It looks like the cruise industry's recent pullback from the Baltics will continue into 2023.
With the war in Ukraine showing no signs of ending anytime soon, Oceania Cruises this week became the first major cruise line to cancel a wide swath of 2023 sailings to the Baltics — trips that in a normal year would revolve around a stop at the Russian port of St. Petersburg. Industry watchers expect more lines to follow in Oceania's wake as Russia remains a destination that neither cruise lines nor their customers want to touch.
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"I am afraid I do see [the Baltics pullback] extended into 2023," Alex Sharpe, the president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, a network of more than 7,000 travel agents, told TPG.
Even if the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ends relatively soon, "the ramifications of the political and economic sanctions might make Russia an untenable destination even into summer of 2023," Sharpe noted. "Certainly public opinion on Russia will also play into this – will people want to go to/support Russia in the immediate wake of this?"
In the days after Russia invaded Ukraine, all major cruise lines pulled St. Petersburg from 2022 Baltic itineraries, and some lines canceled 2022 Baltic trips outright. But most lines initially stuck with plans for 2023 Baltic cruises, hoping that the conflict would be resolved relatively quickly.
Now lines are facing the possibility that the war in Ukraine could simmer for years to come with sanctions against Russia also continuing for many years. If so, itineraries that involve stops in Russia may be on hold for an extended period.
"We need St. Petersburg to come back as a destination," Sharpe said. "But my gut says it's likely [that won't happen until] 2024 and beyond."
While St. Petersburg being off the map for cruise ships "doesn’t mean Baltic cruises can’t exist ... I expect there will be fewer of them as St. Petersburg has always been the big draw," he added.
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Operating a few, but not many, Baltic sailings without St. Petersburg as a port of call is the strategy that Oceania is planning to take for 2023. Oceania will keep a handful of Baltic sailings on its schedule with stops at such Baltic ports as Stockholm, Sweden, and Tallinn, Estonia. But the line on Tuesday began notifying customers on the majority of its 2023 Baltic sailings that it was replacing the trips with sailings to the more westerly parts of Northern Europe including the U.K, Iceland, Greenland and Norway.
An Oceania representative suggested that customer demand was a factor in the changes.
"We are taking the opportunity to offer our guests a more diverse and creative range of itineraries and destination experiences," Oceania spokesperson Tim Rubacky on Wednesday told TPG. "We have the advantage of being able to look more than a year out and follow the demand."
Rubacky suggested that port availability also was a factor in the line's itinerary changes, as the number of ports in the Baltic that can act as a substitute for St. Petersburg is limited.
"When everyone is clamoring to replace St. Petersburg with the same handful of ports, we zig and let the others zag," he said.
Sharpe suggested that changing 2023 Baltic itineraries now, more than a year in advance of when they're scheduled to take place, made sense given the uncertainty around what will happen with the war in Ukraine. It takes away the chance that the trips will have to be canceled at the last minute, which would be far more disruptive.
"Having to 'go back' and re-sell a redeployed cruise for the line and advisors [on short notice] is difficult and certainly disruptive," Sharpe noted.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a sister line to Oceania Cruises, also will be making changes to Baltic sailings for 2023. But a spokesperson for the line on Wednesday told TPG the brand wouldn't comment on the changes until it had notified passengers and travel agents.
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FAQs
With the war in Ukraine showing no signs of ending anytime soon, Oceania Cruises this week became the first major cruise line to cancel a wide swath of 2023 sailings to the Baltics — trips that in a normal year would revolve around a stop at the Russian port of St. Petersburg.
Why are cruise lines cancelling Baltic cruises? ›
The reason given by the cruise line is the poor security situation in Eastern Europe as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Therefore, Saint Petersburg, one of the highlight ports in the Baltic Sea, was removed from the itinerary.
Are Baltic cruises cancelled 2023? ›
The line has cancelled Regal Princess' 2023 Baltic programme out of Copenhagen due to the war in eastern Europe and all Royal Princess sailings from 5 September 2023 to 10 October 2023 due to deployment issues.
Are cruise ships still going to the Baltic? ›
The Baltic Cruise 2023-2024 season includes a host of different ports of call, each more amazing than the last. Enjoy the beauty of Stockholm, technological hub and capital of Sweden, where strolling along ancient cobbled streets and alleys is the best way to make your way through the old heart of the city.
