Guest of Honour 
Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom
25% Ponant Bonus
19 m2
2
Historic Cities of the Baltic Sea
Stockholm - Copenhagen
Dates:
02/07/2024
to
10/07/2024
days
nights on board
With featured guest Giuliano da Empoli, Italian writer and journalist.
PONANT invites you to discover the historical cities along the Baltic Sea. You will embark on Le Dumont-d’Urville for a 9-day cruise about the cultural wonders of the Hanseatic League.
Departing from Stockholm, your ship will first head to Helsinki. Located on a peninsula surrounded by almost 300 islands, the verdant capital of Finland will charm you with its Art Nouveau architecture.
You will visit Tallinn, emblematic city of the Hanseatic League, the large trading network that dominated the Baltic Sea for several centuries. Listed as UNESCO Heritage Site, this once opulent city still have remarkably well-preserved public buildings, merchant houses and warehouses.
You will also discover Riga, capital of Latvia. A unique blend of different architectural styles, the old town will open itself up to you like the pages of a history book.
Le Dumont-d’Urville will then sail to the Swedish island of Gotland and call at Visby, a site that was important for the Hanseatic League in the Baltic Sea around the 13th century. UNESCO Heritage Site, this once opulent city still has remarkably well-preserved ramparts, public buildings, merchant houses and warehouses.
You will return to Sweden in Karlskrona. This city, whose history is intrinsically linked to the Swedish Navy, boasts exceptional UNESCO-listed architecture that is characteristic of late-17th-century European naval cities.
Your ship will then call at Gdansk, famous for its amber stone and its shipyards. The former Hanseatic city will reveal some of its architectural treasures, in Gothic and Baroque styles, restored or rebuilt.
You will set a course for the charming fishing village of Gudhjem. Located on the small Danish island of Bornholm, it is very popular among the Danes for its gentle way of life and its beautiful landscapes of rock formations.
Your ship will finally reach Copenhagen, where you can explore its canals and historic districts.
Ref : EU020724
Your itinerary
With featured guest Giuliano da Empoli, Italian writer and journalist. A cruise on the Baltic Sea, to discover important cities of the Hanseatic League, through seven northern European countries: Sweden,...
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Your trip in detail
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24h room service
- Inclusive Wi-Fi Internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar included
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Giuliano da Empoli
Giuliano da Empoli is an Italian writer and journalist. He graduated in law from Rome’s La Sapienza University and in political science from the Sciences Po Paris. A former Deputy Mayor in charge of Culture in Florence (2009-2012), he was senior advisor to the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. From 2006 to 2008, he was advisor to the Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Venice Biennale (2007) and President of the Vieusseux cabinet in Florence (2012-2016). In 2016, he founded the think-tank Volta, a member of the Global Progress network.
Since 2016, his articles and editorials have been regularly published in the main Italian publications including Il Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, Il Sole 24 Ore and Il Riformista. As an author and political commentator, he regularly appears on television and radio in Italy and France. In 2019 his first book was published in France, Les ingénieurs du chaos by JC Lattès. His novel, Le mage du Kremlin (Gallimard, 2022) won the Novel Grand Prix, Académie Française 2022; the Prix Coup de Cœur CIC Ouest 2022 and the Honoré de Balzac Prize 2022.
Languages spoken: French and Italian
Photo Credit: Francesca Mantovani - Editions Gallimard
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Giuliano da Empoli
Giuliano da Empoli is an Italian writer and journalist. He graduated in law from Rome’s La Sapienza University and in political science from the Sciences Po Paris. A former Deputy Mayor in charge of Culture in Florence (2009-2012), he was senior advisor to the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. From 2006 to 2008, he was advisor to the Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Venice Biennale (2007) and President of the Vieusseux cabinet in Florence (2012-2016). In 2016, he founded the think-tank Volta, a member of the Global Progress network.
Since 2016, his articles and editorials have been regularly published in the main Italian publications including Il Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, Il Sole 24 Ore and Il Riformista. As an author and political commentator, he regularly appears on television and radio in Italy and France. In 2019 his first book was published in France, Les ingénieurs du chaos by JC Lattès. His novel, Le mage du Kremlin (Gallimard, 2022) won the Novel Grand Prix, Académie Française 2022; the Prix Coup de Cœur CIC Ouest 2022 and the Honoré de Balzac Prize 2022.
Languages spoken: French and Italian
Photo Credit: Francesca Mantovani - Editions Gallimard
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- With featured guest Giuliano da Empoli, Italian writer and journalist.
- A cruise on the Baltic Sea, to discover important cities of the Hanseatic League, through seven northern European countries: Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Denmark.
