Travel Baltic cruising

Don’t think you like cruising? Maybe you’re doing it wrong says CLAIRE ISAAC

Ididn’t think I was a fan of cruising. But as soon as I stepped on board Regal Princess – aka The Love Boat (it even plays the theme song as it leaves port!) – I knew I was in for something special. There really is a lot here to love! First of all, the ship is huge – 15 passenger decks of cabins, theatres, restaurants, bars, pools, a spa, gym, shops, a nightclub and a casino – and it’s truly spectacular. I check out the Seawalk, a walkway that arcs out over the ocean, and the three-level midship piazza filled with cafes, stalls, bars and more. It really is a luxury resort on the water, and every whim can be catered for. Want a burger at 3am? No problem. Feel like lounging by a pool where there are no kids allowed? They got you. A massage? Lobster? A great Bloody loodymary? Mary? It’s all here and within easy reach.

In fact, there are little luxuries at every turn – I head to the Lotus Spa for a few treatments, use the high-tech gym most days, and sit in The Enclave, a haven inside the spa that has a hydrotherapy pool and blissful steam rooms.

There are three sea days during this trip with plenty to keep me occupied, but I make sure to make the most of our time at each port, too – leaving the ship early and returning just before the last gangway is closed. The ship provides shore excursions in each port – in Saint Petersburg,Petersburg Russia Russia, for example, you can head with a group to the Hermitage Museum, take a trip down the canals or see the famous Russian Ballet.

I take advantage of a couple of these, but mostly set out each day to explore alone; taking photos, trying local food and wine, buying souvenirs and soaking up the sights. Each evening, a guide to the next port is delivered to my cabin.

Tallinn in Estonia is a highlight – the old town is spectacular, a well-preserved medieval town straight out of Game of Thrones. In Norway’s capital Oslo, I head to

the world famous Vigeland Sculpture Park and walk back to the ship through the streets past the Royal Palace. While in Helsinki, Finland, I take a ferry to the gorgeous Suomenlinna island, a UNESCO world heritage site.

In Germany the stop is Warnemunde, a fishing village three hours away from Berlin, where I wander around and eat seafood by the water. Stockholm, in Sweden, is another favourite – I stroll through Gamla Stan’s cobbled streets and head to the Museum of Modern Art and the ABBA museum (it would be rude not to,to right?) before heading back to the ship.

The cruise begins and ends in Copenhagen, Denmark, so of course I go in search of Princess Mary at Amalienborg Palace. But after an unsuccessful attempt at royal-spotting, I decide to relax and while away a few hours at Nyhavn, the city’s famous, colourful harbour. It’s a truly beautiful city and there’s a lot to see – I make a mental note to come back again one day.

Back on the ship each night, I eat dinner in some of the great restaurants – there are some amazing fine dining options on board, as well as the biggest buffet I’ve ever seen. I end each day with a show in the ship’s theatre or a movie under the stars on the top deck – cosying up with blankets, popcorn and hot chocolate.

It’s the most relaxing way to travel around Europe, that’s for sure. Waking up in a new city each day never gets old, and it’s true that the “unpack once” joy of cruising is a very easy way to travel. Doesn’t hurt doing it in style either…