MS Nieuw Statendam
July 10, 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.

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 7 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.

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.

Eidfjord, Norway, has docking at Eidfjord Port. Travelers marvel at Vøringsfossen waterfall. Excursions explore Hardangervidda National Park’s plateaus. Local markets sell brown cheese. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather. Photography captures fjord cliffs. Dining onboard includes smoked salmon. Souvenirs, like fjord postcards, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norwegian nature. Light layers suit summer conditions. Eidfjord’s stunning fjord offers a classic Norwegian coastal stop.

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.

Returning to Heimaey — see Day 2 above for port info.

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

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.

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.

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.

Returning to Cruise Berufjordur — see Day 3 above for port info.

Returning to Djupivogur — see Day 3 above for port info.

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.

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.

Returning to Amsterdam — see Day 11 above for port info.