Baltic Sea Cruise Guide: Celebrity Silhouette Itinerary, Ports & Tips

A Baltic Sea cruise is an easy way to visit some of Europe’s most extraordinary cities without the faff of airports, hotels and constant repacking.

I cruised the Baltic on Celebrity Silhouette from Southampton, a 14-night round trip that took in Copenhagen, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm and Warnemünde. This is my honest account: six tips for planning a Baltic cruise, a port-by-port guide to the itinerary, a full review of Celebrity Silhouette and some thoughts on doing it as a solo traveller.

It is not a cheap cruise, but when you factor in that Denmark, Sweden and Finland are among the most expensive countries in Europe to visit independently, it starts to look like excellent value.

Six Tips for Planning a Baltic Sea Cruise

1. Don’t let the weather dictate when you go

The Baltic Sea cruising season is limited, running from late April to September. The summer months of June to early September are the most popular

Travelling in the shoulder season (late April / May and late September) can mean lower fares and fewer people. I went in late May, which felt like a good balance. That said, every port we visited was busy.

As for the weather: don’t try to predict it. Summer temperatures typically sit somewhere in the mid-teens to low-twenties Celsius, but it can be cold and damp.

2. Do a little homework to find the right cruise

All the major cruise lines — Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Disney, Fred Olsen, Holland America, MSC, Norwegian, P&O, Princess, Royal Caribbean — run Baltic itineraries. So do premium lines like Crystal and Regent Seven Seas.

Most Baltic cruises last 9 to 14 nights and include some combination of Copenhagen, Tallinn, Stockholm, Helsinki and Warnemünde (marketed as Berlin). Longer itineraries may add Riga, Hamburg, Bruges or Gdansk.

I chose Celebrity for three reasons: I’d had a good experience with them before on a cruise to the Western Caribbean, they sail from Southampton, so no flights are required, and their itinerary included two nights in St Petersburg.

3. Pack layers and bring a good camera

Pack for the worst the Baltic can throw at you and hope you don’t need it: layers, a waterproof jacket, jumpers, jeans and proper walking shoes. In the spirit of optimism, throw in a summer dress and a pair of shorts, too.

Don’t forget something smart for formal nights on board. Celebrity’s ‘Evening Chic’ dress code means a tuxedo is unnecessary, but you’ll want to make an effort.

Above all, bring the best camera you own. The Baltic capitals are spectacular, and binoculars are worth their weight in gold for picking out details along Stockholm’s archipelago as you sail in.

4. A balcony cabin is a luxury, not a necessity

On some cruises — Norway’s fjords, for example — a balcony is essential because much of the magic is in sailing past the scenery. On a Baltic cruise, the real draw is the destinations. A balcony is a treat, but you won’t miss much without one.

Baltic summers mean very long days, and the sun can stream through cabin windows at 4 am. Make sure your cabin has decent blackout curtains, or book an interior cabin and forget the problem entirely. And do research your cabin location before booking: not all cabins are equal.

5. Plan your shore excursions before you go

For most of the ports on this cruise, I explored independently. Getting into town was straightforward: where the ship didn’t berth close to the centre, easy public transport was available.

The exception was St Petersburg, where I booked an organised shore excursion. At the time, this was required for visa-free entry. If there’s a specific trip you have your heart set on, book early to avoid missing out.

6. Eat on board to offset the cost of Scandinavia

Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki are eye-wateringly expensive. This is arguably the best argument for a Baltic cruise: your food is already paid for. Set yourself up for the day by filling your face at breakfast on the ship, and bring snacks.

Tallinn and Warnemünde are much more wallet-friendly, and lunch was included on the St Petersburg excursions.

Baltic Sea Cruise Ports: Itinerary Guide

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen was the first port of call. It has cobbled streets, gabled townhouses splashed with more colour than a box of crayons, a cutting-edge design scene and effortlessly cool shops.

Celebrity Silhouette docked at the Ocean Quay cruise terminal, 6 km north of the city centre. Most large ships use this terminal, though you may be lucky enough to disembark at Langelinie Quay, just north of the Little Mermaid.

Except for the Little Mermaid statue, the main sights are grouped closely together. This means the city is very walkable.

