting a series of interlocking regional alliances based on NATO, to include the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and numerous bilateral security alliances with Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

From its outset, the Kennedy Administration was dubious about the credibility of the Eisenhower Administration’s “New Look” with its emphasis on massive retaliation, particularly given the Soviet Union’s investment in long-range missiles that could carry nuclear payloads to almost any target on the planet. For the new Administration, “the threat of massive retaliation could remain credible only if U.S. nuclear forces enjoyed clear superiority”—which by the early 1960s was not evident. REF

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara found “RAND’s analyses of controlled escalation especially appealing.” REF In addition, the development and fielding of hardened silos for land-based ICBMs and difficult-to-detect ballistic missile submarines created the possibility for an adversary to ride out a massive nuclear retaliation and then strike back using survivable nuclear forces. REF The Soviet development of such capabilities meant that Eisenhower’s New Look threat of massive retaliation to a conventional invasion of Europe by the Soviets would soon no longer be credible due to the Soviets’ growing ability to inflict massive punishment on the United States through their second-strike capabilities. Consequently, the Kennedy Administration developed “Flexible Response” as the overarching deterrence strategy for the 1960s. REF

Flexible Response emphasized the development and fielding of capabilities that could respond to a variety of threats, from special forces to support counterinsurgency operations across the developing world to eventually building and fielding multiple independent re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) for nuclear warheads that could be mated to submarine-launched ballistic missiles and ICBMs.

In addition, nuclear employment strategy changed. In 1962 at the University of Michigan, Secretary of Defense McNamara announced that the United States would not directly target cities (known as countervalue targeting), but instead use lower-yield nuclear weapons to destroy enemy conventional military targets (counterforce targeting). REF The Allies would still field huge numbers of conventional forces—but they would be augmented not just by America’s ability to respond massively to Soviet nuclear use but by new generations of more limited nuclear options.

By the mid- to late-1960s, NATO adopted a strategy and fielded the weapons systems necessary to give NATO the ability to respond to Soviet aggression with conventional or nuclear systems. Indeed, NATO’s strategy at this point centered on allowing “NATO a greater flexibility and to provide for the employment as appropriate of one or more of direct defence, deliberate escalation and general nuclear response, thus confronting the enemy with a credible threat of escalation in response to any aggression below the level of a major nuclear attack.” REF

Thus, the key feature of the new NATO strategy that was evolving by 1967 was not just flexibility, which had already been a feature of earlier NATO strategy documents, but the idea of managed as opposed to episodic or even spasmodic escalation.

Indeed, the Flexible Response strategy did not dictate or tie NATO to a specific course of action in the face of a Soviet invasion—instead it emphasized adaptability that included the potential for NATO to employ short-range and medium-range tactical nuclear weapons first in the face of a Warsaw Pact conventional invasion of Western Europe.

This proliferation of distinct types and ranges of nuclear weapons resulted in enormous nuclear weapons arsenals on both sides of the Iron Curtain. While the Soviet Union fielded more than 6,000 nuclear weapons by 1965, the United States had more than 30,000 weapons. REF

Meanwhile, both the Warsaw Pact and NATO fielded enormous conventional forces in the mid–Cold War period. By the 1970s, the Warsaw Pact had 19,000 tanks in Northern and Central Europe alone (as opposed to NATO’s 7,000 tanks in the same area), with close to 100 Soviet divisions in Europe backed up by roughly 60 non-Soviet Warsaw Pact divisions, with around 1.5 million men under arms in active duty—backed up by roughly two million men in the reserves. REF In comparison, NATO could expect to field a force of 1.8 million men in Europe several weeks after the onset of conflict by mobilizing its reserves. REF Coupled with fears of an eroding technological edge, NATO and U.S. officials increasingly began to question whether even Flexible Response was sufficient to deter Warsaw Pact aggression.

