Cruise a luxurious way to see Northern Europe

Voted the World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line by Conde Nast Traveler for six years in a row, Celebrity Century Cruises thinks of everything possible to provide excellent service and to make every passenger feel special.

The staterooms and suites are lovely and the ambience is enhanced by the conveniences.

The veranda staterooms are located in the middle of the ship where less motion is felt. Sitting on the veranda on a warm day at sea with the air so fresh is a respite from the hectic lives most people lead.

Celebrity Cruise Lines offers excellent service in their elegant dining room, casual dining, 24-hour room service and specialty restaurants at an additional cost. Celebrity provides excellent entertainment on their ships and many varied activities.

There are many different itineraries offered by Celebrity. One of the most popular is a Northern European 12-night cruise departing from Amsterdam with stops in Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn (Estonia) and Copenhagen.

Amsterdam is a fascinating city, and if time allows, plan to spend at least a couple of days there, preferably before the cruise starts as flight schedules these days are not very reliable. For an introduction to the city, take a canal ride. The great waterways were built 400 years ago and take you through the heart of the city.

View the old cobblestone streets, majestic buildings and outdoor cafes. Next, take a walk along the streets to get a glimpse of the famous Red Light District, and coffee shops-marijuana bars are all legal and government controlled. Forty percent of Amsterdam’s traffic is by bicycle. If you prefer riding to walking, bicycle rentals are available.

Buy an I amsterdam Card for reduced rates for canal rides, public transportation, museums, and discounts in restaurants and stores. The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum (Rembrandt) are incomparable.

Late afternoon is the best time to visit the Anne Frank Museum as lines can be quite long earlier in the day. This haunting museum will stay in your memory forever.

The first stop after two glorious days at sea is Stockholm. The Swedish capital is built on 14 islands where the lake meets the sea and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This is a very contemporary city yet very old. The perfectly preserved old part of the town, known as Gamla Stan, was built in the 12th century.

That evening the ship leaves for Helsinki. One of the highly recommended tours is a wonderful trip through the verdant green countryside of Finland to a horse farm where three generations of one family each have their homes. The magnificent horses are shown, usually by a granddaughter in an arena built for that purpose. Then into the matriarch’s home where the women have cooked a hearty lunch. It is wonderful to sit in the ancestral dining room and enjoy a relaxed home-cooked meal. There is also a one-hour tour of Porvoo, Finland’s second-oldest town, founded in 1347, that takes place before the farm visit.

The next morning finds that you have traveled on the Baltic Sea to St. Petersburg, Russia, for two full days of splendor. The wonders of this great city are overwhelming. Take the tours offered by the cruise line. This is not a city to wander about on your own and the cruise ship tours are fabulous.

The Winter Palace of the Tsars houses the Hermitage Museum, one of the most renowned museums in the world. It rivals the Louvre in Paris. More than 3 million works of art are on display. The Winter Palace of the Tsars of Russia presents a rich cultural and political statement, the background for the 1905 and 1917 Revolution.

Catherine the Great’s Summer Palace is opulent beyond belief. There are rooms after rooms of pure gold leaf. The Grand Hall is huge and seems even bigger because of the large mirrors throughout the room.

 The Peterhof was the summer residence of Peter the Great. The magnificent gardens are literally filled with fountains of every shape and are beautiful beyond belief, like something out of a dream. The fountains are fed by a gravity system and to this day are not motorized. The Peterhof was the favorite residence of Peter I and officially opened in August of 1723.

A tour of the Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg, which was consecrated in 1893 and is the second largest Shul in Europe, is well worth the visit.

The Church of the Spilled Blood is a work of art. Covered outside and in by startling mosaics that cover most of the walls, the work on the church took 24 years to complete. It is a must see.

St. Petersburg is undoubtedly the highlight of this trip. Don’t miss a moment of what the fantastic shore excursions have to offer.
Tallinn, Estonia, is lovely. Old Town with its vibrant colored ancient homes are now beautiful hotels and shops. Cobblestone streets and narrow alleys add to the charm of Tallinn. Walk the square and alleyways to discover chocolate shops, restaurants and all sorts of unique places. Wander into the Three Sisters Hotel lobby, the place where Queen Elizabeth stayed on her visit to Tallinn. Buy a bag of delicious sugared almonds from the “monks” at stands around town square. Many of the stores sell replicas in miniature of the colorful houses in old town; they make great inexpensive souvenirs or gifts.

After a relaxing day at sea, Copenhagen will be the next stop. The pier is close enough to walk to the city center. However, first stop to see the Little Mermaid at Langelinie pier. She has looked over the waterfront for many years and is the symbol that you have arrived at this sophisticated city. Copenhagen is known throughout the world as a premier design center. The modern architecture and ancient moated fort offer quite a contrast. Of course Danish furniture and outstanding china and glass are a must see. Copenhagen is not only a great walking city but also a great shopping city. Be sure to visit Rosenborg Castle where the crown jewels are on display. The royal residence, Amalienborg, is home to the world’s oldest monarchy. You can watch the changing of the guard everyday at noon.

After a day at sea on Celebrity Cruise Line, it will seem all too soon to arrive back in Amsterdam. However, the glorious memories of this spectacular voyage will last a lifetime.