MSC Cruises, Baltic and Norwegian Fjords from Helsinki, August 3, 2023

Cruising from: Helsinki, Finland;

Departure Date: 3 August, 2023;

Cruise Line: MSC Cruises;

Cruise Ship: MSC Fantasia;

Duration: 14-day cruise;

Ports of Call: Helsinki, Stockholm, Kiel, Bergen, Nordfjord, Olden, Stavanger, Kiel, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki;

Day 0 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 1 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 2 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 3 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 4 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 5 Bergen, Norway

Bergen, situated between the longest fjord Sognefjord and the beautiful Hardangerfjord is a popular cruise destination and the leading cruise port in Norway. This stunning destination is home to some of the country's top museums and galleries, so it's a fantastic place to learn more about the colourful characters that helped shape Norway's history and culture.

Day 6 Nordfjord, Norway

The Nordfjord is one of the famous fjords on the west coast of Norway, not far from the Geirangerfjord and the Sognefjord. The region encompasses the rough coastline of the Stadlandet peninsula to the Jostedalsbreen glacier, Europe's largest mainland glacier. The glaciers, fjords, sea and mountains in Nordfjord are some of the most beautiful Norwegian nature has to offer.

Day 7 Olden, Norway

Olden is located at the mouth of the Oldeelva river at the northern end of the Oldedalen valley on the southern shore of the Nordfjorden. Olden is the gateway to the Briksdal Glacier (Briksdalsbreen), which has made it a popular cruise ship destination. Olden also has easy access to several other arms of this glacier, including Kjenndal and the Boyabreen.

Day 8 Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger is the gateway to the Norwegian fjords. The city centre of Stavanger is quite compact, with original dockside warehouses and pretty 18th-century streets climbing up from a bustling harbour, which makes it easy to reach most attractions on foot. On your walk you can easily stop by some of the city's many museums, such as the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, Stavanger museum of Fine Arts and the Norwegian Canning museum.

Day 9 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 10 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 11 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.

Day 12 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 13 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 14 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.