The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the North and Central European Plain. The sea stretches from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 10°E to 30°E longitude.

Kristiansand

Kristiansand is a city in southern Norway. Its old town, Posebyen, features traditional wooden houses. In the center, neo-Gothic Kristiansand Cathedral is near the Sørlandets Museum, which displays Norwegian art from 1800 to today. The southeastern shoreline includes the Bystranda city beach, the 17th-century Christiansholm Fortress rotunda and Fiskebrygga quay, lined with fishmongers selling their catch.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 500 to 800 meters
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is flat and easily accessible, most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at upper market square.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Some Cobblestones
• Public transport: Some accessible transport.
• Shopping areas: Approximately 500 meters
• Accessible places of interest: Most shopping centres have ramps.

Oslo

Oslo, the capital of Norway, sits on the country’s southern coast at the head of the Oslofjord. It’s known for its green spaces and museums. Many of these are on the Bygdøy Peninsula, including the waterside Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Viking Ship Museum, with Viking ships from the 9th century. The Holmenkollbakken is a ski-jumping hill with panoramic views of the fjord. It also has a ski museum.

A big city with a small town atmosphere, Oslo is a cool and cultural place that boasts accessible attractions and oodles of authentic Nordic hygge. Approached via the beautiful Oslofjord, the Norwegian capital is an ideal cruise destination, offering a compact and disabled-friendly city centre located close to the docks. Oslo is renowned for its excellent collections of museums and galleries, as well as its expansive green spaces, all of which can be easily reached via the accessible metro (T-bane) or bus systems. Wheelchair-friendly highlights include the National Gallery, home to Edvard Munch’s iconic Scream, plus the painter’s eponymous Munch Museum. The Bygdøy peninsula houses several important maritime museums, such as the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram polar exploration museum and the Kon-Tiki Museum, while the sprawling Frogner Park and Vigeland Sculpture Park provide the perfect place to relax.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 200 meters
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is mainly flat and easily accessible, most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at the shopping centre at Aker Brygge.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: The roads have Cobblestone but generally not the pavements.
• Public transport: Generally wheelchair accessible by accessible metro (T-bane) or bus systems.
• Shopping areas: Approximately 400 meters.
• Accessible places of interest: Area around cruise port, National Gallery, Holmenkollen Ski Museum, Kon-tiki Museum, The Astrup Fearnley Museum and The Viking Ship Museum.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, sits on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager. It’s linked to Malmo in southern Sweden by the Öresund Bridge. Indre By, the city’s historic center, contains Frederiksstaden, an 18th-century rococo district, home to the royal family’s Amalienborg Palace. Nearby is Christiansborg Palace and the Renaissance-era Rosenborg Castle, surrounded by gardens and home to the crown jewels.

Denmark’s capital is an exciting mix of the hip and the historical which caters to all kinds of visitor. Here classical architecture and fascinating museums border colourful, happening neighbourhoods populated by indie bars, enticing restaurants and vibrant street art. Strøget, Europe’s longest pedestrianised shopping street, is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir or peruse the world’s leading fashion brands; while Nyahvn, with its multicoloured quayside buildings, is an iconic waterside locale for grabbing a bite to eat. Copenhagen boasts a wide range of disabled-friendly sights within close reach of its cruise ports. You’ll be spoilt for choice for museums and galleries, with the National Gallery, National Museum and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek exhibiting everything from the famous prehistoric Sun Chariot to works by Picasso and Matisse. Then there’s Tivoli, the world’s second-oldest amusement park, and of course the much-loved Little Mermaid statue. Get to Amalienborg Palace for 12 noon and you’ll also catch the splendid Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 3km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is mainly flat and easily accessible and most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at the Amalie Garden next to the Royal Palace and department store Magasin Du Nord.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Few areas in the old parts of town.
• Public transport: Generally wheelchair accessible
• Shopping areas: Shops around terminal area.
• Accessible places of interest: Christiansborg Palace, National Aquarium Denmark, National Gallery of Denmark and Glyptoteket (art & sculpture museum)

Stockholm

Stockholms, the capital of Sweden, encompasses 14 islands and more than 50 bridges on an extensive Baltic Sea archipelago. The cobblestone streets and ochre-colored buildings of Gamla Stan (the old town) are home to the 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral, the Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum, which focuses on the Nobel Prize. Ferries and sightseeing boats shuttle passengers between the islands.

