In July 2026, I headed out on a dream trip through the Baltics! This 9-day adventure on the Norwegian Sun took me to seven new-to-me countries, many of which I probably would not have visited otherwise! I fell in love with charming medieval old towns and wandered cities until my step count was through the roof. It was a port-intensive itinerary (with no sea days!), but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here is my full review of my NCL Sun Baltic Cruise!
Read More: 5 Tips for Sailing on the Norwegian Sun
Day 1: Embarkation Day in Helsinki, Finland
Embarkation day! Heading out on a NCL Sun Baltic cruise from Helsinki was one of the most calm and relaxing embarkation days I have ever had. I flew in the evening before and spent the night at the Hotel Indigo in the city center. The location was perfect and central, and made for easy exploring the morning before boarding the ship! I woke up bright and early on this Sunday morning and wandered around the city on foot. Grabbed a quick iced latte at Fazer Cafe and strolled along the Esplanadi before the rest of the world woke up. On the far side of the park, the vendors at Kauppatori (Helsinki Market Square) were just starting to open up so I enjoyed some crowd-free shopping!
From the market, it was a short walk to the Helsingin tuomiokirkko (Helsinki Cathedral) for some great photos of the church and city from the top of the steps! The sky then started to open up, so I made my way inside the Kauppakeskus Citycenter for some exploration out of the elements! No stores were open yet, but I loved wandering around and admiring the glass domed roof in the center atrium! A quick stop for a chocolate glazed donut at Arnold’s and photos at the Oodi Library (and Helsinki sign out front!) before heading back to the hotel for final packing and to head to the cruise terminal!
Boarding the Norwegian Sun in Helsinki
When it came time to board the Norwegian Sun, I snagged an Uber for less than âŹ10 and made my way out to the cruise terminal. I had one of the latest boarding times, so the line was pretty long. But it moved steadily and after luggage drop, check-in, and security, I was on board less than 45 minutes later. After this sailing, I am now officially a Platinum latitudes member with NCL, so I can’t wait to have priority boarding on my next cruise!
Once on board, it was straight to my muster station for check-in and a relaxed sit-down lunch in the Four Seasons restaurant. I love doing lunch in the dining rooms on embarkation day. The buffets are always insanely busy, and this such a relaxing and civilized way to start any cruise! I spent time after exploring the ship, unpacking, and watching our sail away from Helsinki. The jetlag started to hit me hard, so it was low-key evening and a very early bed time. Need to rest up for this port-intensive itinerary that awaits!
Day 2: Tallinn, Estonia
Day 2 of the NCL Sun Baltic cruise was docked in Tallinn, Estonia! We docked bright and early and I was off the ship as soon as they announced that we received clearance from the local authorities. I started the 20-minute walk and beelined it straight from the cruise port to Vanalinn (Tallinn’s Old Town). A quaint, early-morning stroll down Uus tn took me right to the Viru Gate. I absolutely loved getting a chance to experience this grand entrance to the old town first thing in the morning without any crowds! From there, a quick walk up the iconic Katariina KĂ€ik (St. Catherine’s passage) took me up to Raekoja Plats (the town square). In addition to the colorful buildings that surround the square, the highlight is the Tallinna Raekoda (Tallinn town hall), which was built back in the 13th century!
Then, it was a stroll up the walled street of Pikk jalg to the “upper” part of old town. From up here, you can visit one, two, and three viewpoints of the lower old town. Each one different and offered unique views! The highlight of the upper old town is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This Russian Orthodox church is remarkable, and the area around it also offers incredible views of the Walls of Tallinn!
After 7 miles of wandering, I trekked back to the ship to enjoy a low-key evening. Dinner tonight was at my favorite specialty restaurant that NCL has: Cagney’s! I treated myself to some thick-cut bacon, a filet mignon, and a seven-layer chocolate cake. Chef’s kiss!
Day 3: Stockholm, Sweden
A new day, and a new country. Day 3 of the NCL Sun Baltic cruise brought us to Sweden! The ship docked in NynÀshamn, which is about an hour outside of Stockholm. There is a train that you can take into the city that a lot of people on my cruise did, and they said that it was really easy and straight forward. Because I booked my cruise with Free at Sea, I had a $50 excursion credit to use in every port. I then decided to book Stockholm on Your Own, which cost exactly $50. With my credit, that means I had free transportation both to and from Stockholm. An easy decision!
The bus dropped us off right next to Stockholms stadshus (Stockholm City Hall). From there, it was a quick 15-minute walk right into the heart of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town! It was really special to be able to spend some time wandering the streets first thing in the morning before the crowds. I got to get right up to the Kungliga slottet (Royal Palace), Nobel Prize Museum, and do some twirling and selfies in Stortorget, the historic town square. I took slow strolls down VĂ€sterlĂ„nggatan and MĂ„rten Trotzigs GrĂ€nd (the most narrow street in Stockholm!) admiring the colorful buildings and historic charm. As one does when in Sweden, I couldn’t resist stopping for a fika break at Fabrique!
