In photos: cruising the Baltic

Posted October 15, 2014 by Teagan Cunniffe. Article from the Getaway Magazine Blog.

I remember standing at the back of the MSC Sinfonia when I was much younger, wind threatening to whisk me from the railing as my father pointed out dolphins in the frenzied grey waters below us. This was my sole experience of cruising, and did nothing to prepare me for cruising the Baltic on the MSC Poesia, outgoing managing editor Emma Odendaal in tow.

(Or rather, the other way around – she strode ahead and I got continually distracted taking images).

Being on a cruise liner is an overwhelming experience. Want food? There’s a 24 hours buffet for that, and formal dinner on the side. Entertainment? Sorted. Lounges? There are seats of every fabric and print available, with a preference towards zebra-patterns. There was even a chocolate bar, which I sadly didn’t sample. Cinemas, wine tastings, sushi bars, spas… The MSC Poesia had it all, in varyingly bright hues. Departing from Copenhagen, the route took us through Berlin, Tallinn, Stockholm and finally St Petersburg giving you a glimpse into each city. Just long enough to take a few images and grab lunch on foreign soil. From a photographer’s point of view, the time limitations, mid-morning light and moving in tour groups were far from ideal. Luckily each city was beautifully photographic and the continual inflow of imagery often led me astray from tour groups, wondering where everyone had gone and uncrinkling maps from my backpack.

Cruising is as, Emma put it in the November copy of Getaway magazine, ‘a reasonably affordable way to see a number of destinations and unpack your bag only once.’ It’s not for everyone, but it definitely is for some. Click through the images below and pick up a copy of the November issue to get the full story.

First evening aboard the MSC Poesia, the late-setting northern light making for drawn-out sunsets.

Two content passengers embracing the evening view over the ship’s expansive decks.

Gambling is taken seriously aboard. I was told off soon after taking this image.

Some of the mind-boggling quantities of supplies that make their way on board. For more detailed figures have a look at the November copy of Getaway magazine.

Lounges, lounges everywhere.

The MSC Poesia is immense, with 2550 passengers and 1039 staff members aboard.

Fragments of the Berlin Wall Fragments of the Berlin Wall.

Beautiful ochre colours of Stockholm.

A street muso on the street of Stockholm.

Guards in Stockholm.

An Estonian kantele player, dressed in traditional attire.

Surreal architecture in Tallinn, Estonia.

Dreary greys of one of St Petersburg’s poorer districts.

Catherine Palace in Pushkin, glowing in the fresh morning light.

Russian musicians on the steps of Catherine’s Palace.

Plan your cruise

When to go

Cruising season in Europe is in the warmer summer months. The dates vary slightly between cruises, but the Baltic Sea cruise will be offered on MSC Sinfonia from March to October 2015.

What it costs

Rates start at R8 329 per person sharing for an inside cabin for seven nights, with stops in Copenhagen, Warne- munde, Stockholm, Tallinn and St Petersburg, returning to Copenhagen. (R13 829 will get you an ocean-view balcony cabin.) The cost includes meals, but excludes excursions, flights, drinks, spa treatments and meals in specialty restaurants. Children under 18 sharing with their parents cruise for free. Budget an additional R700 to R2 000 per person per MSC-organised excursion (some include meals). The distances from port to city vary, so if you plan to explore on your own, budget upwards of R1 000 per person for a taxi or City Sightseeing bus, meals and entry fees (carry euros, krone and rubles). You’ll need a visa for Russia if you plan to explore without an MSC guide. 087-075-0889, msccruises.co.za.