MS Nieuw Statendam
June 15, 2024

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.

Newcastle upon Tyne, England, provides docking at Port of Tyne. Travelers explore the Tyne Bridge and Quayside’s vibrant markets. Excursions visit Hadrian’s Wall, a UNESCO site. Local markets sell stottie cakes. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures industrial heritage and Roman ruins. Dining onboard includes pan haggerty, a Geordie dish. Souvenirs, like Newcastle Brown Ale glasses, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Roman history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance wall walks. Newcastle’s blend of history and modern vibrancy offers a dynamic English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of urban energy, historic sites, and scenic riverfronts, making Newcastle an engaging destination for exploring England’s northeast heritage.

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 South Queensferry (edinburgh) — see Day 4 above for port info.

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.

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.

Holyhead, Wales, has docking at Holyhead Port. Travelers explore South Stack Lighthouse’s dramatic cliffs. Excursions visit Anglesey’s ancient castles. Local markets sell Welsh cakes. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures coastal vistas and Celtic ruins. Dining onboard includes cawl, a Welsh stew. Souvenirs, like love spoons, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Welsh history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate. Binoculars enhance cliff views. Holyhead’s rugged beauty offers a captivating Welsh stop, blending coastal scenery with Celtic heritage.

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.

Douglas, Isle of Man, has docking at Douglas Port. Travelers explore the Manx Museum’s Viking artifacts. Excursions visit Peel Castle’s coastal ruins. Local markets sell Manx kippers. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures Victorian promenades. Dining onboard includes queenies. Souvenirs, like triskelion charms, are available in ship shops. Briefings cover island history. Light layers suit temperate conditions. Douglas’ unique heritage offers a charming British Isles stop.

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.

Returning to Copenhagen — see Day 1 above for port info.

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.

Akureyri, Iceland, docks at Oddeyrarbryggja Quay, steps from the town center on Eyjafjörður Fjord. The city, population 19,000, features Akureyrarkirkja Church, a 1940 landmark with a 3200-pipe organ and free carillon concerts. Travelers stroll the Laxárdalur Botanical Garden, the world's northernmost, with 7,000 plant species including arctic poppies. Guided tours to Goðafoss Waterfall, 45 minutes east, cover the 12-meter drop where chieftain Þorgeir tossed pagan idols in 1000 AD. Lake Mývatn, 1 hour away, offers pseudocraters and geothermal areas. The Akureyri Art Museum displays contemporary Nordic works. Dining includes hangikjöt (smoked lamb) at harborside spots. Souvenirs feature lava jewelry. Peak season June to August; buses 1-2 EUR. Taxis 10-15 EUR short trips.

Eyjafjordur, Iceland, has no docking; ships cruise the fjord to Akureyri. Travelers spot humpback whales from deck. Zodiacs explore Godafoss waterfall. No facilities along the fjord; provisions from ship. Peak season June to August; weather variable. Photography captures fjord mountains and waterfalls. Dining onboard features Icelandic lamb. Souvenirs, such as puffin postcards, sold in ship shops. Briefings highlight whale watching etiquette. Kayaking navigates calm waters. Waterproof layers essential for rain. The fjord’s serene beauty and marine life make it a peaceful prelude to Akureyri’s cultural sites.

Isafjardardjup, Iceland, no docking; ships cruise the fjord. Travelers spot puffins at Látrabjarg cliffs. Zodiacs explore Dynjandi waterfall. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season June to August; wind common. Photography captures sea stacks. Dining onboard includes lamb. Souvenirs, like puffin postcards, in ship shops. Briefings on birds. Kayaking to islands. Waterproof layers for rain. The Westfjords’ fjord offers Iceland’s bird cliffs and hot springs.

Isafjordur, Iceland, has docking at Isafjordur Port. Travelers explore Westfjords’ rugged cliffs and Dynjandi waterfall. Excursions visit puffin colonies on Vigur Island. Local markets sell skyr. The peak season, June to August, brings midnight sun. Photography captures fjord vistas and seabirds. Dining onboard includes Icelandic fish stew. Souvenirs, like wool sweaters, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover fjord geology. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance puffin spotting. Isafjordur’s dramatic scenery offers a breathtaking Icelandic stop, immersing travelers in its natural beauty.

Nanortalik, Greenland, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to coastal villages. Travelers explore Inuit cultural exhibits and hot springs. Excursions visit Qaqortoq’s rock carvings. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, July to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures icebergs and colorful houses. Dining onboard includes hearty stews. Souvenirs, like tupilak carvings, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Greenlandic Inuit history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the Arctic climate, while binoculars enhance iceberg views. Nanortalik’s rugged beauty offers a serene Greenland stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural heritage, geothermal sites, and Arctic landscapes, making Nanortalik an engaging destination for exploring Greenland’s southern wilderness and Inuit traditions in a remote setting.

Qena, Egypt, offers docking at a Nile River port. Travelers explore Dendera Temple’s Hathor complex and Abydos’ ancient ruins. Excursions visit Luxor’s Karnak Temple. Local markets sell koshari. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for Nile tours. Photography captures ancient hieroglyphs and river vistas. Dining onboard includes ta’ameya, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like papyrus art, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Pharaonic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance temple walks. Qena’s ancient allure offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological wonders and Nile scenery, making Qena an engaging destination for exploring Egypt’s Upper Nile heritage.

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.