When is the best time to visit the North and Baltic Seas?

The ideal time to go on a cruise through the North and Baltic Seas is March to September. These months offer pleasant temperatures, longer daylight hours and verdant landscapes—perfect for sightseeing and cultural exploration. \n \nHowever, winter also offers its own unique charm. From January to March, visitors may sail across the North Sea from the British Isles to Norway in search of the awe-inspiring aurora borealis. These winter cruises feature pristine, snow-covered scenery and cold-weather activities like sledding and snowmobiling—an unforgettable experience for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.

What countries can I visit on a cruise to the North and Baltic Seas?

A journey through the North and Baltic Seas offers visitors the opportunity to delve into a wide array of cultures, cuisines and traditions. A cruise through this region may take you to the heart of England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland or Germany.

How should I pack for my journey to the North and Baltic Seas?

It is recommended to pack clothes that are easily layered, so you can adjust to changing weather conditions. A jacket, good walking shoes, sunglasses and a compact umbrella or light rain gear are also advisable.

What are the culinary highlights of a North and Baltic Seas voyage?

In the picturesque Scottish town of Oldmeldrum, you can visit the Glen Garioch Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest, which has been making single malt whisky since 1797. \n \nDuring a visit to the Orkney Islands, taste fine local products, including oatcakes, butter, cheese, chutneys and bannocks—a griddle-toasted bread. You can also learn about traditional fishing practices and eat freshly caught scallops and lobster, expertly grilled, with a dram of whisky or a glass of Orkney ale. \n \nSweden is a country with a strong and diverse culinary tradition, which includes reindeer and game meat from the north and fresh and preserved fish along the coast. In Stockholm, visitors may wish to craft Swedish meatballs during a hands-on cooking class at Nordiska Kompaniet, a leading department store. Or, join a fisherman in Hönö, the largest island in the Gothenburg archipelago, for a day at sea, followed by a delicious meal of fresh crab. \n \nIn Gdańsk, you can make your own pierogi during a Polish cooking workshop or try Goldwasser, a strong root and herbal liqueur that has been produced in Poland since the 16th century. \n \nEnjoy a culinary master class at the Smakbyn restaurant in the Åland Islands, home to one of Scandinavia’s best-known chefs. You may also wish to visit Åland Distillery, which produces renowned apple brandy and local gins. \n \nVisitors to Tallinn may enjoy the Chocolala Chocolate Museum, which boasts award-winning handmade chocolate inspired by the berries and distinctive flora that can be found in Nordic forests.

What are some cultural highlights of a North and Baltic Seas cruise?

A voyage through this region promises plentiful opportunities to engage with history, especially from the Viking era. Renowned for their exceptional shipbuilding and navigational skills, the Vikings were among the greatest explorers of their time. These intrepid Norsemen set off from Scandinavia in all directions, and today, travelers can discover remnants of their ancient settlements and rich cultural legacy in the British Isles, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. \n \nVisitors may also enjoy seeing the region’s many historic architectural landmarks. In Bergen, stroll through Bryggen Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a row of timbered Hanseatic warehouses. Step into the world of the Teutonic Knights with a visit to Poland’s Malbork Castle and explore the UNESCO-listed Old Towns of Tallinn and Riga. Architecture enthusiasts will be especially delighted to learn that Riga contains Europe’s largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe.

Embark on an enriching journey to the North & Baltic Seas

A voyage through the North and Baltic Seas offers a captivating array of historic architecture, rich local customs and culinary delights. Read on to learn about traditional Baltic cuisine, uncover the history of Scottish Gaelic and enhance your knowledge of the Hanseatic League.

Scenic waterfront view of Stockholm cityscape

North & Baltic Seas

The North Sea is located between the British Isles and northwestern Europe. This northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean covers an area of 220,000 sq mi (570,000 sq km) and is bordered by Great Britain to the south and west, the Orkney and Shetland islands to the northwest, Norway to the northeast, Denmark to the east, Germany and the Netherlands to the southeast and Belgium and France to the south.

Average air temperatures in the North Sea range from 32–40°F (0–4°C) in January and from 55–64°F (13–18°C) in July. During the winter months, storms and gales are frequent. The shallow waters of the North Sea support an abundance of plant and animal life, making this one of Europe’s most productive fishing areas. Cod, haddock and herring are among the most common species. The North Sea is also economically vital for two other reasons—it is an important area for energy production and also one of the busiest shipping zones in the world.

The North Sea and Baltic Sea are connected between Norway and Denmark through sea extensions known as the Skagerrak, Kattegat and the Danish straits.

The Baltic Sea is an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean, which separates the Scandinavian Peninsula from continental Europe. Covering 149,000 sq mi (386,000 sq km), the Baltic is bounded by Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany.

Typically, Baltic winters are long and cold, while summers are short and warm, but the region experiences a great deal of climatic variability. The average temperature of Finland during the winter is around 14°F (−10°C), while the southern Baltic experiences average summer temperatures around 63°F (17°C). Fog is common during spring and early summer, and in coastal regions, sea breezes frequently occur in summer.

The Baltic Sea holds great historical significance as the economic heart of the Hanseatic League, a great medieval trading group of northern European ports. Merchants traded largely in fish—especially salted herring and dried cod—and shipbuilding supplies, including softwood timber, hemp for ropes and flax for sailcloth.

