Marella Explorer — 7-Night Northern Europe & Baltic

Before you sail

What the fare covers, what it doesn't, and how this itinerary actually runs.

• Your one sea day

  The pool loungers and the shaded spots go early on a sea day — by eight in the morning on a full ship, and this one carries 1,924 guests. Reserving one and leaving it is against the rules on most lines and crew do clear them, so send someone early rather than at ten.

• Save the balcony money

  6 port days and one sea day — you are ashore in daylight and asleep the rest. An interior cabin costs about $850 less per person, which is most of a shore excursion budget.

• 5 port days back to back

  Early tenders and late returns, several days running, with no sea day to recover in. Pick the two ports you actually care about and let one of the others be a lie-in — the itinerary is not a checklist.

• Day one and the last day are half-days

  A 7-night cruise is really 6 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.