• Eight stateroom configurations, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
• A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare
• All beer and wine included with dinner
• Health and wellness options including an onboard spa, swimming pool, and gymnasium
• Expert cultural lecturers and curated performances
• Knowledgeable expedition staff by region
• Separate, intimate space for all of your group’s private dining needs (available upon request)
• Environmentally friendly standards with reduced emissions into air and sea and lower energy consumption
• Dynamic positioning technology
• State-of-the-art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
• Rolls-Royce stabilizer system; “Safe Return to Port” technology
• Multiple launching platforms to allow for easy and quick loading of expedition landing craft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards
• Small passenger-to-crew ratio
• Onboard medical doctor
• Boutique
• Elevator from bottom to top deck

Northern Europe offers a rich repository of art, architecture, and crafts that reflect centuries of culture and history. Here are a few ways you can witness it for yourself:

• Explore St. Petersburg’s legendary Hermitage Museum, the world’s second-largest art museum and the only one founded by Catherine the Great. Our focus will be the Winter Palace, once the residence of tsars and practically an artwork itself — a milestone for any art lover!
• Admire a wealth of alluring architecture on your journey — from Riga’s art nouveau district to striking cathedrals and Copenhagen’s clean, modern masterpieces
• During your time on the Danish island of Bornholm, you can explore numerous shops and studios for renowned Danish pottery and glass
• Delight in an array of both onboard entertainment and local performances, including Latvian folk musicians and dancers, a stirring organ performance in Riga, Russian entertainers in St. Petersburg, and more!

Center of the Viking Age and the mercantile might of the Hanseatic League, the Baltics are steeped in history. Immerse yourself in their rich and fascinating past!

• Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Visby; Riga; Tallinn; Historic Centre of St. Petersburg and related groups of monuments (including Peterhof); The Palace and Park Ensembles of the Town of Peterhof
• Enjoy stunning coastline vistas and a slice of ancient architecture at Hammershus, the largest castle ruin in northern Europe, and a mysterious castle at that — archaeologists are still uncertain who built this famous Danish fortification, and when
• Trace the Solidarity Route to the historic shipyards of Gdańsk, Poland, where Lech Walesa sparked a social movement that eventually ushered in a new world order of democracy in eastern Europe
• See Stockholm’s Vasa Museum, featuring the amazing “ghost ship” of the same name, the world’s only fully intact 17th -century warship. In 1628, the state-of-the-art (and very expensive) Vasa set sail, on her maiden voyage with great pomp and circumstance and promptly sank in Stockholm Harbor, with the king looking on. Preserved in mud for three centuries, the ship was finally recovered and is now displayed in all its glory

• Don’t be afraid of the dark! Exploring cities and landmarks at night offers different lighting and unique new perspectives — just make sure you have a tripod or your camera comes equipped with a night feature!
• Change your perspective. Try shooting from a different angle, for example. Climb a stairwell and shoot a landscape from up high or, alternately, get low and shoot a scene from the ground. Wherever you are, embrace this artistic challenge by getting out of your comfort zone!
• Take a selfie! You’ll be glad to have a few portraits of yourself at the distinctive landmarks you’ll find on this journey
• Look beyond the landmarks — sometimes everyday scenes are just as inspiring, and provide a lesson in embracing the unexpected and seizing the moment in front of you

You’ll get a taste for eastern European music on this tour — from traditional song and dance to a pipe organ concert in Riga. Here’s a sampling of the music you’ll enjoy:

• Enjoy a special pipe organ concert at St. John's Church in Riga and an authentic evening with food and folklore
• Learn the importance of song to Baltic independence during a lecture on the Singing Revolution that helped eject the Soviet Union from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
• Local entertainment in St. Petersburg

• Visit Riga Cathedral, the largest medieval church in the Baltic states
• Visit one of Bornholm Island’s 12th-century round churches
• Take an optional tour of Riga’s Jewish District
• Visit St. Mary’s Church as you follow the Solidarity Route through Gdańsk

• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment and lectures

Your onboard Vantage Concierge will be available throughout your entire cruise to help you customize your journey. Here are just a few services your Concierge can provide:

• Special celebrations. Do you have a big birthday, anniversary, family reunion or other important event you want to celebrate on board? Let your Concierge know and he or she can make all the special arrangements, whether it’s a private reception in your suite, a gathering in the lounge, a celebration in the Captain’s Club, and more.
• Restaurant reservations. Just notify your Concierge of your interests, and he or she will be happy to make recommendations, and will call ahead to reserve your table.
• Special excursions. Maybe you need a limo to take you for a special night on the town. Perhaps you’re interested in tracking down long-lost relatives. Your Concierge is here to help!
• Extend your stay! Your Concierge can help modify your hotel reservations and flights if you decide to stay on.
• Tickets to local concerts, exhibits, theater, sporting events, and more.
• Concierge-guided bike tours using the 20 available complimentary bicycles your ship has onboard.

Take advantage of this free, start-to-finish service by making your requests prior to your journey or during your journey. Call 1-888-982-6824 or email Concierge@vantagetravel.com to speak to a Concierge today, or simply log in to MyPortfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.