Baltic cities & Scandinavian splendours

Overview

Le Champlain

Like the rest of the Ponant Explorers series, Le Champlain successfully manages to subtly combine the desire to explore the remotest regions of the planet with the comfort and privacy of a cosily intimate ship.
To the innovative and environmentally friendly equipment are added elegant design and a unique atmosphere in keeping with the whole PONANT universe. Your dream of a cruise onboard a cosily intimate ship is thus made possible through the combination of an authentically genuine voyage experience together with discreet luxury. 

highlights

• 20 night polar expedition onboard Le Boréal from Honfleur, France to Glasgow, Scotland
• A cruise on the Baltic Sea, to discover important cities of the Hanseatic League, through six northern European countries: Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, Estonia and Sweden + the cultural and historical heritage of the Scandinavian countries, between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
• Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the naval port of Karlskrona, the Curonian Spit from Klaipeda, the Hanseatic Town of Visby, the historical centre of Riga, the sea fortress of Suomenlinna from Helsinki, the old town of Tallinn.
• A brand-new port of call, the island of Saaremaa, to discover its history heavily marked by successive colonisations.
• Discover five European capitals on the same cruise: Copenhagen (Denmark), Riga (Latvia), Helsinki (Finland), Tallinn (Estonia), Stockholm (Sweden).
• The Swedish city of Karlskrona, whose naval port is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
• A cruise to experience the cultural and historical heritage of the Scandinavian countries, between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea.
• Discovering the commercial and industrial past of Northern Europe and the history of the Celts and the Vikings as well as the Scandinavian kingdoms.
• Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Hanseatic town of Visby, the Naval Port of Karlskrona, Copenhagen, designated UNESCO World Capital of Architecture 2023.
• Four calls in Sweden: Gothenburg, Visby on Gotland Island, Karlskrona and Stockholm.
• Towns and cities surrounded by unspoiled nature and the discovery of exceptional insular landscapes: the Orkney Islands 

Itinerary

Ports of Call & Excursions

April 15, 2025 - Copenhagen

Embarkation 4/15/2025 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure 4/15/2025 at 6:00 PM

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.

April 16, 2025 - Karlskrona

Arrival 4/16/2025 midday
Departure 4/16/2025 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.

April 17, 2025 - Gdansk

Arrival 4/17/2025 early morning
Departure 4/17/2025 late afternoon

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.

April 18, 2025 - At sea

Arrival 4/18/2025
Departure 4/18/2025

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

April 19, 2025 - Riga

Arrival 4/19/2025 early morning
Departure 4/19/2025 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.

April 20, 2025 - Saaremaa

Arrival 4/20/2025 midday
Departure 4/20/2025 early evening

Welcome to Estonia’s largest island, Saaremaa, with its age-old history and mysterious charm. Located in the Baltic Sea, it closes off the Gulf of Riga. The episcopal castle, a medieval fortress and preserved witness of the rich history of the Baltic States, stands proudly in the island’s capital, Kuressaare. The island’s soils and mild climate give it abundant and diverse nature, where forests, cliffs, dunes and beaches flourish, becoming a haven for thousands of migratory birds every year. The island offers many treasures, between wild nature, nature reserves, meteor craters and windmills.

April 21, 2025 - Helsinki

Arrival 4/21/2025 early morning
Departure 4/21/2025 late 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.

April 22, 2025 - Tallinn

Arrival 4/22/2025 early morning
Departure 4/22/2025 late afternoon

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.

April 23, 2025  April 24, 2025 - Stockholm

Arrival 4/23/2025 midday
Departure 4/24/2025 at 6:00 PM

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.

April 25, 2025 - Visby, Gotland

Arrival 4/25/2025 midday
Departure 4/25/2025 late afternoon

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.

April 26, 2025 - Karlskrona

Arrival 4/26/2025 midday
Departure 4/26/2025 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.

April 27, 2025 - Gudhjem, Bornholm

Arrival 4/27/2025 early morning
Departure 4/27/2025 late afternoon

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.

April 28, 2025 - Copenhagen

Arrival 4/28/2025 early morning
Departure 4/28/2025 early evening

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.

