Scandinavia and Russia on Celebrity Eclipse

14 nights roundtrip from/to Southampton, England

June 23–July 7, 2012
Celebrity's Eclipse

Pied Piper Travel presents our Annual gay group cruise to Scandinavia and Russia! Pamper yourself with gourmet food, superb entertainment and fabulous service while cruising the Baltic Sea! You will have the chance to visit several Scandinavian ports such as Stockholm and Helsinki. Another exciting highlight will be the chance to spend two days in exotic St. Petersburg, Russia, where you can immerse yourself in the art, culture and architecture of the Imperial Romanoff capital! And you will sail on Celebrity Cruises' beautiful brand new cruise ship, Eclipse!

During a Pied Piper Baltic cruise, one of the most fascinating voyages we offer, you'll witness both imperial treasures and spectacular scenery. Experiencing the beauty of Scandinavia, and its unique and rich culture, design, cuisine and history, will be memorable. A highlight of your journey will be an overnight stay in St. Petersburg Russia, home to the world famous Hermitage museum. You will not forget the breathtaking arrival into Stockholm as you sail the magnificent Stockholm archipelago.

This beautiful, luxurious new ship has all the warmth, charm, and distinction of classic ocean liners of a bygone era. However, she is up-to-date with all the latest high-tech features you could possibly desire. Each spacious, beautifully decorated stateroom contains a 32" interactive LCD television, direct-dial telephones and voice mail, thermostat-controlled air conditioning, private safe, mini-bar and 24-hour complimentary room service!

Sail one of the world's newest cruise ships, Celebrity's Eclipse for this 14 day Scandinavia/Russia Cruise!

Celebrity Eclipse

From April 2010, the award-winning Celebrity Cruises' experience is coming even closer to home. Celebrity Eclipse - the latest of the incredible new Solstice Class ships - will become the first Celebrity ship to be based in Southampton. Now it's easier than ever for you to embark on a cruise to some of the best destinations Europe and the Mediterranean have to offer.

Imagine the fragrance of a lush lawn of real grass on the top deck, being able to watch glassblowers creating art before your eyes, or having the choice of dining in one of ten stylish restaurants. Another first on this groundbreaking class of ship is a new category of premium balcony stateroom called AquaClass, a tranquil haven conveniently located close to the spa facilities.

Step onboard Celebrity Eclipse and be treated like the star you are. Your Celebrity Cruise will leave you feeling recognised, celebrated and indulged and with plenty of time onboard to enjoy the many luxuries available.

Luxurious Accommodation
A wide range of spacious en-suite staterooms and suites to meet your needs. As you'd expect, all are appointed to an exceptionally high standard and include a stateroom attendant at your service, plus a host of other extras.

Dining
Award-winning cuisine served in a large choice of venues to suit your mood or appetite, for example our renowned Speciality Dining Restaurants, the AquaSpa Café, and even a Sushi Bar.

The main dining room radiates a classic elegance - table luminous with gleaming china and crystal set against a backdrop of crisp linens and gorgeous ocean views - open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as is the more informal Casual Dining Boulevard with its themed buffets.You'll have complimentary room service 24 hours a day, while iced water, tea, coffee and lemonade are available whenever you like. Celebrity Eclipse also features no less that four of our renowned speciality restaurants - Silk Harvest (Asia fusion), Tuscan Grille (Italian-inspired steak house), Murano (contemporary European) and Blu, serving healthy but delicious cuisine exclusively to our Aquaspa guests.

Entertainment
West-End style shows, stylish bars and cafés, comedians, classical and contemporary musicians and entertainers, dancing, nightclubs, movies, access to the casino, and more are just a selection of the activities available to entertain you onboard Celebrity Eclipse. A myriad of venues await - be seduced by the lights and movement on the spacious dance floor of Quasar, a refreshingly vibrant nightclub where retro styling fuses with contemporary rhythms. Ascend to the Sky Observation Lounge, where the bright canopy of the heavens appears to lie just within your grasp.We believe a glass of great wine can be a truly enjoyable experience, and the friendly ambience of Cellar Masters is the perfect place to savour and old vintage or discover something completely new.

AquaSpa & Fitness Centre
Unlimited access to the outdoor pools, whirlpools, fitness centre and AquaSpa Café. AquaSpa and acupuncture treatments can be purchased separately or as a package.Discover a truly transforming environment where restorative treatments from around the world have been brought together to help cleanse your body and purify your spirit.From a relaxing facial to a heated Aroma Stone Therapy, feel free to choose one treatment at a time or allow us to combine them in the ultimate in pampering. Spa lovers can take advantage of the brand new Aquaclass balcony stateroom, a serene retreat convenently located adjacent to the spa facilities.

