Study Voyage: The Baltic
With French elegance and a spirit of discovery aboard Le Champlain
Interested in this voyage?
Personal advice, no call centre - a reply within 24 hours.
Helsinki → Copenhagen
This 7-night voyage aboard Le Champlain links the historic Baltic cities between Helsinki and Copenhagen. The Explorer-class ship for 184 guests offers the Blue Eye underwater lounge, 16 Zodiacs and a marina, with premium all-inclusive Ponant service. In partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, experts accompany the route through Hanseatic heritage, the Baltic capitals and the gateway to the Curonian Spit. Klaipeda extends the classic Scandinavian line with a Lithuanian accent.
Route highlights
- Helsinki: Empire-style Finnish capital with Senate Square and harbour market as the starting point.
- Tallinn: UNESCO-listed old town of Estonia with Hanseatic lanes and fortified walls.
- Stockholm: Sweden's island capital with Gamla Stan and the Vasa Museum.
- Visby: UNESCO World Heritage on Gotland with medieval ring walls and Hanseatic warehouses.
- Klaipeda: Gateway to the UNESCO-listed Curonian Spit with dunes and an amber coast.
- Gdańsk / Gdingen: Polish Hanseatic city with a Renaissance Main Town and St Mary's Basilica.
- Gudhjem and Copenhagen: Bornholm smokehouse idyll and the Danish capital with Nyhavn as the destination.
Early booking advantage: Voyages in 2027 fill quickly - premium cabins are often reserved 18-24 months in advance. An early booking enquiry is non-binding and secures your preferred cabin category.
The Route
Helsinki
7 nights
Copenhagen
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Helsinki · Embarkation
Helsinki sits on a peninsula surrounded by thousands of islands. The Suomenlinna fortress (UNESCO World Heritage) on offshore islands, Senate Square with its neoclassical cathedral and the turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau architecture define this Nordic capital. A ferry reaches Tallinn in 2.5 hours.
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Tallinn
Tallinn has the best-preserved medieval old town in Northern Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Toompea Hill with its knights' houses and panoramic terraces overlooks the lower town with the medieval Town Hall Square, Hanseatic merchant houses and the 14th-century Oleviste Tower.
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Stockholm
Stockholm sits on 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic. Gamla Stan, the Old Town on one of the islands, and the Vasa Museum with the only fully preserved 17th-century warship are essential stops.
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Visby, Gotland
Visby on Gotland is the best-preserved Hanseatic town in Northern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 3.4-kilometre medieval city wall with 27 towers encloses cobblestone lanes, church ruins from the 12th and 13th centuries and the rose-town flair for which Visby is known.
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Klaipeda
Klaipeda is Lithuania's third-largest city and the country's only Baltic seaport. The old town with its half-timbered houses and the gateway to the Curonian Spit with its shifting dunes make it an attractive destination.
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Danzig
Danzig (Gdańsk) lies at the mouth of the Motława on the Gulf of Gdańsk on the Polish Baltic coast. Its reconstructed old town with rich merchant houses along the Long Embankment is a landmark of its Hanseatic past, while in its shipyard in 1980 the Solidarity movement set off the collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe.
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Gudhjem, Bornholm
On the north-east coast of the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm, the fishing village of Gudhjem clings to the rocky shore. The town is famous for the smoked herring dish Sol over Gudhjem topped with egg yolk, narrow cobbled lanes full of craft galleries and the nearby 12th-century round church of Østerlars.
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Kopenhagen · Disembarkation
Climate & best time to sail
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air °C | -1 | -1 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Sea °C | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 39 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 45 | 72 | 66 | 55 | 50 | 53 | 46 |
Long-term monthly normals · Reference: Baltic Sea (Stockholm)
Destination
Le Champlain
Le Champlain belongs to the Ponant Explorer class: 184 guests, Blue Eye Underwater Lounge, Zodiac fleet and equipment designed for the most remote waters on earth. Expedition and luxury - at Ponant, no contradiction.
The Ship
Cabins
Owner's Suite
The most exclusive suite on board, located on Deck 6. Separate bedroom, balneo bathtub, panoramic views, butler service and personalised attention from the crew.
Cabin layout
Prestige Suite with Balcony
Elegant suites on Decks 5 and 6. Separate living and sleeping areas, two dressing rooms, generous balcony. Round-the-clock butler service.
Cabin layout
Deluxe Suite with Balcony
Spacious suites on Deck 6 with a separate bathtub and shower, sitting area and a private balcony. Butler service included.
Cabin layout
Deluxe Cabin
Outside cabin with a large panoramic window on Deck 3. Ideal for solo travellers or couples. All on-board amenities included.