What is striking about the middle Cold War years is not just the size of the Soviet and American conventional forces and strategic arsenals, but the decisions made by national policymakers about how to posture relevant capabilities and distribute “use authorities” to make nuclear threats credible. Indeed, by 1967, the NATO concept for the defense of the Alliance noted that if a direct defense with conventional forces did not stop an invasion force immediately, the Alliance would escalate with nuclear weapons to make “the costs and risks disproportionate to the aggressors’ objectives.” REF Targets of such strikes would be confined to NATO states, non-Soviet Warsaw Pact states, or those at sea. REF If targeted nuclear escalatory strikes failed to stop the Warsaw Pact advance, then follow-on and general release authority would be granted. REF General release authority meant, in short, that NATO field commanders would be authorized down to the division level to employ short-range and medium-range tactical nuclear weapons in order to defeat a Warsaw Pact invasion of Western Europe. REF

This delegation of release authority to the division level—after the President gave approval for the employment of nuclear weapons and NATO’s North Atlantic Council agreed, along with the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, and after a series of select, targeted escalatory strikes on non-Soviet Warsaw Pact targets—was a means to make nuclear threats credible in the face of a Soviet leadership that might reasonably doubt Washington’s resolve to unleash nuclear weapons in the defense of Europe.

Flexible Response, in short, was innovative in that it improved NATO’s deterrence posture to one that sustained emphasis on deterrence by denial (conventional forces supported by nuclear use for operational effect, with the threat of the latter made credible by operational necessity, broad declaration, and delegation of release authority) with a new emphasis on deterrence by punishment. This new emphasis on punishment was enabled by increasingly capable strategic forces with a credible threat to use as enabled by delegation of lower-use authorities, thereby setting in motion a “threat that leaves something to chance.” The threat of punishment highlighted the unignorable possibility in the Soviets’ view that a Soviet assault would result in NATO nuclear employment, which could precipitate escalation to ever higher levels of violence and intensity, regardless of any question of whether U.S. leaders would rationally seek to go to those levels a priori . In this way, Washington sought to strengthen its ability to deter the Soviets from invading Western Europe through a combination of deterrence by denial and by punishment.

NATO’s Late Cold War Posture: Deterrence Through Conventional and Nuclear Advantage, 1982–1991

By the early 1980s, the Cold War was reaching its climax. Ronald Reagan was elected on a “we win, they lose” national security platform. REF This required doubling defense procurement, with the U.S. military researching and programming to buy new tanks, stealth bombers, munitions, a 600-ship navy, and new types of nuclear weapons, to include MX and Peacekeeper nuclear missile systems. REF Ronald Reagan also pursued land-based and space-based missile defenses aimed at undermining what at that point was a significant Soviet nuclear advantage.

In this sense, Reagan pursued a strategy designed to force the Soviet Union to make a choice: match U.S. defense spending and run the risk of bankrupting itself or allow the economically stronger United States to achieve military advantage over the Soviet Union. Ultimately, the Soviet Union chose the former, which accelerated its economic collapse. Indeed, the Soviet leadership’s reaction to the Reagan build-up resulted in the Soviet Union “spending three times as much as the United States on defence with an economy that was one-third the size.” REF

The number of forces and associated platforms fielded by NATO and the Warsaw Pact by this point is staggering. By the mid-1980s, the Warsaw Pact fielded roughly 4.5 million men under arms in Europe alone, spread across 295 divisions, with almost 70,000 tanks and 14,000 combat aircraft. REF In comparison, NATO fielded slightly more than three million men under arms in Europe spread across 170 divisions, with roughly 28,000 tanks and 12,000 combat aircraft. REF

There was of course a deterrence component to the Reagan military build-up: By fielding a conventional force that the Soviets could not possibly defeat (deterrence by denial) and would in fact suffer significant costs if they tried to attack (deterrence by punishment), the Reagan military build-up followed a strategic logic that blended Eisenhower’s New Look (massive retaliation) with Kennedy’s Flexible Response (the ability to inflict varying levels of violence and pain upon one’s adversary).