Vasa Museum
After a busy morning of strolling old town, I made my way out to the iconic Vasa Museum! I took the #82 ferry from Slussen over to AllmÀnna grÀnd. The ten-minute ferry ride is an experience in itself! The views from the water were stunning, so definitely get a spot outside if you can! From the ferry stop, the Vasamuseet (Vasa Museum) is only a few minute walk along another beautiful harbor. You can buy tickets to the museum when you arrive, but they only had a couple of machines. I ended up waiting in line for about 45 minutes. Learn from my mistakes and buy your tickets in advance by clicking here!
The Vasa Museum was incredible. You can read all about the ship’s history here, but it is even more remarkable than I imagined being right up close to it! The museum has a ton of exhibits, movie screenings, and information to learn more about (albeit, the very short) life on board. No trip to Stockholm is complete without visiting!
After, I took the scenic ferry back to Gamla Stan and began the slow walk back to the bus stop. I walked along the water up the island and over the bridge to KungstrĂ€dgĂ„rden (King’s Garden). These gardens were beautifully manicured and it was a perfect place to rest my body for a bit among the fresh flowers. The walk back to the bus included strolling past Kungliga Operan (Royal Swedish Opera) and Riksdagshuset (Parliament House). The bus ride back to the ship was a welcome rest, and once back on board the evening consisted of recharging my body and another great dinner at Cagney’s!
Day 4: Riga, Latvia
Day four of the NCL Sun Baltic cruise brought us to one of my new favorite cities in the world: Riga, Latvia! I didn’t know much (if anything) about Riga prior to booking this cruise, but during my research and planning I was blown away with how much Riga had to offer! The day started bright and early with a short walk from the cruise port into VecrÄ«ga, Riga’s old town. RÄ«gas pils (Riga Castle) was the first site, but unfortunately the building was roped off by military as members of Australia’s government were in town visiting. There was a lot of excitement around the city for this, so it was neat to be a part of it!
From there, it was a busy morning wandering around VecrÄ«ga and putting in another high step count day! Doma laukums (Dome Square), RÄ«gas Doms (Riga Cathedral), and Melngalvju nams (House of the Black Heads) are all very close and walkable. My absolute favorite street to wander down was Jauniela. This narrow cobblestone street with colorful buildings had such quaint charm. Walking first thing in the morning while it was quiet was the cherry on top! I then took the elevator up to the top of St. Peter’s Church. This viewing platform offered 360 degree views of the old town and city beyond. It was spectacular! Other highlights in VecrÄ«ga wereTrÄ«s BrÄÄŒi (The Three Brothers, the oldest buildings in Riga), Zviedru vÄrti (Swedish Gate), and TrokĆĄĆu iela (“little lane”).
Outside of Vecrīga
Outside of VecrÄ«ga, Riga continued to impress me! On my walk up to The Freedom Monument, gorgeous parks surrounded me on both sides. PilsÄtas kanÄls, the city canal, flows right through the heart of the city and beautiful parks surround both sides complete with walking paths, benches, and local vendors. My biggest regret from my time in Riga was not doing a canal boat ride! Just a block further is the Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral. This church is stunning with beautiful golden domes. It is free to enter, but there were a few tour groups arriving at the same time as I did so I never made my way inside.
Just on the other side of the church is Elizabetes iela, which is the start of Riga’s Art Nouveau District. The facades of the buildings are absolutely stunning and will make you question whether you’re strolling the streets in Paris or Vienna! Another short stroll from there is Alberta iela, the real heart of the Art Nouveau! The entire street, end-to-end, is lined with colorful, dramatic facades. I must have taken hundreds of photos, each one making my jaw drop just a little lower.
It was then time for a stroll back through Vecrīga back to the ship to recharge and relax. Riga is a city I would love to come back to and explore more! I feel like I only scratched the surface of everything is beautiful city has to offer!
Day 5: Klaipeda, Lithuania
Day five was a nice blend of urban exploration and getting out into nature. We docked in Klaipeda, just steps away from the heart of the city. I had booked an excursion today out to the Curonian Spit, but that didn’t leave until the afternoon. Which meant I had a few hours to explore the city before! I’ll be honest, Klaipeda fell a little flat for me. Perhaps that’s because Tallinn and Riga were so spectacular that the bar was high, but I left Klaipeda a little disappointed.
