MS Nieuw Statendam
June 29, 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.

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.

Husavik, Iceland, has docking at Husavik Port. Travelers explore whale-watching tours spotting humpbacks. Excursions visit Lake Mývatn’s volcanic landscapes. Local markets sell skyr. The peak season, June to August, brings midnight sun. Photography captures whales and geothermal sites. Dining onboard includes Icelandic lamb soup. Souvenirs, like puffin crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover marine biology. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance whale spotting. Husavik’s whale-watching fame offers a thrilling Icelandic stop, blending marine adventures with volcanic beauty.

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.

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.

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.

Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, provides docking at Portree Port. Travelers explore colorful harbor houses and Old Man of Storr’s cliffs. Excursions visit Dunvegan Castle. Local markets sell shortbread. The peak season, May to September, brings milder weather for island tours. Photography captures Highland landscapes and Skye vistas. Dining onboard includes Cullen skink, a Scottish favorite. Souvenirs, like tartan crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Clan history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance hikes. Portree’s rugged charm offers a vibrant Scottish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic landscapes, historic castles, and Highland culture, making Portree an engaging destination for exploring Skye’s natural beauty.

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.

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 18 above for port info.

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.

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.