Azamara Journey
January 22, 2028

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.

Portimao, Portugal, provides docking at Portimao Port. Travelers explore Praia da Rocha and the old town’s sardine museum. Excursions visit Silves’ Moorish castle. Local markets sell pastéis de nata. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Algarve beaches and historic forts. Dining onboard includes cataplana, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like cork crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Algarve history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance beach walks. Portimao’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches, historic sites, and Algarve culture, making Portimao an engaging destination for exploring Portugal’s southern coast.

Seville, Spain, offers docking at a Guadalquivir River port. Travelers explore Alcázar’s Moorish palace and Seville Cathedral. Excursions visit Jerez’s sherry bodegas. Local markets sell gazpacho. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures Gothic spires and Andalusian vistas. Dining onboard includes jamón ibérico, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like flamenco crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Andalusian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Seville’s vibrant charm offers a dynamic Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of Moorish heritage and cultural landmarks, making Seville an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Seville — see Day 3 above for port info.

Returning to Seville — see Day 3 above for port info.

Gibraltar, U.K., offers docking at Gibraltar Port. Travelers explore Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave. Excursions include dolphin-watching tours. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes roast beef, a British favorite. Souvenirs, like monkey-themed crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Barbary history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance rock hikes. Gibraltar’s unique charm offers a vibrant British stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and scenic straits, making Gibraltar an engaging destination for exploration.

Ceuta, Spanish Morocco, North Africa, docks at Puerto de Ceuta, a 10-minute walk to the city center, population 85,000. Travelers visit the Royal Walls, a 15th-century fortress. Local markets sell harissa. Excursions to Monte Hacho, 10 minutes east, offer Mediterranean views. Peak season April to October; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes couscous at port cafes. Souvenirs feature Moroccan lamps. Coastal paths suit walks.

Málaga, Spain, offers docking at Málaga Port. Travelers explore Alcazaba Fortress and Picasso Museum. Excursions visit Ronda’s deep gorges. Local markets sell gazpacho. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Moorish architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes paella, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Andalusian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Málaga’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic coasts, making Málaga an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Cartagena, Spain, offers docking at Cartagena Port. Travelers explore Roman Theatre and Naval Museum. Excursions visit Murcia’s cathedral. Local markets sell caldero. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes zarangollo, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Carthaginian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cartagena’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of Roman landmarks and scenic harbors, making Cartagena an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Murcia region.

Algiers, Algeria, docks at the central port terminal on the Bay of Algiers, a 15-minute walk to the Casbah. The city, population 3 million, features the UNESCO-listed Kasbah with Ottoman alleys and mosques. Travelers ascend the Martyrs' Memorial, a 167-meter obelisk from 1982 honoring independence fighters. Maqam Echahida offers city views. Jardin d'Essai, 10 minutes by tram, spans 400 hectares with exotic plants and aviaries. Excursions to Tipaza, 90 minutes west, explore Roman ruins and amphitheaters. Local souks sell tagines. Peak season April to October; trams 40 DZD. Dining includes chorba soup at cafes. Souvenirs feature brass lamps.

Tunis, Tunisia, offers docking at La Goulette Port. Travelers explore Carthage Ruins and Medina of Tunis. Excursions visit Sidi Bou Said’s blue streets. Local markets sell brik. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes couscous, a Tunisian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Phoenician history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance medina walks. Tunis’ historic charm offers a vibrant Tunisian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO sites and cultural markets, making Tunis an engaging destination for exploration.

Valletta, Malta, offers docking at Valletta Port. Travelers explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Excursions visit Mdina’s medieval walls. Local markets sell pastizzi. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Baroque architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes rabbit stew, a Maltese favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Knights of Malta history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Valletta’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Maltese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic harbors, making Valletta an engaging destination.

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, offers docking at Siracusa Port. Travelers explore Ortigia’s Duomo and Archimedes Museum. Excursions visit Etna’s volcanic slopes. Local markets sell arancini. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures baroque architecture and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes pasta alla norma, a Sicilian favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Greek history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Siracusa’s ancient charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and coastal beauty, making Siracusa an engaging destination for exploration.

Piraeus (Athens), Greece, offers docking at Piraeus Port with excursions to Athens. Travelers explore Acropolis and Parthenon. Excursions visit Cape Sounion. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Piraeus’ cultural gateway offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Piraeus an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Piraeus (Athens) — see Day 16 above for port info.

Çanakkale (Troy), Turkey, docks at Çanakkale Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 120,000, serves as a gateway to Troy, 30 minutes south, for 3000 BC ruins. Travelers visit the Trojan Horse replica. Local markets sell lokum. Excursions to Gallipoli, 45 minutes east, explore WWI memorials. Peak season April to October; taxis 20-50 TRY. Dining includes sardines at harbor cafes. Souvenirs feature ceramic horses.

Istanbul, Turkey, offers docking at Istanbul Port. Travelers explore Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Excursions visit Blue Mosque. Local markets sell simit. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Ottoman domes and Bosphorus vistas. Dining onboard includes döner kebab, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like carpet crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Byzantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Istanbul’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Turkish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic waterways, making Istanbul an engaging destination for exploring Turkey’s cultural hub.

Returning to Istanbul — see Day 19 above for port info.

Kavala, Greece, has docking at Kavala Port. Travelers explore the Byzantine castle and ancient Philippi, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit Imaret’s Ottoman architecture. Local markets sell olives. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes dolmades, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Macedonian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Kavala’s historic richness offers a vibrant Greek stop, blending archaeology with coastal allure.

Thessaloniki, Greece, offers docking at Thessaloniki Port. Travelers explore White Tower and Archaeological Museum. Excursions visit Pella’s ancient ruins. Local markets sell bougatsa. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Byzantine walls and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Macedonian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Thessaloniki’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic coasts, making Thessaloniki an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s northern hub.

Volos, Greece, offers docking at Volos Port. Travelers explore Centaurs’ Path and Archaeological Museum. Excursions visit Meteora’s monasteries. Local markets sell tsipouro. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures cliff monasteries and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Thessaly history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance monastery hikes. Volos’ cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient artifacts and scenic cliffs, making Volos an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s mainland coast.

Returning to Piraeus (Athens) — see Day 16 above for port info.

Returning to Piraeus (Athens) — see Day 16 above for port info.