Celebrity Apex
April 24, 2025

Southampton (London), England, offers docking at Southampton Port with excursions to London. Travelers explore Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Excursions visit Stonehenge. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures historic landmarks and Solent vistas. Dining onboard includes roast beef, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like tea crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Anglo-Saxon history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Southampton’s urban gateway offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and historic sites, making Southampton an engaging destination.

Brussels, Belgium, serves as an inland stop for cruises docking at Zeebrugge, 1 hour north by train. The city, population 1.2 million, features the Grand Place with guildhalls. Travelers visit the Atomium for 1958 Expo views. Local markets sell speculoos biscuits. Excursions to Antwerp, 45 minutes north, explore Rubens’ house. Peak season April to October; trains 10-15 EUR. Dining includes waffles at city cafes. Souvenirs feature Manneken Pis figurines.

La Coruña, Spain, offers docking at La Coruña Port. Travelers explore Tower of Hercules and María Pita Square. Excursions visit Santiago de Compostela. Local markets sell pulpo a la gallega. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Roman lighthouses and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes empanada gallega, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like scallop crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Galician history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. La Coruña’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic coasts, making La Coruña an engaging destination.

Porto, Portugal, offers docking at a Douro River port. Travelers explore Ribeira District and Livraria Lello. Excursions visit Douro Valley vineyards. Local markets sell francesinha. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for river tours. Photography captures colorful riverfronts and Douro vistas. Dining onboard includes bacalhau, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like port wine, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Portucale history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Porto’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic districts and scenic vineyards, making Porto an engaging destination for exploration.

Vigo, Spain, offers docking at Vigo Port. Travelers explore Cíes Islands and Santa María Cathedral. Excursions visit Santiago de Compostela. Local markets sell pulpo a la gallega. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rugged islands and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes empanada gallega, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like scallop crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Galician history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance island walks. Vigo’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural islands and historic shrines, making Vigo an engaging destination for exploration.

Bilbao, Spain, docks at Getxo Port, 10 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles for 20-minute rides. The city, population 340,000, features the Guggenheim Museum with Frank Gehry’s titanium design. Travelers stroll Casco Viejo for pintxos bars. Excursions to San Sebastián, 1 hour east, explore La Concha Beach. Local markets sell Idiazabal cheese. Peak season June to September; taxis 10-15 EUR. Dining includes bacalao at old town taverns. Souvenirs feature Basque berets.

Returning to Southampton (London) — see Day 1 above for port info.