Are Baltic cruises still going to St Petersburg? ›
Historically, Baltic cruises have been popular due to the days spent in the picturesque city of St. Petersburg. However, since February 2022, cruise lines have decided that all calls to any Russian ports will not take place.
Is the Baltic sea rough for cruising? ›
Cruises from England are longer and typically encounter rough waters crossing the North Sea. Issues: The Baltic is sheltered from open waters by the Scandinavian countries, so it's much gentler than the neighboring North Sea. Still, it's prone to sudden, strong thunderstorms.
What cruise lines have cancelled Baltic cruises? ›
Princess Cruises canceled numerous sailings for 2023 on two Royal-class sisterships in Europe's Baltic, Asia and Australia.
Are Oceania cruises cancelled in 2023? ›
With the war in Ukraine showing no signs of ending anytime soon, Oceania Cruises this week became the first major cruise line to cancel a wide swath of 2023 sailings to the Baltics — trips that in a normal year would revolve around a stop at the Russian port of St. Petersburg.
Have any Baltic cruises been Cancelled? ›
Norwegian Cruise Line has pulled more voyages in the Baltic region due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. All Norwegian Getaway's Baltic sailings until October 26, 2023, and Norwegian Dawn's voyages from July 2 to July 28, 2023, have been cancelled.
Are cruises going to St Petersburg 2023? ›
St Petersburg, Russia Federation cruise holidays
We have amended the itineraries on our Northern Europe and Scandinavia cruises to remove St Petersburg for all 2022/2023 holidays and have contacted guests booked on these holidays with details of the new itinerary and ports of call.
If you're wondering “Are the Baltic states safe?” in the context of the war Russia is waging on Ukraine, the answer is yes. The Baltic countries are protected by NATO, and the Baltics do not border Ukraine. Life is completely normal here even if the Baltics and Russia have a tense relationship.
What is the best time of year for a Baltic cruise? ›
The most popular Baltic cruise season sails between July and August, when temperatures are warm and pleasant, sitting at an average of 18 °C/64 °F. However, weather conditions are also pleasant in April, May, June, and September.
Where are cruise ships going instead of St Petersburg Russia? ›
Petersburg, Russia, will instead call on Baltic ports such as Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Visby, Sweden, while also adding an overnight stay in Stockholm, Sweden.
Which cruise lines are avoiding Russia? ›
Some cruise lines will be avoiding Russia. Royal Caribbean and Viking Cruises canceled planned trips to Russia in the coming months. The move is just the latest example of western businesses cutting ties with the country after it launched an invasion of Ukraine.
Are cruise lines cancelling cruises to St Petersburg? ›
Several major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have announced that they will be cancelling calls at St Petersburg for the foreseeable future. Alternative itineraries are being offered.
Do cruise lines still go to Russia? ›
(Latest Update: March 4, 2022) With the uncertainty in the Russia-Ukraine region, cruise lines are opting to change itineraries for sailings calling on St. Petersburg, Russia.
Is NCL cancelling Baltic cruises? ›
All Norwegian Getaway's Baltic sailings until October 26, 2023, and Norwegian Dawn's cruises from July 2 through to July 28, 2023, have been canceled. In March, Norwegian amended a series of cruises after removing Saint Petersburg (Russia), before later scrapping them altogether.
Are any European cruises being cancelled? ›
Norwegian Epic European Cruises Cancelled
“As a result of a fleet redeployment, Norwegian Epic's sailings from December 1, 2023, through and including April 9, 2024, have been canceled,” the email read. The affected cruises include various departures from Rome, Haifa, Trieste, and Lisbon.
Have cruises to St Petersburg been Cancelled? ›
A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines said: “Due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine we have made the decision to alter itineraries and remove calls to St. Petersburg, Russia from our 2022 sailings.” The cruise line continues to confirm replacement ports for the involved itineraries within 2022.
Are cruise lines cancelling cruises to Russia? ›
March 2 (Reuters) - Cruise operators Royal Caribbean Group and Viking Cruises canceled sailings to Russia on Wednesday, joining their rivals and many Western brands in suspending operations in the country after its invasion of Ukraine.