Things to do in Copenhagen on a cruise stop:

• Take a Copenhagen Harbour Tour
• Pay your respects to The Little Mermaid
• Visit the Designmuseum Danmark
• Explore Nyhavn, the poster child of Copenhagen
• Visit Christianshavn and Freetown Christiana
• Tivoli Gardens if time allows

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed Old Town that visitors swoon over, and rightly so. But cross the railway tracks, and you’ll find Telliskivi Creative City with its street art, craft beer and designer studios, and the painted wooden buildings of Kalamaja. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious.

Cruise ships berth at Old City Harbour, less than 1 km from the edge of the Old Town. The main sights are within easy walking distance. Wear sturdy shoes for the cobblestones.

Things to do in Tallinn on a cruise stop:

• Walk Tallinn’s Old Town (a walking tour is hard to beat)
• Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• Buy a love potion at Europe’s oldest operational pharmacy
• Lunch at one of Tallinn’s restaurants, with a craft beer
• Cross the railway tracks to Kalamaja and Telliskivi

St Petersburg, Russia

⚠️  IMPORTANT NOTE
As of early 2026, Baltic cruise ships are not stopping in St Petersburg due to the ongoing geopolitical situation. The information below is retained as a historical record of my visit.

Closely associated with the lives and fate of the Romanovs, Russia’s Imperial Family, St. Petersburg is a city that makes you think in exclamation marks. Built on a network of islands and laced with 65 rivers and canals, it is both staggeringly beautiful and historically rich.

Celebrity Silhouette berthed at the Marine Façade Complex, 5 km northwest of the city centre. As most visitors to St Petersburg on a cruise took an organised tour, we did not need to find our way around the city.

Highlights not to miss:

• The Hermitage
• Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood
• St Peter and Paul Fortress
• St Isaac’s Cathedral
• A St Petersburg canal cruise
• Riding the metro (the stations are genuinely extraordinary)
• Catherine Palace
• Peterhof Palace and Gardens

Helsinki, Finland

Sometimes called the “Daughter of the Baltic”, Helsinki occupies a peninsula and a scattering of small islands. It is known for its architecture, sauna culture, design scene and a food offering that is far more interesting than most visitors expect.

Larger cruise ships, including Celebrity Silhouette, generally berth at Hernesaari, around 3 km from the centre. Some ships use the more central South Harbour terminal, within walking distance of the market square. The main attractions are spread across a compact, walkable area.

Things to do in Helsinki on a cruise stop:

• Take a boat out to Suomenlinna fortress.
• Browse Kauppatori market square
• Visit Uspenskin Katedraali (Russian Orthodox Cathedral)
• Visit the neoclassical Tuomiokirkko (Lutheran Cathedral)
• See the extraordinary Temppeliaukio rock church

Stockholm, Sweden

I defy any visitor to Stockholm not to be seduced by its setting and medieval old town. The approach through the Baltic Sea archipelago is the most spectacular arrival at any port I’ve experienced on a cruise.

Celebrity Silhouette berthed at Frihamnen, a 15-minute bus journey from the old town (Gamla Stan). There’s a more central cruise terminal (Stadsgården), but some ships end up at Nynashamn, 36 miles south of the city (it’s worth checking in advance).

Many of the main sights are concentrated around Gamla Stan and are easily walkable; for anything further out, Stockholm’s integrated public transport is excellent.

Things to do in Stockholm on a cruise stop:

• Walk around Gamla Stan (Stockholm’s medieval old town)
• Visit the Vasa Museum
• Visit the ABBA Museum
• See the Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet)

Warnemünde (and Rostock), Germany

The port of Warnemünde is marketed by most cruise lines as ‘Berlin’, which requires a six-hour round trip, a long and expensive day out. My advice: skip it.

Instead, spend your time ashore in Warnemünde itself, which has a spectacular sandy beach and an easy, unhurried feel, and in nearby Rostock. This is a 20-minute train ride away and has a well-preserved Hanseatic old town.

The cruise terminal is a 10-15 minute walk from Warnemünde town centre and its train station.

What to do:

• Head to Rostock to explore its Hanseatic heritage
• Stroll along Warnemünde’s long sandy beach
• Pick up fresh seafood from the harbour vendors

Celebrity Silhouette: Ship Review

A Baltic Sea cruise on Celebrity Silhouette is a premium, large-ship traditional cruising experience with a contemporary twist. Although the ship felt a little tired in places – the old girl has since been treated to a spruce up in dry dock – the Silhouette is still a gorgeous, modern cruise ship.  

Ship design

The Silhouette is beautifully designed throughout.

