Norwegian Star
April 21, 2025

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.

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.

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.

Gijon, Spain, has docking at Gijon Port. Travelers explore Cimadevilla’s historic fishing quarter. Excursions visit Oviedo’s Gothic cathedral. Local markets sell fabada, an Asturian stew. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures Atlantic beaches and colorful streets. Dining onboard includes cachopo, a regional dish. Souvenirs, like cider bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Asturian culture. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Gijon’s coastal charm and cultural vibrancy provide a delightful Spanish stop, blending maritime heritage with regional traditions.

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.

Le Verdon-sur-Mer, France, has docking at Le Verdon Port with excursions to Bordeaux. Travelers explore Bordeaux’s wine museums and Place de la Bourse. Excursions visit Médoc vineyards. Local markets sell canelés. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures Gironde estuary and chateaux. Dining onboard includes entrecôte bordelaise, a French dish. Souvenirs, like wine bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover wine history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance vineyard tours. Le Verdon’s wine country access offers a serene French stop, blending culture with scenic beauty.

La Roche-Guyon, France, has docking at a Seine River port. Travelers explore Château de La Roche-Guyon’s medieval fortress. Excursions visit Giverny’s Monet Gardens. Local markets sell camembert. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather. Photography captures castle cliffs and river views. Dining onboard includes coq au vin, a French favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender sachets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norman history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance castle tours. La Roche-Guyon’s historic charm offers a serene French stop, blending heritage with scenic beauty.

Le Havre (Paris), France, offers docking at Le Havre Port with excursions to Paris. Travelers explore Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum. Excursions visit Normandy’s D-Day beaches. Local markets sell crêpes. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Parisian landmarks and Seine vistas. Dining onboard includes coq au vin, a French favorite. Souvenirs, like beret crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norman history. Light layers and sun protection suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Le Havre’s urban gateway offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and historic beaches, making Le Havre an engaging destination.

Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium, offers docking at Zeebrugge Port with excursions to Bruges. Travelers explore Bruges’ Belfry and Markt Square. Excursions visit Ghent’s cathedral. Local markets sell waffles. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval canals and North Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes moules-frites, a Belgian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Flemish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance cobblestone walks. Zeebrugge’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Belgian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic canals, making Zeebrugge an engaging destination.

Ijmuiden, Netherlands, has docking at Ijmuiden Port with excursions to Amsterdam. Travelers explore Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and canal cruises. Excursions visit Zaanse Schans’ windmills. Local markets sell stroopwafels. The peak season, April to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures canals and historic facades. Dining onboard includes bitterballen, a Dutch snack. Souvenirs, like Delft pottery, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dutch Golden Age. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Ijmuiden’s access to Amsterdam offers a vibrant Dutch stop, blending culture with canal charm.

Hamburg, Germany, has docking at a Elbe River port. Travelers explore Speicherstadt’s UNESCO-listed warehouses. Excursions visit St. Michael’s Church tower for city views. Local markets sell currywurst. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures canals and modern architecture. Dining onboard includes labskaus, a Hamburg dish. Souvenirs, like model ships, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hanseatic history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Hamburg’s maritime heritage and urban vibrancy offer a dynamic German stop, blending history with modern charm.

Returning to Hamburg — see Day 12 above for port info.

Southampton (London), England, offers docking at Southampton Port with excursions to London. Travelers explore Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Excursions visit Stonehenge. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures historic landmarks and Solent vistas. Dining onboard includes roast beef, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like tea crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Anglo-Saxon history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Southampton’s urban gateway offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and historic sites, making Southampton an engaging destination.