Best time for northen europe cruise?

[jascom]

we like to take northern europe cruise from Britain,Denmark to norway,sweden,etc to Russia and back.

Any suggestions about what time of year and what princess cruise.

thank you

[paul929207]

The days are longest in June and early July.

[jascom]

thanks paul. what is the weather like in june or july?

[capriccio]

We did the Baltics (round trip out of Copenhagen) in mid June 2009 and had wonderful weather. It is a fascinating cruise and we highly recommend it.

[newfirsttimer]

We did Emerald Princess to the Baltic in late August/early September 2009 and also had great weather. Light jacket required in some ports, tshirts in others. Did not use the pool at all while onboard. St. Petersburg had great weather. Fabulous cruise, loved every port. Waves were too high near Stockholm so we could not enter the harbour and had to tender at Nynesham, a 60 min. ride from Stockholm. If you book independent tours in Stockholm, you might need to think about this aspect.

[azbirdmom]

Our Baltic cruise in 2010 started in mid-May and the weather was cool (mostly 50's and was 70 on our last day in Oslo). It was pleasant except for St Petersburg where it rained both days. The temperature there was also 50ish, and we were soaked and miserable. We had been told that the weather is much better on the later cruises, but those are generally more expensive than what we paid for the early cruise. Despite the less than optimal weather, this ranks up there as one of the best cruises we've been on.

 

Julie

[lafngas]

While on our Egypt/Agean cruise out of Rome last October we spoke with many passengers who had been on a Baltic's cruise with both Princess and other lines and they said it had been their favorite cruise ever to Scandinavia and Russia. We are going on a Princess cruise in mid August leaving out of Copenhagen and the itinerary looks amazing. That sailing was the cheapest of those sailing in July and other August departures. Weather can always be unpredictable in the summer-people said their July cruise was rainy in most of their ports but they still loved their trip

[Tatka]

There is also a nice shorter 7 dayer cruise Southampton - Brugge - Copenhagen - Helsinborg - Oslo - Southampton... We are sailing this itin in August. It doesn't have Russia, which we are not interested in, but doesn't require visas.

[caribill]

There is also a nice shorter 7 dayer cruise Southampton - Brugge - Copenhagen - Helsinborg - Oslo - Southampton... We are sailing this itin in August. It doesn't have Russia, which we are not interested in, but doesn't require visas.

 

No visas need for Russia for US citizens as long as you take a tour there with a recognized tour provider (such as Denrus or Red October) or with Princess.

 

Only need a visa if you plan to take off on your own which is not easy when there is no public transportation at the port and you need to be able to speak Russian to communicate properly.

[Tatka]

Yes, if you planning to take a tour, then you wouldn't need to get a visa. I am from the former Soviet Union and know St Peter pretty well to take a tour with them. :)

 

And.. I am a Russian speaker, but from what my American friends told me, one can get by with English nowdays. Isn't there a new pier near downtown?

[caribill]

And.. I am a Russian speaker, but from what my American friends told me, one can get by with English nowdays. Isn't there a new pier near downtown?

 

New pier is not near downtown.

[blue manc]

Being a Brit and having travelled extensively in Northern Europe, the response to your question about the weather, it is a total lottery.However, I have to say that you don't come to this part of the world for the weather, just come for the scenery.