Baltic Capitals Cruise Aboard Norwegian Sun

Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Sun • June 27 – July 10, 2010

🧭 1. From London Streets to Baltic Seas

In late June 2010, we embarked on our first ocean cruise—an ambitious 13-day itinerary through the capitals and cultural centers of the Baltic Sea. Unlike typical introductory cruises, this voyage offered a deep dive into Northern Europe’s historic cities, maritime traditions, and diverse cultures.

We traveled as part of a larger group organized by NAWAS Travel, composed mainly of parishioners from St. Leo’s Roman Catholic Church in Inwood, West Virginia. The group dynamic added structure and camaraderie to the journey, both during port excursions and in shared moments onboard, such as evening meals and card games.

Our adventure began with a pre-cruise overnight in London, a city I had once called home in my twenties. It felt surreal to return. We stayed at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel Kensington and packed the day with royal and historical highlights including: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the great dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

As evening settled over London, we joined a guided walking tour led by David Rumbelow, an authority on Victorian criminal history and author of one of the most respected books on Jack the Ripper. The tour began at Tower Hill Underground Station and traced the chilling footsteps of the infamous 1888 murders through the historic East End.

Rumbelow’s route followed the real locations where the crimes occurred, including sites near Whitechapel and Spitalfields, areas that still echo with the atmosphere of 19th-century London. His detailed commentary blended archival research, period context, and forensic insight, offering a factual yet haunting retelling of one of London’s most enduring mysteries.

🚢 2. Embarkation

Our cruise officially commenced the following morning in Dover, one of England’s primary cruise departure ports located on the southeastern coast along the English Channel. Embarkation at the Dover Cruise Terminal proceeded efficiently, and before long, we were stepping aboard the Norwegian Sun—our first experience sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line and our initial introduction to life at sea.

We were assigned Interior Stateroom 8315, located on the Viking Deck (Deck 8). Though the bathroom offered minimal space, the main cabin was more generous than anticipated, providing sufficient room for both luggage storage and nightly rest. Its quiet, windowless setting ultimately proved ideal for our travel style, as we spent most of our time exploring the ship and ashore—returning to the stateroom primarily to sleep and recharge for the next day’s adventure.

From the moment we stepped onboard, staff members offered friendly greetings and helpful directions, creating a sense of hospitality that extended throughout the vessel. The atmosphere was energetic and inviting, with the hallways abuzz with passengers settling in and crew members ensuring smooth transitions.

📅 3. Cruise Itinerary: Daily Logs

Saturday, June 26 – London, England (Pre-Cruise)

We arrived in London a day early and checked in at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel Kensington. The afternoon was spent exploring Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. As night fell, we joined crime historian David Rumbelow on a Jack the Ripper walking tour that began at Tower Hill tube station—a moody and unforgettable prelude to our voyage.

Sunday, June 27 – Dover, England

We transferred to Dover and boarded the Norwegian Sun. As the ship pulled away from the white cliffs, we officially began our 13-day journey. The rest of the day was spent unpacking, exploring the decks, and settling into our stateroom—Interior Cabin 8315 on the Viking Deck.

Monday, June 28 – At Sea

We used the day to adjust to ship life, enjoy the amenities, and get to know our travel group better. Conversations flowed freely, and the rhythm of the sea lulled us into vacation mode.

Tuesday, June 29 – Copenhagen, Denmark

We explored Copenhagen’s fairy-tale charm by foot and canal. From the Gefion Fountain and St. Alban’s Church to the Royal Library and the colorful wharf of Nyhavn, the city struck a perfect balance between regal and relaxed. We capped the day with a memorable lunch in a local café recommended by our guide.

Wednesday, June 30 – Warnemünde, Germany

We mistakenly disembarked at Berlin-Lichtenberg instead of Hauptbahnhof, which led to a few surprises in the capital. Still, we managed to see the Berlin Wall Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Reichstag before returning to the ship—grateful for the adventure.

Thursday, July 1 – At Sea

Another relaxing sea day gave us time to reflect and recharge. The deep blue water, occasional sea birds, and cool breezes made this one of the most peaceful days on board.

Friday, July 2 – Tallinn, Estonia

Winding cobblestone streets, medieval towers, and ancient churches brought Tallinn’s story to life. The highlight was standing atop Toompea Hill, where the view stretched over red rooftops to the sea beyond.

Saturday, July 3 – St. Petersburg, Russia

We took a double-decker city tour that introduced us to the grandeur of palaces, onion-domed churches, and expansive boulevards. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood left us speechless.

Sunday, July 4 – St. Petersburg, Russia

A full second day gave us time to explore Catherine Palace and Gardens, with its ornate baroque facades and gold-trimmed halls. It was a visual feast of imperial Russia.

Monday, July 5 – Helsinki, Finland

We visited a historic church in Sipoo, enjoyed a demonstration at a horse farm, and wandered through the old town of Porvoo—colorful, quirky, and charming.

