Cruising Scandinavia – The Silversea Way

Most people associate cruises with warm weather jaunts to Caribbean destinations. Seasoned travellers might seek out a cruise to Alaska for adventure. But for the people at Silversea Cruises, travel is art, and the entire world is their palate.

Of all the cruise lines, perhaps the most unique and sophisticated is Silversea Cruises. With an Italian heritage and a distinctly European style that reflects the company’s attention to the finer details, this cruise line doesn’t just seek to entertain or provide comfort and relaxation – it offers unique and unforgettable travel experiences.

The experience onboard is wonderful. The ship’s accommodations are all suites, and the cruise’s philosophy is all-inclusive: the only thing you need to have on your mind is the experience at hand. Silversea will take care of everything else.

This past summer, we embarked on one of the more extraordinary and unusual of the Silversea Cruises – the Swedish Sojourn. The 12-day cruise departed from beautiful Stockholm, Sweden. The first stop was Ornskoldsvik. This small town (population just 29,000) prides itself on its delectable traditional Swedish cuisine. The next stop was the nearby town of Lulea, which, though just 70 miles from the Arctic Circle, has a peculiarly mild climate. Its streets are adorned with charming boutiques, making this a perfect place to taste North Swedish specialties, including reindeer, which we had the pleasure of tasting when we met the Sami people, who also shared with us their time honoured stories, songs and traditions. Later we embarked on an exciting Arctic Circle Safari across the Lapland forest landscape, which traverses the Ranea River. Exploring the unspoiled forests and waterfalls, we were greeted by more wildlife. Lulea has the greatest number of days of sunshine in Sweden. I distinctly remember looking at my watch at 11:00 p.m. while the sun was setting – an unforgettable sight!

Leaving Sweden, the cruise sailed to Vaasa, Finland. This cozy, vibrant coastal town is home to three universities and is a Finnish leader in heavy industry and technology. Turku, Finland was the next destination. As the oldest city in the country, it boasts one of the biggest ship-building yards in Europe. Take a tip: the best sausages in Scandinavia are available in Turku. We tasted them ourselves!

On the fifth day, we reached the halfway point of our journey. This was a day at sea that allowed travellers to revel in the first class amenities that Silversea Cruises offers onboard: 24-hour room service, yoga classes, all beverages including premium brands, dinner in the restaurant at your leisure (no pre-scheduled dinners), complimentary laundry service  and my favourite pastime – admiring the magnificent view of the ocean from the observation deck, while enjoying a massage in a comfortable massage chair. 

The next stop was Oslo, the capital of Norway. Oslo is considered one of the finest metropolitan cities on earth and is quickly becoming one of the most expensive. Visitors can visit the 17th century-built Oslo Cathedral, which is surrounded by a semi-circular arcade that features a variety of artisan shops. On one of my favourite days, we walked to the Palace to watch the changing of the guard without the usual crowd of onlookers. We had an incredible view, right up close and personal. Rich in culture, the city is recognized for its various museums including the Fram Museum, the Norwegian Folk Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, all of which are just steps away from relaxing neighbourhood parks. 

From Oslo, the cruise headed back to Sweden with a stop in Gothenburg, the second largest Swedish city. Gothenburg is known as one of the friendliest and prettiest cities in the country. Visitors may explore the picturesque Old Town, which provides the finest shopping and eating in Gothenburg. 

Copenhagen, Denmark was the next stop on this memorable journey. Copenhagen is one of the most charming capital cities in the world, and Denmark is one of the oldest monarchies. We had plenty of time to explore, sample the local cuisine and make the advised visit to the renowned National Museum for a fascinating tour of the country’s vivid and rich history. We took advantage of the Canal Cruise through Copenhagen Harbour and the canals of Christianshavn. Then we strolled through the old fishing village of Dragor and discovered its well-preserved half timber houses and fish shops.

After Denmark, the cruise took us to one more country before returning to Stockholm: Germany, specifically the city of Lübeck. This 850-year-old town, founded in the Middle Ages, has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The captivating historical city centre is closed to vehicular traffic and can only be explored on foot. Lübeck is known for its breathtaking architecture. Next, in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, we embarked on a walking tour that highlighted its hidden treasures. The tour introduced us to the enchanting Alster Lake and Elbe River, the Town Hall and the famed Planten un Blomen Park.

Back onboard, we enjoyed another day of leisure as the ship returned to Stockholm, the final destination. 

What makes the Silversea Cruise Swedish Sojourn more fascinating than a regular cruise is the journey guides, who are respected in the worlds of history and art. Dr. Richard Atkins has lived and studied in over a hundred countries; he is your guide to all things cultural and historical on the trip. Art Historian Michael Law keeps the passengers informed about the rich contemporary art scenes and the art history of the regions visited.

The combination of the physical beauty of the locations on the Swedish Sojourn and the firstclass treatment provided by the Silversea staff makes for a cruise that doesn’t feel like a cruise at all. It feels like the experience of a lifetime – and it is! www.silversea.com

Gallery 1: View from the balcony.

Gallery 2: Swimming Pool, Silver Cloud & Silver Wind. 

Gallery 3: Casino, Silver Shadow & Silver Whisper. 

Gallery 4: Fitness Centre, Silver Cloud & Silver Wind.

Gallery 5: The Restaurant, Silver Cloud & Silver Wind.

Gallery 6: Dragor Fishing Village, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Gallery 7: Family cycling in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Gallery 8: My favourite chocolate volcano dessert served on the Silver Shadow cruise line.