NATO’s Deterrence Posture in the Post–Cold War Era, 1992 to Today

Almost immediately after the Cold War ended, the United States and Europe began to disarm. The de facto dissolution of the Warsaw Pact in 1989, followed by its de jure dissolution in 1991, and combined with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 1991 meant that the chances of an invasion of North America or Western Europe were minimal.

Indeed, the economic collapse of Russia itself in the early 1990s required a massive shedding of its military power. The comparison of NATO forces at the end of the Cold War with those of NATO 2014 is striking. By the end of the Cold War NATO had 13 million people in the active and reserve military, 32,000 tanks, 11,000 aircraft, and 24,000 nuclear weapons. REF By 2014, despite expanding into the former Warsaw Pact nations and enjoying a population 45 percent larger than in 1986, NATO had only six million people in the active and reserve military, 7,000 tanks, 6,000 aircraft, and roughly 5,000 nuclear weapons. REF

During this period, the Russians maintained a sizable non-strategic nuclear arsenal—and the United States downsized its own theater nuclear arsenal. The United States dismantled thousands of nuclear weapons deployed in Europe, retired the sea-launched nuclear Tomahawk missiles, leaving the United States with only a small number of Cold War–era gravity bombs in Europe which it could employ in times of conflict. REF

NATO, for all intents and purposes, lacked any cohesive deterrence strategy in the post–Cold War era and in many ways “coasted” on the investments and capabilities of the late Cold War. NATO’s 1999 “Strategic Concept” document, the first of the major post–Cold War NATO statements, noted that the “Alliance has an indispensable role to play in consolidating and preserving the positive changes of the recent past, and in meeting current and future security challenges…. It must safeguard common security interests in an environment of further, often unpredictable change.” REF One would be hard pressed to find a more nebulous agenda or strategy uttered by a military alliance.

At the same time, the United States engaged in several relatively minor operations, to include the Persian Gulf War, peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and the Horn of Africa, and the air campaign over Kosovo and Serbia. From 2001 to 2018, the United States prosecuted a Global War on Terror on four different continents and two nation-building exercises in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Over the same period, NATO in Europe largely had demilitarized—and Russia was slowly but surely rearming. Vladimir Putin’s 2007 speech at the Munich Security Conference was a broadside aimed at the European security order, in general, and the United States, in particular, accusing Washington of creating a unipolar world “in which there is one master, one sovereign.” REF This speech was a warning bell to many in Washington who recognized that while Russia did not have the strength to threaten American interests directly, it could threaten the territorial integrity of a largely disarmed Europe.

Given that America’s adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan were not going well, American policymakers—including Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama—began to privately and publicly urge their European counterparts to do more. The need for Europe to do more became even more evident following Putin’s decision to maintain the Russian non-strategic nuclear arsenal, which is 10 times the size of the American non-strategic arsenal. REF

By the mid-2000s NATO agreed—in principle—to spend more on defense. In 2006 and again in 2014, NATO states agreed to spend 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense—a number that only a small fraction of European states met in the decade and a half after they committed to do so. REF

In 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea. For some—but not nearly enough in Europe—this was a wake-up call that Russia was once again a threat to European peace and security. Indeed, the demilitarization of Europe continued throughout this period. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the German Army had more than half a million active-duty members. Five years after the invasion of Crimea (and 11 years after the Russian invasion of Georgia), the German army had dropped by almost two-thirds—despite having 20 million more citizens due to the absorption of the East Germany by West Germany. REF Many U.S. policymakers were frustrated with the failure of much of Europe to re-arm—but at the same time, they did little to incentivize European rearmament.

By 2018, President Donald Trump’s National Defense Strategy noted that the United States military would increasingly focus on threats from China and that European NATO allies would have to significantly increase their role in the conventional defense of Europe. REF The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, of course, changed the discourse in Europe about the threat that Russia poses to NATO itself, with more—but far from all—European NATO members increasing their defense budgets to deter further Russian aggression.

