Marina
May 10, 2027

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.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, has no docking; ships anchor at Vigo with excursions to Santiago. Travelers explore Cathedral of Santiago and Obradoiro Square. Excursions visit Rias Baixas wineries. Local markets sell tarta de Santiago. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Gothic spires and Galician vistas. Dining onboard includes pulpo a la gallega, a Galician favorite. Souvenirs, like scallop shells, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Camino history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance cobblestone walks. Santiago’s pilgrim charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of sacred sites and Galician culture, making Santiago an engaging destination.

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.

Paulliac, France, offers docking at a Gironde River port. Travelers explore Bordeaux’s wine chateaux and Pauillac’s vineyards. Excursions visit Médoc’s wine estates. Local markets sell macarons. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for wine tours. Photography captures vineyard landscapes and riverfronts. Dining onboard includes entrecôte bordelaise, a French favorite. Souvenirs, like wine bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bordeaux’s wine history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance vineyard walks. Paulliac’s wine country charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of world-class vineyards, scenic riverfronts, and culinary heritage, making Paulliac an engaging destination for exploring France’s Bordeaux region and its renowned wine culture.

Returning to Pauillac — see Day 7 above for port info.

St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, offers docking at St. Peter Port with tenders to shore. Travelers explore Castle Cornet and Hauteville House. Excursions visit Sark Island. Local markets sell Guernsey gâche. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures harbor views and English Channel vistas. Dining onboard includes bean jar, a Guernsey favorite. Souvenirs, like wool crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norman history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. St. Peter Port’s historic charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of maritime heritage and scenic islands, making Guernsey an engaging destination.

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.