Deluxe Stateroom
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
A World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic
Stockholm - Fredrikstad
Dates:
15/7/2025
to
24/7/2025
days
nights on board
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT themed voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
The Baltic Sea has been a thoroughfare of trade since the days of the Vikings. And for nearly as long, it has been a crucial arena of struggles for dominance in Europe—an important element in the strategic thinking of great powers from the Reformation and the Thirty Years War to World War II and the Cold War. Today, it is once again at the center of current events as Sweden and Finland join NATO after decades of neutrality and as the Baltic States are newly anxious about their independence.
As we visit the great cities that ring the shores of the Baltic, we will explore this history in a series of lectures and discussions with a decorated career foreign service officer and an award-winning journalist, and we will have the privilege of a specially arranged, exclusive presentation and discussion with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-laureate Lech Wałęsa while in Gdansk.
But these historic cities of the Baltic, of course, offer so much more. They are great cosmopolitan centers with vibrant cultures and a legacy of art and architecture that reflects a history rich in tradition. Sailing from Stockholm, whose lively old town showcases cobblestone streets lined with 17th- and 18th-century buildings, Le Lapérouse calls first in Helsinki. Internationally recognized for its striking Art Nouveau architecture, Finland's capital is also home to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Suomenlinna, a massive military installation that protected the city during the 18th and 19th centuries.
During the next two days of the voyage, you encounter two more UNESCO designated sites. Tallinn's Old Town, a prominent trading center in the 13th century, retains remarkably well-preserved ramparts, public buildings, merchant houses, and warehouses. And on Gotland—the largest island in the Baltic Sea and the site of Viking treasure—the beautifully preserved medieval town of Visby, also once a stronghold for the Hanseatic League, invites exploration of both of these legacies.
Gdansk, whose shipyard served as the birthplace of the Solidarity Trade Union in 1980, is where we meet with former President Lech Wałęsa and hear the story of the wave of dissent that arose from the Solidarity movement and led to Polish independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Old Town, lovingly restored after the ravages of WWII, is a reminder of the town's proud 1000-year-old history of ship-building.
The Danish Island of Bornholm is known throughout the Baltic region for its lush farmland and rich herring fisheries and for the ruins of the medieval fortress of Hammershus and four well-preserved Nordic round churches. And the Danish capital of Copenhagen, a thoroughly modern and sophisticated city, is also proud to display its 800 years of royal history in Christiansborg Palace, which houses the Danish Parliament, and Amalienborg Palace, the winter residence of the Queen.
Le Lapérouse's last port of call is the lively Swedish harbor town of Gothenburg, whose stunning Museum of Fine Arts includes works by Carl Larsson, Edvard Munch, Anders Zorn, Van Gogh, Picasso, Chagall, and Monet. Your voyage comes to an end in Fredrikstad, a port city near the mouth of Oslo’s Oslofjord.
Ref : SF1045US - ER150725
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. Engaging discussions...
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Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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5/11/2025 to the 23/11/2025
LE CHAMPLAIN
3/12/2025 to the 13/12/2025
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
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Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- Engaging discussions onboard with two World Affairs experts: Foreign correspondent Robin Wright and Career Ambassador Beth Jones.
- An exclusive presentation and discussion aboard with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-laureate Lech Wałęsa.
- A voyage through six countries along the Baltic Sea – Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Denmark, and Norway.
- Three UNESCO World Heritage sites en route – The Fortress of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, the Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn, and the Hanseatic Town of Visby.
Ports of Call & Excursions
15 July 2025 16 July 2025 - Stockholm
Embarkation 15/7/2025 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 16/7/2025 at 1:00 pm
The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centres: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.
17 July 2025 - Helsinki
Arrival 17/7/2025 midday
Departure 17/7/2025 evening
Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical centre where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialities like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the centre, is a good place to sit and unwind.
18 July 2025 - Tallinn
Arrival 18/7/2025 early morning
Departure 18/7/2025 midday
Opening onto the Baltic sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallin will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval centre where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle give visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
19 July 2025 - Visby, Gotland
Arrival 19/7/2025 early morning
Departure 19/7/2025 midday
This old Hanseatic city lies to the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as Powder tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island’s specialities, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.
20 July 2025 - Gdansk
Arrival 20/7/2025 early morning
Departure 20/7/2025 early evening
This ravishing city on the Baltic sea is nicknamed “the golden door of Poland”, and you’ll understand why when you see its beautiful Hanseatic architecture. You’ll be charmed by the mouldings and gables that enhance the colourful façades of the houses. Along the Vistula Quays, you can take a pleasant stroll among the crafts shops. In elegant Mariacka street, the amber jewellers will most certainly tempt you into their boutiques. You can visit the church of Saint-Mary and its astronomic clock. Not far, the majestic Long Market square offers the famous Artus Court and the rich Gdansk History Museum.
21 July 2025 - Gudhjem, Bornholm
Arrival 21/7/2025 midday
Departure 21/7/2025 early evening
Lying in the south-west of the Baltic Sea, the medieval village of Gudhjem, on the island of Bornholm, is one of the most visited and most popular villages in Denmark. As you stroll along its picturesque streets, you will fall under the spell of its varied landscapes, its easy way of life, and the authenticity of this charming town with half-timbered houses topped with red roofs, in the Danish tradition. It is here, along these charming streets, that the first herring smokehouses were built in the mid-19th century, attracting all the region’s fishermen. Tucked away in a gorgeous natural setting composed of rocky cliffs, dense forests and beaches of white sand, Gudhjem will provide an unforgettable interlude where time will seem to stand still.
22 July 2025 - Copenhagen
Arrival 22/7/2025 early morning
Departure 22/7/2025 early evening
Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometres away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high colour of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weaves through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese or smoked fish.
23 July 2025 - Göteborg (Gothenburg)
Arrival 23/7/2025 early morning
Departure 23/7/2025 late afternoon
Nestling on the western coast of Sweden, at the junction of the Göta River and the Kattegat sea area, Gothenburg enchants and surprises. Authentic and welcoming, this city of canals, edged with many green spaces, has a rich maritime history, making it Sweden’s most important port. Going beyond its commercial influence, “the cultural capital of Scandinavia” is a perfect blend of historic monuments, neo-classical architecture and eco-districts featuring modern urban spaces. In the old Haga district, you can peruse hippy-chic fashion boutiques and bohemian cafés in the ground floors of traditional wood houses. On the hills of the city, fall under the spell of the Lutheran Masthugget Church, a sumptuous 18th-century building.
24 July 2025 - Fredrikstad
Arrival 24/7/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 24/7/2025 at 8:00 am
Nestling on the shores of the Glomma estuary, Fredrikstad captivates with its rich historical heritage, picturesque canals and warm atmosphere. Founded in 1567, the fortified old town still has traces of its rich past. Fall under the spell of its cobbled narrow streets, edged with traditional old wooden buildings, boutiques and lively cafes, and also discover the extremely well-preserved ramparts, built almost 5 centuries ago. Nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the magnificent hiking paths along the Oslo fjord and surrounding islands, such as Hankø, with its idyllic beaches and lush plains.
Drottningholm Palace & Gardens
This tour introduces you to the splendors of the Royal Palace at Drottningholm, the first location in Sweden to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your excursion begins with a drive through Stockholm's western suburbs to the island of Lovön on Lake Mälaren to reach Drottningholm. Designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder using Louis XIV's Versailles as a model, construction of the palace began in 1662 and was completed 20 years later, along with a Baroque French garden, under the guidance of Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Considered the best-preserved example of an 18th century palatial setting in Sweden, it was added to the UNESCO list in 1991. Your tour of the palace includes the magnificently decorated State Apartments and the Reception Halls, displaying works of some of the finest artists of the late 17th-century. Following the tour, you will have time at leisure to explore the grounds on your own, strolling through the formal French Garden, or visiting the Royal Gift Shop.
