Not so long ago, a Baltic cruise almost always meant a stop in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was the city that everyone looked forward to, the golden spires of the Hermitage, the opulent Catherine’s Palace, and the chance to walk canals that rivalled Venice. I still remember browsing itineraries where ships like the Celebrity Silhouette proudly advertised two full days docked in St. Petersburg. Some guests would even take the once-in-a-lifetime train ride to Moscow, ticking off the Red Square and the Kremlin in a single day.
These sailings felt special because Russia added an air of adventure to an itinerary otherwise filled with Scandinavian capitals and cozy Baltic towns. It was the port that made people say, “Yes, this is the cruise for me.”
That all ended abruptly in February 2022. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, cruise lines acted quickly. Within days, St. Petersburg disappeared from schedules. Officially, lines cited safety concerns for guests and crew, but there was much more happening behind the scenes. Governments across Europe and North America introduced sweeping sanctions against Russia, which made it practically impossible for cruise companies to do business there. Even something as basic as arranging a visa or securing insurance became unworkable overnight.
Cruise lines had to rethink the entire Baltic experience. Suddenly, ports like Stockholm, Tallinn, and Riga had to step into the spotlight. Copenhagen and Helsinki picked up more overnight stays, and some lines even pushed further afield to places like Gdańsk or Visby to fill the gap.
Don’t get me wrong, these are beautiful destinations, and a Baltic sailing is still an incredible way to experience Northern Europe. But for many seasoned cruisers, something feels missing without Russia anchoring the itinerary.
Fast forward to now, and the situation hasn’t changed. Cruise lines are steering well clear of Russia. The war in Ukraine continues, sanctions remain in place, and even if companies wanted to return, the logistics simply don’t work. There are no reliable port services, shore excursions would be fraught with difficulty, and passenger sentiment is understandably hesitant.
For the cruise industry, stability matters. That means focusing on destinations where guests feel comfortable and where there are no legal grey areas.
It’s hard to imagine St. Petersburg disappearing from cruise maps forever. The city is too iconic, too breathtaking, and too deeply tied to the history of Baltic cruising. One day, if politics and safety allow, cruise ships may once again sail into the Gulf of Finland and line up along St. Petersburg’s grand embankments.
But until then, those itineraries are history, the brochures that once featured Russia are now a snapshot of a cruising era that feels very far away.
You can usually find me on a cruise ship, somewhere in Europe, or sneaking a beach day. I share beautiful photos, travel tips, and the occasional ‘why did I book this?’ moment.
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