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Best Of The Baltics (Hebridean Sky)

Best Of The Baltics (Hebridean Sky)

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Description

Enjoy 13 day adventure discovering Baltic aboard Hebridean Sky. Experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises.

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ – Sightseeing
Personalise your holiday with a choice of included sightseeing options sure to leave you with lifelong memories

Trip Name
Best Of The Baltics (Hebridean Sky)
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 90.6 metres Passenger Capacity: 118 Built / Refurbished: 1992 / 2016 The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky. All three vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them three of the finest small ships in the world. Formerly known as the Sea Explorer, the vessel underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment in Sweden in Spring 2016 before being re-launched as the MS Hebridean Sky. Your Suite. On board there are 59 exceptionally spacious and well-designed suites. All feature a sitting area and fourteen suites have private balconies. The feeling of luxury is enhanced by the wood panelling and brass which predominates throughout the vessel conveying the atmosphere of a private yacht. The passenger accommodation is arranged over five decks and all suites have outside views with suites on the Scott and Shackleton Decks featuring private balconies. Each suite affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring vanity unit with sink and walk-in rainfall shower, large wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool and excellent storage. There is a minifridge, flat screen television and a telephone in each suite. Refillable water bottles, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort. Additional facilities include a programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted Molton Brown toiletries and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating. Soft hues and blended tones enhance the traditional maritime style making the passenger accommodation an inviting and relaxing place to be. The beds in each suite can be configured as twins or double with the exception of suite 601 and 602 which feature fixed double beds. The impressive Hebridean Suite, located on the Shackleton Deck consists of a separate bathroom and sitting room with extra large balcony stretching the length of the suite. Additional benefits of booking this marvellous suite include complimentary mini-bar stocked with your preferences and complimentary laundry. Your Space. The spacious and finely decorated public rooms on board the MS Hebridean Sky include a large lounge on the Byrd Deck featuring a selection of seating options from individual armchairs and sofas to side cushioned benches. Daily briefings given by the Cruise Director and talks from Guest Speakers and expedition staff take place in The Lounge which is fitted with the highest standard of presentation equipment including multiple screens. In addition to the Lounge, there is also The Club, located on the Mawson Deck which features the main bar where the onboard pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The Club also offers a 24-hour tea and coffee station. Towards the aft of the ship on the Mawson Deck is The Library which is well stocked with reference books pertaining to the destinations the vessel is visiting and a selection of essential reads. A collection of games and devices to access the internet via the ship’s satellite can also be found in the library. Access to the ship’s satellite Wi-Fi via your own device is complimentary on board (signal strength varies depending on location and demand). The Dining Room which can seat all guests at one sitting is located on the Amundsen Deck and is a bright and charming setting to enjoy the delicious meals on board. Outside there is a rear Lido Deck located on the Scott Deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade. Whilst heaters and blankets make dining al fresco comfortable in cooler climates. Further to this, on the top Shackleton Deck there is an observation area which offers a fantastic platform for spotting wildlife complete with deck furniture, ideal for relaxing with a book or catching up with fellow travellers. You will also find a clinic and Doctor on board and a lift that serves all decks. Additionally there is a small hairdressers with appointments made on request. Your Dining. It is quite a task to create a dining experience as that found on board our Sky vessels when you are cruising in far-flung corners of the globe, indeed it takes a team of highly talented chefs to deliver fresh, varied dishes no matter where you are at sea. Fortunately, our catering teams are well adapted to the world of small ship cruising where no two days are the same and the menus are often scheduled and tailored around the days’ excursions. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the cuisine on board is of a consistent superior quality that befits such vessels. Where possible and when it meets their high standards, our accomplished chefs will obtain local produce in markets. Such purchases enhance the well-stocked larders and enable the chefs on board to exhibit their culinary skills and bring a local touch to the varied menus, emphasising the international expertise of the chefs on board. Afternoon tea and pre-dinner canapés take place every day in either the comfort of the Lounge or out on the Lido Deck when the weather is favourable. Tea and coffee are also available 24 hours a day. Special diets can be catered for with sufficient notice. In keeping with the informal atmosphere on board, when dining you are able to choose your seating arrangements at your leisure. Whether that be joining a table of four to six other passengers outside on the Lido Deck in the evening’s sunshine or whether you prefer to enjoy meals in the à la carte restaurant. For those travelling alone, our onboard friendly restaurant staff will take care to ensure you are seated with other like-minded travellers. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order on request. Lunch and dinner are à la carte with an excellent choice of dishes, with the menu reflecting the daily catch or local delicacies. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with both meals and there is also a comprehensive wine list with a wide selection of new and old world wines from which to choose. The onboard catering and restaurant staff are experienced at sea and enthuse a passion for superb service. Whether it be ensuring you have an outdoor blanket as you enjoy the crisp sea breeze on the Lido Deck or sharing their knowledge of the characteristics of the days’ wine selections, you will experience a service on board like no other. You may also enjoy sumptuous barbeques on deck whilst at times, the chef will make your dish to order at special pasta or stir fry stations. For Your Comfort. The MS Hebridean Sky is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilizers to minimize the ship’s motion. During your voyage we hope to offer the opportunity to visit the Captain and Officers on the Bridge to check the vessels progress by charts and learn more about your journey. There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical information and estimated times of arrival and departure from port. On board you will also find a clinic and Doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to a specific area on deck. Life Onboard. If large resort-style vessels accommodating many thousands of passengers are your ideal, then our ships are not for you as you will not find endless entertainment, round the clock buffets and the people management which is so much a part of today’s big ship on board style. However, if like us you prefer a more peaceful life at sea you will find our flagships the perfect vessels. When choosing your next voyage the choice of vessels is astounding. You can select a ship carrying in excess of 4000 passengers with impersonal service or join us aboard the MS Caledonian Sky, MS Island Sky or MS Hebridean Sky where peace, high quality service and attention to detail are the order of the day. We promise there will be no organised entertainment, fancy dress, deck games or any of the usual big ship experiences. Instead, the atmosphere is warm and convivial and more akin to a private yacht or country hotel in which you can learn more about the wonders of nature, culture and ancient civilisations in the company of like-minded people. A little music in the lounge or bar after dinner, Guest Speakers and informative port briefings from our Expedition Leader or Cruise Director and of course good food with wine included at lunch and dinner, all contribute to make any voyage aboard these wonderful vessels a memorable and joyful experience. After a day ashore you will return to the comfort and peace of an exceedingly comfortable ship. The daily programme on board is in the capable hands of our Cruise Director or Expedition Leader and staff who coordinate with the Captain and Officers to make the most of each day. Briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage together with a ‘Daily Programme’ that is distributed every evening to your suite outlining the next day’s activities. Dress on board is casual and relaxed and there will be no ‘black tie’ evenings.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 Arrive Stockholm, Embark Ship (Evening Departure/Overnight)
Stretched across 14 islands linked by bridges, Stockholm is the perfect place to start our expedition. We meet you on arrival and welcome you on board your ship. Your first night starts as it should, with sparkling and a relaxed dinner.
Day 2 - DAY 2 Stockholm
Your first full day in the Swedish capital begins with a tour around the Old Town. Discover the medieval Royal Palace and visit the Vasa Museum. Afterwards, sit down for afternoon tea in the historic town of Sigtuna, the oldest surviving town in the country.