Rejoin your motorcoach for a panoramic drive around the island of Lovön, and enjoy pleasant landscapes of the surrounding rural environment and of Lake Mälaren, before returning to Stockholm and your ship.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than half a mile of walking over mostly flat surfaces, with some cobblestones and gravel. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sigtuna
Founded in 980 CE by the Viking, Erik the Victorious, Sigtuna is a town of important firsts—the first capital of Sweden, the country's first Christian town, site of the oldest main street, and so on. It is also one of the most attractive small villages you will encounter anywhere in the world.
Begin with a 30-mile drive through the picturesque countryside north of Stockholm to reach the town of Sigtuna, built on the shores of Lake Mälaren. Stroll narrow alleyways lined with charming wooden houses and visit the smallest Town Hall in Scandinavia, dating to 1744 and crafted entirely of wood. As the original center Christianity in Sweden, Sigtuna is home to ruins of a number of medieval churches and one that remains active— St Mary's, built by Dominican Friars in the 13th century and serving as the parish church since the time of the Protestant Reformation.
At the end of your guided tour, enjoy time at leisure in this idyllic small town, perhaps coming across one or more of the 170 runestones that populate the area.
- This moderate excursion involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking over a mixture of cobblestoned and paved surfaces with some stairs. It is not recommended for those with limited mobility. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the Realm of the Nobel Prize
One of the first things people think of when they think of Stockholm is the Nobel Prize Ceremony, held every December 10, when the world's most prestigious awards are presented to the winners in five areas of intellectual achievement: physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and economics. (The sixth prize, the Nobel Peace Prize, is presented in a separate ceremony in Oslo). This excursion surveys the history of the prizes and visits the venue in which they are presented.
Begin with a drive to Stockholm's Gamla Stan (Old Town), for a docent-led tour of the Nobel Prize Museum. Located in the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building, the museum was opened in 2001 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the prizes. Its mission is to honor "the Nobel laureates and their achievements, as well the Nobel Prize and Alfred Nobel." Here you can explore the work and ideas of more than 900 creative minds presented through short films and interactive displays in the "Cultures of Creativity" exhibition—an intriguing lens through which to view the 20th century and the early years of the 21st.
From the museum, travel to the Stockholm Concert Hall, where the Nobel Prize Ceremony takes place every year. A specially curated tour focuses on the arrangements and protocols surrounding the ceremony and ends with a visit to the Great Hall, where the winners receive their medals.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, with about a mile of walking required (the extent of walking in the museum is at your discretion). Some of the walking is over cobblestone surfaces, however, and there are a number of steps to be navigated. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Finnish Architecture and Design
This excursion, focused on some of the most important design and architecture of a city famous for being avant garde, begins with a visit to Hvitträsk, the birthplace and former home of Finnish architect Eero Saarinen. Saarinen's best-known projects were actually realized in the United States and include the old TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, the St. Louis Arch, and Washington DC'S Dulles Airport. A guided tour through Saarinen's magnificent home, built in 1902 and constructed of nature stone and logs, is followed time at leisure to explore the fascinating exhibits of Finnish arts and crafts or to walk the forested grounds.
On your return to Helsinki, drive along Mannerheim Street, the main thoroughfare, where you will pass by Olympic Stadium, venue for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the Opera House, Parliament House, the National Museum and the Finlandia Hall Concert & Convention Center designed by architect Alvar Aalto. Continue to Temppeliaukio Church. Carved from the bedrock, the interior walls are created naturally by the rock, hence its nickname the 'Rock Church'. Because of its excellent acoustics, the church is a popular venue for concerts.
After your visit to the church, drive to Senate Square, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful urban squares in the world. It is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in the early 19th century: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki, and the National Library of Finland. From Senate Square, walk to the lively Market Place, where you will discover the real heart of Helsinki and enjoy free time browsing the shops and stalls and tasting local foods, before returning to the ship.
- This is a moderate excursion, involving approximately one mile of walking on flat but uneven terrain and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Great Suomenlinna Fortress
From the Market Square, board a local ferry to Suomenlinna Island, one of the group of islands that guards the sea approach to Helsinki. The island is home to a major monument of military architectural history, added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.
Construction of the Fortress began during the period of Swedish rule, expanded under the Russian Imperial Government in the 19th century, and was taken over by the Finnish when they achieved independence in 1918 and renamed the massive structure Suomenlinna, the "Castle of Finland."
In the heyday of its operations, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the fortress was compared with the maritime fortifications of Gibraltar. Its military shipyard was one of the largest dry docks in the world and a major center of naval architectural expertise. In the 1960s the fort was decommissioned from most military uses, but it remains the site of the Finnish Naval Academy.
Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the island, after which you will have some time at leisure back on the mainland in Market Square, perhaps to enjoy a coffee and pastry.
- This moderate excursion involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking on uneven ground and sand paths. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Highlights of Helsinki
From the pier, drive towards Sibelius Park, named after Finland's greatest composer Jean Sibelius on his 80th birthday in 1945. Here you can view the Sibelius Monument designed by Eila Hiltunen.
Proceed to Temppeliaukio Church. Built from the natural bedrock, it is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions. The interior walls are created naturally by the rock, hence its nickname the Rock Church. The church was opened in 1969, and due to its excellent acoustics, the church is a popular venue for concerts.
After the visit, drive to Senate Square; it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful urban squares in the world. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822 and 1852: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki, and the National Library of Finland.
Next, walk down from Senate Square to the very lively Market Place. Here, discover the real heart of Helsinki and enjoy free time walking around and tasting local foods. Re-board the coach for the return drive to the pier and ship.
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This tour involves 1 mile of walking on flat but uneven terrain and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Old Town & Meeting With MP
Tallinn is a wonderfully preserved city whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your guided walking tour in the Upper Town with its watch towers, graceful spires and winding, cobbled streets, with wonderful views of the red gabled roofs and spires of the Lower Town. See the Russian Orthodox Church, inaugurated in 1900, and the 13th-century Gothic style Dome Cathedral, and then continue to the castle, which is now the seat of Estonia's Parliament. Here you will meet with a Member of Parliament for an exchange of views on matters of current interest.
Your tour continues as you follow your guide down Long and Short Leg Streets for a walking tour of the Lower Town. Among the highlights you will see are the medieval apothecary, which opened in 1422, the Great Guild House, Holy Ghost Church, and the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall. On the grounds of the Dominican Convent is a colorful market, St. Catherine's arts and crafts center, where you may enjoy some free time before rejoining the coach and returning to the pier.
- This is a moderate excursion, including a total of approximately 2 miles of walking over cobblestone streets and some inclines. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tallin Highlights, including the Memorial to Victims of Communism
Depart the pier and drive through the city center towards Kadriorg Park, the central park of Tallinn, founded in the early 18th century by Peter the Great. The centerpiece of the park is the Castle, whose main hall is probably the best example of Baroque architecture in Estonia. Explore the castles and the surrounding gardens, which were designed by the Italian architect, Michetti, to resemble those of Versailles.
Continue to the Memorial to the Victims of Communism, opened in 2018 and dedicated to those who were murdered, deported, and imprisoned by the Communist regime from 1940 to 1991. During this time, Estonia lost nearly 1 in 5 of their population to the terror imposed by the regime. The somber but beautiful memorial consists of two parts: the Journey, consisting of a walkway between two walls displaying the names of those who perished, and the Home Garden, with informational texts of where terror was carried out.