Tuesday, July 6 – Stockholm, Sweden

We sipped cocktails in ice glasses, explored the medieval lanes of Gamla Stan, and stood in awe before the salvaged 17th-century warship inside the Vasa Museum.

Wednesday, July 7 – At Sea

Another quiet day to reflect, journal, and enjoy a card game or two with new friends.

Thursday, July 8 – At Sea

The final full day at sea. We began to feel the bittersweet pull of home on the horizon.

Friday, July 9 – Dover, England

We returned to the port early in the morning and began our transfer to Heathrow Airport—hearts full, cameras fuller. It marked the close of a journey filled with Baltic marvels.

🍽️ 4. Dining Experiences

The Norwegian Sun featured Norwegian Cruise Line’s signature Freestyle Dining concept, allowing guests to dine when and where they preferred without fixed seating times. This flexible approach matched our travel style well, especially when coordinating with the rest of the St. Leo’s group.

On some evenings we joined our group in the ship’s main dining room, where we received consistently attentive service. The waitstaff quickly became familiar with our preferences, making each meal feel personalized. Our regular choices leaned toward familiar comfort foods—steaks and pasta dishes were reliable choices.

🎭 5. Entertainment Onboard

Evening entertainment aboard the Norwegian Sun featured a mix of traditional cruise offerings and spontaneous moments that made a lasting impression. We attended several live musical performances in the lounges and watched a few main-stage productions, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and variety of options available each night.

One particularly memorable highlight occurred when Zolt, the ship’s charismatic cruise director, recruited us at the last minute to participate in the Newlywed Game—a popular interactive show featuring couples answering humorous and often personal questions. What began as a casual favor quickly escalated into an unexpectedly bold and comical segment, with questions ranging from how we first met to more intimate territory. The segment struck a chord with the audience and was subsequently replayed on the ship’s internal TV loop for the remainder of the voyage. The visibility turned us into minor onboard celebrities, prompting plenty of friendly nods and comments from fellow guests—an amusing contrast to our daytime role as part of the St. Leo’s church group.

🃏 6. Nightly Card Games & Bonding

One of the defining aspects of this cruise was the strong sense of community we shared with our fellow travelers from St. Leo’s Catholic Church. Traveling as part of a parish group provided a natural sense of connection and camaraderie that enhanced every part of the journey.

Each evening, after dinner, many of us gathered in one of the ship’s spaces to play cards. These informal sessions quickly became a cherished routine. Game after game, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, friendly competition, storytelling, and the occasional playful ribbing. It was a simple but meaningful way to wind down the day.

🌊 7. Scenic Cruising

The passage through the North Sea and Baltic Sea offered an understated maritime beauty. Early mornings on deck were marked by crisp air, distant calls of seabirds, and wide, uninterrupted views of the open seas. During sea days, the pace naturally slowed. We embraced the simplicity of the experience: sipping chai lattes while watching the ship’s gentle wake stretch out behind us.

🚪 8. Behind-the-Scenes: The Ship Tour That Started It All

Early in the voyage, we struck up a casual conversation with Zolt, the cruise director, and suggested that a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship would make a compelling addition to the onboard offerings. To our surprise, he not only welcomed the idea—he acted on it almost immediately.

Soon after, we were invited on a private walkthrough of areas typically closed to passengers. The tour included key operational spaces such as the galley, select crew quarters, and utility corridors—revealing the extensive infrastructure required to keep the ship running smoothly. There were no rehearsed scripts or photo ops, just a raw and informative look into the daily mechanics of shipboard life.

It offered a rare perspective on cruise operations, from food preparation logistics to crew coordination across departments. Seeing how every detail was handled with precision gave us a new appreciation for the complexity of life at sea. In subsequent years, we noticed that similar behind-the-scenes experiences began appearing as formal offerings on various cruise lines. Whether coincidence or inspiration, it’s possible this small exchange marked the beginning of a broader guest enrichment trend—born from curiosity and a crew member willing to listen.

💫 9. Favorite Memory

Among all the destinations on our Baltic itinerary, St. Petersburg, Russia stood out as the most visually and historically overwhelming. The city offered a continuous stream of architectural splendor and imperial grandeur—gilded church domes, baroque façades, and expansive palace grounds that spoke to centuries of Romanov influence.

One defining moment came inside the opulent ballroom of Catherine’s Palace in Tsarskoye Selo. Surrounded by gold-trimmed walls and mirrored panels, the scale and detail were almost difficult to process. It was a setting so elaborate that it prompted a quiet, disbelieving exchange: “Can you believe we’re really here?”

Yet, beyond the majesty of the ports themselves, some of the most enduring memories were forged onboard. The nightly card games, shared meals, and casual laughter with our St. Leo’s group created a bond that extended far beyond the ship’s itinerary. While St. Petersburg may have delivered the visual highlights, it was the combination of remarkable destinations and meaningful connections that defined the voyage.

📋 8. Cruise Details

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