Day 3 - DAY 3 Helsinki
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingYou'll have the opportunity to experience the city, including a visit to Senate Square, the Rock Church and the Sibelius Monument or Suomenlinna, a World Heritage-listed fortress that is scattered across six islands.After skirting the coast of Finland, your ship arrives at Helsinki. Choose your sightseeing in Helsinki.
Day 4 - DAY 4 St Petersburg (Evening Departure/Overnight)
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEA highlight of the day is a private Russian ballet performance at the theatre within the Hermitage Museum.Two days have been put aside for your St Petersburg discovery, and for good reason; the city is filled with incredible landmarks. You’ll begin at the State Hermitage Museum then head to Catherine Palace where a walk through the adjoining gardens provides a welcome breather. Later, a Signature Experience awaits.
Day 5 - DAY 5 St Petersburg
Thankfully, our ship has remained docked in St Petersburg overnight so not only will you wake up to the gilded domes, you will also have plenty more time to explore. Head to Peter and Paul Cathedral and onto the Church on Spilled Blood before spending a relaxed afternoon at Peterhof Palace and Park. Often described as the ‘Russian Versailles’, the series of palaces and leafy gardens, with their glittering fountains, is a real haven from the mostly grey city.
Day 6 - DAY 6 Tallinn
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingVisit Dome Hill, the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin, the Rotermann Quarter and Freedom Square. Otherwise, take a gentle stroll with your expedition team to get your bearings. Some of you might even like to pedal through the city on a fun discovery by bicycle.By mid morning you'll arrive in the Estonian capital. With over 1,000 years of history at your feet, there’s no shortage of sights here. Choose your sightseeing in Tallin.
Day 7 - DAY 7 Pärnu (Evening Departure/Overnight)
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingJoin a guided tour to visit the Pärnu Museum before strolling about the old town. Or, drop in at a Nordic cider mill and truffle workshop to learn about the production process before having the delicious opportunity to sample the cider, and try your hand at making the truffles yourself.In the rarely visited harbour city of Pärnu, choose your sightseeing adventure.
Day 8 - DAY 8 Rīga
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - RigaLose yourself along cobblestone lanes and Art Nouveau architecture in the historic centre and perhaps climb to the observation platform at St Peter’s Church for the best views of the city. There’s also the option to explore the city by boat from along its network of canalsYou’re sure to enjoy your day in the Latvian capital with your choice of sightseeing.
Day 9 - DAY 9 Visby
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingChoose to wander through the walled town of Visby. See the wall’s defensive tower, the Kruttornet, and stroll through the botanical gardens. Or, spend the afternoon at a farm, where you'll get an idea of how the local people live.The largest of Sweden’s outlying islands, Gotland, is your destination today. Here, choose your sightseeing.
Day 10 - DAY 10 Gdańsk
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingYou might slip into a kayak and paddle around the canals. Or, keep dry with a wander through the old quarter, past Solidarity Square and into the main area of the town.You’ll reach Polish shores today, with a stop at the old Hanseatic port of Gdańsk. Choose your sightseeing in Gdańsk.
Day 11 - DAY 11 Christiansø Island, Bornholm Island
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCEOn Bornholm Island, taste your way across the island, nibbling classic but delicious Nordic fare as well as some more contemporary offerings.FREEDOM OF CHOICE™ - SightseeingOn Christiansø Island, be ready to explore by choosing one of three guided walks.On Christiansø Island, choose your sightseeing. Afterwards, discover the once popular holiday destination, Bornholm Island, well known as a foodie’s paradise, fuelled by its wild and sustainable ingredients.
Day 12 - DAY 12 Copenhagen (Evening Departure/Overnight)
With a full day in the cool Danish capital, begin exploring with a city tour. Visit the famous sculpture of the Little Mermaid, commemorating the fairytale written by Hans Christian Andersen. Continue to Amalienborg Palace, the famous Tivoli Gardens and the Glyptotek Art Museum. Tonight, share a special farewell dinner on board your ship.
Day 13 - DAY 13 Disembark Ship, Depart Copenhagen
With our ship in dock at Copenhagen, the time has come to depart. We say goodbye and transfer you to the airport.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Attend a private ballet performance at St Petersburg’s iconic Hermitage Theatre
    • Taste local produce on Bornholm Island, known for its Danish gastronomy

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