The Current Russian Threat

The threat from Russia—both to the United States and to Europe—should be examined with a sober eye and not be underestimated nor overestimated.

Almost immediately after it became clear that the war in Ukraine would not be short or decisive, Moscow began to rattle its nuclear saber in an attempt to intimidate the West from providing military support to Kyiv. REF Indeed, by the fall of 2022, the United States’ intelligence community believed that the chances of Russia employing low-yield, non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNWs) was 50 percent. REF The Russian threat of battlefield, theater-range nuclear employment continued through 2023 and into 2024, depending in part on the ebb and flow of the battlefield in Ukraine, various strikes on Russian critical infrastructure, and even terrorist attacks. REF

The Russian NSNW threat poses some unique problems for NATO, particularly its members in Europe. As noted, Russia’s NSNW arsenal size is 10 times the size that of the United States. Indeed, the Federation of American Scientists estimates that Russia has roughly 2,000 NSNWs in its arsenal. REF Such weapons can be deployed from a variety of delivery platforms, including aircraft, artillery, or fixed or mobile missile launchers. REF Most of these weapons are optimized to reach short-range to intermediate-range targets, meaning that given their storage locations in Russia’s Western Military District, they can reach most of Western Europe. REF In addition, these weapons range in yield from several hundred kilotons of explosive power to potentially the sub-kiloton level—far below the explosive power of what the United States dropped on Nagasaki. REF

The United States only has about 100 to 200 operationally deployed NSNWs, primarily based in Europe. REF This is a 10-to-1 advantage in Russia’s favor when it comes to numbers of NSNWs. Further, the vast majority of these non-strategic weapons are B-61 gravity bombs. REF These are effective weapons and very capable—but they are gravity bombs that must be dropped over a target by a tactical fighter-bomber or from a strategic bomber over an enemy’s integrated air defense system. They do not have the “stand-off” ability of a nuclear-armed cruise missile—fired from hundreds or even a few thousand miles from a target. This is in stark contrast to the variety of nuclear bombs, cruise missiles, or ground launchers fielded by the Russians. Finally, the maximum yield of the B-61 is only about 50 kilotons—far below that of the Russian nuclear yields, which can go up to a few hundred kilotons. REF

In short, Russia’s NSNW force is larger and far more diverse than that of the U.S. or the NATO NSNW force.

Why does this matter? The ability to launch low-yield weapons from a stand-off range—that is, beyond the bubble where air defenses can credibly intercept an aircraft—means that there is a greater likelihood of the weapon hitting its target. Further, the dual-capable nature of the launchers—whereby some missiles can deliver nuclear or conventional warheads—means that it is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to identify the warhead on certain missiles before impact.

In addition, the ultra-low sub-kiloton yields on some Russian NSNWs means that Russia can target and strike military targets across Europe with nuclear weapons that inflict virtually no collateral damage on civilian population centers. And given the small number of NATO NSNWs, NATO would be hard pressed to respond in kind in a proportionate fashion. Put another way, Russia has nuclear advantage over the West in numbers and diversity of nuclear weapons, meaning that it can attempt to leverage that advantage in operational and coercive perspectives (as it has tried to do with its various nuclear threats to the West over the past several years). With only a few exceptions, then, virtually any NATO nuclear response to a Russian nuclear strike likely would require NATO to employ larger-yield nuclear weapons, given the disparity in arsenal size. Such an escalation is of course possible, but it is at least plausible to think that Moscow may see a path by which it could strike purely military targets with low-yield nuclear weapons, cause virtually no civilian casualties or downwind range radiological hazard, and believe that NATO would not employ nuclear weapons in kind.

