MS Rotterdam
July 19, 2025

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.

Seydisfjordur, Iceland, offers docking at Seydisfjordur Port. Travelers explore Petra’s Stone Collection and puffin colonies. Excursions include hiking to Skalanes Reserve. Local markets sell skyr. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for fjord tours. Photography captures colorful houses and East Iceland vistas. Dining onboard includes lamb stew, an Icelandic favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Viking history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance hikes. Seydisfjordur’s artistic charm offers a vibrant Icelandic stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic fjords and cultural heritage, making Seydisfjordur an engaging destination for exploration.

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

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.

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.

Rotterdam, Netherlands, offers docking at Rotterdam Port. Travelers explore Erasmus Bridge and Museumpark’s art galleries. Excursions visit Kinderdijk’s UNESCO windmills. Local markets sell stroopwafels. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures modern architecture and Maas River vistas. Dining onboard includes erwtensoep, a Dutch favorite. Souvenirs, like Delftware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dutch history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Rotterdam’s urban charm offers a vibrant Dutch stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of innovative design, historic windmills, and maritime culture, making Rotterdam an engaging destination for exploring the Netherlands’ dynamic port city and heritage.

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.

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.

Romsdalsfjord in Norway has no docking; ships cruise to Molde. Travelers view Trolltindene’s jagged peaks from the deck. Zodiacs explore Åndalsnes’ climbing culture. No facilities are present; provisions come from the ship. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather. Photography captures fjord cliffs and alpine vistas. Dining onboard includes fresh cod. Souvenirs, like fjord postcards, are available in ship shops. Briefings cover tendering logistics. Kayaking reaches remote shores. Light layers suit summer conditions. Romsdalsfjord’s dramatic mountains provide a stunning Norwegian fjord experience.

Andalsnes, Norway, docks at the central quay, a 5-minute walk to town on Romsdalfjord. The village, population 2,300, offers the Romsdalen Gondola for 700-meter ascents to Nesaksla Peak. Travelers hike the Trollstigen road, 20 minutes south, for switchback views. The Norwegian Mountaineering Centre displays climbing history. Excursions to Geirangerfjord, 90 minutes east, cruise past waterfalls. Peak season June to August; gondola tickets 400 NOK. Dining includes svele pancakes at cafes. Souvenirs feature wool mittens.

Nordfjordeid, Norway, provides docking at Nordfjordeid Port. Travelers explore the Sagastad Viking Museum and Nordfjord’s scenic fjords. Excursions visit Briksdal Glacier’s trails. Local markets sell brunost cheese. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather for fjord tours. Photography captures glacial landscapes and Viking ships. Dining onboard includes raspeballer, a Norwegian dumpling. Souvenirs, like wool sweaters, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Viking history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance glacier hikes. Nordfjordeid’s fjord and Viking heritage offer a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural beauty, historic artifacts, and scenic trails, making Nordfjordeid an engaging destination for exploring Norway’s fjord landscapes and cultural legacy.

Nordfjord in Norway has no docking; ships cruise to Olden or Stryn. Travelers view the Briksdal Glacier’s icy slopes from the deck. Zodiacs explore Loen Lake’s turquoise waters. No facilities are available; provisions come from the ship. The peak season, June to August, brings mild summer weather. Photography captures glacier-carved valleys and fjord cliffs. Dining onboard includes fresh trout. Souvenirs, such as fjord postcards, are sold in ship shops. Briefings detail tendering procedures. Kayaking reaches remote shores. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Nordfjord’s serene waters and glacier views deliver a quintessential Norwegian fjord experience steeped in natural beauty.

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.

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