There were a few highlights, however! I found the waterfront area (near the cruise port) to be particularly charming. The Chain Bridge was also a sight to see. This old bridge requires two people to spin a crank to open and close the bridge to allow boats through. It was neat to see it in action! Walking along the DanÄs up river was charming, and seeing The Meridian sailboat (which is now a restaurant) was a highlight! Strolling through the old town was nice and peaceful first thing in the morning, but it’s small and easy to cover ground quickly. An adorable can’t-miss is to stop at Stebuklingasis peliukas (The Magical Mouse). Legend says if you whisper your wish into his ear, it’ll come true! I’ll let you know if it happens for me.
Curonian Spit
It was then time to make my way back to the ship for my excursion. I booked Hiking The Dune Paradise, which would give me a chance to see the famous sand dunes up close! The logistics of getting out to the Curonian Spit were just too great for me to risk on my own, so I opted for a tour through the cruise line. We made our way by bus over to the ferry (and the bus drove right on the boat!). A short ride later, we arrived at the Curonian Spit, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
We drove out to Negyvosios kopos (The Dead Dunes) for a hike! The out-and-back hike was short, only about 2 km round trip. It started pretty easily on a boardwalk, but quickly turned into hiking up and down massive sand dunes. It was spectacular! I had so many “pinch me” moments when I would realize that I’m hiking on sand dunes off the coast of Lithuania. What?! From the end of the trail, you could see into the bay and mainland Lithuania, and looking to the right and down the shore is Kaliningrad, which is a part of Russia.
After the hike, we had some free time to explore the small town of JuodkrantÄ. There was a small museum where I admired the local weathervanes, a church, and some restaurants. I spent most of my time strolling along the waterfront and looking at the fishing boats. Afterwards, we boarded up on the bus, back on the ferry, and returned to the ship. I spent the evening soaking in the hot tubs on board to rest my muscles from the strenuous hike! Dinner was in The Seven Seas dining room, and it was another early night as we had an early arrival in our next port!
Day 6: GdaĆsk, Poland
Today, we docked in Gdynia, Poland, a short drive from the city of GdaĆsk! Our port time was limited, so I decided to book an excursion into GdaĆsk, rather than use public transportation. I booked Highlights Of Gdansk, which was round-trip bus transportation and a guided tour around the city. I am not one for guided tours, so I ditched the tour group to explore at my own pace. Instead, I should have booked Gdansk At Leisure, which is just transportation without a tour. It worked out and I met back up with the bus before they left, but I definitely overpaid for the excursion!
I only had about 2 hours to explore GdaĆsk on my own before I had to catch the bus back. Thankfully, the city is small and it’s easy to cover a lot of ground quickly! The absolute highlight of GdaĆsk is DĆuga (Long Street). This wide, pedestrian-only street is lined with everything you can ever want. Restaurants, shops, museums. It’s the heart of the city! The Golden Gate and Green Gates mark the ends of DĆuga and are rebuilds of the historic gates to the old city. Just a couple of blocks away is Mariacka Street, another beautiful walking street famous for jewelry and amber shops. The end of Mariacka also hosts views of St. Mary’s Church, which is an icon in GdaĆsk!
I then strolled along the river, admiring the Old Port Crane, the beautiful bridges, and walking along the other side admiring the views of old town. Two hours of exploring flew by, and it was time to go back to the ship! Sailing away in the early afternoon meant there was a chance to catch up on relaxing, going through photos, and having yet another dinner at (you guessed it…) Cagney’s!
Day 7: Rostock, Germany
Next, a country we would spend the next two days in: Germany! On day 7 of the NCL Sun Baltic cruise, we docked in Rostock. This port is one that many people use as a gateway to Berlin. Berlin is about 2.5-3 hours each way, and by this point in the cruise, I didn’t have it in me to sit on a bus/train for that long. Instead, I decided to explore the quaint city of Rostock!
The city center of Rostock is small, and I arrived a little after 8:00 am which meant that I was one of the few awake! The city tram dropped me off right in front of Rathaus Rostock (Town Hall), which is a beautiful pink building just across from the Neuer Markt town square. I then made my way up Kröpeliner straĂe, the main throughfare in the city center. I absolutely loved having this time in the city with no one else awake to take pictures and admire the colorful buildings. So many highlights down this street including the UniversitĂ€t Rostock, Brunnen der Lebensfreude (“Fountain of Joy”), and the Glockenspiel im FĂŒnfgiebelhaus. At the very end of the street is Kröpeliner Gate and the start of Historische Stadtmauer (the city wall).
I then spent time strolling through Wallanlagen, the main park next to the city center. It was a beautiful and tranquil retreat! By the time I made it back to the city, it had woken up! I strolled the streets again, did some shopping, and stopped at the famous St. Mary’s Church (complete with an astronomical clock!). In the early afternoon, I headed back to the ship to enjoy a few amazing hours onboard with (what felt like) everyone else still in Berlin! I felt like I had the whole ship to myself!
