Spring Break on the Baltic Sea

Trade in another long multi-day Spring Break bus ride for an epic Baltic Sea journey to three Nordic capitals!

This is not just another spring getaway; it is a once-in-a-lifetime cruise ship journey to the fascinating capitals of Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki. Forget long, boring bus rides. We transform your travel days into part of the experience, cruising from city to city aboard modern cruise-ferries filled with restaurants, entertainment, and comfortable private cabins. You will arrive in each port rested and ready to discover a completely different world.

This is your chance to experience three dramatically different cultures in one seamless journey. In Stockholm, you will explore royal palaces, the historic cobblestones of Gamla Stan, and legendary attractions like the Vasa and ABBA museums. In Tallinn, you will step back in time in Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval city while enjoying the chic, modern Rotermann Quarter, tasting unique Baltic flavors like dense black bread and wild game. In Helsinki, you will immerse yourself in a world of cutting-edge Nordic design, neoclassic harbor grandeur, and the breathtaking solid-granite Rock Church.

Army Outdoor Recreation makes your journey easy. Your package includes your airfare and airport shuttle service from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks directly to the airport. 

People plan early for Spring Break and this Baltic Sea sailing between three countries is a uniquely memorable experience. The first 25 travelers to book will receive a significant Early Bird Discount, but these seats will not last for long. Reserve your chance to visit the capitals of the Baltic region with Army Outdoor Recreation today! Don’t let the ship sail without you. 

Price:

Seats 1-25:

• Double Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $2199 per person
• Single Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $2799

Seats 26-36:

• Double Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $2399 per person
• Single Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $2999

Outside Cabin Supplement: $275 per cabin

Deadline: Thursday, January 14
Unused hotel rooms and plane tickets will be released back to the vendor on the deadline. 
Reservations made on or after Friday, January 15 - or after the 36th seat is sold - may be subject to airline fare increases based on the current dynamically priced daily individual ticket rate.

• Children 7-11 with 2 paid adults in room configuration assigned by hotel: $1399 per child
• Children 2-6 with 2 paid adults in room configuration assigned by hotel: $1149 per child
• Child under 2 on existing bedding: $399 per infant
• Larger rooms available on request

Trip Includes:

• Round trip air transportation from Frankfurt to Stockholm 
• Round trip airport shuttle bus from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks to Frankfurt Airport
• Free on-post parking
• Overnight cruise from Stockholm to Tallinn with private cabin, breakfast and dinner on MS Baltic Queen
• 2 overnights at Metropol Tallinn*** or equivalent with breakfast
• Hyper-ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki 
• 2 overnights at Clarion Helsinki**** or equivalent with breakfast
• Overnight cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm with private cabin, breakfast and dinner on Silja Symphony
• 2 overnights at Clarion Amaranten**** or equivalent with breakfast
• Guided tours of Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki
   
• Pay in US Dollars
• All profits support your local Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs

Any required paper or electronic travel documentation is the personal responsibility of each traveler
Designated ships subject to change in accordance with fleet schedule

What to Bring:

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

Departure:

• 2 a.m. from Wagon Wheel Theater, Smith Barracks
• 3 a.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks, bldg. 2905

Return: Sunday evening

Estimated Itinerary

Saturday, 27 March: Sampling Stockholm & Setting Sail

A remarkable spring voyage across three Nordic capitals sets sail today, beginning the moment you arrive in Stockholm. You will be whisked into the city for a hybrid panoramic and walking tour of the palace district and historic Old Town, soaking in the crisp spring air of the Swedish capital. Even though you will depart Stockholm tonight, you will be back in just a few days! This afternoon, the next leg of your journey begins as you transfer to the port and board the MS Baltic Queen.

This modern cruise ferry is more than transportation; it is a floating hotel which turns long hours of overnight travel time into the highlight of the entire experience. As you sail through Stockholm's glittering archipelago into the Baltic Sea, the evening is yours to enjoy. Savor dinner at one of the multiple onboard restaurants, enjoy live music in the nightclub, or find a quiet bar for a cocktail. If you are looking to dance the night away, the top-deck disco has you covered. Whenever your bed beckons, you will fall asleep in the comfort of your private cabin, ready to wake up rested in a new country.

Sunday, 28 March: Medieval Magic in Tallinn

As the Baltic Queen approaches port this morning, look south from the viewing decks to witness the breathtaking sight of Tallinn's medieval skyline materializing on the horizon. After disembarking, a private tour will guide you from the onion domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, through the winding lanes of the Old Town, and right to the door of your hotel in the Rotermann Quarter, a beautifully redeveloped urban enclave that stands as Tallinn’s premier destination for style, culture, and cuisine.