A significant challenge is the fait accompli , in which Russia uses localized military advantage to cross into a NATO member’s territory (such as Finland, one of the Baltic nations, or Poland), gain lodgment, and offer peace talks with NATO, either to propose new borders based on the Russian lodgment or offer to exchange conquered new territory for a “new security architecture” in Europe, in which certain Eastern European countries would accept neutrality (that is, leave NATO) in exchange for Russian forces leaving their territory. Such a fait accompli requires moving suddenly, rapidly, with little strategic warning, and achieving limited military objectives before the adversary has time to react, much less form and field a credible defense. At that point, Russia can offer NATO a fait accompli , by which NATO can accept some kind of amended security or border reality or choose to reinitiate a conflict against Russian forces in defensive positions. REF

Should NATO instead choose to try to expel Russian forces from the occupied NATO territory, it would do so knowing that Russia has the advantage in low-yield NSNWs and may employ them against NATO forces to ensure that Russian forces would not be ejected from their positions. While it is unknowable whether Russia would employ nuclear weapons in such a scenario, it is plausible that such a potentiality would give NATO’s North Atlantic Council pause before deciding on a unified course of action. In this sense, Russia’s nuclear advantage and unitary decision-making, compared to a NATO that suffers from theater nuclear disadvantage and a requirement to get to consensus among 30-plus allies, means that Russia may believe it has an opportunity to initiate conflict with a high probability of success.

Indeed, it is clear that Russian leaders believe that their nuclear arsenal is the reason why NATO has not entered the Ukraine war as a cobelligerent. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council and the former president of Russia, says this about Russia’s nuclear weapons: “[W]e would have been torn to pieces without them.” REF

In addition to Russia’s NSNW advantage, it is clear from multiple sources that Russia is putting its economy and its manufacturing base on a wartime footing. REF Russia will soon be able to build roughly two million artillery shells a year, 100 new tanks a month, and is expanding its capacity to build long-range cruise and ballistic missiles. REF Indeed, some analysts suggest that roughly a third of Russian government spending is focused on military efforts, and has more than doubled since before the war. REF Some analysts believe that in 2024 Russia will call up somewhere between 400,000 and 1.5 million additional men to continue the fight in Ukraine and increase its force presence along its borders with Finland, the Baltics, and NATO. REF If this all manifests, it will represent a massive expansion of Russian military capabilities that will make up for losses in the Ukraine war and present a credible, if still localized, military threat to NATO states bordering Russia.

In addition, there seems to be a type of bloodlust in Russian statements. In addition to Putin’s near constant threats to use nuclear weapons on the West, to include stating that Russia is “ready for nuclear war,” there are the statements that seem to indicate that the entire European order should be overturned and the Russian empire should be re-established. REF Medvedev refers to the Baltic states as “Russian provinces” and says that Poland is “temporarily occupied.” REF Indeed, Medvedev goes even further saying that the reason he is so “harsh” to the West is “I hate them. They are bastards and degenerates. They want us, Russia, to die. And while I’m still alive, I will do everything to make them disappear.” REF

Russian leaders regularly deride Western statements and openly fantasize about nuclear war to such an extent that it is difficult to shake the feeling that there is a strain of thought within the Kremlin that believes that some kind of bloodletting is necessary. The statements by Putin, Medvedev, and Dmitri Trenin (a Moscow strategist with close ties to the Kremlin) are reminiscent of the statements of Nazi party members in the run-up to World War II—and quite different from the statements of the Soviet leadership during the majority of the Cold War. Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and their successors who embraced competition and even proxy wars never gave the sense of welcoming a nuclear cataclysm with the West. This raises the obvious question—what is the West’s ability to deter conflict with a nuclear-armed adversary that is paranoid, angry, and may even welcome a nuclear exchange as a means to satiate some kind of irrational desire for a bloodletting? Such speculation is armchair psychology at best, but it is well worth considering whether the West has ever attempted to deter a nuclear-armed quasi-fascist state led by men who fantasize about nuclear annihilation.

