totally different. Since a Baltic cruise is closer to a once in a lifetime type of thing and the stops would be significantly different each day, I would strongly consider going the full 12. Seems like a Baltic cruise is more for experiencing a number of different countries, whereas a beach cruise is more for relaxation, and most of the ports on a beach cruise are pretty close to the same. If you can see yourself still being excited to get off the boat and see a new city after 10 straight days of doing that, then go 12.