From here, you are just a short distance away from the heart of what many call Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval city. Spend your afternoon standing on the historic Town Hall Square, enjoying a coffee at a street-side cafe as the city shakes off the winter chill, or climbing up to the Kohtuotsa viewing platform for panoramic views of the red-tiled roofs against the Baltic Sea.

Monday, 29 March: Tallinn at Your Own Pace

What will you choose to do with your free day in Tallinn? You might choose to step into the steampunk world of the Proto Invention Factory, or dive into maritime history at the nearby Seaplane Harbour. For a different kind of thrill, you can confront the city's Soviet past at the chilling KGB Museum, hidden on a secret floor of the only hotel foreigners were allowed to visit during the Soviet era. These are the immersive stories most travelers miss.

As you explore, do not forget to sample Estonia's unique cuisine, a fascinating blend of German, Russian, and Scandinavian influences that results in hearty and unforgettable dishes. Unlike typical Western menus, Baltic cuisine celebrates earthy, local ingredients like hearty buckwheat, tart sea buckthorn, and dense rye black bread. The historic streets of the Old Town and the trendy alleyways of the Rotermann Quarter are packed with cozy cellars and modern bistros where you can taste these traditional flavors, perhaps paired with wild game or savory pancakes.

Tuesday, 30 March: Hyperferry to Helsinki

This morning, a quick two-hour journey on another ultra-modern hyperferry transports you across the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki, the stylish Finnish capital. After a city tour introduces you to the city’s architectural highlights, you will check into your hotel, the striking waterfront Clarion Hotel Helsinki, located in the trendy maritime district of Jätkäsaari.

While the hotel sits in this modern harbor district, the historic heart of the city, the beautiful Esplanade, and the bustling shopping avenues are just a short tram ride or a scenic walk away. After settling in, you can easily head downtown to explore, or simply head up to the Clarion's famous rooftop Skyroom for unmatched panoramic views of the Helsinki skyline and the sea.

Wednesday, 31 March: Helsinki's Design and Grandeur

Today, a leisurely stroll north from your hotel will immerse you in Helsinki's unique blend of neoclassic grandeur and cutting-edge design. Your first stop is the incredible Temppeliaukio Church, a unique sanctuary carved directly out of solid granite. This route leads you past the imposing Parliament House and the modern architecture of the Oodi Central Library.

Continuing down Mannerheimintie, you will enter the beautiful Esplanade shopping street and park. As you reach the old harbor, the neoclassic majesty of the white Lutheran Cathedral and the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral will frame your view. Take a stroll through seaside Market Square, perhaps enjoying a ride on the SkyWheel Helsinki for panoramic Baltic views.

Thursday, 1 April: Exploring Helsinki & A Magnificent Voyage

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Helsinki for one last walk or shopping before departing for the port. This afternoon, you will board the magnificent Silja Symphony for your overnight return to Sweden. Once on board, explore the stunning multi-story indoor promenade. Kick off your evening on the water with a spectacular Nordic smörgåsbord at the grand buffet as the ship begins its westward journey.

After dinner, head to the outside decks to catch the spectacular, slow-burning at-sea sunset as the Finnish coast glides past. After night falls, enjoy the live entertainment along the promenade, take in a show at the Starlight Nightclub, or relax in the hot tubs at the Sunflower Oasis before retiring to your cabin.

Friday, 2 April: Stockholm's Island Adventures

After disembarking in Stockholm this morning, a transfer will take you to your hotel for a two-night stay. Today is for making Stockholm your own, so make every moment count! Ferry across the water to Djurgården Island to discover the legendary 17th-century Vasa warship, or sing along with the (holographic) Swedish superstars at the interactive ABBA Museum.

Saturday, 3 April: Palaces & Paradoxes

Today is another full day for exploring the Swedish capital. This is the perfect opportunity to dive into one of the city's unique attractions, like the mind-bending Paradox Museum, or to explore the cultural treasures and royal apartments within the massive Royal Palace. Spend your final evening enjoying an elegant farewell dinner in Gamla Stan, or head south to the trendy Södermalm district for an innovative take on modern Nordic cuisine.

Sunday, 4 April: Return to Germany

A private transfer will take you to Arlanda airport for your flight to Frankfurt. You'll return home this evening with memories of a unique spring break adventure across three distinct countries: a spring break journey which stands out from the rest.