Royal Caribbean 13 days Baltic Cruise

I have never visited any state in the Baltic before.

When the opportunity comes to take the 12 nights (that means 13 days) Baltic Cruise with Royal Caribbean (albeit an imaginary cruise), I sign up for the journey.

Day 1: Embark in Amsterdam, Netherlands

I can feel the cold wind blowing on my face as I travel to the embarkation port.

Though the departure of the cruise ship is in the afternoon, I want to get on board by 11 am.  Lunch in Amsterdam is so expensive, and I have a light breakfast to save cost. 

I want to get on board, and eat till my stomach rebels.

For this imaginary cruise, I have taken a balcony cabin.  I like to drink hot coffee, and eat cookies while watching the land passes us by in the comfort of the balcony.

Day 2, 4, 10 and 12 are sea days.  That means the cruise ship just sails in the open sea.  I will sleep late, and wake up in time for a late breakfast.

Day 3: Skagen, Denmark

The ship reaches Skagen at 7 am and departs at 6 pm.  I have a full day to explore but the shore excursions are all of short duration.

I decide to visit the Tourist Office and sign up for the guided walk instead.  The price should be much lower than the one organized by Royal Caribbean.

Day 5: Tallinn, Estonia

I will take the shore excursion to Tallinn’s Old Town.

I know nothing about Estonia, and this walking tour will allow me to see the old town, and to experience the great history behind the charming town.

I think after 4 hours of walk, I will have very good appetite when I return to the ship.

Day 6 and 7: St. Petersburg, Russia

I am glad this cruise includes 2 days at St. Petersburg, Russia.  In fact, 2 days are too short to have a good tour of this remarkable historical city.

I will take a 10 hours cruise tour on the first day.  It will take me to Catherine Palace, and other landmarks, such as Peter and Paul Fortress.

On the second day, I will visit Peterhof Palace, Peterhof Gardens, Hermitage and Winter Palace.  The second day will be more tiring than the first day, because of the walking involved.

Day 8: Helsinki, Finland

While Helsinki is an interesting city, I am more interested in Porvoo.  Porvoo is a very ancient town with 700 years of history.  I dearly love to visit Porvoo and imagine how life was like in 1345.

Day 9: Stockholm, Sweden

By now, I am beat.  The past 3 days are tiring.  All the sights and walks really take their toll on me.

Though I am tempted to rest on board the cruise, I just do not want to miss my day in Stockholm.  I will take a 3 hours Stockholm rooftop walk.  It seems a great idea to see the city from the rooftop of the Old Parliament building. 

This is something not possible in many big cities.

Day 11: Copenhagen, Denmark

This is the last port in 13 days Baltic Cruise. 

I decide on a visit to Kronborg Castle, Fredensborg Palace and Frederiksborg Castle,

Visiting the castles is more meaningful than taking a city tour.  I like to see the paintings, the furniture, and the vastness of the castle.  I pity the poor maids in ancient times.  They sure had a hard time cleaning all up the place.

While taking an imaginary cruise trip is nice, I bet nothing compete with the real cruise.

A balcony cabin will set me back about $3000 per person.  Add in the cost of air-ticket, the cost of shore excursions, and the hotel stay in Amsterdam, the cost of this dream trip will set me back by $7000. 

However, travel in my imagination is free!

(image credit to Royal Caribbean)