Cabin layout
Deluxe Cabin with Balcony
Comfortable outside cabins on Decks 3 and 4 with a private balcony. Convertible twin or double beds, shower bathroom.
Cabin layout
Prestige Cabin with Balcony
The most popular category: premium cabins on Decks 4-6 with a private balcony, sitting area and convertible beds. Unobstructed views of the destination.
Cabin layout
Deck plan · Le Champlain
Cabin prices
Prices per person in double cabin (suites: based on double occupancy), all-inclusive. Subject to availability.
| Category | Price p.P. | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Stateroom - 3 | € 8.900 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 4 - 4 | € 9.810 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 5 - 5 | € 10.260 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 6 - 6 | € 10.820 | Available | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 3 - 3 | € 14.820 | On request | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 4 - 4 | € 14.820 | On request | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 5 - 5 | € 14.820 | On request | Enquire |
| Deluxe Suite Deck 6 - 6 | € 14.820 | On request | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 5 Suite - | € 19.830 | Available | Enquire |
| Prestige Deck 6 Suite - | € 20.840 | Available | Enquire |
| Privilege Suite Deck 5 - 5 | € 21.840 | Available | Enquire |
| Privilege Suite Deck 6 - 6 | € 21.840 | Available | Enquire |
| Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6 - 6 | € 23.940 | Available | Enquire |
| Owner's Suite - 6 | € 31.160 | Available | Enquire |
Prices as of: 14.08.2026
Standard inclusions of the ship voyage
On board
- Schiffsreise in der gewählten Kabinenkategorie
- Vollpension an Bord: Frühstücksbuffet, französische Brasserie-Küche zum Mittagessen, mehrgängiges Abendessen
- Große Auswahl an Getränken in Markenqualität (Mineralwasser, Softdrinks, Wein, Bier, Champagner, Kaffee, Tee, ausgewählte Spirituosen)
- Inhalt der Minibar
- 24-Stunden-Roomservice
- Unbegrenzter WiFi-Zugang an Bord
- Ein Landausflug pro Person und Anlaufhafen
- Vorträge und Begleitung der Naturforscher und Lektoren an Bord
- Abendunterhaltung, Vorträge und Shows
- Zugang zu Fitnessbereich und Sauna
- Nicht-motorisierte Wassersport-Aktivitäten (Kajak, Stand-up-Paddle)
- Bei Expeditionsreisen: Zodiac-Anlandungen und Ausfahrten
- Hafen- und Sicherheitsgebühren
Not included
- An- und Abreise zum Schiff (Flüge, Bahn)
- Flughafentransfers
- Reiseversicherung
- Trinkgelder für Crew (übliche Empfehlung 8 bis 10 Euro pro Person und Tag)
- Premium-Spirituosen und ausgewählte Edel-Weine
- Zusätzliche, optionale Landausflüge
- Spa- und Wellness-Anwendungen
- Persönliche Ausgaben (Wäscheservice, Boutique)
- Tauchgänge
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this voyage?
Send us a non-binding enquiry via the form on this page. Our team replies personally within 24 hours with availability, cabin options and a tailored offer. No enquiry fee, no upfront payment.
What is included in the price?
The base price per person (twin cabin) includes the cabin in your chosen category, full board, all port fees and the onboard programme. Flights and transfers are quoted separately. 7 nights from EUR 8.140 p.p. With Ponant, selected wines and beverages at meals are included.
How many guests sail on the Le Champlain?
A maximum of 184 guests - extraordinarily intimate compared to standard cruise ships. The high crew-to-guest ratio ensures personal attention throughout the voyage.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes - all itineraries are subject to weather, port availability and the captain's decisions. This is part of the charm of small-ship cruising: flexibility allows for unexpected discoveries.
Are there specials for early bookers or solo travellers?
Yes. Early bookers receive discounts for timely booking. Solo travellers often benefit from a reduced or waived single supplement. Simply mention your preferences in the enquiry.
Is my booking protected?
Yes. As a German tour operator, ivent-sailing provides a travel protection certificate (Reisesicherungsschein) under German law. Your payment is fully insured.
What about flights and transfers?
We arrange flights and transfers on request as part of your personal offer. This allows us to find the best connections for your specific departure date and home airport.
Are there shore excursions?
Yes. All cruise lines offer shore excursions - from guided cultural tours to nature experiences. The concepts vary by fleet. We are happy to provide details on available excursions for your chosen voyage.
What water sports and activities are available?
Depending on the ship and route: snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddling, diving, and Zodiac landings (on expedition voyages). Many ships have a marina platform for direct access to the water. We will be happy to tell you exactly what is available on your voyage.
When is the best time to sail this voyage?
The best time to sail this route is June to August.
Non-binding enquiry
Your enquiry reaches a person familiar with this voyage and ship.
