Is this what you are looking for?

Why not spend a few days in London and cruise from Dover or Southampton with Cunard or P&O for a 'British Experience'.

www.pocruises.com

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Originally posted by jff1:
Should we look for a time frame in mid summer or is there some latitude that permits avoiding bad weather.

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Being British, I go along with Mec1's idea of spending a 2-3 nights in London pre or post cruise and catching the train to Dover, Harwich or Southampton, all easily reachable from London by train.

The easy and safe option for you is to pick a cruise line familiar to American waters (Hal, Celebrity etc.). The braver option is to pick a more British option such as Fred Olsen's wonderful little ships, the QE2 or a P&O vessel.

If you are over 50, Saga have two wonderfull small classic ships, a real contrast to all those monsters operating in American waters: Click Here

If you are the sort of American that can live with one ice cube in a drink and no prime-rib on the menu, you would probably really enjoy the difference of having a British flavour onboard the vessel. On the other hand if you very fixed in your ways, Celebrity etc. it must be.

British/European weather is very unpredictable even in the summer. The Baltic is not really a sunshine destination. If fine weather really is important to you, July and August offer you your best chances – but it still might rain! Earlier or later in the season will be a little be cooler, maybe wetter(?) but you never really can tell. Off-season is certainly a great way to save some dollars, which I find very attractive.

You will need 12-14 nights to see the Baltic properly. Do pick a cruise that stays 2 night in St.Petersburg. Tallin (Estonia) is an interesting port of call. Many cruises transit the Keil canal, a short-cut through Germany.

Unless you have mobility problems, you can very easily do your own sightseeing. In most cases you can get of the ship (or get a shuttle bus) and see the Cities easily on foot. If you need to travel there are cheap trams and local buses. Everyone seems to understand English.

St.Petersburg is the exception. Most people take the excursions. If you want to do your own thing you need to apply for a Visa in advance. Mind you one couple I met (and there baby daughter) did this and hired a taxi for two days for a few dollars, which took them wherever they wanted to go!

This is the sort of thing: Click Here

(Fred. Olsen's 'Black Watch' 28,000 tons of charm and intimacy)

[ 06-05-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Let us know what you and your wife decide on.

Unlikely because the Baltic cruises start spring and end fall (as you say). Tendering is not normally required for the Baltic ports. I would not hesitate to book off-season. You could spend the money saved on a cabin upgrade.

My wife & I are in mid-50's so your advice on the smaller ships may be our most serious consideration.

'Black Watch' and 'Boudiccia' (Fred. Olsen) at just under 30,000 are almost the perfect size, as are the Saga vessels. All cater for the over 50's and are certainly not party-ships!

Because they are older ships, their cabins tend to be smaller than new ships, so there is a high premium for suites. Veranda's are rare. However, what they lack in state-of-the art facilities, they make up in charm and intimacy.

The Dover cruise terminal is particularly charming, too.

UK lines like 'Saga' and 'Olsen' (the latter is actually Norwegian) target Brits, so would probably not offer you a package from the USA. However it would be easy enough to book the cruise only with the line and book transatlantic flights/hotel yourself using Expedia.com (etc.)

[ 06-05-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

Have done an Baltic cruise a/b the Costa Romantica frome Amsterdam and back. It was fantastic. Not much sunshine much rain buth not so cold. Ports as st. Petersburg, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Stockholm etc.

Let us now wich option you booked have a pleasent cruise and Bon Voyage.

Greetings Ben.

[ 06-06-2005: Message edited by: Maasdam ]