The fun begins the moment you board the Sapphire Princess—which has been designed from bow to stern for your fun and enjoyment. As we sail out of Copenhagen, we’ll gather for a hosted Daddy Cruise® Welcome Aboard Party. Here, you’ll meet your fellow cruisers and start making new friends right away.

On Denmark's northern tip, where the Baltic meets the North Sea, lies Skagen (pronounced "Skain"). Skagen is a fishing town with a maritime history that reaches back to the early Middle Ages. Boasting white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and stunning natural landscapes, the area has lured artists since the mid-1800’s. Stroll through one of the many art galleries and museums. When it's time to taste the delicacies of the region, head to Pakhuset for a chance to discover one of Skagen's most iconic foods: marinated herring accompanied by Aquavit, a traditional spirit of Scandinavia infused with spices and herbs. A visit to Grenen, where the North and Baltic Seas converge, is a must for all voyagers. You can even straddle the waters with a foot in each mighty sea.

Forest-clad slopes plummet to an island-studded fjord. Welcome to Oslo, Scandinavia's oldest capital city. The commercial center of Norway, Oslo has been a major trading port for over a millennium. Its harbor is crowded with shipping that ranges from cruise ships to workaday shrimp boats. The hills and lakes of its outlying countryside are a paradise for lovers of winter sports. And the city itself boasts a sophisticated, yet cozy charm, with a blend of 19th- and 20th-century buildings, many decorated with woodcarvings and bright frescoes, and wide avenues dotted with public squares and parks. In Oslo you can see the modern City Hall, several glassworks (the region is famous for its glass), Akershus Castle, “The Scream” by Edvard Munch, and parks galore.

Lounge on your private balcony or near one of the pools, or maybe even find a quiet nook to settle in with a book. Want to be more active on your day at sea? Play bingo, work out at the gym, watch a movie, dance all night, attend a cooking seminar, soak in a hot tub, watch a sunset (or a sunrise), play trivia games, sing along at the piano bar, do some wine tasting, check your email or surf the internet, grab a snack, watch live entertainment, get lucky in the casino, indulge in a spa treatment, catch the game in the sports bar, and on and on...

Gdynia is your gateway port to Poland's fabled city of Gdansk. A member of the Hanseatic League, Gdansk was once the richest port on the Baltic and a cultural center that drew artists and intellectuals from across Europe. But by the end of WW2, Gdansk was in ruins and proud Poland lay in the grip of Russian occupation. Then, in 1980, the spirit of Gdansk's people proved even stronger than the iron grip of communism: a food riot led to the birth of Solidarity, the trade-labor movement that played a pivotal role in bringing down the Iron Curtain. Gdansk is now one of the amber centers of the world. This petrified tree resin has been revered for both jewelry and as a source of folk remedies for centuries. Gdansk's Old Town is a superb place to browse for amber jewelry and goods, as well as other local treasures.

Klaipeda is a unique historic city with roots that go back to the days of German knights. And it's a gloriously royal city, too: it was once the capital of the Prussian Kingdom. Today Klaipeda is a modern city, known for its creative, innovative design and architecture, and even more for its friendly and welcoming people. The third largest city in Lithuania, Klaipeda’s cultural scene offers everything from internationally-known music concerts to sizzling jazz clubs, bars and countless museums and galleries; from a centuries-old fortress to the Soviet Nuclear Weapons Site museum.

Capital of Latvia and the largest city of the Baltic Republics, Riga has long been a center of commerce and culture. Founded in the 13th century, the city rose to prominence as a member of the Hanseatic League, the great German-Baltic trading consortium that dominated Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. In the long struggle for Latvian independence, Riga has been ruled by Germans, Swedes and Russians. Today this "Little Paris of the Baltic" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its architecture including one of the finest collections of Art Nouveau buildings (with outstanding examples of the German style Jugendstil) in Northern Europe.

Like Latvia and Lithuania, the Baltic republic of Estonia has survived a turbulent history. The small nation was conquered and ruled by the likes of Teutonic Knights, Polish princes and Russian Tsars. For 51 years, Estonia remained a pawn in the Soviet empire. Like its sister republics, Estonia maintained its ties to the Western tradition, retaining the Latin alphabet and Catholic and Protestant faiths. Once a member of the historic Hanseatic League, Tallinn is the political, commercial and cultural center of Estonia. It is also the most progressive of the Baltics—same sex marriage and changing one’s gender are among many legal rights and protections here. Old Town is a treasure. I insist that most scenes from the “Shrek” movies were filmed here, it’s just that charming!

Perhaps their country's harsh climate encouraged the Finns' love and respect for design and the arts. Whatever the cause, there's no denying that Helsinki is one of the most vibrant and beautiful cities in Northern Europe. Hailed as the "Daughter of the Baltic," Finland's capital is a city of graceful neoclassical buildings, striking modern architecture and spacious boulevards dotted with squares and parks. Be sure to check out the Temppeliaukio (Rock Church), a one-of-a-kind Lutheran church built into a solid rock. And don’t miss a visit to an authentic Finnish sauna here.

Often described as the "Capital of Scandinavia," Stockholm traces its origins back seven centuries, when it was founded on the island of Gamla Stan. Stockholm then spread to cover 14 separate islands connected by bays, channels and inlets. The skyline is a sea of copper roofs grown green with patina, towers, spires and graceful cupolas that stand sentinel over the historic Old Town—one of the largest and best preserved medieval city centers in Europe. With its population of nearly a million people, Stockholm is one of the world's most beautiful, clean and orderly cities. Be sure to stop at the Stockholm Ice Bar—the world’s first permanent ice bar—where the interior is kept at 23 degrees all year round. The bar, stools and even the shot glasses are made of pure ice from a river in northern Sweden. Vodka never tasted so good!

Dramatic 13th-century city walls surround the former Viking settlement of Visby, Sweden. Recognized by UNESCO as the best-preserved medieval commercial center in Northern Europe, this quaint town, known as the "City of Roses and Ruins," is home to ancient forts, churches and winding streets lined with cafés and cozy cottages. The Gotlands Fornsal Museum explores 8,000 years of the region's rich cultural history. Beyond the ancient walls is the Hanseatic harbor of Almedalen, dotted by historical sites; and scenic Dalmansporten, site of the 12th-century St. Mary Church, still in use today. If you seek the solace of the countryside, Gotland, Sweden's largest island, offers flowering meadows, pastoral views and the opportunity to experience the dairy products and sweet jams produced on local farms.

Yes, after half a dozen new countries, you’ll be ready for another day to rest up at sea! Relax, unwind and enjoy your vacation mode. Lounge on your private balcony or near one of the pools, or maybe even find a quiet nook to settle in with a book. Want to be more active on your day at sea? Play bingo, work out at the gym, watch a movie, dance all night, attend a cooking seminar, soak in a hot tub, watch a sunset (or a sunrise), play trivia games, sing along at the piano bar, do some wine tasting, check your email or surf the internet, grab a snack, watch live entertainment, get lucky in the casino, indulge in a spa treatment, catch the game in the sports bar, and on and on.

Welcome back to Denmark—enriched and inspired, and full of memories that will last a lifetime!