MV Viking Sky — 11-Night Northern Europe & Baltic

Before you sail

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

• 5 sea days

  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 1,400 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.

• This one earns the balcony

  5 of 11 nights are at sea, so you will actually be in the cabin in daylight. Roughly $1,300 more per person here — the one upgrade worth arguing about on a sea-day-heavy sailing.

• 4 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 11-night cruise is really 10 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.