A Baltic cruise is one of the most culturally rich experiences in travel. In a single voyage you can explore the gilded palaces of St Petersburg, wander the medieval cobblestone streets of Tallinn, admire the colourful waterfront of Copenhagen's Nyhavn, and sail through the stunning Stockholm archipelago. It is a journey through centuries of history, art and architecture.

Most Baltic cruises depart from Copenhagen, Stockholm or Southampton and last 10–14 nights. A typical itinerary visits 6–8 ports, often including Copenhagen, Warnemunde (gateway to Berlin), Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm. Some itineraries also include Riga, Gdansk and Kiel.

St Petersburg is the undisputed highlight of any Baltic cruise. Two days in port give you time to visit the extraordinary Hermitage Museum — one of the largest and most impressive art museums in the world — as well as the Winter Palace, Peterhof Palace and its famous golden fountains, and the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. It is a city of extraordinary beauty and historical significance.

Tallinn is another highlight — one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of cobblestone streets, Gothic churches, merchant houses and ancient city walls. It is compact enough to explore on foot and utterly charming.

Stockholm is one of the most beautiful capital cities in Europe, spread across 14 islands where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea. The Gamla Stan (Old Town), Vasa Museum and ABBA Museum are all must-sees. The approach to Stockholm through the archipelago — thousands of islands, islets and rocks — is one of the most spectacular arrivals in cruising.

The Baltic cruise season runs from May to September, when temperatures are pleasant and the days are long. June and July offer the best weather and the longest days.