MS Nieuw Statendam
September 6, 2025

Dover (London), England, has docking at Dover Port. Travelers marvel at the iconic White Cliffs from the harbor. Excursions explore Canterbury Cathedral’s Gothic splendor. Local markets sell Kentish ales. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures chalk cliffs. Dining onboard includes fish and chips. Souvenirs, like Dover postcards, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover medieval history. Light layers suit coastal weather. Dover’s historic port offers a gateway to England’s 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.

Portland (Weymouth), England, offers docking at Portland Port. Travelers explore Weymouth’s sandy beach and Nothe Fort. Excursions visit Jurassic Coast’s Lulworth Cove. Local markets sell Dorset apple cake. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Georgian waterfronts and fossil-rich cliffs. Dining onboard includes fish and chips, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dorset’s maritime history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance coastal walks. Portland’s seaside charm offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic forts, scenic coastlines, and Jurassic heritage, making Portland an engaging destination for exploring England’s southern coast.

Bilbao, Spain, docks at Getxo Port, 10 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles for 20-minute rides. The city, population 340,000, features the Guggenheim Museum with Frank Gehry’s titanium design. Travelers stroll Casco Viejo for pintxos bars. Excursions to San Sebastián, 1 hour east, explore La Concha Beach. Local markets sell Idiazabal cheese. Peak season June to September; taxis 10-15 EUR. Dining includes bacalao at old town taverns. Souvenirs feature Basque berets.

La Coruña, Spain, offers docking at La Coruña Port. Travelers explore Tower of Hercules and María Pita Square. Excursions visit Santiago de Compostela. Local markets sell pulpo a la gallega. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Roman lighthouses and Atlantic vistas. Dining onboard includes empanada gallega, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like scallop crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Galician history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. La Coruña’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic coasts, making La Coruña an engaging destination.

Oporto, Portugal, offers docking at Leixões Port. Travelers explore Ribeira’s colorful waterfront and Livraria Lello. Excursions visit Douro Valley’s vineyards for port wine tastings. Local markets sell pastéis de nata. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures tiled buildings and Douro River views. Dining onboard includes francesinha, a Porto favorite. Souvenirs, like port bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Portugal’s maritime history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance riverside walks. Oporto’s vibrant riverfront charm offers a dynamic Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, wine culture, and scenic beauty, making Oporto an engaging destination for exploring Portugal’s northern heritage and Douro Valley.

Lisbon, Portugal, offers docking at Lisbon Port. Travelers explore Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. Excursions visit Sintra’s Pena Palace. Local markets sell pastéis de nata. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Manueline architecture and Tagus River vistas. Dining onboard includes bacalhau, a Portuguese favorite. Souvenirs, like azulejo crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Age of Exploration history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Lisbon’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Portuguese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic rivers, making Lisbon an engaging destination.

The Strait of Gibraltar, with no docking, sees ships transiting between Spain and Morocco. Travelers observe bottlenose dolphins and migrating birds. Lectures onboard explore colonial history and trade routes. No facilities are present; provisions come from the ship. The peak season, April to October, faces strong currents. Photography captures the Rock of Gibraltar. Dining onboard includes paella. Souvenirs, like flamenco fans, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover navigational significance. Binoculars enhance coastal views. Light clothing suits mild weather. The strait’s strategic waters connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

Málaga, Spain, offers docking at Málaga Port. Travelers explore Alcazaba Fortress and Picasso Museum. Excursions visit Ronda’s deep gorges. Local markets sell gazpacho. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Moorish architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes paella, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Andalusian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Málaga’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses and scenic coasts, making Málaga an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Costa del Sol.

Alicante, Spain, offers docking at Alicante Port. Travelers explore Santa Bárbara Castle and Explanada de España. Excursions visit Elche’s palm groves. Local markets sell turrón. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Moorish castles and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes arroz a banda, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Valencian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Alicante’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic promenades, making Alicante an engaging destination for exploration.

