Anyone in search of an unforgettable cruise experience need look no further than the beautiful Baltic Sea region. For it�s here, in the midst of history, culture and breath-taking attractions, that more and more people are choosing their cruise holiday.

And now, thanks to the launch of the Cruise Baltic project in the UK, planning your perfect Baltic cruise has never been simpler � or more rewarding. Check out the brand new user-friendly website � www.cruisebaltic.com - and find out more about the 19 destinations in 10 countries participating in the Cruise Baltic project.

The website really does provide a comprehensive introduction to the pleasures and opportunities of a cruise holiday in the Baltic Sea region. The 10 participating countries are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia and Sweden. Together these countries offer no less than 19 destinations, each with its unique sights, characteristics and superb opportunities for visitors.

If you find it hard to decide which destinations should be on your itinerary, then why not go by theme! That�s exactly why the Cruise Baltic project has developed a series of themes that link the many attractions and activities of the region together across destinations.

The six themes comprise everything that is truly magnificent about the destinations within the Baltic Sea region.

Northern Light & Mild Climate See some of nature�s most spectacular phenomena, including �white� nights and temperatures that are just inviting you to enjoy and spend time on some outdoor experiences.

Kings & Tsars Gold, glory and magnificent palaces, all of which illustrates some of the grandeur that surrounds the homes of great empires and the world�s oldest existing kingdoms.

Modern Architecture & Design Let your imagination be inspired and get pleasure from the designs from some of the world�s greatest architects and designers.

City Life & Outdoor Events Get out, have fun! There are numerous ways of enjoying a day of outdoor activities, whether it is sightseeing by bicycle or a look at the cities from the seaside by kayak.

Great Shopping & Fine Food Meet the locals and enjoy local specialities, a great way to get familiarised with the city or destination of your choice. Time to go treasure hunting and find something special to bring home and also try some of the fantastic food the Baltic Sea region has to offer.

Ancient & Modern Take a stroll through the centuries and discover how past and present goes hand in hand whether you are looking to find medieval cities, quaint half-timbered houses or present-day modern living.

Speaking at today�s London launch, Cruise Baltic project�s newly-appointed project director, Bo Nylandsted Larsen, said, �We believe the excellent variety of themes will make choosing a cruise in the Baltic Sea region a real pleasure.

�There was a time when most people planning on taking a cruise dreamed of a sunny holiday beneath warm skies. These days, however, when cruise tourists plan their annual holiday more and more are putting the Baltic Sea region at the top of their wish list. We know we have so much to offer, with a wealth of entertainment, culture, architecture and history in each of our destinations, and some superb themes and experiences that we hope will make any holiday in the Cruise Baltic region a pleasure.�

As an exciting additional incentive to visit the website, there�s an online competition to enter, with a fabulous prize of a 12-night Baltic cruise for two with Fred Olsen Cruises. The cruise includes visits to Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and Copenhagen, so it should prove a perfect way to get to know the Baltic Sea region. To enter, simply visit www.cruisebaltic.com/uk. Entries for the competition close on 1 July.

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Notes for editors Baltic Sea Region destinations now make up the world�s fastest-growing cruise region, with 2, 30 million visitors from 2,079 dockings in 2006 � an increase if 13 percent compared with global growth of around nine percent over the same period.

BACKGROUND: About the Baltic Sea region As far back as in the 14th and 15th century, the Baltic Sea region formed an integrated trade network, the League of Hanseatic Towns. This represented the most important trading area in Northern Europe. As a result, culture, arts and science flourished in all the cities around the Baltic Sea.

Today, many of the medieval houses, churches and palaces stand side by side with modern architectural achievements, giving the whole region a very special charm and atmosphere that you will find nowhere else.

The Baltic offers passengers a unique combination of exciting harbour towns with cultural and historic attractions and beautiful scenery. The harbours' infrastructure and the surrounding areas' ability to handle both ships and passengers in a quick and professional manner are attractive for cruise ship operators. As well as this, the waters and the countries around the Baltic are considered safe and clean.

About Cruise Baltic Project The Cruise Baltic Project was initially a three-year EU development project which started in Copenhagen in 2004. Following its success in the first three years, the project is now ready to start its second phase, which includes the marketing of the region in the UK. Its remit remains to increase: � The number of cruise ship passengers to the Baltic region � The proportion of cruise ships in the Baltic Sea's share of the global cruise ship market � The number of passengers that return after their first visit to the region.

To achieve this Cruise Baltic Project works together with numerous cruise ship companies, tour operators, tourist bureaus, media and local cruise networks.

Cruise Baltic Project is a close cooperation between 10 countries, 19 destinations and 35 partners in the Baltic Sea Region. Through Cruise Baltic Project, all the participating countries are able to offer the same service, high standards and full integration between ports and cities for cruise lines that want to discover the unique possibilities of the Baltic Sea Region.

About the director Bo Nylandsted Larsen began as project director for the Cruise Baltic Project in March 2007. He was formerly sales director at SAS with responsibility for business travel bureaux and group sales in Denmark. He has worked in sales for 20 years.

Destinations The 19 participating destinations are: Copenhagen (Wonderful Copenhagen and Copenhagen Malm� Port), Elsinore/Helsingborg (Elsinore Tourism and Business Association and Town of Helsingborg), Gdynia (Gdynia City Hall and Port of Gdynia), G�teborg (Port of G�teborg), Helsinki (Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau, Port of Helsinki and Helsinki City Planning Department), Kalmar (Destination Kalmar and Port of Kalmar), Karlskrona (Municipality of Karlskrona), Klaipeda (Klaipeda City Municipality, Klaipeda State Seaport Authority and Klaipeda Tourism and Culture Information Centre), Malm� (Malm� Tourism, Copenhagen Malm� Port), Mariehamn (Port of Mariehamn, �land Tourism Board), Oslo (VisitOSLO as and Port of Oslo), Riga (Riga City Council and Freeport of Riga Authority), Rostock (Rostock Port c/o), R�nne (Port of R�nne Ltd), St. Petersburg (City of St. Petersburg), Stockholm (Stockholm Visitors Board, Ports of Stockholm), Tallinn (Port of Tallinn, Tallinn City Enterprise Board), Turku (Turku City Tourist Office and Port of Turku) and Visby (Port of Visby).

Commercial partners are Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS Group) and SAS Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

For more information please contact: John Sansom. Presslink. T: 020 7831 0023. M: 07872 606024 E: john@presslinkgroup.co.uk