End with a drive to the Old Town for a walking tour. See all of the most important sites of the Upper and Lower Towns, including Toompea Castle, Nevsky Cathedral, the Great Guild House, Holy Ghost Church, a medieval Apothecary, and Town Hall. End with free time in the city center before returning to the pier.
- This tour includes approximately 1.5 miles of walking over cobblestone streets with some stairs. We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Visby Highlights
Visby, once a stronghold of the Hanseatic League, is a beautifully preserved medieval town, proud of its heritage and anxious to share it with visitors.
Your tour begins with a drive to an area just north of Visby town called Galgberget (“Gallows Hill”), a nature reserve high on a limestone cliff providing beautiful views of the town below and the sea beyond. At the edge of the cliff, three stone pillars stand in a circle—the ruins of a 13th-century gallows, where local criminals were executed. Here, you will also find the ruins of a limestone kiln, remnants of the time when stone from this area was used to build Visby's walls.
Board your motorcoach for a panoramic drive to the former harbor of Almedalen, now a public park. Your walking tour of Almedalen includes Visby’s oldest building, the Powder Tower, erected in the 12th century to defend the harbor. Stroll through the Fisherman’s Gate of the town’s defensive wall to the Botanical Garden Park, which displays many rare plants and is particularly known for its roses.
On the return to Visby, stop on a bridge over the town’s moat, which, though it stretches nearly two miles, has never been filled with water. Your coach will leave you at historic Dalmans Gate, where your walking tour resumes among the cozy alleyways of old Visby. Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, built by German merchants at the end of the 11th century and still in use today, before exploring the Gotland Museum, noted for its extensive collections, reflecting 8,000 years of local history. Exhibits include unique Iron Age picture stones and gold and silver treasures from the Middle Ages, testifying to Visby's wealth during the period of the Hanseatic League's control of Baltic trade.
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This tour includes approximately 1.5 miles of walking along both flat and uneven surfaces, with some steps. We recommend you wear sturdy and comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Gdansk Highlights & a Concert of Chopin
As you leave the pier on your way to Old Town, you will pass by the Gdansk Shipyards, previously known as the Lenin Shipyards, and see Solidarity Square with its monument to the workers who died protesting the Communist regime in December 1970.
Although the Old Town of Gdansk was devastated during World War II, it has been completely and lovingly restored to its former glory as a splendid collection of buildings and monuments designed in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. On your guided walking tour, you will pass by the Town Hall, Long Market, and the beautiful 15th-century Artus Court, once the center of commercial activity in the city. Pause at Neptune’s Fountain to admire this monumental symbol of Gdansk’s Hanseatic past and its connection with the sea before walking down to the waterfront. Then turn up St. Mary’s Street, which delights visitors with its lively atmosphere, quaint shops, and lovely terraced buildings. Enjoy time at leisure here to shop for amber jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs of every kind before continuing to Gothic St. Mary’s Church, the pride of Gdansk. St. Mary's is the world’s largest brick church, accommodating some 25,000 worshippers. Its deceptively plain exterior belies a bright, spacious interior with large windows and more than 30 beautifully decorated chapels. The high altar displays an ornate polyptych, the floor is covered with ancient tombstones, and the northern transept is home to an amazing 15th-century astronomical clock, complete with Zodiac and a calendar of the saints.
Your experience of Gdansk ends with an exclusive concert of Polish classical music, presenting Fryderyk Chopin's most famous pieces, as well as works of other great masters who continued his tradition: Edward Grieg, Fritz Kreisler, Wojciech Kilar (a contemporary film music composer), and Henryk Wieniawski. The entire program will be performed by renowned Polish pianist Rafal Lewandowski.
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This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately 1.5 miles walking overly mostly flat terrain, with some cobblestones and a few steps. We recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Medieval Gdansk, Old Town & Brewery Experience
This excursion into the medieval past of Gdansk begins at the Blue Lamb Granary, a branch of the Archaeological Museum of Gdansk which has been responsible for the careful reconstruction of the only remaining Granary from a time when Gdansk was at the center of trade in grains throughout the Baltic region. The Blue Lamb is important both for the building itself and for the exhibits within that chronicle aspects of the city's past.
Although the Old Town of Gdansk was devastated during World War II, it has been completely and lovingly restored to its former glory as a splendid collection of buildings and monuments designed in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Your guided tour here follows the royal route from Green Gate on the banks of the Motlawa River along Long Street to Long Market, home to townhouses that span 400 years. Continue past the Main Town Hall, Artus Court, once the center of commercial activity in the city, and the iconic symbol of Gdansk—the Neptune Fountain. You will find yourself on St. Mary Street, perhaps the liveliest place in the city, with its quaint shops and lovely terraced buildings, where you will have time at leisure to shop for amber jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs of every kind, before regrouping to visit the Old Brewery (Brovarnia Gdansk). Here you will see how the local beer is made using only natural products, and you will be invited to sample some of the results while enjoying a marvelous view over the city from the Beer Terrace.
- This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately 2 miles of walking over mostly flat terrain, with many cobblestones in the Old Town. We recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Gdansk: City of Solidarity
This excursion focuses on the important role Gdansk played in the 1980s as the center of the Solidarity movement that helped pave the way to Poland's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact in 1990. But it also affords ample time in the Old Town to get a sense of the rich history of this 1,000-year-old city.
You begin with a short drive to the European Solidarity Centre, opened in 2014 as a monument to, and a center for the study of, Polish resistance to Soviet Communist authority in the post-WWII world. While most of the exhibition is devoted to the history of the "Solidarity" movement led by Lech Walesa, it also covers earlier episodes of challenges to authoritarian rule and tells the story of the ultimate emergence of the Third Polish Republic. Following your guided tour through this impressive place, transfer to the center of Gdansk and the Old Town.
Although the Old Town of Gdansk was devastated during World War II, it has been completely and lovingly restored to its former glory as a splendid collection of buildings and monuments designed in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Follow the royal route from Green Gate on the banks of the Motlawa River along Long Street to Long Market, home to townhouses that span 400 years. Continue past the Main Town Hall, Artus Court, once the center of commercial activity in the city, and the iconic symbol of Gdansk—the Neptune Fountain. You will find yourself on St. Mary Street, perhaps the liveliest place in the city, with its quaint shops and lovely terraced buildings, where you will have time at leisure to shop for amber jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs of every kind before returning to the harbor and your ship.
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This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately 2 miles of walking over mostly flat terrain, with some cobblestones in the Old Town. We recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Highlights of Bornholm
From the pier in Gudhjem, a short drive to the northern tip of the island brings you to the village of Allinge, where your first stop on this panoramic tour of Bornholm is at Hammershus Castle Ruin, the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe. The oldest part of the castle was built in the early 12th century to consolidate the power of the Archbishopric of Lund (then part of Denmark) and obtained through an agreement with the Danish king. For the next 500 years Hammershus was rebuilt and expanded by the various rulers of the island, until it was finally abandoned in 1743. Enjoy a magnificent view of the ruins and explore the Visitor Center where you can learn more about the castle and the kings who ruled the island.
Travel south along the coast to reach Ronne, the largest city on the island and its capital. Your guide will provide an orientation as you walk to the town center, followed by time on your own to explore the quiet cobblestone streets lined with colorful timbered houses.
Leaving Ronne, drive across the island, pausing at the famous Oesterlars Roundchurch, built in the middle of the 12th century, and one of four round churches located on Bornholm (fully half of all the round churches in Denmark). From here it is only a short drive back to Gudhjem, where your coach will let you off at the top of the town so that you can follow your guide downhill through the narrow streets of the village and past the local hard candy and caramel factory before you reach the pier to tender back to your ship.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than half a mile of walking over mostly flat surfaces, with some cobblestones and gravel. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Castle, Church, and Farm: Bornholm History
From the pier in Gudhjem, a short drive to the northern tip of the island brings you to the village of Allinge, where your first stop on this panoramic tour of Bornholm is at Hammershus Castle Ruin, the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe. The oldest part of the castle was built in the early 12th century to consolidate the power of the Archbishopric of Lund (then part of Denmark) and obtained through an agreement with the Danish king. For the next 500 years Hammershus was rebuilt and expanded by the various rulers of the island, until it was finally abandoned in 1743. Enjoy a magnificent view of the ruins and explore the Visitor Center where you can learn more about the castle and the kings who ruled the island.
From Hammershus, travel inland through the forest to Oesterlars Roundchurch, built in the middle of the 12th century, and one of four round churches located on Bornholm (fully half of all the round churches in Denmark). You will tour the interior of the church, provided no religious services are scheduled.
From the world of kings and prelates to the lives of rural farmers, your final stop is at Melstedgaard Agricultural Museum on the outskirts of Gudhjem. The open-air portion of the museum recreates the world of farming in a much earlier time with interactive exhibits where you can learn about farming and about Bornholm's history as an agricultural center. Enjoy a refreshment and browse through “Skafferiet," a shop that features goods and produce from around the island.
- This is a moderate excursion involving a total of approximately 1.5 miles of walking over sometimes uneven or cobblestone, grass, and gravel surfaces. It is not recommended for those with limited mobility.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A Taste Bornholm
The island of Bornholm is famous throughout Denmark for its culinary specialties. This excursion is designed to allow you to sample a number of them and discover for yourself the reason for Bornholm's fame.
Begin with a drive from Gudhjem to the fishing village of Svaneke, the easternmost point in Denmark. Visit Svaneke Brewhouse, a 100% organic microbrewery, where you are invited to sample from its wide range of craft beers, followed by some time to browse in the village shops offering artisanal crafts and local delicacies. Of special interest are the ice cream and chocolate shops.
Leaving Svaneke, drive inland to pause at the famous Oesterlars Roundchurch, built in the middle of the 12th century, and one of four round churches located on Bornholm (fully half of all the round churches in Denmark). Reaching the northern tip of the island, stop in the town of Allinge, where you continue your culinary exploration with a visit to a local smoke house for a tasting of smoked herring served in the way the locals enjoy it, with chives, radishes and rye bread accompanied by a cold drink of your choice.
Returning to Gudhjem, your coach will let you off at the top of the town so that you can follow your guide downhill through the narrow streets if the village and past the local hard candy and caramel factory before you reach the pier to tender back to your ship.
- This is a moderate excursion involving a total of approximately 1.5 miles of walking over sometimes uneven or gravel surfaces and some inclines. It is not recommended for those with limited mobility.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Lecture on Danish History & Chrstiansborg Palace
Denmark, like other Scandinavian countries, prides itself on offering a high standard of living for many of its citizens and an extensive range of social and economic services for all. This excursion begins with a short drive to the Odd Fellows Mansion in historic Frederiksstaden, where a local scholar delivers a lecture outlining Danish history and explaining how Denmark came to be known around the worlds for its social safety net. Titled "From Peasant to Present," the lecture chronicles the major events in Danish history that transformed a state where farmers and peasants had virtually no rights and owed most of their income to kings and nobles into a society where six weeks of paid holiday is standard, where nine months of maternity or paternity leave is normal, and where education is free. Following the lecture, walk to Amalienborg Palace, literally just around the corner from the Odd Fellows Mansion. Amalienborg is the official residence of the King, Queen, and Queen Mother, and you are free to stroll through the simple but elegant Palace Square.
Continue to Christiansborg Palace, once home to kings and queens and now the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Royal Reception Rooms, and the Supreme Court. It is also the place where Denmark displays memorabilia of its 800 years of royal history, some of which will be familiar to you from the lecture. A highlight of your visit will be the Great Hall which displays Her Royal Highness Queen Margrethe II's tapestries. Presented to the Queen in 1990 on the occasion of her 50th birthday, the eleven tapestries tell the story of 1000 years of Danish history.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, with less than half a mile of walking required. Much of the walking is over cobblestone surfaces, however, and there are a number of steps to be navigated. Comfortable shoes, layered clothing to deal with a variable climate, and sun protection are recommended.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Lecture on Danish History, Landmarks & Dragør
Denmark, like other Scandinavian countries, prides itself on offering a high standard of living for many of its citizens and an extensive range of social and economic services for all. This excursion begins with a short drive to the Odd Fellows Mansion in historic Frederiksstaden, where a local scholar delivers a lecture outlining Danish history and explaining how Denmark came to be known around the world for its social safety net. Titled "From Peasant to Present," the lecture chronicles the major events in Danish history that transformed a state where farmers and peasants had virtually no rights and owed most of their income to kings and nobles into a society where six weeks of paid holiday is standard, where nine months of maternity or paternity leave is normal, and where education is free. Following the lecture, walk to Amalienborg Palace, literally just around the corner from the Odd Fellows Mansion. Amalienborg is the official residence of the King, Queen, and Queen Mother, and you are free to stroll through the simple but elegant Palace Square.
Rejoin your motorcoach for a panoramic drive through the city of Copenhagen, passing landmarks, many of which are the work of the royals and politicians you learned about in the lecture. Then, leaving the city, follow the coastline to the south and east to reach the town of Dragør, said to be the best kept village environment in Denmark. Tour the cobblestoned old town of well-preserved yellow houses with red roofs built in traditional Danish style, and hear the story of the Dutch farmers who were invited here by King Christian II to improve the productivity of the land. On the return to your ship, pass through Ørestad, an experimental community combining new age architecture with a deep commitment to sustainability.
- This is an easy excursion, with less than half a mile of walking required. Much of the walking is over cobblestone surfaces. Comfortable shoes, layered clothing to deal with a variable climate, and sun protection are recommended.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
West Coast Islands & A Taste of Herring
Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, is known for a number of things. It is, for example, the world headquarters of Volvo and the site of the largest amusement park in Scandinavia. But it is also known as the center of a booming fishing industry on the islands north and west of the city.
Driving north from Gothenburg, you pass through the historical town of Kungälv, site of the impressive ruins of Bohus Fortress, dating to the 14th century, when it was built to defend what was then the border between Sweden and Norway. Continue to Stenungsund, where you pause for a view of the beautiful Tjörn Bridge that spans the Askerö Fjord, and then cross to the island of Tjörn. Stop in the old fishing village of Klädesholmen, a long-time center of the herring industry, for a guided walking tour of the town, and then continue to the main town of Skärhamn, where the shipping industry employs some 2,000 people, half of the total population. It is here that you will sample herring pickled in Klädesholmen, and enjoy some time at leisure before returning to Gothenburg and your ship.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, involving approximately 1.25 miles of walking over a mixture of cobblestoned and flat surfaces. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Northern Archipelago
Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, is known for a number of things. It is, for example, the world headquarters of Volvo and the site of the largest amusement park in Scandinavia. But it is perhaps best known as the gateway to the stunningly beautiful islands off of Sweden's west coast.
This excursion to Öckerö, an archipelago just west of the city, begins with a scenic drive to the coastal town of Lilla Varholmen, where you board a ferry for the short ride to the island chain. At the Öckerö folklore center, enjoy a coffee and a pastry as you look out over an array of fishing boats, boathouses, and charming fishing huts. Your exploration continues with visits to the islands of Fotö and Hönö, where a guided walking tour leads you through a typical fishing village of rustic huts built on the edges of a granite landscape. You will also have some free time here to browse on your own before returning to Gothenburg and your ship.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, with just about one mile of walking required. Much of the walking is over cobblestoned, uneven surfaces, however, so sturdy walking shoes are recommended. We also suggest layered clothing to deal with a variable climate, and sun protection.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Le Lapérouse
Environmentally friendly, fitted with innovative equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, this new and intimately sized yacht offers a unique type of cruise experience.
Onboard this ship sailing under the French flag, you'll experience the incomparable pleasure of a cosily intimate cruise offering the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic chic ambiance.
The Blue Eye, an underwater lounge offering a unique experience unlike anything else in the world.
Decks
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT has organized the following included program for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included Features:
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by two World Affairs experts: Foreign correspondent Robin Wright and Career Ambassador Beth Jones
- An exclusive presentation and discussion aboard with former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-laureate Lech Wałęsa
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Stockholm to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 9-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Lapérouse, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Gratuities for ship crew and for guides and drivers on excursions
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Oslo at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Program is subject to change without notice
Quintessential Collection
PONANT Quintessential Collection voyages are designed for travelers who want to engage with the world in order to understand it.
In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, these voyages include lectures and performances aboard ship by world class experts and musicians and one or two exceptional activities ashore that encourage guests to embrace the sights and sounds, tastes and smells of the local culture. They also offer pre- or post-cruise stay with excursions relevant to the theme. We believe that travel approached in this way has the power ato transform us and to make us better citizens of the world.
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Free solo supplement
FREE SOLO SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
HISTORIC STOCKHOLM (1 NIGHT)
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a specially designed program.
Day 1 - Stockholm, Sweden
Arrive at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. You will be met at the exit of the Arrivals hall. Look for the PONANT sign or a sign with your name on it. Transfer from the airport to the Hotel Diplomat (or similar) and check in. Official check-in time is 3:00 p.m.
A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.
Join your fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. An independent dinner is at your leisure.
Day 2 - Stockholm | Embarkation
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, visit the Vasa Museum, which features the 17th-century Vasa warship, rescued from the bottom of the sea after 333 years and lovingly restored. Next, depart on an excursion that explores Stockholm's Gamla Stan (Old Town). After viewing the Royal Palace and the 13th-century Storkyrkan (outside only), enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant and some free time to shop and explore on your own. Then, take a guided tour of City Hall, the site of the annual Nobel Prize banquet. Transfer to the ship for embarkation and take in the views as you sail through the Stockholm Archipelago.
Your hotel:
The Hotel Diplomat is a 5-star property located in Strandvägen in the city center of Stockholm. The cobblestone streets of the picturesque Gamla Stan, or Old Town, are a short stroll from the hotel. World-class shopping and City Hall, home of the annual Nobel Prize ceremony, are also within easy walking distance. The hotel boasts 130 guest rooms and suites decorated in a bright Scandinavian palette with thoughtful modern conveniences.
Your program includes:
- 1 night at the Hotel Diplomat (or similar), including breakfast
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
- Transfer and luggage handling to the pier on embarkation day
- Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
- Breakfast and Lunch on Day 2
- Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide
- Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
Your program does not include:
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
- Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
- It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
- The official currency is the Swedish krona. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
- The duration of the visits is given as a guide only, and the order of the visits may change.
- This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
- Program is offered on a space available basis.
- Program is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
Hotel Dipolmat
Strandvägen 7C
114 56 Stockholm
Sweden
Telephone: +46 8 459 68 00
Total : AU$1,560
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Drottningholm Palace & Gardens
This tour introduces you to the splendors of the Royal Palace at Drottningholm, the first location in Sweden to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your excursion begins with a drive through Stockholm's western suburbs to the island of Lovön on Lake Mälaren to reach Drottningholm. Designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder using Louis XIV's Versailles as a model, construction of the palace began in 1662 and was completed 20 years later, along with a Baroque French garden, under the guidance of Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Considered the best-preserved example of an 18th century palatial setting in Sweden, it was added to the UNESCO list in 1991. Your tour of the palace includes the magnificently decorated State Apartments and the Reception Halls, displaying works of some of the finest artists of the late 17th-century. Following the tour, you will have time at leisure to explore the grounds on your own, strolling through the formal French Garden, or visiting the Royal Gift Shop.
Rejoin your motorcoach for a panoramic drive around the island of Lovön, and enjoy pleasant landscapes of the surrounding rural environment and of Lake Mälaren, before returning to Stockholm and your ship.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than half a mile of walking over mostly flat surfaces, with some cobblestones and gravel. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sigtuna
Founded in 980 CE by the Viking, Erik the Victorious, Sigtuna is a town of important firsts—the first capital of Sweden, the country's first Christian town, site of the oldest main street, and so on. It is also one of the most attractive small villages you will encounter anywhere in the world.
Begin with a 30-mile drive through the picturesque countryside north of Stockholm to reach the town of Sigtuna, built on the shores of Lake Mälaren. Stroll narrow alleyways lined with charming wooden houses and visit the smallest Town Hall in Scandinavia, dating to 1744 and crafted entirely of wood. As the original center Christianity in Sweden, Sigtuna is home to ruins of a number of medieval churches and one that remains active— St Mary's, built by Dominican Friars in the 13th century and serving as the parish church since the time of the Protestant Reformation.
At the end of your guided tour, enjoy time at leisure in this idyllic small town, perhaps coming across one or more of the 170 runestones that populate the area.
- This moderate excursion involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking over a mixture of cobblestoned and paved surfaces with some stairs. It is not recommended for those with limited mobility. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing, and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the Realm of the Nobel Prize
One of the first things people think of when they think of Stockholm is the Nobel Prize Ceremony, held every December 10, when the world's most prestigious awards are presented to the winners in five areas of intellectual achievement: physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and economics. (The sixth prize, the Nobel Peace Prize, is presented in a separate ceremony in Oslo). This excursion surveys the history of the prizes and visits the venue in which they are presented.
Begin with a drive to Stockholm's Gamla Stan (Old Town), for a docent-led tour of the Nobel Prize Museum. Located in the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building, the museum was opened in 2001 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the prizes. Its mission is to honor "the Nobel laureates and their achievements, as well the Nobel Prize and Alfred Nobel." Here you can explore the work and ideas of more than 900 creative minds presented through short films and interactive displays in the "Cultures of Creativity" exhibition—an intriguing lens through which to view the 20th century and the early years of the 21st.
From the museum, travel to the Stockholm Concert Hall, where the Nobel Prize Ceremony takes place every year. A specially curated tour focuses on the arrangements and protocols surrounding the ceremony and ends with a visit to the Great Hall, where the winners receive their medals.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, with about a mile of walking required (the extent of walking in the museum is at your discretion). Some of the walking is over cobblestone surfaces, however, and there are a number of steps to be navigated. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Finnish Architecture and Design
This excursion, focused on some of the most important design and architecture of a city famous for being avant garde, begins with a visit to Hvitträsk, the birthplace and former home of Finnish architect Eero Saarinen. Saarinen's best-known projects were actually realized in the United States and include the old TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, the St. Louis Arch, and Washington DC'S Dulles Airport. A guided tour through Saarinen's magnificent home, built in 1902 and constructed of nature stone and logs, is followed time at leisure to explore the fascinating exhibits of Finnish arts and crafts or to walk the forested grounds.
On your return to Helsinki, drive along Mannerheim Street, the main thoroughfare, where you will pass by Olympic Stadium, venue for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the Opera House, Parliament House, the National Museum and the Finlandia Hall Concert & Convention Center designed by architect Alvar Aalto. Continue to Temppeliaukio Church. Carved from the bedrock, the interior walls are created naturally by the rock, hence its nickname the 'Rock Church'. Because of its excellent acoustics, the church is a popular venue for concerts.
After your visit to the church, drive to Senate Square, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful urban squares in the world. It is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in the early 19th century: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki, and the National Library of Finland. From Senate Square, walk to the lively Market Place, where you will discover the real heart of Helsinki and enjoy free time browsing the shops and stalls and tasting local foods, before returning to the ship.
- This is a moderate excursion, involving approximately one mile of walking on flat but uneven terrain and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Great Suomenlinna Fortress
From the Market Square, board a local ferry to Suomenlinna Island, one of the group of islands that guards the sea approach to Helsinki. The island is home to a major monument of military architectural history, added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.
Construction of the Fortress began during the period of Swedish rule, expanded under the Russian Imperial Government in the 19th century, and was taken over by the Finnish when they achieved independence in 1918 and renamed the massive structure Suomenlinna, the "Castle of Finland."
In the heyday of its operations, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the fortress was compared with the maritime fortifications of Gibraltar. Its military shipyard was one of the largest dry docks in the world and a major center of naval architectural expertise. In the 1960s the fort was decommissioned from most military uses, but it remains the site of the Finnish Naval Academy.
Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the island, after which you will have some time at leisure back on the mainland in Market Square, perhaps to enjoy a coffee and pastry.
- This moderate excursion involves approximately 1.5 miles of walking on uneven ground and sand paths. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Highlights of Helsinki
From the pier, drive towards Sibelius Park, named after Finland's greatest composer Jean Sibelius on his 80th birthday in 1945. Here you can view the Sibelius Monument designed by Eila Hiltunen.
Proceed to Temppeliaukio Church. Built from the natural bedrock, it is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions. The interior walls are created naturally by the rock, hence its nickname the Rock Church. The church was opened in 1969, and due to its excellent acoustics, the church is a popular venue for concerts.
After the visit, drive to Senate Square; it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful urban squares in the world. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822 and 1852: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki, and the National Library of Finland.
Next, walk down from Senate Square to the very lively Market Place. Here, discover the real heart of Helsinki and enjoy free time walking around and tasting local foods. Re-board the coach for the return drive to the pier and ship.
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This tour involves 1 mile of walking on flat but uneven terrain and cobblestone streets. We recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Old Town & Meeting With MP
Tallinn is a wonderfully preserved city whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your guided walking tour in the Upper Town with its watch towers, graceful spires and winding, cobbled streets, with wonderful views of the red gabled roofs and spires of the Lower Town. See the Russian Orthodox Church, inaugurated in 1900, and the 13th-century Gothic style Dome Cathedral, and then continue to the castle, which is now the seat of Estonia's Parliament. Here you will meet with a Member of Parliament for an exchange of views on matters of current interest.
Your tour continues as you follow your guide down Long and Short Leg Streets for a walking tour of the Lower Town. Among the highlights you will see are the medieval apothecary, which opened in 1422, the Great Guild House, Holy Ghost Church, and the 15th-century Gothic Town Hall. On the grounds of the Dominican Convent is a colorful market, St. Catherine's arts and crafts center, where you may enjoy some free time before rejoining the coach and returning to the pier.
- This is a moderate excursion, including a total of approximately 2 miles of walking over cobblestone streets and some inclines. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tallin Highlights, including the Memorial to Victims of Communism
Depart the pier and drive through the city center towards Kadriorg Park, the central park of Tallinn, founded in the early 18th century by Peter the Great. The centerpiece of the park is the Castle, whose main hall is probably the best example of Baroque architecture in Estonia. Explore the castles and the surrounding gardens, which were designed by the Italian architect, Michetti, to resemble those of Versailles.
Continue to the Memorial to the Victims of Communism, opened in 2018 and dedicated to those who were murdered, deported, and imprisoned by the Communist regime from 1940 to 1991. During this time, Estonia lost nearly 1 in 5 of their population to the terror imposed by the regime. The somber but beautiful memorial consists of two parts: the Journey, consisting of a walkway between two walls displaying the names of those who perished, and the Home Garden, with informational texts of where terror was carried out.
End with a drive to the Old Town for a walking tour. See all of the most important sites of the Upper and Lower Towns, including Toompea Castle, Nevsky Cathedral, the Great Guild House, Holy Ghost Church, a medieval Apothecary, and Town Hall. End with free time in the city center before returning to the pier.
- This tour includes approximately 1.5 miles of walking over cobblestone streets with some stairs. We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Visby Highlights
Visby, once a stronghold of the Hanseatic League, is a beautifully preserved medieval town, proud of its heritage and anxious to share it with visitors.
Your tour begins with a drive to an area just north of Visby town called Galgberget (“Gallows Hill”), a nature reserve high on a limestone cliff providing beautiful views of the town below and the sea beyond. At the edge of the cliff, three stone pillars stand in a circle—the ruins of a 13th-century gallows, where local criminals were executed. Here, you will also find the ruins of a limestone kiln, remnants of the time when stone from this area was used to build Visby's walls.
Board your motorcoach for a panoramic drive to the former harbor of Almedalen, now a public park. Your walking tour of Almedalen includes Visby’s oldest building, the Powder Tower, erected in the 12th century to defend the harbor. Stroll through the Fisherman’s Gate of the town’s defensive wall to the Botanical Garden Park, which displays many rare plants and is particularly known for its roses.
On the return to Visby, stop on a bridge over the town’s moat, which, though it stretches nearly two miles, has never been filled with water. Your coach will leave you at historic Dalmans Gate, where your walking tour resumes among the cozy alleyways of old Visby. Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, built by German merchants at the end of the 11th century and still in use today, before exploring the Gotland Museum, noted for its extensive collections, reflecting 8,000 years of local history. Exhibits include unique Iron Age picture stones and gold and silver treasures from the Middle Ages, testifying to Visby's wealth during the period of the Hanseatic League's control of Baltic trade.
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This tour includes approximately 1.5 miles of walking along both flat and uneven surfaces, with some steps. We recommend you wear sturdy and comfortable walking shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Gdansk Highlights & a Concert of Chopin
As you leave the pier on your way to Old Town, you will pass by the Gdansk Shipyards, previously known as the Lenin Shipyards, and see Solidarity Square with its monument to the workers who died protesting the Communist regime in December 1970.
Although the Old Town of Gdansk was devastated during World War II, it has been completely and lovingly restored to its former glory as a splendid collection of buildings and monuments designed in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. On your guided walking tour, you will pass by the Town Hall, Long Market, and the beautiful 15th-century Artus Court, once the center of commercial activity in the city. Pause at Neptune’s Fountain to admire this monumental symbol of Gdansk’s Hanseatic past and its connection with the sea before walking down to the waterfront. Then turn up St. Mary’s Street, which delights visitors with its lively atmosphere, quaint shops, and lovely terraced buildings. Enjoy time at leisure here to shop for amber jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs of every kind before continuing to Gothic St. Mary’s Church, the pride of Gdansk. St. Mary's is the world’s largest brick church, accommodating some 25,000 worshippers. Its deceptively plain exterior belies a bright, spacious interior with large windows and more than 30 beautifully decorated chapels. The high altar displays an ornate polyptych, the floor is covered with ancient tombstones, and the northern transept is home to an amazing 15th-century astronomical clock, complete with Zodiac and a calendar of the saints.
Your experience of Gdansk ends with an exclusive concert of Polish classical music, presenting Fryderyk Chopin's most famous pieces, as well as works of other great masters who continued his tradition: Edward Grieg, Fritz Kreisler, Wojciech Kilar (a contemporary film music composer), and Henryk Wieniawski. The entire program will be performed by renowned Polish pianist Rafal Lewandowski.
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This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately 1.5 miles walking overly mostly flat terrain, with some cobblestones and a few steps. We recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Medieval Gdansk, Old Town & Brewery Experience
This excursion into the medieval past of Gdansk begins at the Blue Lamb Granary, a branch of the Archaeological Museum of Gdansk which has been responsible for the careful reconstruction of the only remaining Granary from a time when Gdansk was at the center of trade in grains throughout the Baltic region. The Blue Lamb is important both for the building itself and for the exhibits within that chronicle aspects of the city's past.
Although the Old Town of Gdansk was devastated during World War II, it has been completely and lovingly restored to its former glory as a splendid collection of buildings and monuments designed in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Your guided tour here follows the royal route from Green Gate on the banks of the Motlawa River along Long Street to Long Market, home to townhouses that span 400 years. Continue past the Main Town Hall, Artus Court, once the center of commercial activity in the city, and the iconic symbol of Gdansk—the Neptune Fountain. You will find yourself on St. Mary Street, perhaps the liveliest place in the city, with its quaint shops and lovely terraced buildings, where you will have time at leisure to shop for amber jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs of every kind, before regrouping to visit the Old Brewery (Brovarnia Gdansk). Here you will see how the local beer is made using only natural products, and you will be invited to sample some of the results while enjoying a marvelous view over the city from the Beer Terrace.
- This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately 2 miles of walking over mostly flat terrain, with many cobblestones in the Old Town. We recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Gdansk: City of Solidarity
This excursion focuses on the important role Gdansk played in the 1980s as the center of the Solidarity movement that helped pave the way to Poland's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact in 1990. But it also affords ample time in the Old Town to get a sense of the rich history of this 1,000-year-old city.
You begin with a short drive to the European Solidarity Centre, opened in 2014 as a monument to, and a center for the study of, Polish resistance to Soviet Communist authority in the post-WWII world. While most of the exhibition is devoted to the history of the "Solidarity" movement led by Lech Walesa, it also covers earlier episodes of challenges to authoritarian rule and tells the story of the ultimate emergence of the Third Polish Republic. Following your guided tour through this impressive place, transfer to the center of Gdansk and the Old Town.
Although the Old Town of Gdansk was devastated during World War II, it has been completely and lovingly restored to its former glory as a splendid collection of buildings and monuments designed in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Follow the royal route from Green Gate on the banks of the Motlawa River along Long Street to Long Market, home to townhouses that span 400 years. Continue past the Main Town Hall, Artus Court, once the center of commercial activity in the city, and the iconic symbol of Gdansk—the Neptune Fountain. You will find yourself on St. Mary Street, perhaps the liveliest place in the city, with its quaint shops and lovely terraced buildings, where you will have time at leisure to shop for amber jewelry, artwork, and souvenirs of every kind before returning to the harbor and your ship.
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This moderate excursion involves a total of approximately 2 miles of walking over mostly flat terrain, with some cobblestones in the Old Town. We recommend sturdy, comfortable shoes.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Highlights of Bornholm
From the pier in Gudhjem, a short drive to the northern tip of the island brings you to the village of Allinge, where your first stop on this panoramic tour of Bornholm is at Hammershus Castle Ruin, the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe. The oldest part of the castle was built in the early 12th century to consolidate the power of the Archbishopric of Lund (then part of Denmark) and obtained through an agreement with the Danish king. For the next 500 years Hammershus was rebuilt and expanded by the various rulers of the island, until it was finally abandoned in 1743. Enjoy a magnificent view of the ruins and explore the Visitor Center where you can learn more about the castle and the kings who ruled the island.
Travel south along the coast to reach Ronne, the largest city on the island and its capital. Your guide will provide an orientation as you walk to the town center, followed by time on your own to explore the quiet cobblestone streets lined with colorful timbered houses.
Leaving Ronne, drive across the island, pausing at the famous Oesterlars Roundchurch, built in the middle of the 12th century, and one of four round churches located on Bornholm (fully half of all the round churches in Denmark). From here it is only a short drive back to Gudhjem, where your coach will let you off at the top of the town so that you can follow your guide downhill through the narrow streets of the village and past the local hard candy and caramel factory before you reach the pier to tender back to your ship.
- This is an easy excursion, involving less than half a mile of walking over mostly flat surfaces, with some cobblestones and gravel. We recommend comfortable walking shoes and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Castle, Church, and Farm: Bornholm History
From the pier in Gudhjem, a short drive to the northern tip of the island brings you to the village of Allinge, where your first stop on this panoramic tour of Bornholm is at Hammershus Castle Ruin, the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe. The oldest part of the castle was built in the early 12th century to consolidate the power of the Archbishopric of Lund (then part of Denmark) and obtained through an agreement with the Danish king. For the next 500 years Hammershus was rebuilt and expanded by the various rulers of the island, until it was finally abandoned in 1743. Enjoy a magnificent view of the ruins and explore the Visitor Center where you can learn more about the castle and the kings who ruled the island.
From Hammershus, travel inland through the forest to Oesterlars Roundchurch, built in the middle of the 12th century, and one of four round churches located on Bornholm (fully half of all the round churches in Denmark). You will tour the interior of the church, provided no religious services are scheduled.
From the world of kings and prelates to the lives of rural farmers, your final stop is at Melstedgaard Agricultural Museum on the outskirts of Gudhjem. The open-air portion of the museum recreates the world of farming in a much earlier time with interactive exhibits where you can learn about farming and about Bornholm's history as an agricultural center. Enjoy a refreshment and browse through “Skafferiet," a shop that features goods and produce from around the island.
- This is a moderate excursion involving a total of approximately 1.5 miles of walking over sometimes uneven or cobblestone, grass, and gravel surfaces. It is not recommended for those with limited mobility.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A Taste Bornholm
The island of Bornholm is famous throughout Denmark for its culinary specialties. This excursion is designed to allow you to sample a number of them and discover for yourself the reason for Bornholm's fame.
Begin with a drive from Gudhjem to the fishing village of Svaneke, the easternmost point in Denmark. Visit Svaneke Brewhouse, a 100% organic microbrewery, where you are invited to sample from its wide range of craft beers, followed by some time to browse in the village shops offering artisanal crafts and local delicacies. Of special interest are the ice cream and chocolate shops.
Leaving Svaneke, drive inland to pause at the famous Oesterlars Roundchurch, built in the middle of the 12th century, and one of four round churches located on Bornholm (fully half of all the round churches in Denmark). Reaching the northern tip of the island, stop in the town of Allinge, where you continue your culinary exploration with a visit to a local smoke house for a tasting of smoked herring served in the way the locals enjoy it, with chives, radishes and rye bread accompanied by a cold drink of your choice.
Returning to Gudhjem, your coach will let you off at the top of the town so that you can follow your guide downhill through the narrow streets if the village and past the local hard candy and caramel factory before you reach the pier to tender back to your ship.
- This is a moderate excursion involving a total of approximately 1.5 miles of walking over sometimes uneven or gravel surfaces and some inclines. It is not recommended for those with limited mobility.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Lecture on Danish History & Chrstiansborg Palace
Denmark, like other Scandinavian countries, prides itself on offering a high standard of living for many of its citizens and an extensive range of social and economic services for all. This excursion begins with a short drive to the Odd Fellows Mansion in historic Frederiksstaden, where a local scholar delivers a lecture outlining Danish history and explaining how Denmark came to be known around the worlds for its social safety net. Titled "From Peasant to Present," the lecture chronicles the major events in Danish history that transformed a state where farmers and peasants had virtually no rights and owed most of their income to kings and nobles into a society where six weeks of paid holiday is standard, where nine months of maternity or paternity leave is normal, and where education is free. Following the lecture, walk to Amalienborg Palace, literally just around the corner from the Odd Fellows Mansion. Amalienborg is the official residence of the King, Queen, and Queen Mother, and you are free to stroll through the simple but elegant Palace Square.
