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Baltic Sea Christmas Markets

Visit the Christmas Markets of three Baltic Sea Capitals; Stockholm, Tallinn and Helsinki!

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Note: This event has already passed.

Sailing from city to city is the perfect way to visit the capital cities of the Baltic Sea region.  Overnight sailings will combine your travel time with your sleeping time, allowing you to arrive fresh each day in a new capital city.  While the sun may be reluctant to rise, you will be ready to get off the boat and explore each of these cities and sample their unique holiday traditions and Christmas markets. Guided tours in Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn will familiarize you with each city and will also provide you with free time for additional explorations or shopping. Sample a Scandinavian Smörgåsbord in Stockholm, taste smoked elk and reindeer or Karelian pies in Helsinki, and brave wild boar, black pudding and beetroot salad in Tallinn

Christmas only comes once a year and seating is limited. Even Santa Claus himself will not be able to get you a space or a family package once they are gone. Reserve your Baltic Capitals Christmas Markets experience with Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation today.

Estimated Itinerary

17 December: Kaiserslautern to Stockholm

After your flight to Sweden, you will enjoy the first of two chances to visit the Scandinavian city's winter events.  Your downtown hotel is perfectly positioned in the heart of Stockholm to allow you an evening at the Skansen Christmas Market, the first of many you are sure to visit on this trip to the Baltic region. (overnight Stockholm)

18 December: Stockholm - Overnight sailing to Tallinn

You will have this morning free to visit one of Stockholm’s many attractions, including but not limited to the Vasa Museum, the Viking Museum or the ABBA museum.  This afternoon you will transfer to the Port of Stockholm where you will board MS Baltic Queen* which will carry you comfortably from Stockholm to Tallinn.  Great shopping opportunities and your first at-sea evening of holiday themed entertainment await you in many onboard bars, restaurants and nightclub. (overnight onboard)

19 December: Tallinn

Disembarking in Tallinn you will find yourself just a few steps away from the center of Estonia’s capital city. A guided tour of the city center will familiarize you with its layout, and you will have the afternoon and evening hours to investigate its medieval city center and beautiful Christmas Market, which was rated the 2019 Best Christmas Market in the World by European Best Destinations. (overnight Tallinn).

20 December: Tallinn to Helsinki

Finland is just two hours away from Tallinn
when you take the Star* Class Hyperferry across the Gulf of Finland. After a short tour of Helsinki you can take advantage of the first of two evenings in the thriving city center, where your 4 star hotel is just a short walk away from the Christmas Market, the Harbor Market and seaside promenade. (overnight Helsinki).

21 December: Free day in Helsinki

A free day in Helsinki will allow you to visit the Rock Church, and see the city's famous sites during one of the shortest days of the year.  (overnight Helsinki).

22 December: Tallinn to Helsinki

The final sea leg of your visit to the Baltic Capitals begins tonight when Silja Symphony* slips its mooring at Port Olympica while the city begins to close down for Christmas. You will feel the spirit of of the season on board Silja Symphony, which has been designated Santa Claus’s official cruise ship, and the indoor promenade will be fully decorated and feature live seasonal performers.  The fun will continue late into the evening with live music and entertainment in the Starlight Nightclub and Seaview Lounge while the New York Club and Lounge will keep you dancing until morning. (overnight onboard)

23 December: Stockholm 

A return visit to Stockholm will give you a second chance to do anything you missed out on the first time around. Make your plans and reservations for tonight early.  Much of the city will start to shut down today for Christmas.  

24 December: Stockholm to Kaiserslautern

Your afternoon flight from Stockholm to Frankfurt and included airport shuttle to Kaiserslautern will return you to your home in the early evening.  Perhaps you will want to redecorate your home with souvenirs from your trip on the Baltic Sea.

Price, Until Wednesday, Aug. 31:

  • Double Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $1469 per person
  • Single Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $1999

Standard Inside Double Cabin with bunk beds and either one or two hotel rooms as assigned by the individual hotels for 2 adults and up to 2 children under 16:

  • Adults: $1469 per person
  • Children 12-15 with 2 paid adults: $899 p.c.
  • Children 8-11 with 2 paid adults: $769 p.c.
  • Children 5-7 with 2 paid adults: $649 p.c.
  • Children 2-4 with 2 paid adults: $429 p.c.