Day 8: Hamburg, Germany
Day 8 of our NCL Sun Baltic cruise and day 2 in Germany! Today, we docked in Kiel, which I used to get to Hamburg. Hamburg is about a 90-minute drive from Kiel, so I decided to book the Hamburg On Your Own excursion. This excursion provided round-trip bus transportation right into the heart of the city to explore Hamburg on our own. Exactly the kind of excursion I like!
Upon drop off, we had about four hours to explore. At first, I was panicking that it wasn’t enough time! But we visited Hamburg on a Sunday, so just about everything was closed. Which made me much more efficient covering city grounds, and not spending time in shops! First stop was to Speicherstadt, the largest warehouse district in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. I loved wandering the streets lined with the historic brick buildings, and then taking photos at the iconic spot, here. Next up, a visit to Elbphilharmonie, which gives free tickets up to their viewing platform for 360 degree views of the city!
I then wandered the city center, strolling up DeichstraĂe (which an photo stop here), past the iconic St. Nikolai, and to Rathaus (Town Hall). The town hall is stunning, and has more rooms than Buckingham Palace! You can enter the main lobby and explore the beautiful courtyard. I then strolled along the Alster Arcade, along the canal and I truly felt like I was in Venice, Italy! I took a rest along the water and watched the boats come in an out. Finally a quick stop at SchanzenbĂ€ckerei for some authentic chocolate franzbrötchen before meeting the bus back to the ship! Back on board, it was time to start getting things organized to go home, as we only had one more port!
Day 9: Overnight in Copenhagen, Denmark
The last full day! Today, we are in Copenhagen. And staying here overnight! I think overnight ports on cruises are fantastic, and I wish there were more opportunities for these stops! It gives you peace of mind to explore all day without missing the ship, and also a chance to experience a city later in the evening. For me, I had big plans of staying out in Copenhagen into the evening, but my body just wouldn’t allow it! By day 9 of this NCL Sun Baltic cruise, I was close to running on fumes. Up bright and early in Copenhagen, I took public transportation into the city, and spent a few hours exploring. I had been to Copenhagen before so have seen the highlights, but was definitely due for a refresher!
Read More: How to Get from the Copenhagen Cruise Port to the City Center
I started the day by strolling the iconic Nyhavn. Sure, it’s touristy. But it’s also incredibly beautiful! Next, I made my way over to StrĂžget for some shopping! I hadn’t done much on this trip, so I was itching to spend some money! I walked it end-to-end, stopping in the Illum department store to do some browsing and stop at one place I’ve always wanted to shop at: Muji! Along the road, stops at Mads NĂžrgaard, Royal Copenhagen, Uniqlo (we don’t one at home!), and Flying Tiger were some of my favorites.
Tivoli Gardens
At the end of StrĂžget is the famous amusement park Tivoli Gardens! I hadn’t actually planned on going to Tivoli on this trip, but it called to me as I was standing out front looking at the large stone arch gate. I couldn’t resist! Plus, after eight days of walking around cities, I welcomed something new to mix it up. This was my first visit to Tivoli and I was blown away! It was like a mini Disneyland. The theming was on point, the gardens were beautiful, and there was timeless charm everywhere. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face!
I went on one ride: Den flyvende kuffert (the flying trunk). This dark ride takes you through Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales. They even had narration available in English! It was such a cute ride, and the best part is you can pay for each ride individually, without buying a ride pass. They had tons of other iconic rides, but I was just fine wandering around the park and enjoying the views!
After a few hours strolling around Tivoli, I made my way back to the ship to pack up and enjoy one last evening on board. I went to the crew talent show in the theatre which was a lot of fun and had a solo casual dinner in the Seven Seas restaurant. Followed, of course, by one final twist ice cream cone in the buffet. Then, it was another early night as we prepared to disembark in the morning. Sad!!!
Day 10: Disembarkation in Copenhagen, Denmark
Disembarking in Copenhagen was a breeze since we had already been there for a day! There was no waiting to sail in, dock, or clear with local authorities. I had opted to use Norwegian’s transportation to the airport. When I checked Uber prices a few days earlier, they were around $50 USD. Norwegian offered airport transportation for $49 USD, so it was a no-brainer. I wouldn’t have to deal with ordering an Uber or any of the hassles that can sometimes come with it. My group could disembark at the scheduled time, and I simply walked off the ship, grabbed my luggage, and boarded the bus. We were taken right to the Copenhagen airport terminal, where I checked in and found a spot in a lounge for a few hours before my flight. It was uneventful, but the best travel days are!
This cruise was a dream trip for me. I got to visit seven new-to-me countries, and experience one of NCL’s smaller ships. I now know that I adore smaller, classic ships! Sadly, NCL is getting rid of the Norwegian Sun in October 2027. This bums me out a lot, as I feel like there is still such an appetite for older, smaller ships instead of these new megaships that are coming out one after another. I might have to try to sneak in another sailing on the Sun before she leaves!
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