Colorful waterfront buildings in Copenhagen

Cuisine—Favorite Baltic dishes
The Baltic Sea has played a large role in shaping this region’s distinctive cuisine, which is marked by an abundance of seafood. Wild game, juniper berries and caraway seeds are other common ingredients. Sour cream is a popular accompaniment to many dishes. Here are four regional favorites that you might encounter during a journey through this captivating part of the world:
- Pelēkie Zirņi ar Speķi (Gray Peas with Bacon)—Latvia
  This surprisingly simple Latvian dish is a Christmastime staple. Cooked with bacon and onions, the peas achieve a nutty, comforting flavor. They may be served as a hearty side dish or on their own, with an accompanying glass of kefir.
- Cepelinai—Lithuania
  One of the most beloved dishes in Lithuanian cuisine, cepelinai are potato dumplings stuffed with minced meat, dry curd cheese, liver or mushrooms. They are often served with a rich, creamy sauce or sour cream.
- Kiluvõileib—Estonia
  This classic Estonian open-faced sandwich is made with rye bread, butter and pickled sprats, a small oily fish similar to sardines. It is sometimes topped with a poached or hard-boiled egg, green onions or fresh herbs.
- Bigos (Hunter’s Stew)—Poland
  Bigos is a satisfying, sauerkraut-based stew that is ideal on winter nights. Traditionally prepared with venison, boar or other wild game, this Polish favorite now often contains delectable bites of kielbasa sausage or pork.
Culture—The history of the Scottish Gaelic language

The Gaelic (pronounced Gallic) language traveled from Ireland to Scotland more than 1,500 years ago. The two lands are separated at their nearest point by just 12 mi (19 km) of sea, so it is hardly surprising that, along with migrants and raiders, the Irish Gaelic language also reached Scotland. Scottish Gaelic is one of six Celtic languages that originated in the British Isles—the others being Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish, Manx (spoken in the UK’s Isle of Man) and Breton (spoken in Brittany, France).

Although Scottish Gaelic, or Gàidhlig, developed from Irish Gaelic, it has a distinct dialect, vocabulary and alphabet. The Scottish Gaelic alphabet has 18 letters, and each is given the name of a tree or plant. For example, A is elm (ailm) and U is heather (ura). Vowels may also be written with a grave accent (or stràc) to denote a more prolonged, drawn-out sound.

During the 11th century, Gaelic was the main language spoken in Scotland, but over time, cultural, religious and population changes began to influence which languages were spoken. By the start of the 19th century, Gaelic was actively repressed. One factor that played an important part in the repression of Scottish Gaelic was the “Highland Clearances” of the 18th and 19th centuries, when many Scots were driven off their land. Poverty forced many to emigrate, taking their Gaelic language and culture with them. Canada, New Zealand and the US were popular destinations. Many places, like Nova Scotia, still have notable Gaelic-speaking populations.

By the end of the 19th century, English had been established as the primary language in Scotland, although citizens of the Highlands and the Outer Hebrides still proudly guarded their language. Today, around 55 percent of Scotland’s Gaelic speakers still live along the west coast in Skye, the Western Isles and Argyll Islands, which are now regarded as the “Gaelic heartland.” However, Gaelic-speaking communities still exist in most Scottish cities.

Scottish Gaelic is now recognized as an Indigenous language of Scotland, and it was made an official language of Scotland under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. Many Gaelic words have found their way into English usage, such as loch and glen. Road signs can be seen in Gaelic throughout Scotland, and it is spoken widely on radio and TV channels.
History—The Hanseatic League

The Hanseatic League (or Hansa, which means “fleet” or “convoy”) was an organization of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe that began in the late 1100s and grew to dominate Baltic trade for three centuries. The League was formalized in 1356 in the German city of Lübeck, in partnership with Hamburg, but it established trading centers from the Netherlands to Bergen and beyond.

Hansa members originally joined forces to facilitate trade and protect their mutual interests. In addition to achieving impressive financial success, the League had other far-reaching effects on society. For example, their organization represented one of the first systematic challenges to the absolute power of the nobility. Under the feudal system, the ruling class could impose taxes on other citizens, including merchants and artisans. Guilds became an effective means of resisting oppression and extortion by the upper class.

Some League members raised their own armies to help maintain order. Crime was rampant on the highways and seas, and the League’s forces provided much-needed protection against thieves and pirates.

The Hanseatic League also provided benefits for the community, such as developing infrastructure and establishing almshouses, hospitals, orphanages and old age homes. These charitable activities increased the League’s popularity within the general population. They also inclined the nobility to be more tolerant, since the nobles were then relieved of having to provide these services themselves. Guilds also offered consumer protections, for example, setting standards for quality, production and fair pricing.

By the 15th century, the Hanseatic League was on the wane, due to a “perfect storm” of challenges. The bubonic plague swept across Europe, killing nearly half the population and depleting the workforce. Climate change in the form of a “mini-Ice Age” caused widespread crop failure and depression. The rising Swedish Empire took control of Baltic sea routes, and internal rivalries caused the League to fracture. By 1862, the League was dissolved.

However, a new Hansa initiative began in 1980 and was formalized in 2018. Members include 192 European cities and towns, whose mission is to spread economic, social, cultural and civic unity.

North & Baltic Seas Highlights

Embark on an unforgettable voyage through the North and Baltic Seas and discover the idyllic landscapes, lively cities and vibrant cultures of this historic region. Here are some highlights you may experience along the way: