Baltic Sea Christmas Markets

There is no better way to get around the Baltic region than by cruising from city to city.  Your travel time is filled with all the comfort, amenities and entertainment a cruise ship can carry and your vacation is not interrupted by idle days of bus riding, just to get from here to there.  While the sun may be reluctant to rise during the shortest days of the year, you will be rested, refreshed and ready to go when you arrive in each of these cities to sample their unique holiday traditions and Christmas markets. Guided tours in Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn will familiarize you with each city and your itinerary will also provide you with enough free time for individual explorations or Christmas shopping in each city’s distinctive Christmas Markets.  Sample a traditional Smörgåsbord in Stockholm, taste smoked elk and reindeer and Karelian pies in Helsinki, and brave wild boar, black pudding and beetroot salad in Tallinn. 

Christmas only comes once a year and seating is limited. Even Santa Claus himself will not be able to get you a space once they are gone. Reserve your Baltic Capitals Christmas Markets Experience with Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation today. 

Estimated Timeline

14 December: Kaiserslautern to Stockholm

After your morning flight to Stockholm, a tour of the city center will familiarize you with the old city and palace district   Sweden’s shopping street and old town are both within walking distance of your hotel.  This afternoon you can take the opportunity to visit the Christmas Market at the Skansen Open Air Museum on Djurgarden Island and to enjoy the enchanting Winter Lights Walk after the sun sets.  (Overnight Stockholm)

15 December: Stockholm

Stockholm’s official Christmas Market lies in the heart of the old city, right around the corner from the Royal Palace, and directly in front of the Nobel Museum.  A short ferry ride across the water will get you from the old town to Djurgarden Island where you will find multiple tourist attractions, including the Vasa Museum, the Nordic Museum, and the Abba Museum.  The Christmas Market at Skansen Open Air Museum is only open on weekends, so if you did not visit it last night, or if you enjoyed it so much you want to go today, this is your last chance. (Overnight Stockholm)

16 December: Stockholm

One final day in Stockholm will give you time to continue shopping and sightseeing.  Lesser known attractions include The Paradox Museum, an interactive exhibition of illusions which offers a fun experience for groups and allows you to shoot creative photos which will confuse and amaze your followers on social media, and the castle complex and many churches in the Swedish capital offer many historic and cultural opportunities for sightseeing. (Overnight Stockholm)

17 December: Stockholm - Sail to Tallinn

This afternoon you will head to the Stockholm Passenger Terminal where you will board MS Baltic Queen* for an overnight sailing to Tallinn.  Your hotel’s central location will make in easy to do something with your morning in Stockholm before you board the ship and set sail in the afternoon.  Your floating hotel has all the amenities to keep you entertained during your overnight crossing of the Baltic Sea, including multiple restaurants, bars, and night clubs. (Overnight onboard)

18 December: Tallinn

After you arrive in Tallinn this morning, a tour of the city will familiarize you with the medieval city center which was once the northernmost member of the Hanseatic League.  Controlled and influenced by many larger nations throughout its long history, including Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Russia, Tallinn regained its independence in 1991.  The smallest capital of the Baltic Nations has undergone significant redevelopment since the Soviet era and is now a hip and thriving modern city which managed to keep its historic medieval center intact.  After your tour you will have plenty of free time to return to Tallinn’s Christmas Market which claims to be one of the oldest in Europe and consistently ranks high on the list of Europe’s Best Christmas Markets, taking first place in 2019 and maintaining its position in the top 20 list every year from 2021 to 2023. (Overnight Tallinn)

19 December: Tallinn

Today you can visit the many attractions located outside the city center.  Tallinn’s maritime tradition can be explored in the Seaplane Harbor and Maritime Museum, while the Proto Invention Factory, located in a secret submarine factory offers both VR and hands on experiences.  Tallinn’s Soviet past allows you to return to the bad old days by visiting the KGB museum on a secret floor of the old “foreigner’s hotel” or the cells and interrogation center hidden in the basement of one of Tallinn’s most beautiful art deco buildings.   (Overnight Tallinn)

20 December: Tallinn to Helsinki

Helsinki is only 2 hours from Tallinn when you take the hyper-ferry across the Finnish Gulf.  After checking out of your hotel you will travel in comfort on one of the regular sailings between Tallinn and Helsinki. A tour of Helsinki will let you learn the locations of Helsinki’s highlights and your four star hotel’s location near the end of Helsinki’s esplanade and shopping streets will make visiting the Christmas Market at the Senate Square or the Harbor Market on the waterfront easy.  (Overnight Helsinki)

21 December: Helsinki 

Helsinki’s downtown area is home to many significant buildings and churches, including the white Lutheran church, the red brick Russian church and the modern Rock church.  Your hotel is directly connected to the underground passages which run underneath Helsinki’s downtown district, allowing you to get around even if the weather doesn't cooperate.  Make sure to step outside to see the annual Christmas window at Stockmann’s department store which will delight children of all ages with its magical ambiance and moving characters.  (Overnight Helsinki)

22 December: Helsinki to Stockholm

The final sea leg of your visit to the Baltic Capitals begins tonight when Silja Symphony* slips its moorings at Port Olympia. You will feel the spirit of of the season on board Silja Symphony, which has been designated Santa Claus’s official cruise ship, and the indoor promenade will be fully decorated and feature live seasonal performers.  The fun will continue late into the evening with live music and entertainment in the Starlight Nightclub and Seaview Lounge while the New York Club and Lounge will keep you dancing until morning. (Overnight onboard)

23 December: Stockholm | Return flight to Kaiserslautern

After disembarking in Stockholm this morning you will have time for lunch or one last round of sightseeing in Stockholm’s old city before your return flight to Frankfurt takes off in the evening.  

*Designated ship subject to change in accordance with fleet schedule

Price:

• Double Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $1779 per person
• Single Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $2279

Standard Inside Double Cabin with bunk beds and triple hotel room for 2 adults and 1 child under 18

• Children 2-6: $899 per child
• Children 7-14: $1129 p.c.
   
• Child under 2 on existing bedding in single or double room: $329 per infant
   
• Outside cabin supplement: $250 per cabin
• Larger cabins/hotel rooms quoted upon request based on individual requirements

Deadlines and Discounts: 

• Lufthansa Initial Air Ticketing Deadline is Friday, October 4
• Registrations made on or after Saturday, October 5 are on a space available basis and may be subject to additional airline/hotel price supplements and/or rebooking fees.

Trip Includes:

• Round trip transportation including airfare and airport shuttles
• 3 overnights at Best Western Kom*** or equivalent with breakfast
• Overnight cruise from Stockholm to Tallinn with private cabin, breakfast and dinner
• 2 overnights at Hestia Euroopa**** or equivalent with breakfast
• Hyper-ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki 
• 2 overnights at Scandic Simonkenttä Helsinki**** or equivalent with breakfast
• Overnight cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm with private cabin, breakfast and dinner
• Guided tours of Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki

What to Bring: 

• Comfortable, weather appropriate shoes & clothing
• Credit/Debit card or Euro
• Military ID and Passport

Baggage Limits: 1 piece of stowed luggage up to 23 kg (50 lbs) and 1 piece of hand luggage under 10 kg (22 lbs)

Departure: 10 a.m.

Return: Around 10 p.m.