Azamara Journey
June 1, 2025

Lisbon, Portugal, offers docking at Lisbon Port. Travelers explore Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Excursions visit Sintra’s Pena Palace. Local markets sell pastéis de nata. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Manueline architecture and Tagus River vistas. Dining onboard includes bacalhau, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like azulejo crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Age of Exploration history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Lisbon’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic rivers, making Lisbon an engaging destination.

Leixoes, Portugal, has docking at Leixoes Port with excursions to Oporto. Travelers explore Porto’s Ribeira district and Livraria Lello. Excursions visit Douro Valley vineyards. Local markets sell port wine. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather. Photography captures Douro River views and azulejo tiles. Dining onboard includes francesinha, a Porto dish. Souvenirs, like cork crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Portuguese history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Leixoes’ access to Porto offers a vibrant Portuguese stop, blending culture with riverfront charm.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, offers docking at St. Peter Port with tenders to shore. Travelers explore Castle Cornet and Hauteville House. Excursions visit Sark Island. Local markets sell Guernsey gâche. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures harbor views and English Channel vistas. Dining onboard includes bean jar, a Guernsey favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norman history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. St. Peter Port’s historic charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of maritime heritage and scenic islands, making Guernsey an engaging destination.

Honfleur, France, has docking at Honfleur Port. Travelers explore the picturesque harbor and Sainte-Catherine Church. Excursions visit Deauville’s beaches. Local markets sell Calvados brandy. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures cobblestone streets and Seine views. Dining onboard includes moules marinières, a Norman dish. Souvenirs, like cider bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Impressionist history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance harbor walks. Honfleur’s charming waterfront offers a delightful French stop, blending artistic heritage with coastal beauty.

Dover (London), England, has docking at Dover Port. Travelers marvel at the iconic White Cliffs from the harbor. Excursions explore Canterbury Cathedral’s Gothic splendor. Local markets sell Kentish ales. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures chalk cliffs. Dining onboard includes fish and chips. Souvenirs, like Dover postcards, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover medieval history. Light layers suit coastal weather. Dover’s historic port offers a gateway to England’s heritage.

Dunkerque, France, has docking at Dunkerque Port. Travelers explore the WWII Operation Dynamo museum. Excursions visit Malo-les-Bains’ beaches. Local markets sell mussels. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures historic fortifications. Dining onboard includes carbonnade flamande. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are available in ship shops. Briefings cover wartime history. Light layers suit coastal weather. Dunkerque’s historic port offers a poignant French coastal stop.

Rotterdam, Netherlands, offers docking at Rotterdam Port. Travelers explore Erasmus Bridge and Museumpark’s art galleries. Excursions visit Kinderdijk’s UNESCO windmills. Local markets sell stroopwafels. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures modern architecture and Maas River vistas. Dining onboard includes erwtensoep, a Dutch favorite. Souvenirs, like Delftware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dutch history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Rotterdam’s urban charm offers a vibrant Dutch stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of innovative design, historic windmills, and maritime culture, making Rotterdam an engaging destination for exploring the Netherlands’ dynamic port city and heritage.

Returning to Rotterdam — see Day 8 above for port info.

Kiel Canal Transit, Germany, involves no docking; ships cruise the 98-km canal. Travelers view locks and rural landscapes from deck. Excursions include shore stops at Rendsburg. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures canal engineering and Baltic views. Dining onboard includes schnitzel, a German favorite. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover canal history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Binoculars enhance scenic views. Kiel Canal’s engineering marvel offers a unique German stop, blending innovation with serene landscapes.

Wismar, Germany, offers docking at Wismar Port. Travelers explore St. Mary’s Church and Old Harbour. Excursions visit Schwerin Castle. Local markets sell marzipan. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Gothic architecture and Baltic vistas. Dining onboard includes labskaus, a German favorite. Souvenirs, like amber crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hanseatic history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Wismar’s medieval charm offers a vibrant German stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic harbors, making Wismar an engaging destination for exploring Germany’s Baltic coast.

Helsingborg, Sweden, has docking at Helsingborg Port. Travelers explore Kärnan Tower’s medieval ruins. Excursions visit Sofiero Palace’s gardens. Local markets sell lingonberry jam. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather. Photography captures harbor views and historic walls. Dining onboard includes meatballs, a Swedish favorite. Souvenirs, like Dala horses, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Scandinavian history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Helsingborg’s historic charm offers a serene Swedish stop, blending medieval heritage with coastal beauty.

Copenhagen, Denmark, offers docking at Copenhagen Port. Travelers explore Nyhavn and Tivoli Gardens. Excursions visit Kronborg Castle. Local markets sell smørrebrød. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures colorful harbors and Baltic vistas. Dining onboard includes frikadeller, a Danish favorite. Souvenirs, like Viking crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Danish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Copenhagen’s urban charm offers a vibrant Danish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic castles and scenic canals, making Copenhagen an engaging destination for exploring Denmark’s capital.

Returning to Copenhagen — see Day 12 above for port info.