Queen Mary 2
July 18, 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.

Stavanger, Norway, offers docking at Stavanger Port. Travelers explore Gamle Stavanger and Pulpit Rock. Excursions visit Lysefjord. Local markets sell fiskesuppe. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures wooden houses and fjord vistas. Dining onboard includes fårikål, a Norwegian favorite. Souvenirs, like troll crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Viking history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance fjord hikes. Stavanger’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic districts and scenic fjords, making Stavanger an engaging destination for exploration.

Ålesund, Norway, offers docking at Ålesund Port. Travelers explore Jugendstil architecture and Aksla Viewpoint. Excursions visit Geirangerfjord. Local markets sell svele. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Art Nouveau buildings and fjord vistas. Dining onboard includes fårikål, a Norwegian favorite. Souvenirs, like troll crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Viking history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance fjord hikes. Ålesund’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of architectural beauty and scenic fjords, making Ålesund an engaging destination for exploration.

Skjolden, Norway, offers docking at Skjolden Port. Travelers explore Sognefjord and Jostedal Glacier. Excursions include kayaking in Lustrafjord. Local markets sell brunost. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for fjord tours. Photography captures glacier views and Norwegian vistas. Dining onboard includes fårikål, a Norwegian favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover fjord history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance glacier hikes. Skjolden’s scenic charm offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of dramatic fjords and natural beauty, making Skjolden an engaging destination for exploring Norway’s western coast.

Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord, has no docking; ships cruise its deep waters. Travelers marvel at Flåm’s steep cliffs from the deck. Zodiacs explore Aurlandsfjord’s narrow arms. No facilities are present; provisions come from the ship. The peak season, June to August, is crowded but mild. Photography captures Naeroyfjord’s UNESCO-listed cliffs. Dining onboard features brown cheese. Souvenirs, like fjord prints, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover tendering logistics. Kayaking reaches waterfall bases. Light layers suit summer weather. Sognefjord’s dramatic arms and serene waters offer Norway’s fjord masterpiece.

Lustrafjord, Norway, no docking; ships cruise the Sognefjord arm. Travelers spot goats on cliffs. Zodiacs explore Undredal church. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season June to August; mild. Photography captures Flåm railway views. Dining onboard includes brown cheese. Souvenirs, like fjord prints, in ship shops. Briefings on tendering. Kayaking to farms. Light layers for summer. Lustrafjord’s villages and orchards offer intimate Norwegian fjord life.

Hardangerfjord, Norway, no docking; ships cruise the orchard-lined fjord. Travelers spot waterfalls like Vøringsfossen. Zodiacs explore Utne. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season June to August; mild weather. Photography captures apple blossoms. Dining onboard includes cider pairings. Souvenirs, like fjord postcards, in ship shops. Briefings on tendering. Kayaking to shores. Light layers for summer. Hardanger’s fruit farms and mountains offer Norway’s scenic heartland.

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