Adorning a collection of 14 islands between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren, Stockholm is one of the most enticing Northern European ports of call. Known as the “beauty on water” by locals, one-third of the area within the city limits is comprised waterways, with another third covered in parks and woodlands, lending it a scenic, laidback atmosphere. Equally enchanting is the old town of Gamla Stan, one of the best-preserved historical centres in Europe, which stands tightly packed on the island of Stadsholmen. Dating back to the 13^th century, its traditional colourful buildings, winding streets and busy town squares are the perfect place to shop for souvenirs and sample some authentic Swedish meatballs at a stylish streetside restaurant. There are lots of accessible attractions to see across the city, all reachable by wheelchair-friendly public transport and adapted taxis. Highlights include the Vasa Museum, home to the magnificent sunken Vasa warship; the ABBA museum; and Skansen, an open-air tribute to Sweden’s rural past.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 4km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is flat, most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at all major sites, museums and department stores.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Cobblestone streets in the old town.
• Public transport: Generally wheelchair accessible
• Shopping areas: Approximately 4km
• Accessible places of interest: The Vasa Museum, The Ice Bar and ABBA Museum to name a few.

Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland’s southern capital, sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Its central avenue, Mannerheimintie, is flanked by institutions including the National Museum, tracing Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present. Also on Mannerheimintie are the imposing Parliament House and Kiasma, a contemporary art museum. Ornate red-brick Uspenski Cathedral overlooks a harbor.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 3.5km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself is flat, most pavements have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located all around the city. Senate Square also at shopping centre Kamppi.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Cobblestones in the old centre.
• Public transport: Generally wheelchair accessible
• Shopping areas: Approximately 3.5km
• Accessible places of interest: Rock Church, Kiasma to name a few.

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg is a Russian port city on the Baltic Sea. It was the imperial capital for 2 centuries, having been founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, subject of the city’s iconic “Bronze Horseman” statue. It remains Russia’s cultural center, with venues such as the Mariinsky Theatre hosting opera and ballet, and the State Russian Museum showcasing Russian art, from Orthodox icon paintings to Kandinsky works.

The jewel in the Baltic crown, magnificent St Petersburg is the main highlight for many Baltic cruise passengers. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, the city was designed to serve as an exhibition of wealth and opulence as the new capital of the Russian Empire, blessing it with a cornucopia of cultural and architectural riches. Top of the list of must-sees has to be the Hermitage, the world’s second-largest art museum and home to over three million items. Then there’s the magnificent Peterhof Palace, a rival in beauty to Versailles; the breathtaking baroque Catherine Palace; and the immense Russian Museum. The majority of the main sights are accessible to wheelchair users, and wheelchair-friendly tours are available from cruise lines to help you get around and fit everything in. Wheelchair-accessible river cruises can also be arranged and provide a great way to appreciate the beauty of what is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1.2km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itself does have a lot of cobblestones and generally not accessible for wheelchairs, most pavements do not have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located at Astoria Hotel, Hermitage, Russian Museum and Catherine Palace.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Generally not accessible for wheelchairs due to cobble streets and high kerbs.
• Public transport: Not accessible.
• Shopping areas: Approximately 1.2km
• Accessible places of interest: Hermitage, Russian Museum, Fountain Park of Peterhof and Artillery Museum.

Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, is the country’s cultural hub. It retains its walled, cobblestoned Old Town, home to cafes and shops, as well as Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Its Gothic Town Hall, built in the 13th century and with a 64m-high tower, sits in historic Tallinn’s main square. St. Nicholas Church is a 13th-century landmark exhibiting ecclesiastical art.

Oft-cited as the best-preserved medieval city in northern Europe, Tallinn is a wonderful addition to any Baltic cruise. The main highlight is the Old Town, with its kaleidoscopic collection of Hanseatic storefronts and soaring onion-domed towers encircled by hulking stone walls dating back to the 13^thcentury. The city centre contains accessible routes allowing wheelchair users to avoid many of the cobblestones, and there are accessible buses, trams and private tours to help you get around too. Plenty of wheelchair-friendly attractions await in both the Old Town and the more modern districts. The sumptuous Kadriorg Palace and gardens were built by Peter the Great and can’t fail to impress; while the striking Kumu Art Museum chronicles Estonia’s entire artistic history. Alternatively, simply enjoy the breathtaking views across the city roofs from Toompea Hill.

• Tidal variance: Slight tidal variance is unlikely to restrict full-time wheelchair users in disembarkation.
• Accessibility around port: Flat and even
• Distance to main town: Approximately 1.8km
• Accessibility of main town paving: The town itseyis flat, most pavements do not have dropped kerbs
• Accessible toilets: Located in port terminal A, Restaurant Troika in town hall square, Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn Zoo, Open Air Museum in Rocca Al Mare and Hotel Reval Inn.
• Cobblestone streets or unsuitable terrain: Tallinn old town but there has been a wheelchair accessible route made as stated above.
• Public transport: Some accessible buses and trams along with private tours to get you around.
• Shopping areas: Approximately 700 meters
• Accessible places of interest: kadriorg Palace (ramp & lift) Rocca Al Mare Open Air Museum (low entrance but gravel paths) Kumu (ramp) Tallinn Zoo (lift)