April 29, 2025 - Göteborg (Gothenburg)

Arrival 4/29/2025 early morning
Departure 4/29/2025 late afternoon

Nestling on the western coast of Sweden, at the junction of the Göta River and the Kattegat sea area, Gothenburg enchants and surprises. Authentic and welcoming, this city of canals, edged with many green spaces, has a rich maritime history, making it Sweden’s most important port. Going beyond its commercial influence, “the cultural capital of Scandinavia” is a perfect blend of historic monuments, neo-classical architecture and eco-districts featuring modern urban spaces. In the old Haga district, you can peruse hippy-chic fashion boutiques and bohemian cafés in the ground floors of traditional wood houses. On the hills of the city, fall under the spell of the Lutheran Masthugget Church, a sumptuous 18th-century building.

April 30, 2025 - Oslo

Arrival 4/30/2025 early morning
Departure 4/30/2025 early evening

Capital of Norway, Olso, is a green city. Its many parks and gardens make it the reputedly pleasant city it is. The 80 hectares of Vigeland sculpture parks and its 212 open air exhibitions, the Munch Museum dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, plus the Akershus fortress which symbolises Oslo’s rich history, are both must-sees. For culture, the national gallery shelters the largest Norwegian collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures open to the public. And, for sports enthusiasts, the Holmenkollen district with its Ski museum and famous ski jump offer the most stunning, all-encompassing view of the city.

May 1, 2025 - Arendal

Arrival 5/1/2025 early morning
Departure 5/1/2025 early afternoon

A port city located on Norway’s southern coast, Arendal is considered as the municipality enjoying the best climate in the country. This town in the Sorlandet region has also long been renowned for its iron ore mines: their operation in the 19th century produced a particularly resistant magnetite ore. The Raet National Park, the only protected area on the eastern coast of Norway, is not far away; here, you will fall in love with its raw nature, with silver and emerald reflections, dotted with immense coniferous forests and long pebble beaches.

May 2, 2025 - Egersund

Arrival 5/2/2025 early morning
Departure 5/2/2025 midday

Like a painter’s palette, the former industrial town of Egersund unveils its colours as if to better charm its passing visitors. Its small wooden houses, among the best conserved in Norway, certainly display colourful façades that distinguish them from the other municipalities of the southern Norwegian coast, which opted for white at a time when this was a sign of wealth. Admire the façades of Strandgaten, the former main street of the town, and wander the old district of Hauen, which is now full of cafés, galleries and boutiques. Also make a detour to the Heidningeholmen Church, whose foundations date back to the 17th century, and dive into Egersund’s past.

May 3, 2025 - Kirkwall, Orkney

Arrival 5/3/2025 midday
Departure 5/3/2025 late afternoon

Capital of the Orkney archipelago, Kirkwall, which means “church bay”, is an ideal stopover before continuing on to the Northern Isles. Sheltered in a wide bay, the lively town welcomes the visitor with its charming paved alleyways edged by old houses and craft shops. Tankerness House, the oldest homestead in the town, is a must-see landmark. But the true architectural treasure of the aptly named Kirkwall is none other than its remarkable red and gold stone cathedral. And because whisky is inseparable from Scotland’s identity, stop at the Highland Park Distillery for a highly instructive visit.

May 4, 2025 - Aberdeen, Scotland

Arrival 5/4/2025 early morning
Departure 5/4/2025 late afternoon

In the Aberdeenshire region, Aberdeen is Scotland’s third most populous city and Britain’s third largest fishing port. It is known as the Granite City due to its grey-coloured granite buildings. It becomes the Silver City when the sun shines upon the building façades. You will love the charm of its many flowers, the source of yet another moniker, the Flower of Scotland. The city once prospered thanks to whale hunting, herring fishing and shipbuilding. The Tolbooth, on the corner of Union Street and King Street, is a magnificent 17th century building that is worth the detour. Today, it is a museum dedicated to the city’s history.

May 5, 2025 - Rosyth (Edinburgh), Scotland

Arrival 5/5/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 5/5/2025 at 8:30 AM

Situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth opposite to Rosyth, the great city of Edinburgh has served as Scotland’s capital since the 15^th century. Although no longer the largest city in the country, it remains the political, religious, and cultural focus of Scottish pride. Edinburgh Castle, in the very center of the city, is one end of the world famous Royal Mile that leads through the Old Town to the Palace of Holyrood, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a wonderful place to shop and to sample local delicacies, like haggis and the whisky for which Scotland is renowned.