Baltic's...mid June verse early July

[bajathree]

Looking at Eclipse for 2012....I was originally thinking of the June 23rd sailing but am finding better rates and availability on the June 9th sailing and thinking of switching over. For those familiar with sailing Scandinavia/Russia tell me if there is a big difference between sailing mid June verse early July:confused: I know temps and weather vary greatly but just curious of the trend.....will you be able to enjoy your balcony or any of the pool decks in June:confused: Any info would be appreciated....THANKS:)

[Xport]

The later sailing will probably [you might want to confirm via internet search] better coincide with the height of White Nights [which are a big event at some of the places you'll visit]; to my mind, that--and the end of the school year--likely accounts for the price differential.

 

I sailed Eclipse through the Baltics from June 26 though July 10 of last year... With few exceptions [notably, Stockholm and Copenhagen], the other ports--including London pre-/post-cruise and St. Petersburg [July 4 weekend at the start of the fires in Russia last summer]--were setting temperature records... I don't know how typical/atypical my experience was but average temperature information--which are, at best, averages and provide no guarantees--is readily available on-line too...

 

It was a terrific [and very scenic] itinerary on a terrific ship... Enjoy!

[caripoo]

We did Early June 2 years ago. We had better cruise prices, airfare, and LESS kids. We had wonderful weather. Weather is very unpredictable, but when kids are out of school, everything goes up EVERY year!!!

[djmutters]

We did the Baltics June 5 years ago and in Russia there was an heatwave 35 :) and less children hence us trying June again this year.

[TLCOhio]

Specific weather history for each port on the dates you be visiting there can be obtained by going to this below website, plugging in the location name and then going to the lower area for an earlier date to what happened there last year on that date, past averages, etc. Check out:

http://www.wunderground.com

 

To provide some added details, here are a few weather averages for three of key cities in the Baltics. On average, July will be a little better than June. We did late July 2008 and had great weather. Good luck for our "adventure"!!!

 

Copenhagen: High/low averages,

May: 59/45 °F

June: 67/52 °F

July: 69/55 °F

August: 69/54 °F

September: 62/50 °F

 

St. Petersburg:

May: 59/42 °F

June: 67/52 °F

July: 71/56 °F

August: 66/54 °F

 

Stockholm:

May: 60/43 °F

June: 69/52 °F

July: 71/56 °F

August: 69/55 °F

September: 59/48 °F

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our last July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 41,440 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[goofysmom99]

I'd take the June 9th sailing any day! You'll be in Copenhagen on the Summer Solstice (longest day) and the Scandanavian countries throw a mean party for that date. We were in Helsinki for it several years ago and everyone was nuts - like the 4th of July on steriods! BTW, on that trip, in was in the 90s in St Petersburg and they don't have much A/C. Last year, in July, all of Europe and Scandanavia set all time heat records (we did here in the US, too).

[Loracpin2]

We sailed Baltic late May three 3 years ago and weather was perfect. Enjoyed our balcony the entire trip. We try to avoid all European travel from late June to mid September for two reasons - possible high weather temperatures and crowds.

[alcpa1]

I know most of you have focused on temps, which can vary tremendously, but also consider crowds. The earlier in the season the better.

We were in St. Petersburg at the end of July last year when the temperatures hit 100 and the air was affected by forest fires the first day. Just imagine how hot it was at The Hermitage and how crowded.

If I had a choice I'd definitely take June.

[Freecall]

I know most of you have focused on temps, which can vary tremendously, but also consider crowds. The earlier in the season the better.

We were in St. Petersburg at the end of July last year when the temperatures hit 100 and the air was affected by forest fires the first day. Just imagine how hot it was at The Hermitage and how crowded.

If I had a choice I'd definitely take June.

 

Couldn't agree more!