- A port of call, Gudhjem, a charming fishing village on the Danish island of Bornholm.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: from Helsinki, the sea fortress of Suomenlinna, the old town of Tallinn,the Naval Port of Karlskrona, the Hanseatic town of Visby.
- Discover five European capitals on the same cruise: Stockholm (Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), Tallinn (Estonia), Riga (Latvia) and Copenhagen (Denmark).
- Before your cruise: possibility to visit Stockholm.
Ports of Call & Excursions
2 July 2024 - Stockholm
Embarkation 02/07/2024 from 15:00 to 16:00
Departure 02/07/2024 at 17:00
The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Mälar Lake and the Baltic sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgården, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centres: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.
3 July 2024 - Helsinki
Arrival 03/07/2024 early afternoon
Departure 03/07/2024 evening
Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical centre where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialities like graavilohi - a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto park, a stone’s throw from the centre, is a good place to sit and unwind.
4 July 2024 - Tallinn
Arrival 04/07/2024 early morning
Departure 04/07/2024 midday
Opening onto the Baltic sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallin will win you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval centre where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski cathedral, or Toompea castle give visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5 July 2024 - Riga
Arrival 05/07/2024 midday
Departure 05/07/2024 late afternoon
At the place where East meets West on the edge of the Baltic Sea, Riga, the capital of Latvia, will charm you with its contrasts. Although it is one of the oldest cities in the Baltic states, with a unique atmosphere that is imbued with the memory of its medieval past, Riga is also tangibly dynamic and modern. As you stroll through its old town, you will enjoy its exceptional architecture, its cathedrals, the remains of old walls and the typical narrow streets. Nicknamed “the Paris of the North” in the 1930s, this cosmopolitan city boasts a rich heritage.
6 July 2024 - Visby, Gotland
Arrival 06/07/2024 midday
Departure 06/07/2024 early evening
This old Hanseatic city lies to the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as Powder tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafés; indeed roses abound in this town where you can taste one of the island’s specialities, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.
7 July 2024 - Karlskrona
Arrival 07/07/2024 early morning
Departure 07/07/2024 late afternoon
Discover Karlskrona on the southern coast of Sweden, between land and sea, spread over the small islands of the Blekinge archipelago. Its strategic position on the Baltic Sea made it the headquarters of the Swedish Royal Navy and its naval dockyard on the orders of King Karl XI of Sweden, in 1680. Constructed from nothing, the citadel has kept its architecture, whose coherence and conservation have today earned its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its authentic colourful wooden houses facing the sea - which is never too far away - and its rich naval history give it an exquisite and unique charm. Do not miss this visit.
8 July 2024 - Gdansk
Arrival 08/07/2024 early morning
Departure 08/07/2024 early evening
This ravishing city on the Baltic sea is nicknamed “the golden door of Poland”, and you’ll understand why when you see its beautiful Hanseatic architecture. You’ll be charmed by the mouldings and gables that enhance the colourful façades of the houses. Along the Vistula Quays, you can take a pleasant stroll among the crafts shops. In elegant Mariacka street, the amber jewellers will most certainly tempt you into their boutiques. You can visit the church of Saint-Mary and its astronomic clock. Not far, the majestic Long Market square offers the famous Artus Court and the rich Gdansk History Museum.
9 July 2024 - Gudhjem, Bornholm
Arrival 09/07/2024 early morning
Departure 09/07/2024 evening
Lying in the south-west of the Baltic Sea, the medieval village of Gudhjem, on the island of Bornholm, is one of the most visited and most popular villages in Denmark. As you stroll along its picturesque streets, you will fall under the spell of its varied landscapes, its easy way of life, and the authenticity of this charming town with half-timbered houses topped with red roofs, in the Danish tradition. It is here, along these charming streets, that the first herring smokehouses were built in the mid-19th century, attracting all the region’s fishermen. Tucked away in a gorgeous natural setting composed of rocky cliffs, dense forests and beaches of white sand, Gudhjem will provide an unforgettable interlude where time will seem to stand still.
10 July 2024 - Copenhagen
Arrival 10/07/2024 early morning
Disembarkation 10/07/2024 at 08:00
Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometres away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high colour of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weaves through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese or smoked fish.
Le Dumont-d'Urville
Le Dumont-d’Urville belongs to a new generation of ships fitted with innovative equipment and designed to be environmentally friendly, and which come equipped with lounges that are largely open to the exterior, an outdoor swimming pool and a Blue Eye, a multisensorial underwater lounge. Everything is in place for an extraordinary cruise experience. It's now possible to depart for adventure to the most remote places on the planet onboard a ship offering luxury services.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.