Upgraded Family Cabin with bunk beds for up to 6 and family or connected hotel room as assigned by the individual hotels:

  • Adults: $1649 per person
  • Children 12-15 with 2 paid adults: $1079 p.c.
  • Children 8-11 with 2 paid adults: $949 p.c.
  • Children 5-7 with 2 paid adults: $829 p.c.
  • Children 2-4 with 2 paid adults: $599 p.c.

Price, on or after Thursday, Sept. 1

  • Double Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $1629 per person
  • Single Occupancy, Inside Cabin: $2199

Standard Inside Double Cabin with bunk beds and either one or two hotel rooms as assigned by the individual hotels for 2 adults and up to 2 children under 16:

  • Adults: $1629 per person
  • Children 12-15 with 2 paid adults: $899 p.c.
  • Children 8-11 with 2 paid adults: $769 p.c.
  • Children 5-7 with 2 paid adults: $649 p.c.
  • Children 2-4 with 2 paid adults: $429 p.c.

Upgraded Inside Family Cabin with bunk beds for up to 6 and family or connected hotel room as assigned by the individual hotels:

  • Adults: $1829 per person
  • Children 12-15 with 2 paid adults: $899 p.c.
  • Children 8-11 with 2 paid adults: $769 p.c.
  • Children 5-7 with 2 paid adults: $649 p.c.
  • Children 2-4 with 2 paid adults: $429 p.c.
     
  • Child under 2 on existing bedding in any cabin/room combination: $399 per infant
  • Outside cabin supplement: $100 per person, minimum $200 per cabin
    • Outside cabin guarantee not available for family cabins

Deadlines and Discounts:

  • Early bird discount expires at close of business on Wednesday, August 31
  • Lufthansa Initial Air Ticketing Deadline is Wednesday, October 5
  • Registrations made on or after Thursday, October 6 are on a space available basis and may be subject to additional airline/hotel price supplements and/or rebooking fees.

Trip Includes:

  • Round trip transportation including airfare and airport shuttles
  • 1 overnight at Best Western Kom Stockholm**** or equivalent with breakfast
  • Overnight cruise from Stockholm to Tallinn with private cabin, breakfast and dinner
  • 1 overnight at Hestia Euroopa**** or equivalent with breakfast
  • Hyperferry from Tallinn to Helsinki
  • 1 overnight at Scandic Simonkenttä Helsinki**** or equivalent with breakfast
  • Overnight cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm with private cabin, breakfast and dinner
  • Additional overnight at Best Western Kom Stockholm**** or equivalent with breakfast
  • Guided tours of Stockholm, Tallinn, and Helsinki
  • Free digital travel guidebook downloaded from http://army.lib.overdrive.com

What to Bring:

  • Comfortable, weather appropriate shoes & clothing
  • Credit/Debit card or Euro
  • Military ID and Passport

Departure: 7 a.m.

Return: Around 6 p.m.

Registration Information

All reservations must be made through Army Outdoor Recreation. Sign up today by downloading the registration form and submitting it to:

Army Outdoor Recreation, Kaiserslautern Community
Pulaski Barracks, Bldg. 2905

All participants are required to be in compliance with the vaccination/testing rules for their destination and all countries of transit as listed in the Travel Planner on https://reopen.europa.eu at the time of departure and throughout the trip. 

Cruise ship COVID prevention rules, including all requirements for entry to each country can be found at:  https://en.tallink.com/latest-news#corona_virus

Cancellation Terms: 

  • 10% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or prior to Thursday, October 13
  • 55% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Friday, October 14
  • 75% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Thursday, November 17
  • 85% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Friday, November 25
  • 100% cancellation fee for all cancellations made on or after Friday, December 2
  • In the event that an individual passenger is not able to participate in a confirmed trip due to COVID restrictions placed on the passenger, full cancellation penalties may be applied based on the date of the customer's cancellation
     
  • All customers are responsible for their own awareness of and compliance with any COVID regulations at or along the route to their destination.
     
  • In the event that a customer cancellation results in a fee charged to Outdoor Recreation, regardless of the date of or reason for that cancellation, the total sum of those fees will be passed along to the customer.