A cultural cruise on the Baltic
Abercrombie & Kent Develops New Cultural Cruise Exploring the Baltic Sea
Discover Europe and Asia on A&K’s Luxurious, All-Inclusive Expedition Cruises
In response to the growing interest in immersive cultural journeys, Abercrombie & Kent is expanding its 2020 portfolio of Luxury Expedition CruisesSM withCruising the Baltic Sea: Copenhagen to St. Petersburg, a comprehensive voyage that explores the cultures and complex relationships between Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Russia. This journey joins A&K’s Cultural Cruises that explore landmark and less-frequented coastal regions of Italy, Greece and Japan for an in-depth look at the traditions of these ancient seafaring cultures.
Every A&K Luxury Expedition Cruise includes an engaging program of expert lectures, special events and curated shore excursions – always under the guidance of A&K’s knowledgeable Expedition Team — who offer incomparable insights into each country’s culture, history and natural treasures. Each cruise is exclusively chartered aboard a luxurious and innovative small ship: ‘Le Bougainville’ in the Mediterranean, ‘Le Soleal’ in Japan and the brand-new ‘Le Dumont d’Urville’ in the Baltic Sea. A&K limits capacity to less than 80 percent, which guarantees a private balcony in every stateroom and suite, uncrowded access to public spaces and restaurants, and an intimate personnel-to-guest ratio at a maximum of 1 to 1.3.
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“Our approach to expedition cruising is culturally immersive,” explains Bob Simpson, Abercrombie & Kent’s Vice President, Expedition Cruising. “We start with selecting the best ship for the destination, then craft a thoughtfully-planned itinerary that allows ample time in each port – including a stay at a five-star hotel in a notable city – to offer a thorough understanding of the region’s history. On our new Baltic Sea cruise, guests will end their journey with three nights in St. Petersburg filled with insider access opportunities and a wide choice of included excursions, with the Four Seasons Hotel Lions Palace as their home base.”
These voyages combine over 30 years of expertise in small ship cruising with A&K’s tour operating heritage to guarantee an in-depth experience unmatched by cruise-only journeys. Each day offers guests a choice of all-inclusive options for shore excursions, ranging from active, outdoor adventures to discussions of history, art and architecture, as well as hands-on experiences and tastings at local restaurants and vineyards.
On the new Baltic Sea cruise for 2020, guests may choose from a walking tour of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old Town) or an art tour including the former home of landscape painter Prince Eugen; a guided walk above the city on the rooftop of the Old Parliament House or a Nordic food experience sampling Swedish specialties from local purveyors. Tallinn offers the chance to explore the Old Town or leave the city behind for a bog walk or an Estonian vodka tasting at Palmse Manor in Lahemaa National Park. In Helsinki, guests may explore city sights, relax on a privately guided boat tour, or enjoy a Finnish sauna and nature walk. While in St. Petersburg, guests can choose from art museums, cooking classes and palace visits.
“We complement memorable experiences on shore with on board briefings by members of our Expedition Staff – as well as special guest lecturers like Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former president of Poland Lech Walesa – who provides the historical context needed to understand the significance of each place featured on the itinerary,” says Simpson. “Guests describe these cruises as more like a semester at sea than a traditional cruise.”