The Scandinavian countries charm everyone with their magnificent landscapes of rugged mountainsides & plummeting waterfalls, as well as their seafaring culture and history.  The famed Norwegian Fjords are narrow openings to the sea between the mountains, so the best way to see them is by a cruise, which enables you to enjoy their pristine beauty as well as the picturesque coastal towns.

Russia’s rich architecture, museums filled with priceless treasures, and colorful folklore make it a memorable destination, and a river cruise is a spectacular way to see much of Russia.

Besides, hotels and food in these Northern countries are quite costly, so a cruise is the most cost-effective way to see them.

Some of the interesting experiences you can have in Scandinavian & Russian Cruise ports are below; do note that 24x7cruise - your cruise experts in the Middle East can give you more details as well as find and book tours for you.

Stockholm: Visit Skansen- the world’s first open-air museum, to see intriguing exhibits of 18th & 19th century traditional village houses, commerce and industry, and even local animals & the Skansen aquarium. Also worth seeing  are the Vasa museum, the Nobel museum, the impressive Royal Palace, Skyview, the fika-tram, Old Town or Gamla Stan, and the Moderna Museet.

St Petersburg: ‘The Hermitage museum, known as the world’s largest Art museum & its elegant Winter Palace, as well as the Catherine & Peterhof Palaces are among the popular attractions. Treat yourself to an evening ballet performance.  On a river cruise, you can experience the interesting spectacle of raising the bridges which seems like a huge outdoor carnival, every night from April to November, when the bridges on the Neva River are raised to allow the flow of maritime traffic.

Moscow: Take a city tour to see the Red Square, Bolshoi Theater & St. Basil’s cathedral, & a folkloric performance. Also worth doing are guided tours of Russia’s famous subways, The Kremlin and UNESCO sites.

Kizhi Island: This unique island on Lake Onega boasts one of the most picturesque collections of Russian wooden churches, which is said to be one of Russia’s best open-air museums. Among these is the 22-dome Transfiguration Church which was built in 1714 from locally cut Scots pine logs using a special technique without even a single nail.

Talinn, Estonia: Take a walking tour to explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, Toompea Hill, Kadriorg Palace, Pirita beach, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and one of the world’s oldest working pharmacies.

You could take a 3 or 5-hour shore excursion that includes such a walking tour & will include Port pickup and drop-off.

Bergen: Visit Bryggen, a UNESCO world heritage site, the city’s famous fish market, and the old Bergen wharf area that houses museums, shops and restaurants. Bergen also has several art galleries and water parks for children. Take the Floibanen Funicular to the top of Mount Floyen, for stunning views of Bergen.

Oslo: On the way to Oslo, as you sail through the peaceful islands of Hovedoya & Lindoya you will see little inlets, sheltered bays, and the Dyna lighthouse.

This city’s attractions include the Opera House, the Nobel Peace Centre, and the Maritime Museum with old sailing ships moored outside, and the Fram Museum, housing the Fram polar ship, a number of art galleries and restaurants & several nightclubs.

Helsinki: For a day tour, take a hop-on hop-off bus to the main landmarks of the Suomenlinna fortress; Helsinki Olympic Stadium, & make photo stops at the underground Temppeliaukio Church, known as the Rock Church, Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument and more. If you can, try reindeer meat and the local beer called sahti. 

Geiranger: boasts a number of UNESCO world heritage sites with some of the world’s deepest, longest and narrowest fjords, including the famed Geirangerfjord. Book a sightseeing trip to explore the historical village. You can also bike or hike through some of the mountain farms and behind some waterfalls or kayak through the seven sisters’ waterfall.

Alesund: is a small fishing port with architecture that reflects the town’s Viking heritage. Do the short but steep climb to enjoy a panoramic view of the town and harbour. The fascinating Atlanterhavsparken, is one of the largest Saltwater Aquariums in northern Europe located just a few minutes’ drive from the center of Ålesund which is great for families with children.

Try one of the Seafood restaurants here which rightly claim to serve some of the world’s best & freshest seafood.

Flam: the town of Flam lies between the Aurlandsfjord and majestic mountains. Take a ride on the steep Flam Railway for breathtaking views. You could bike or hike all the way back to town through the valley. Another popular attraction is the authentic Viking village in Gudvangen that transports you back to the past.

These are the top Scandinavia, Russia & Baltic cruises booked by 24x7cruise.

As the appointed booking agent for Norwegian cruise line, Costa cruises, Hurtigruten and Uniworld river cruises, we would be happy to give you more information.

9 Day Scandinavia, Russia & Baltic on Norwegian Cruise Line: till end of Sept. 2018

Embark in Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany, or  Copenhagen and cruise to the medieval city of Tallinn in Estonia, glittering St. Petersburg in Russia, and modern capitals of Helsinki, and Stockholm.

7 Night Norwegian Fjords Cruise on Royal Caribbean: 18 Aug- Board Serenade of the Seas in Copenhagen, Denmark, to sail to Stavanger, Alesund, Bergen, Geiranger, and Kristiansand, Norway.

8 Night  Scandinavia & Russia on Royal Caribbean: 10 Aug on Serenade of the Seas from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Sweden, Estonia, Russia, Finland

12 Night  Scandinavia, Russia & Baltic on Royal Caribbean from Amsterdam: 30 July, 23 Aug Kristiansand, Norway

Costa Cruises 9 Night Netherlands, Norway, and Germany Cruise: Set off for Bergen and see fjords, steep mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and the Trollwall rock face before your last stop in the port of Stavanger. Then you'll travel on to Bremerhaven, Germany, and back to Amsterdam.

Costa Cruises 7 night  Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia Cruise- 28 Jul, 11 Aug

Costa Cruises 6 night  Sweden, Russia, Estonia Cruise from St Petersburg -25 jul, 8 Aug, 15 aug,

Hurtigruten Voyages:

• Classic voyages North & South, 12 day voyage from Bergen, All Year Round

Visit 34 Norwegian ports from the fjords in the south to the rugged Arctic wilderness of the north, then end your voyage in the medieval city of Trondheim. Save $250 per person on this trip from January 1 – March 31, 2019

• Adventures to Antarctica - in Nov-Dec - In the land of Fjords & Northern Lights. You’re likely to get the chance to snowmobile under the northern lights!
• Expedition cruises from Polar Regions in the High Arctic, to Europe and the Americas, and down to the end of the Earth, Antarctica.

Uniworld Boutique River cruises:

Imperial Waterways of Russia- 12 DAY cruises from MOSCOW to ST. PETERSBURG – sailing from May- August 2019