Valencia, Spain, offers docking at Valencia Port. Travelers explore City of Arts and Sciences and La Lonja. Excursions visit Albufera’s lagoon. Local markets sell paella. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures futuristic architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes horchata, a Valencian favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Valencian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Valencia’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and scenic coasts, making Valencia an engaging destination for exploration.

Barcelona, Spain, offers docking at Barcelona Port. Travelers explore Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. Excursions visit Montserrat Monastery. Local markets sell paella. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures Gaudí architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes tapas, a Spanish favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Catalan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Barcelona’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modernist landmarks and scenic coasts, making Barcelona an engaging destination for exploring Spain’s Catalan region.

Valletta, Malta, offers docking at Valletta Port. Travelers explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Excursions visit Mdina’s medieval walls. Local markets sell pastizzi. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Baroque architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes rabbit stew, a Maltese favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Knights of Malta history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Valletta’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Maltese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic harbors, making Valletta an engaging destination.

Alexandria, Egypt, docks at the Western Port terminal, 10 kilometers from the city center, with shuttles or taxis offering 20-minute transfers to the Corniche. The facility includes lounges and ATMs. Travelers explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library complex with manuscripts and planetarium shows. Qaitbay Citadel, 15 minutes east, features 15th-century fortifications on Pharos Lighthouse ruins. Kom el-Dikka, a 5-minute drive, reveals Roman amphitheaters and mosaics. Excursions to Cairo, 3 hours away, include Giza Pyramids and Sphinx. Montaza Palace Gardens, 20 minutes east, offer seaside walks and tea houses. Dining features kofta at waterfront stalls. Souvenirs include papyrus scrolls. Best visited October to April; taxis 50-100 EGP. Guided tours ensure security.

Returning to Alexandria — see Day 20 above for port info.

Limassol, Cyprus, has docking at Limassol Port. Travelers explore Kourion’s ancient amphitheater. Excursions visit Omodos’ wine villages. Local markets sell commandaria wine. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather. Photography captures Roman ruins and Mediterranean shores. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Cypriot favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cypriot history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance ruin tours. Limassol’s historic charm offers a vibrant Cypriot stop, blending archaeology with coastal beauty.

Rhodes, Greece, offers docking at Rhodes Port. Travelers explore Medieval City and Lindos Acropolis. Excursions include snorkeling at Kallithea Springs. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Knights’ Street and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dodecanese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Rhodes’ cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic beaches, making Rhodes an engaging destination for exploration.

Bodrum, Turkey, docks at Bodrum Cruise Port, a 10-minute walk to the town center, population 180,000. Travelers visit the 15th-century Castle of St. Peter, housing an underwater archaeology museum. Local markets sell Turkish delight. Excursions to Ephesus, 2 hours north, explore Roman ruins. Gümüşlük Beach, 30 minutes west, offers snorkeling. Peak season May to October; taxis 20-50 TRY. Dining includes meze at seaside tavernas. Souvenirs feature evil eye charms.

Cruise Dardanelles, no docking; ships cruise Turkey's strait. Travelers spot dolphins. Lectures cover Trojan War. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season May to September; ferries 10-20 TRY. Photography captures Gallipoli shores. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include amphora replicas.

Istanbul, Turkey, offers docking at Istanbul Port. Travelers explore Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Excursions visit Blue Mosque. Local markets sell simit. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Ottoman domes and Bosphorus vistas. Dining onboard includes döner kebab, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like carpet crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Byzantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Istanbul’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Turkish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic waterways, making Istanbul an engaging destination for exploring Turkey’s cultural hub.

Returning to Istanbul — see Day 26 above for port info.

Piraeus (Athens), Greece, offers docking at Piraeus Port with excursions to Athens. Travelers explore Acropolis and Parthenon. Excursions visit Cape Sounion. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Piraeus’ cultural gateway offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Piraeus an engaging destination for exploration.