Continue to Christiansborg Palace, once home to kings and queens and now the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Royal Reception Rooms, and the Supreme Court. It is also the place where Denmark displays memorabilia of its 800 years of royal history, some of which will be familiar to you from the lecture. A highlight of your visit will be the Great Hall which displays Her Royal Highness Queen Margrethe II's tapestries. Presented to the Queen in 1990 on the occasion of her 50th birthday, the eleven tapestries tell the story of 1000 years of Danish history.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, with less than half a mile of walking required. Much of the walking is over cobblestone surfaces, however, and there are a number of steps to be navigated. Comfortable shoes, layered clothing to deal with a variable climate, and sun protection are recommended.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Lecture on Danish History, Landmarks & Dragør
Denmark, like other Scandinavian countries, prides itself on offering a high standard of living for many of its citizens and an extensive range of social and economic services for all. This excursion begins with a short drive to the Odd Fellows Mansion in historic Frederiksstaden, where a local scholar delivers a lecture outlining Danish history and explaining how Denmark came to be known around the world for its social safety net. Titled "From Peasant to Present," the lecture chronicles the major events in Danish history that transformed a state where farmers and peasants had virtually no rights and owed most of their income to kings and nobles into a society where six weeks of paid holiday is standard, where nine months of maternity or paternity leave is normal, and where education is free. Following the lecture, walk to Amalienborg Palace, literally just around the corner from the Odd Fellows Mansion. Amalienborg is the official residence of the King, Queen, and Queen Mother, and you are free to stroll through the simple but elegant Palace Square.
Rejoin your motorcoach for a panoramic drive through the city of Copenhagen, passing landmarks, many of which are the work of the royals and politicians you learned about in the lecture. Then, leaving the city, follow the coastline to the south and east to reach the town of Dragør, said to be the best kept village environment in Denmark. Tour the cobblestoned old town of well-preserved yellow houses with red roofs built in traditional Danish style, and hear the story of the Dutch farmers who were invited here by King Christian II to improve the productivity of the land. On the return to your ship, pass through Ørestad, an experimental community combining new age architecture with a deep commitment to sustainability.
- This is an easy excursion, with less than half a mile of walking required. Much of the walking is over cobblestone surfaces. Comfortable shoes, layered clothing to deal with a variable climate, and sun protection are recommended.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
West Coast Islands & A Taste of Herring
Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, is known for a number of things. It is, for example, the world headquarters of Volvo and the site of the largest amusement park in Scandinavia. But it is also known as the center of a booming fishing industry on the islands north and west of the city.
Driving north from Gothenburg, you pass through the historical town of Kungälv, site of the impressive ruins of Bohus Fortress, dating to the 14th century, when it was built to defend what was then the border between Sweden and Norway. Continue to Stenungsund, where you pause for a view of the beautiful Tjörn Bridge that spans the Askerö Fjord, and then cross to the island of Tjörn. Stop in the old fishing village of Klädesholmen, a long-time center of the herring industry, for a guided walking tour of the town, and then continue to the main town of Skärhamn, where the shipping industry employs some 2,000 people, half of the total population. It is here that you will sample herring pickled in Klädesholmen, and enjoy some time at leisure before returning to Gothenburg and your ship.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, involving approximately 1.25 miles of walking over a mixture of cobblestoned and flat surfaces. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing and protection from the sun.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Northern Archipelago
Gothenburg, Sweden's second-largest city, is known for a number of things. It is, for example, the world headquarters of Volvo and the site of the largest amusement park in Scandinavia. But it is perhaps best known as the gateway to the stunningly beautiful islands off of Sweden's west coast.
This excursion to Öckerö, an archipelago just west of the city, begins with a scenic drive to the coastal town of Lilla Varholmen, where you board a ferry for the short ride to the island chain. At the Öckerö folklore center, enjoy a coffee and a pastry as you look out over an array of fishing boats, boathouses, and charming fishing huts. Your exploration continues with visits to the islands of Fotö and Hönö, where a guided walking tour leads you through a typical fishing village of rustic huts built on the edges of a granite landscape. You will also have some free time here to browse on your own before returning to Gothenburg and your ship.
- This is a relatively easy excursion, with just about one mile of walking required. Much of the walking is over cobblestoned, uneven surfaces, however, so sturdy walking shoes are recommended. We also suggest layered clothing to deal with a variable climate, and sun protection.
Included
Subject to availability, rate per passenger.
Ponant/ Paul Gauguin cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 2 months up to 7 days prior to departure through your travel advisor or by calling your cruise specialist.
Smithsonian cruises: Excursions will be available to book approximately 4 months prior to departure through your Guest Services Specialist. Excursions are subject to availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.
BEYOND OSLO (1 NIGHT)
Oslo is one of the great cities of Northern Europe, and this post-cruise program offers the chance to explore some of the history and charm of the city and its surroundings. It is a perfect way to bring your exploration of World Affairs in the Baltic Sea to a leisurely conclusion.
Day 1 – Disembark | Drøbak | Oslo
After breakfast aboard, meet your guide for a scenic drive northward from Fredrikstad to the charming town of Drøbak on the shores of Oslofjord, about 20 miles south of the capital. Reaching its prime in the mid 19th century when it was granted a Charter to serve as the winter harbor for Oslo when the fjord froze, Drøbak today looks much as it did in its heyday a century and a half ago. A short, guided walking tour will orient you to the town's many arts and crafts galleries and to its famous year-round Christmas shop. During time at leisure, you may take the opportunity to shop for festive gifts in this permanent Christmas store, or you may prefer to browse other market square shops and galleries, or relax over a coffee in one of the cozy cafés.
Following your visit to Drøbak, a short drive brings you to Norway's capital, Oslo, where the first order of business is lunch at Lofoten Fiskerestaurant, known for its dedication to serving fresh seafood in the best Norwegian tradition. Then, it's on to the Fram Museum, dedicated to Norway's proud history of polar exploration, with exhibits of photographs, film, and models detailing the work of the explorers Nansen, Amundsen, and Sverdrup. The central exhibit, however, is the complete restoration of the polar exploration vessel Fram. Built in 1893, it was specially designed to be small and sturdy in order to withstand the pressure of pack-ice so that it could flow with the ice on east/west currents to approach the North Pole. During its time afloat, Fram held the world records for sailing furthest north and furthest south.
Your day of exploration nears its end with a visit to Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of Europe's great civic monuments. Displaying 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in granite, bronze and wrought iron, installed mainly between 1940-49, the park celebrates the artist's vision of human relationships. From Vigeland, drive to the center of Oslo to check in to the Hotel Amerikalinjen, where the balance of the day is at leisure and dinner is independent.
Day 2 – Oslo
After breakfast at the hotel and check out, transfer to the airport for flights homeward.
Your hotel:
Once the headquarters of Norwegian American Lines, the Amerikalinjen has now been converted to a vibrant boutique hotel located within walking distance of the Opera, the Kvadraturen shopping district, and the nightlife of Youngstorget. Its rooms and suites are furnished with all of the amenities you would expect from a luxury property. It houses several restaurants and bars, as well as a popular Jazz Club. A fully equipped exercise room is available 24 hour a day.
Your program includes:
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1 night at the Amerikalinjen Hotel in Oslo
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Transfer and luggage handling from the ship to the hotel on disembarkation day
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Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 2
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Breakfast on Day 2
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Lunch on Day 1
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Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
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Local English-speaking guides
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Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
Your program does not include:
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Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day
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Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
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It is imperative that your flight departure details are communicated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the hotel to the airport.
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Late check-out is available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
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The official currency is the Norwegian Krone. Credit cards are widely accepted.
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This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
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Program is offered on a space available basis.
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Program is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
Amerikalinjen
Jerbanetorget 2
0154 Oslo
Norway
+47 21 40 59 00
Total : AU$2,050
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.