Azamara Journey
September 6, 2025

Portsmouth, England, provides docking at Portsmouth Port. Travelers explore the Historic Dockyard and HMS Victory. Excursions visit Stonehenge’s ancient stones. Local markets sell pork pies. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures naval ships and Solent vistas. Dining onboard includes fish and chips, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance dockyard walks. Portsmouth’s naval heritage offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic ships, prehistoric sites, and coastal charm, making Portsmouth an engaging destination for exploring England’s maritime and ancient history.

Rouen, France, offers docking at a Seine River port. Travelers explore Rouen Cathedral and Joan of Arc sites. Excursions visit Giverny’s Monet gardens. Local markets sell tarte normande. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for river tours. Photography captures Gothic spires and Seine vistas. Dining onboard includes sole meunière, a Norman favorite. Souvenirs, like calvados, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Normandy history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance cobblestone walks. Rouen’s medieval charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks, artistic heritage, and riverfront beauty, making Rouen an engaging destination for exploring France’s Normandy region.

Returning to Rouen — see Day 2 above for port info.

Returning to Rouen — see Day 2 above for port info.

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.

Cherbourg, France, docks at Port de Cherbourg, 1 kilometer from downtown, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 80,000, features the Cité de la Mer with Titanic exhibits. Travelers visit Fort du Roule for harbor views. Local markets sell Calvados. Excursions to Mont Saint-Michel, 2 hours south, explore medieval abbeys. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes moules marinières at port bistros. Souvenirs feature Norman pottery.

St. Malo, France, offers docking at St. Malo Port. Travelers explore walled old town and Fort National. Excursions visit Mont Saint-Michel. Local markets sell galettes. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ramparts and English Channel vistas. Dining onboard includes moules marinières, a Breton favorite. Souvenirs, like cider crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Breton history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance cobblestone walks. St. Malo’s historic charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of medieval walls and coastal beauty, making St. Malo an engaging destination for exploration.

Brest, France, docks at Port de Commerce, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 140,000, features the 17th-century Château de Brest with naval exhibits. Travelers visit Océanopolis aquarium for penguin displays. Local markets sell buckwheat galettes. Excursions to Locronan, 45 minutes south, explore Celtic villages. Peak season June to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes kouign-amann at port cafes. Souvenirs feature Breton stripes.

Bordeaux, France, docks on the Garonne River at Port de la Lune, a 10-minute walk to the city center, population 260,000. Travelers visit the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André and Place de la Bourse. Local markets sell canelés. Excursions to Saint-Émilion, 45 minutes east, explore wine chateaux. Peak season April to October; trams 2 EUR. Dining includes entrecôte bordelaise at riverside bistros. Souvenirs feature wine corks. Bike rentals explore vineyard trails.

Returning to Bordeaux — see Day 10 above for port info.