From a thoughtfully curated modern art collection — look out for the video installation of caged birds near the World Class Bar — to sleekly styled public spaces, she’s a pleasure to wander. On sea days, curl up in the library with a good book, or retreat to the Hideaway on deck 7 to nurse a coffee in a wicker cocoon.

The balcony stateroom

Celebrity Silhouette has 25 stateroom categories, with 85% having balconies. Cabins start at 177 sq ft for interiors and go up to 1,291 sq ft for the top suites.

My balcony cabin was 194 sq ft (excluding the balcony), decorated in tasteful neutral tones. The queen bed was comfortable, and the linen was of good quality.

There was a desk, sofa bed, small coffee table and wardrobe. Storage was adequate for me as a solo traveller, but couples reported struggling for space.

The fridge was decent-sized. A kettle with tea and coffee supplies was provided, a nice touch available on UK departures. There were two US sockets and one European socket, all at the desk, none at the bedside. It’s worth bringing a travel adaptor with USB ports.

The bathroom was modern and well-designed, with a proper shower stall. The 54 sq ft balcony had two reclining chairs and a small table. The cabin was serviced twice daily.

Food and drink

This is where Celebrity earns its stripes. The line has a well-deserved reputation for leading the pack on food at sea, and the Silhouette lived up to it.

Dinner in the Grand Cuvée — the main dining room — was consistently excellent, with a beautiful double-height space, chandelier and a wine tower housing 2,500 bottles. Service matched the surroundings.

The Oceanview Café buffet on deck 14 did a great breakfast with freshly cooked eggs and a broad selection. The downside: at a full ship’s capacity, finding a seat at peak times was genuinely challenging. Poor weather on a Baltic cruise means the outdoor terrace is often off-limits, which makes this worse.

Six speciality restaurants incur an additional cover charge, from Murano (French) to Tuscan Grille to Sushi on Five. As the MDR was so good, I didn’t feel the need, but all have a strong reputation.

Pools and recreation

It wasn’t exactly sun-lounger weather on this Baltic Sea cruise, and the adults-only Solarium – a covered pool and hot tub area with loungers – was a godsend.

Two decks up, there is a jogging track, and on deck 14, you’ll find the Solstice class’s signature Lawn Club, a grass-topped recreational area. Sadly, the gusts of wind from the Baltic Sea did not favour its use.

The Silhouette’s spacious gym is well-equipped, although the air-con could have been a bit more vigorous.  

Entertainment

The two-level Silhouette Theatre has good sightlines and ample seating. The entertainment programme leant heavily on song-and-dance revues. This was perfectly fine, but don’t come expecting the Broadway-calibre or Cirque-style shows you’ll find on some other lines.

The Sky Lounge hosted music and dancing most evenings.

Daytime activities are structured around the Celebrity Life programme. These include culinary activities, enrichment events, trivia & games and wellness.

Laundry facilities

There is no self-service laundry on Celebrity Silhouette. A bag wash costs around $50, but wait for the mid-cruise special offer. Elite members of Celebrity’s Captain’s Club get a complimentary bag.

Customer service

This is where Celebrity truly excels and the main reason why I would book another cruise with them. Service was consistently excellent, and you get the impression that the Silhouette is a happy ship.

Solo Travel on Celebrity Silhouette: What to Expect

This was an excellent solo cruise, and I’d recommend it unreservedly if you’re thinking of travelling alone for the first time. Cruises are inherently social environments: I met great people to dine, drink and dance with, and solo travel loneliness never had a chance to bite.

All the ports felt safe, and getting around independently was easy. The passenger mix was international; plenty of Brits given the Southampton departure, but also Americans, Canadians, Australians and a good spread of other Europeans. Ages ranged broadly; cruising long ago stopped being the preserve of older travellers.

The one caveat: solo cruising comes at a financial premium. Single cabins are rare (Celebrity Edge was the first in the fleet to introduce them), and the solo supplement on a standard cabin can be significant.

Ready to Cruise the Baltic Sea?

This was one of my favourite solo cruises, and was a cost-effective way to experience some of the most expensive cities in Europe. If you want help with planning a similar experience, I’ve written this first-timers’ guide to cruising.

For more details on each port of call, take a look at these guides:

• One Day in Copenhagen from a Cruise
• One Day in Warnemünde & Rostock: What to Do on a Cruise Stop
• One Day in Stockholm on a Cruise
• Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki for Cruise Passengers
• One Day in Tallinn from a Cruise

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.

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