Marina's Russian Debut

Two full days in St Petersburg are included on Oceania Cruises first-ever Baltic voyages on the line’s recently launched new ship, Marina, cruising to Scandinavia and Russia. Limited availability is offered on three 10-day “Baltic Treasures” cruises, with cruise-only rates from £1,219 per person, including $500/stateroom onboard credit, free flights, all meals, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water. Departures are on July 22, August 1 & 11.

The cruise offers the opportunity to take part in Oceania's Culinary Discovery Tours to shore-side markets. The Farm-to-Table excursion visits two family-run farms, one that grows root vegetables, the other raising free-range cattle. After a three-course lunch in Visby, guests meet in the ship’s Bon Appetit Culinary Centre (the only hands-on cookery school at sea) for a “Joy of Grilling” class.

Latvian delicacies are showcased in Riga, where a local chef leads a tour of the Central Market. Back aboard ship, a “Romantic Riga” class completes the immersive experience. While in Helsinki, guests learn to make Finnish sausages and cinnamon rolls, then return to the ship for a class – and tasting – of smoked and cured salmon.

Marina’s other signature features include a Canyon Ranch SpaClub; six gourmet restaurants, including a French bistro by Chef Jacques Pépin; and a wine-tasting facility developed in cooperation with Wine Spectator magazine.

The “Baltic Treasures” itinerary, from Copenhagen to Stockholm, also includes visits to Warnemünde (a gateway to Berlin); Bornholm in Denmark; Gdynia, Poland (the port for Gdansk); and St Petersburg, where an overnight aboard Marina allows guests ample time to discover the magnificent Hermitage and Petrodvorets, Peter the Great’s imperial palace. 

For bookings, see this link for The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK’s leading luxury cruise specialists.

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Silversea Extend Baltic Voyages

Silversea have extended two of their Northern European voyages setting sail in June to give passengers even more of their luxury all-inclusive style in the Baltic. 

The voyages, which depart from Copenhagen on June 18 and from Helsinki on June 23, will now run for nine-days to incorporate a three-night call in St. Petersburg. Complimentary return air between Copenhagen and Helsinki is also included in the fare, along with a generous $500 onboard spending credit to use against ship facilities such as fine-dining in Le Champagne and spa treatments.

The first 9-day cruise, on Silver Whisper, calls at Warnemunde (Rostock) in Germany; Ronne and Bornholm in Denmark; Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Helsinki again. It costs from £2,468, including flights and onboard spending credit of $500 per suite.

The 9-day sector from Helsinki on June 23 calls at St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, Ronne, Bornholm, Warnemunde and Copenhagen. It costs from £2,699 including flights and onboard spending credit of $500 per suite.

Highlights of the two extended voyages include a panoramic tour of Helsinki and the chance to navigate the beautiful Finnish archipelago by private sailing vessel; a ‘walk in the footsteps’ excursion of Stieg Larsson’s bestselling Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, set on Stockholm’s Södermalm Island; and a visit to the Catherine and Pavlovsk palaces, discovery of the history of Russian jewellery at the Gold and Diamond rooms of the Hermitage museum or an evening at the opera or ballet at the renowned Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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