Onboard activities
Celebrity's Enrichment Series incorporating talks by guest lecturers, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, and any number of classes to hone your skills. Further options include art auctions, a hot glass blowing show, library, conservatory, trivia & brainteasers, talent shows and more. Sports facilities comprise of basketball, paddle tennis, volleyball and a number of deck games.

Rest assured that your time at sea will be as richly rewarding as the destinations themselves, and that you'll have countless opportunities to fill your days and broaden your horizons. Celebrity Eclipse offers an elegant marble-paved galleria of boutiques, with no less than 18 shops spanning three decks - including high-end Boutique C and The Lawn Club Shop.

And don't miss the art onboard as throughout Celebrity Eclipse you'll see museum-quality artwork on display by masters like Picasso or contemporary painters like Peter Max or David Hockney. Even better, Celebrity's on-board art auctions give you the chance to buy original works from many well-known artists.

The Lawn Club
announcing another cruise industry first.A freshly manicured lawn on the top deck! Offering a wide range of activities - take a picnic or enjoy casual outdoor activities like croquet, boules, or improve your putting with the amazing feel of real grass between your toes.

Southampton, England

Rich in maritime history, Southampton doesn't have to work hard to entertain you. Its attractions span the gamut of good restaurants and pubs to Conservation walks in the lush, open Common, taking in art that dates back six centuries and musical or theatrical performances.

Bath
Discover why this World Heritage City is one of the most visited cities in Europe.

Beaulieu
This idyllic riverside village is home to Beaulieu Palace, the ruins of 12th century Beaulieu Abbey and the internationally acclaimed Beaulieu Motor Museum.

New Forest
England's largest surviving expanse of woodland was originally William the Conqueror's personal hunting preserve.

Portsmouth
Portsmouth has served as the home of the Royal Navy since the days of Henry VIII.

Salisbury
The city is home to a 13th century cathedral and boasts the best-preserved medieval city walls in England.

Stonehenge
Europe's most famous prehistoric landmark was built in several stages beginning circa 3,000 B.C.

Brugges (Zeebrugge), Belgium

Bordering the delta of the Scheldt, and the Maas and Rhine rivers, Zeebrugge could be one of the most unique seaports you visit in this lifetime. Zeebrugge is blessed with a picturesque network of canals and fields peppered with graceful windmills. Zeebrugge serves as a gateway port to the historic city of Brussels.

Atomium
This giant monument of an iron molecule was built for the 1958 World Fair in Brussels.

Bruges
Cobbled streets, centuries-old buildings and canals are hallmarks of this romantic medieval city.

Castle of the Counts
Completed in 1180, Ghent's medieval fortress has been at times a gaol, a cotton mill and a mint.

Ghent
The city has played a large role in history as a site for mediation between warring powers. The Treaty of Ghent, for example, ended hostilities between the United States and Great Britain in the War of 1812.

Grand Place
Brussels' central square is often acclaimed the most beautiful public plaza in Northern Europe.

St.Bavo's Cathedral
This cathedral in Ghent is home to two major masterpieces of Western art.

St.Michael's Bridge
The bridge affords panoramic views of the old port and the medieval city, including Ghent's famous three towers at the Belfry, St. Nicholas Church and St. Bavo Cathedral.

Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany

Warnemunde is a seaside resort neighboring the red brick 800-year-old Hanseatic city of Rostock. From here it is possible to spend the day in Berlin, capital city of a reunited Germany. Its historical core, home to important monuments like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building, is part of a revitalized city center, with cafes, restaurants, museums, and galleries. Layered over the Prussian past are WWII, recognized in a Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe; and Cold War relics, including a surviving section of the Berlin Wall and the infamous Checkpoint Charlie.

Located at the mouth of the Warnow River, Warnemünde is a charming old fishing town where they say your chances of catching a fish are just as good as your chances of catching a ride to historic Berlin.

Stockholm, Sweden

No fewer than fifty bridges connect this Swedish capital's fourteen islands to its mainland. Undoubtedly, this was to ensure that the Swedes could enjoy every single inch of this magnificent city steeped in parks, museums, and palaces - the most famous being the 600-room Royal Palace. Make your way through the Gamla Stan, or Old Town, packed with historic buildings, shops and cafés.

Royal Drottningholm
Located on the island of Lovön and residence of the royal family, this is one of the most lavish buildings of its era.

Skansen Open Air Museum
The number one attraction in Stockholm was founded in 1891 and includes over 150 houses and farmsteads from all over Sweden.

