Bobbing in the Baltic

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 We have just returned from a 2 week trip to the Baltic. It had been our intention to visit it as part of our Adieu tour prior to the end of the Brexit transition period. The hope had been to make use of the railway and ferry connections with a view to ticking off the member states adjoining the Baltic Sea from here to Finland and back again. If only, but unfortunately that nasty pandemic interrupted all our travel plans. 

I'm not sure whether we are just being slow to recover our confidence after Covid and clearly catching it whilst travelling last October hasn't helped. There again it could be an age related issue. Either way, whereas the idea of all those transport connections back in 2020 invoked excitement, this year they just seemed something of a complex hassle and we had parked the whole idea.

Of course, the last time we were ocean bound it was on our ill-fated cruise to the Azores. The company offered us compensation in the form of an acceptable level of discount but until recently it was difficult to see it as anything other than a potential punishment rather than redress. That changed a month ago when, on the spur of the moment, we decided to take advantage after all and signed up for another voyage. In the shelter of the Baltic, we would surely make our planned destinations.....and we did.


The sea was smooth and the ports of call (all with splendid old towns from the days of the Hanseatic League) were scenic and colourful. We walked miles under blue sun-blessed skies, taking advantage of 8 stops in 6 countries. 

Gdansk


Visby

 Riga
 

Saareema


Tallinn


Stockholm



Warnemunde and Rostock
 

Copenhagen
 

If there was a downside, it was only that there were occasions when we felt we could be aboard a floating care home. However, we very much did our own thing at sea and ashore whilst the crew tended to every whim especially on the restaurant front where specific dietary needs (can't have that gallstone playing up again) were catered for with aplomb. Moreover, conscious of the less mobile clientele, we drew comfort from the fact that even when you reach your dotage in later retirement it seems there remains a relatively comfortable way to continue to see the world.

So, whilst I'm by no means won over by the concept of cruising, I can now at least appreciate the benefit for those in their later years although I'm pretty certain I'll never be one of those fabled passengers who occupies a cabin permanently.


 


Comments

Treaders said…
I think the Baltic states have been very underrated for such a long time. Your trip looks wonderful and the weather was seemingly kind!
19 June 2023 at 10:46
Caree Risover said…
Yes, the weather definitely made this trip
19 June 2023 at 11:12
Marksgran said…
I know what you mean with regards the age group of cruisers. We went a cruise to Norway just before the dreaded lurgy came along and the grey pound was very much front and centre! It is very comfortable it has to be said and like you we did our own thing on board and onshore but I agree, it certainly might be the way forward in our dotage if we're lucky enough to get to that stage!! Sounds like you had a fabulous time. x
21 June 2023 at 18:37
Caree Risover said…
It was an excellent trip, Marksgran. Look forward to meeting up with you aboard when we reach those Zimmer frame years!
21 June 2023 at 22:52
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