Holland America Line, Jewels Of The Baltic from Rotterdam, May 5, 2024

Cruising from: Rotterdam, Netherlands;

Departure Date: 5 May, 2024;

Cruise Line: Holland America Line;

Cruise Ship: Nieuw Statendam;

Duration: 13-day cruise;

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Oslo, Gothenburg, Aarhus, Warnemunde, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, Visby, Ronne, Kiel, Copenhagen;

Day 0 Rotterdam, Netherlands

The port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. The terminal is situated within the so called 'Manhattan on the Maas' right in the City Centre. The city of Rotterdam is known for the Erasmus University, riverside setting, lively cultural life and its maritime heritage. A few square kilometres of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in terms of modern architecture.

Day 1 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 2 Oslo, Norway

Set on the banks of the Oslofjord, which is in fact a lake, not a fjord, Norwegian capital Oslo is one of the sparsest capital cities in Europe, despite being one of the largest in terms of size. Oslo has a special combination of city life and easy access to the great outdoors. This provides lots of space for nature to thrive in the very heart of the metropolis. Outdoor activities like kayaking, skiing, hiking and cycling are just as popular within the capital as they are in the countryside.

Day 3 Gothenburg, Sweden

Gothenburg, a major city in Sweden is situated off the Gota alv river on the country's west coast. An important seaport, it's known for its Dutch-style canals and leafy boulevards like the Avenyn, the city's main thoroughfare, lined with many cafes and shops. Gothenburgers love their cafes and the city is noted for its laid-back cafe vibe. The City of Gothenburg packs quite a cultural punch of its own, and it's definitely worth considering as a destination.

Day 4 Aarhus, Denmark

The city of Aarhus is the second largest city in Denmark situated by the sea in the heart of Jutland. Big attractions in Aarhus include Den Gamle By is its old town open-air museum, with centuries-old timbered houses. Must-see sights, such as the Jelling Rune Stones, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are all in easy reach, as well as fjords and beaches to explore.

Day 5 Warnemunde, Germany

Warnemunde is a German port town on the Baltic Sea, near Rostock in Mecklenburg, Germany. Nearby, the Alter Strom canal is lined with shops and fishing boats. The Edvard Munch Haus, former home of the renowned expressionist painter, runs exhibitions and events. Rostock is the largest city in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and lies at the mouth of the Warnow River on the Baltic Sea. It’s known for Rostock University, Rostock Botanical Garden and the Gothic St. Mary’s Church.

Day 6 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 7 Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia is something of a medieval theme park, with one of the best preserved Old Towns that you're ever likely to see. Among the top landmarks to see in the Old Town itself are the likes of St Mary's Cathedral, which is the most ancient church in Tallinn. Art lovers, meanwhile, should not miss the chance to visit the KUMU National Art Museum.

Day 8 Helsinki, Finland

Set across an archipelago, Helsinki is essentially a collection of islands, with much of the action situated by the waterfront. Among the city's many stunning landmarks is the Suomenlinna fortress, which was once the most formidable fort in the Baltic. The Finnish capital also boasts a fantastic array of museums, among them the Ateneum Art Museum and the Design Museum.

Day 9 Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden is set on an extensive Baltic Sea archipelago with more than 50 bridges. As one of the world's best preserved Medieval town centres, Gamla Stan is a truly charming place to stroll around and really will transport you back in time, although it's also home to some of modern-day Stockholm's top restaurants and cafes.

Day 10 Visby, Sweden

Visby is the capital of Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic Sea and located about 60 miles (90 km) from mainland Sweden. Visby is a popular vacation destination for Scandinavians during the summer and receives thousands of tourists every year. The word 'charming' was invented for this town: red rose-covered cottages, tall towers, turrets and spires, shady arches and 'twisty-turny' cobblestone streets and old shops. UNESCO made Visby one of its protected World Heritage Sites in 1995.

Day 11 Ronne, Denmark

Ronne is the largest town on the Danish island of Bornholm. The town has some quaint cobbled streets and low-timbered houses and main attractions are Gamle Stan (Old Town), Burgenda Bison Ranch and Ronne Theater. Ronne is the centre for trips round the entire island, which not without reason is called the pearl of the Baltic Sea.

Day 12 Kiel, Germany

Kiel is a port on both sides of the Kiel Fjord, an inlet of the western Baltic Sea, and lies at the eastern end of the Kiel Canal. Kiel has a long shipbuilding and naval tradition but today it is characterised by its vibrant student scene, laid-back lifestyle and urban flair. The city features shipping and ethnography museums, and the Institute of Marine Biology contains an aquarium. The main tourist attraction is the Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) at the end of June, an international regatta and cultural festival.

Day 13 Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, the Danish capital's compact dimensions packed with cafes, shops and the best restaurants in Scandinavia are perfect for exploration on two feet or two wheels. The city's no.1 attraction, more than 100-year old amusement park Tivoli Gardens, is centrally situated a short distance west of the Central Train Station, while royal palaces Amalienborg and Rosenborg and museums like the National Gallery and the National Museum are also within the downtown area.