Winter Cruise to Baltic

Hi, We are considering a cruise with Cunard in December called Northern Adventures. We would visit Copenhagen, Norway, Amsterdam, and Belgium. Has anyone ever been on this cruise? We are trying to decide if the weather will be a problem, and we would appreciate any info about this cruise. Thanks, Ambergolden

The most cold winther days are typical in January and February so its not that cold in December.

But the seas can get more rough in the fall and early winther.

The only hurricane that I can recall that we got in Denmark in modern time (category 1) was in early December 1999 so it can get rough.

December can be rough in the area and in the Baltic. I'm grateful for being an inland land lubber during those winter storms. But it could be fine as well, you just never know.

In Amsterdam last December (and also the year before that) was far colder then other years. There was much snow and ice.

That sounds like it could be a lot of fun! It's definitely a much different view of the region than you would get in the summer! And although they're not as spectacular as those a bit farther south, the northern European Christmas markets can be fun. We went to Tivoli in December a few years ago, and it was gorgeous!

Weather-wise, I agree with others that it's usually milder than January/February, but it's the height of mørketid so you won't have a lot of daylight at all. With lots of Christmas lights up in December, I find this a lot easier to deal with than in November, which is typically dark, rainy, and depressing. It will certainly be cold, but I would think it would still be early enough that the ports shouldn't be frozen over yet.

(I'm now off to look up this sailing, because it sounds great!)

In addition to what the other wise posters have share, you should also consider the length of daylight factor. It fairly "dark" during this time period. That limits some of your options and excitement for seeing this great region compared to during the summer period that offer long days.

As an example for December 18, you will find this data for Copenhagen in the heart of this great area: a high of 37 °F last year with a low of 33 °F, with an average high on this date of 37 °F with an average low of 30 °F. During recent history, the high has been 46 °F (2003) and a low of 19 °F (2005) on this date in Copenhagen. There was just a small amount of rain (.08) on this date last year. Sunrise was 8:34 AM on this Dec. 18 date and sunset at 3:37 PM.

You can go to

http://www.wunderground.com

and check for the very specific weather history on many of the key towns in the world for their past temperatures in that specific area for a date in the past. Just look lower left in the page for weather history area, put in your exact dates and the year prior. You will then see what last year was like, along with recent highs and lows for that date there.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 107,924 views.

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

On a lighter note, notice the two posters who said, "it isn't THAT cold in December" are from that area. :D:D:D:D

Compared to WHAT (LOL)

It would be a completely different experience all right.

Cheers

Len