The Current State of European Defense

If Russia is arming up, what then is the status of European defense today?

In short, it is not good.

European NATO states are struggling to get their defense budgets where they need to be. Nearly 20 years ago, the North Atlantic Council determined that all NATO member states should spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense. Today, less than two-thirds of all NATO members have reached that mark. The current Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, said that “two percent is a floor, not a ceiling” in Senate testimony—intimating that spending should be significantly higher. REF

Moreover, many European militaries have shrunk as well. Today, the United Kingdom has fewer people in its military than the U.S. Marines Corps—and the Royal Navy only has a fleet of 16 surface combatants. REF The German army, once so formidable in the Cold War, is a shadow of its former self, with only 100 or so main battle tanks fit for service. REF Indeed, NATO’s military forces—particularly in Europe—are significantly smaller than they were in the Cold War despite NATO being significantly larger (having essentially added the former non-Soviet Warsaw Pact nations to the Alliance, along with Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic States) economically, technologically, and demographically than it was in the Cold War. REF Indeed, Europe’s economy in 2023 was seven times the size of that of Russia. REF

As Europe and the United States have given Ukraine significant military assistance over the past two years, to include munitions, air defenses, and platforms, thus lowering their own magazine depth, the question arises—is NATO, particularly European NATO, prepared to deter Russian aggression against NATO itself?

The answer to that question is maybe. And maybe not.

Europe is rearming and increasing its defense budgets—but its own defense industrial base is not tooled for a sustained wartime economy the way Russia’s is. New munitions plants are opening in Eastern Europe, but it will be years until those plants reach full capacity. And it is still expected that many European defense budgets will not reach the 2 percent of GDP threshold needed for a number of years—and even then, it is very possible that a number closer to 3 percent of GDP may be needed to meet the Russian threat. REF In the meantime, Europe faces a Russia that has roughly 2,000 NSNWs arrayed against a NATO NSNW arsenal of about 150 weapons.

Given the constraints on the United States (and its need to focus on deterring a war with China) and the increasing Russian threat, Europe must take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe and deterrence of Russia—and it must do so quickly. Specifically, it must field most, if not all, conventional forces required to deny a Russian fait accompli in the Baltics, Finland, or Poland, while also leading efforts to arm Ukraine to defend itself. This is essential—and it is doable if European allies are willing. Indeed, history shows what U.S. allies are capable of. Now they must step up again.

However, all of this raises a singular important question:

If European NATO does not have the forces that are conventionally capable of deterring Russia, given Europe’s divestment of military combat power following the end of the Cold War and Russia’s putting its economy on wartime footing; and if NATO cannot rely on the type of nuclear advantage over Russia which it enjoyed during the early and mid–Cold War eras that enabled first “Massive Retaliation” and then the “Flexible Response” deterrence strategies; and if NATO does not have the magazine depth of long-range precision-fires and missile defense systems due to its self-imposed military drawdown and its support to Ukraine; and if the United States is increasingly husbanding its resources (particularly, its long-range precision-fires, attack submarines, sea and airlift, bombers, and its missile defense capabilities) to deter a potential conflict with China in the Western Pacific, then

What does Europe have in the immediate to five-year term to deter a Russia that could be putting upwards of an additional million men under arms, that has mobilized its economy and, in particular, its defense industrial base, that enjoys localized nuclear advantage, and is run by what can only be described as a quasi-fascist government that increasingly makes statements that hint or explicitly yearn for a type of bloodletting unseen since World War II?

This is the fundamental question facing European capitals today. To those who say that this is a compelling case for American retrenchment in Europe, they should be reminded that political leaders from President George W. Bush to Secretary of Defense Bob Gates to President Obama to President Trump to President Joe Biden have all told European nations that they must do more to defend their own region. Indeed, it is worth quoting Secretary of Defense Gates’s 2011 valedictory speech to NATO before retirement:

The blunt reality is that there will be dwindling appetite and patience in the U.S. Congress—and in the American body politic writ large—to expend increasingly precious funds on behalf of nations that are apparently unwilling to devote the necessary resources or make the necessary changes to be serious and capable partners in their own defense. Nations apparently willing and eager for American taxpayers to assume the growing security burden left by reductions in European defense budgets.