The Old Town
Take a leisurely stroll around the Old Town Island and see several of the city's major sights or explore the Great Market or the many antique shops that line the streets.

The Vasa Museum
View the warship Vasa that sunk in 1628 in 100 feet of water and remained there until 1956 when the historic monument was salvaged.

Vaxholm
Often referred to as the 'Pearl in the Archipelago', is part of a wonderful living archipelago community with approximately 60 islands and just over 10,000 inhabitants.

Helsinki, Finland

Occupying a peninsula and several islands, Helsinki's unique location may be overshadowed by the capital city's stunning meld of old and new structures and some of the most spectacular bays you could hope to find. Strolling down broad, tree-lined streets, don't forget to take notice of the stunning neoclassically designed architecture in Senate Square.

Porvoo
Head out of Helsinki to discover Finland's second oldest town. The charming town of Porvoo, founded in 1346, has lovingly-preserved a cherished section of the old part of the city. A guided walk through this area will take you over cobbled streets, past weathered wooden houses, the town hall and the main square.

Senate Square
The Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the University of Helsinki's main building and the National Library of Finland, all designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, dominate the Senate Square.

Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress
Suomenlinna Island is home to the impressive Viapori-Sveaborg fortress, one of the largest in the world.

Temppeliaukio Church
Designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, the church is quarried out of natural bedrock providing the optimal acoustics for concerts.

St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg was reportedly built to resemble such western cities as London, Paris and Vienna. Although, once you see its regal palaces and many vast public squares, you'll agree there's nothing quite like this lovely city. If you're fortunate enough to find yourself in St. Petersburg in June, revel in the city's famous "white nights," when the boundless night sky is never completely dark.

Peterhof Palace
Peter the Great personally drafted the layout of the 300-acre park and prepared instructions on the design of its spectacular system of fountains.

Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral
The Fortress was the first major building project in St Petersburg to provide protection from the Neva river delta.

St.Catherine's Palace
The impressive blue façade of this palace is nearly 1,000 feet-long with decorative white and gold ornaments, and the grounds comprise acres of manicured gardens.

Theatre Visit
Visit the opera, ballet or a dramatic show at one of the city's historic and traditional theatres.

The Hermitage Museum
Presenting the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century, these six magnificent buildings are situated alongside the River Neva.

Tallinn, Estonia

The Estonians may well have coined the phrase "If it isn't broken, don't fix it," as such is the case with the northern coastal town of Tallinn. It has remained remarkably unchanged since its founding in 1154, enabling visitors to enjoy architectural marvels of year past, like the soaring towers of Toompea Castle and the exquisite Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The delightful exception being the pink Parliament building, visible from Palace Square.

Estonian Open Air Museum
Escape from the city and take a walk around the picturesque open air museum displaying a collection of old Estonian buildings.

Kadriorg Palace Ensemble
Surrounding the Kadriorg Palace are many interesting side buildings and a beautiful park including the symmetrical Swan Lake.

The Old Town - Upper Town
Explore Medieval Tallinn and some of its grandest buildings including the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Virgin, Toompea Castle and Tall Hermann's Tower.

Copenhagen, Denmark

When surrounded by a sea of blooming flowers in Tivoli Gardens or while admiring Copenhagen's famous Little Mermaid statue, it's virtually impossible to find yourself in the capital of Denmark without a smile on your face. Amalienborg Palace, where you can catch the changing of the guards, and Kronberg Castle, the famous setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, are just a few of the many points of interest available to you in this former humble fishing village.

Amalienborg Palace
The palace is actually four exquisite Rococo buildings facing one of the prettiest squares in Northern Europe.

Christiansborg Palace
The former royal palace is today the seat of Denmark's Parliament.

Frederiksborg Castle
Built by Christian IV in the 16th century, the castle occupies three small islands in the centre of a lake.

Gefion Fountain
This spectacular fountain by the Kastellet depicts the legend of Gefion, a goddess in Norse mythology.

Nyhavn
The streets around the old harbour are lined with open-air cafés, restaurants and 500-year-old gabled houses.

Oresund Bridge
Completed in 2000, the immense six-mile long bridge features a central span and two approach bridges, as well as a submerged approach tunnel and an artificial island.

Rosenborg Castle
Built in the 17th century by Christian IV, this Dutch Renaissance palace was the summer home to three Danish kings.

Stroget
Running from Old City Hall Square, this pedestrian street offers the finest shopping in Copenhagen.

Tivoli Gardens
Copenhagen's pleasure gardens offers amusement park rides, open-air concerts, dancing and a host of cafés and restaurants.

A Pied Piper gay group cruise to Scandinavia and Russia makes for the ultimate cruise experience!