Two weeks today and I shall be on my way to Dover to join Fred. Olsen’s, Braemar for a 14-night Baltic Festivals cruise.
This will be my first experience with Fred. Olsen and my first trip to the Baltic so if I told you I was only a little excited I would be lying, I am MEGA excited! I absolutely cannot wait to get out there and explore.
Our ports of call are: Kiel, Germany; Travemunde, Germany; St Petersburg, Russia; Copenhagen, Denmark; Tallinn, Estonia and Stockholm, Sweden. We also have a Kiel Canal transit so that should be exciting.
I have been looking forward to exploring the Baltic for many years, Russia and Estonia are two places that have always been high on my list of destinations to visit and the fact we have an overnight in St Petersburg is very exciting. I am also looking forward to our long port calls, at the majority of our destinations we are docked until late in the evening so it will be nice to explore during the day and sailaway under the cover of darkness.
There seems to be so much to see and do but my tour picks thus far include the Peterhof Palace and Park and Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood in Russia, Copenhagen and the world famous Tivoli Gardens in Denmark and a medieval highlights walking tour in Tallinn. We arrive in Kiel, Germany, during Kiel Week, which is the largest sailing event in the world and promises to be an absolute spectacle! The majority of people it seems shall be opting to take the short walk into town and get right into the heart of the event, and I will be joining them. For over 30 years Kiel week has attracted both sailing fans and visitors and features approximately 2,000 boats with regattas in every Olympic discipline as well as other national and international boat classes. Sounds exciting!! The other ports are still a work in progress but I am sure they will be just as much fun!
Now to the really important bit…..Braemar! A new ship awaits me and I am looking forward to exploring her! She will be the second smallest ship I have ever cruised on, Marco Polo being the smallest, but I am sure she will have a lot to offer. As I have said a thousand times, the outer decks are my biggest love and it is important I can find a spot where I can relax and just watch the world go by. I have done my research and it seems that Braemar may well have this to offer me. Result! I’m not a ‘must do the evening entertainment’ kind of cruiser, I want to be out admiring the view, looking for marine life and enjoying the fresh air and if I can find that perfect spot then I am quite content, I don’t need anything else! Actually I need food, food is always good and water! Oh and a bar! 😉 But that’s it!
If you are on the same cruise then be sure to let me know! – 14-days and counting!
I am honoured to say that I have been nominated in the 10Best Readers Choice Awards as chosen by readers of 10Best and USA Today. I would love to get your vote in the Best Cruise Blogger category. All you have to do is click here, find me – Danielle Fear – click my picture and hit the big green vote button, that’s it! Thank you!! 🙂
Author: Danielle
CruiseMiss.com 
Hi CruiseMiss. I’m going too ( along with DH) Haven’t started to pack yet but so excited. I keep checking the weather forecast and it’s looking quite reasonable. Maybe I’ll meet you doing your sea watch. I’m often to be found on deck with binoculars in hand. I’m sure it’s going to be a great trip. Enjoy!
It is looking very good! 🙂 I am checking every day, and packing extra sandals…..just in case! I am sure we will bump in to each other. I will keep my eyes open for a lady with binoculars! I will have a canon wrapped round my neck with a lens that I am sure could reach the moon! 😉
Have been on this route. Had 2 days in St Petersburg and went out privately with Alta Tours on a two day full on tour, saw so much, hectic but worth it and cheaper than the ships tours and you see more. Great place anyway and definitely don’t miss Peterhof, beautiful, as is Catherine’s Palce, well worth a visit.
You, ms cruising Danielle, simply can’t stay ashore for too long, aren’t you? 🙂
About your upcoming Baltic itinerary – it’s corner stone (port) is the Russia’s Petersburg. From my experience, many westerners are not able to understand Russians and their way of life, but as an easterner I can tell you that Mother Russia and her people are truly a miracle in our modern “all consuming” civilization. They live a way more simple life, they really love their land, and they’ve learned (the hard way) to respect their destiny – whatever it might be.
So, ms Fear 😉 please send my kisses to the city of Peter!
Enjoy your Baltic vacation, girl! 😉