Indeed, if current trends in the decline of European defense capabilities are not halted and reversed, future U.S. political leaders—those for whom the Cold War was not the formative experience that it was for me—may not consider the return on America’s investment in NATO worth the cost. REF

What European NATO Members Must Do

Given that Russia will likely win the short-term race for production of militarily relevant capabilities and has already won the medium-term race for the NSNW advantage, NATO must think differently than in the past about how it will deter the authoritarians in Moscow. To wit, Europe should:

• Put its industry on a wartime footing. If the threat to Europe is as dire as many leaders in Finland, the Baltics, and Poland say it is, then leaders in all of NATO must re-industrialize their economies to produce massive quantities of munitions and military platforms—rapidly and at scale.
• Increase defense budgets, capabilities, and manpower to a level commensurate with the threat—immediately. The focus on 2 percent of GDP vs. 3 percent of GDP vs. Cold War–era funding levels can only be helpful to a certain point. European leaders must identify the defense requirements they believe they need to deter conventional aggression and, ultimately, nuclear coercion from Russia. This will likely require significantly larger militaries than have been seen in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• Develop, in conjunction with Washington, a road map that identifies time frames and associated milestones to shift the primary burden for the conventional defense of Europe from American capabilities to European ones. Only by developing such a road map that compels capitals to commit resources and political capital can governments avoid the two-decades-long gap between the 2006 North Atlantic Council commitment to 2 percent of GDP defense budgets and the current crisis.

The United States takes the current security environment very seriously. It is committed to NATO and will remain so, but given the threat posed by China (whose economy in both real and relative terms dwarfs that of the Soviet Union at its peak), the United States must focus its attention and husband its resources to deter what could be a third world war that has its origins in the Western Pacific. China is the only actor that has the direct capability to overturn the free and open international system that has lifted billions out of poverty and promoted freedom worldwide. Moreover, the lack of a NATO-like alliance framework in the Western Pacific means that the United States must bear an even greater burden than it shouldered in the Cold War deterring the Soviet Union.

Therefore, Europe must take the primary responsibility for its conventional defense, especially by denying the aforementioned fait accompli in the East. Such a primary responsibility would include most, if not all, the conventional forces (naval platforms, long-range fires, missile defenses, land armies, and air power) necessary to deter and, if necessary, defeat the Russian military as the United States re-postures or divests its forces and capabilities to shore up defenses in the Pacific. The question then becomes what this looks like over the short term (one to two years) to mid term (three to five years).

The good news is that Europe’s wealth, demography, and technology levels dwarfs that of Russia. Europe—if it so chooses—is more than capable of fielding the credible defense necessary to deter even the most paranoid Russian autocrat from invading NATO territory.

Finally, Europe should understand that the United States views Europe with friendship and warmth, due to shared history, values, and interests—but increasingly stringent questioning of America’s commitment to NATO will be counterproductive. Indeed, to those Americans who remember that since the 1960s to this very day, the United States, which through its nuclear umbrella over NATO, has been willing to trade Washington, New York, and Chicago to defend Paris, Bonn, and later, Warsaw, such questioning of America’s commitment to NATO is repugnant, particularly as Americans do not enjoy the universal health care, free university, lavish unemployment benefits, and comfortable pensions that many Europeans do—in large part because the United States has underwritten European security since Europe largely disarmed at the end of the Cold War.

Despite all this, the United States remains committed to NATO and the defense of Europe.

Europeans must remain committed to the defense of Europe as well.

Robert Peters is Research Fellow for Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense in the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for National Security at The Heritage Foundation.

Research Fellow, Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense

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