Western Europe cruise from Portugal to the Netherlands

Spread over seven hills with São Jorge Castle views, bustling Lisbon is one of the world's oldest cities. Elegant Baixa, hilltop Alfama with its yellow tram, and scenic Graça overviewing pastel buildings, are top areas. The Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a World Heritage Gothic site. The classic Portuguese pastel de nata custard tarts are a local treat. Europe’s longest suspension bridge, the Ponte 25 de Abril, crosses the river Tagus.

The oldest resort on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, Figueira da Foz, or Figueira, has a sandy, two-mile-long beach, the longest in Portugal. Once a centre for shipbuilding and deep sea fishing, the town became a popular tourist hotspot in the 1920s. Visitors come for walks along the promenade, stop at the beachfront cafes or wander north for seafood restaurants in Buarcos, a fortified town that’s known for its fisherman’s huts and for surfing.

With a rich seafaring history and scenic beaches, Ferrol, in A Coruña, Galicia, on the Atlantic coast, champions the Ferrol Naval Museum and the 16th-century San Felipe Castle. Nearby, La Coruña, dubbed the Crystal City for its glass-fronted buildings, showcases the 1st-century Hercules Tower, a UNESCO landmark. Santiago de Compostela, a famed pilgrimage centre, houses the cathedral believed to hold the remains of St. James the Great.

The Asturian port city Gijon with colourful old houses is surrounded by green hills and is home to the Atlantic Botanical Gardens with over 2,000 plants. The monumental sculpture "Eulogy to the Horizon" by Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida overlooks the sea. In the fisherman’s old quarter, Cimadevilla, the Campo Valdés Roman Baths date from around 100 AD. Local ciders are a speciality, best enjoyed in a traditional sideria.

Santander, known for its beaches, unveils tales of a bygone era through medieval alleyways and ancient architecture. The Paseo de Pereda is a lush haven of gardens and sculptures. The city's history, dating back to Roman times, is marked by landmarks like the 13th-century Gothic cathedral, Catedral de la Asunción, and the Palacio de la Magdalena, a former royal summer residence. Santander is also renowned for traditional Basque cuisine.

Bordeaux, a key port city in southwestern France, is the heart of the French wine industry. The Cité du Vin, an interactive wine museum, and the UNESCO-listed 18th-century old city highlight its cultural and architectural significance. Surrounded by famed wine regions like Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux blends rich history with world-class gastronomy and markets like Capucins and Chartrons.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Cherbourg, on Normandy's Cotentin peninsula, packs maritime history at the Art Deco transatlantic terminal's Cité de la Mer—home to Titanic exhibits and the colossal submarine, Le Redoutable. Fort du Roule Musée de la Libération retraces WWII in Normandy. Nearby, the city of Rouen is celebrated for impressionist art and Rouen Cathedral, while Bayeux hosts the famous 70m-long Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman conquest and Battle of Hastings.

Once a retreat for European nobility, Oostende's charm lies in its sandy beaches, boardwalk, racetrack, 19th-century Belle Époque architecture, beachfront cafés and a harbour with seafood stalls. The Atlantikwall, a network of WWI and WWII bunkers, is now an open-air museum. Other museums include the Ensor Museum with James Ensor's maritime artworks, the Mercator aboard a 1930s three-masted ship, and Mu.ZEE, displaying Belgian art from the 1830s.

Amsterdam is a gorgeous Dutch city where a boat cruise along the canals gets to the heart of things. Yet, the magic also unfolds while strolling through narrow streets and crossing the hundreds of bridges. It houses a treasure trove of fabulous art museums, including the Rijksmuseum, adorned with Dutch Masters, conveniently located near the Van Gogh Museum. To the south, picturesque stretches of countryside with windmills line the canals.