MS Nieuw Statendam
June 8, 2024

Reykjavik, Iceland, offers docking at Reykjavik Port. Travelers explore Hallgrimskirkja and Blue Lagoon. Excursions visit Thingvellir National Park. Local markets sell skyr. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures geothermal pools and North Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb soup, an Icelandic favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Viking history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance park hikes. Reykjavik’s natural charm offers a vibrant Icelandic stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of geothermal wonders and scenic landscapes, making Reykjavik an engaging destination for exploration.

Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland, has docking at Heimaey Port. Travelers explore Eldfell volcano’s trails. Excursions visit puffin colonies and Sprangan’s cliffs. Local markets sell Icelandic lamb. The peak season, June to August, brings midnight sun. Photography captures volcanic landscapes and seabirds. Dining onboard includes harðfiskur, dried fish. Souvenirs, like wool sweaters, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover volcanic history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance puffin spotting. Heimaey’s dramatic scenery offers a stunning Icelandic stop, blending volcanic wonders with coastal charm.

Cruise Berufjordur, no docking; ships sail East Iceland's fjord. Travelers spot puffins. Hikes reach Hengifoss waterfall. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season June to August; weather unpredictable. Photography captures basalt columns. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include wool sweaters.

Djupivogur in Iceland has docking at Djupivogur Port. Travelers explore Petra’s Stone Collection. Excursions visit Seydisfjordur’s colorful village. Local markets sell wool crafts. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather; taxis cost 2,000-5,000 ISK. Photography captures Eastfjords’ cliffs. Dining onboard includes skyr. Souvenirs, like lava rocks, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Icelandic geology. Light layers suit temperate conditions. Djupivogur’s serene fjords offer a peaceful Icelandic stop.

Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland, has docking at Kirkwall Port. Travelers explore Skara Brae’s Neolithic ruins and St. Magnus Cathedral. Excursions visit Ring of Brodgar’s stone circle. Local markets sell Orkney cheese. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures ancient sites and rugged coasts. Dining onboard includes bannocks, an Orkney staple. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Neolithic history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the cool climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Kirkwall’s ancient heritage offers a vibrant Scottish stop, blending history with coastal charm.

Invergordon (Inverness & Loch Ness), Scotland, offers docking at Invergordon Port with excursions to Inverness. Travelers explore Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness. Excursions visit Cawdor Castle. Local markets sell shortbread. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Highland landscapes and North Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes haggis, a Scottish favorite. Souvenirs, like tartan crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Jacobite history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance battlefield walks. Invergordon’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Scottish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic lochs, making Invergordon an engaging destination.

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.

South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland, offers docking at South Queensferry Port with excursions to Edinburgh. Travelers explore Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile. Excursions visit Holyrood Palace. Local markets sell shortbread. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures historic streets and Forth Bridge vistas. Dining onboard includes haggis, a Scottish favorite. Souvenirs, like tartan crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Scottish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. South Queensferry’s historic charm offers a vibrant Scottish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of castles and cultural heritage, making South Queensferry an engaging destination.

Returning to Invergordon (inverness & Loch Ness) — see Day 6 above for port info.

Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, has docking at Lerwick Port. Travelers explore Scalloway Castle and Jarlshof’s prehistoric site. Excursions visit seabird cliffs at Noss. Local markets sell Shetland wool. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures rugged coasts and Viking relics. Dining onboard includes bannocks, a Shetland staple. Souvenirs, like knitwear, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norse history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance birdwatching. Lerwick’s rugged heritage offers a vibrant Scottish stop, blending history with coastal beauty.

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, offers docking at Stornoway Port. Travelers explore Callanish Stones and Lews Castle. Excursions visit Uig’s beaches. Local markets sell haggis. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for island tours. Photography captures standing stones and Hebridean vistas. Dining onboard includes stornoway black pudding, a Scottish favorite. Souvenirs, like Harris tweed, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Gaelic history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance site walks. Stornoway’s historic charm offers a vibrant Scottish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient sites and island beauty, making Stornoway an engaging destination for exploration.

Dun Laoghaire (Dublin), Ireland, has docking at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Travelers stroll the Victorian pier. Excursions explore Powerscourt Estate’s gardens. Local markets sell Irish cheese. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures Dublin Bay. Dining onboard includes boxty. Souvenirs, like shamrock trinkets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime history. Light layers suit temperate conditions. Dun Laoghaire’s coastal charm offers a serene Irish stop near Dublin.

Liverpool, England, has docking at Liverpool Port. Travelers explore Beatles Story Museum and Albert Dock. Excursions visit Liverpool Cathedral. Local markets sell scouse stew. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures Mersey River views and historic docks. Dining onboard includes fish and chips, a British favorite. Souvenirs, like Beatles memorabilia, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Liverpool’s vibrant culture offers a dynamic English stop, blending music heritage with waterfront charm.

Dunmore East (Waterford), Ireland, has docking at a small harbor. Travelers explore coastal cliff walks. Excursions visit Waterford Crystal’s factory. Local markets sell Irish soda bread. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures Hook Head lighthouse. Dining onboard includes seafood chowder. Souvenirs, like crystal glassware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Irish craft history. Light layers suit temperate conditions. Dunmore East’s quaint village offers a charming Irish coastal stop.

Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium, offers docking at Zeebrugge Port with excursions to Bruges. Travelers explore Bruges’ Belfry and Markt Square. Excursions visit Ghent’s cathedral. Local markets sell waffles. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval canals and North Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes moules-frites, a Belgian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Flemish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance cobblestone walks. Zeebrugge’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Belgian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic canals, making Zeebrugge an engaging destination.

Amsterdam, Netherlands, offers docking at Amsterdam Port. Travelers explore Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House. Excursions visit Keukenhof Gardens. Local markets sell stroopwafels. The peak season, April to September, brings mild weather for canal tours. Photography captures historic canals and North Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes haring, a Dutch favorite. Souvenirs, like delftware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dutch Golden Age history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Amsterdam’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Dutch stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic museums and scenic canals, making Amsterdam an engaging destination for exploration.

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