Caribbean Princess
June 14, 2024

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.

Stavanger, Norway, offers docking at Stavanger Port. Travelers explore Gamle Stavanger and Pulpit Rock. Excursions visit Lysefjord. Local markets sell fiskesuppe. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures wooden houses 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. Stavanger’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic districts and scenic fjords, making Stavanger an engaging destination for exploration.

Olden, Norway, offers docking at Olden Port. Travelers explore Briksdal Glacier and Loen Skylift’s panoramic views. Excursions kayak Nordfjord’s serene waters. Local markets sell svele pancakes. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather for glacier tours. Photography captures icy landscapes and fjord vistas. Dining onboard includes rømmegrøt, a Norwegian porridge. Souvenirs, like wool sweaters, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover fjord history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance glacier hikes. Olden’s stunning fjord beauty offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of glacial landscapes, outdoor adventures, and scenic fjords, making Olden an engaging destination for exploring Norway’s natural splendor and serene wilderness.

Tromsø, Norway, offers docking at Tromsø Port. Travelers explore Arctic Cathedral and Polar Museum. Excursions include Northern Lights viewing. Local markets sell cloudberries. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for Arctic tours. Photography captures fjord landscapes and Arctic vistas. Dining onboard includes reindeer stew, a Norwegian favorite. Souvenirs, like Sami crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sámi history. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the polar climate, while sturdy shoes enhance city walks. Tromsø’s Arctic charm offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural landmarks and natural phenomena, making Tromsø an engaging destination for exploring Norway’s northern coast.

Alta, Norway, docks at Alta Hurtigruten Terminal on Altafjord, 4 kilometers from town, with shuttles or buses for 10-minute transfers. The city, population 20,000, features the Northern Lights Cathedral, a 2013 titanium-clad structure with light installations. Travelers visit Alta Museum for 7,000-year-old petroglyphs and rock art trails. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, 20 minutes away, offers ice bar tours and snowmobile trips. Excursions to Sami reindeer herding camps, 30 minutes out, include lavvu tent visits and lassoing demos. The Tirpitz Museum, 15 minutes west, details WWII coastal defenses. Local markets sell cloudberries. Peak season December to March for aurora viewing; buses cost 50 NOK. Dining includes king crab at fjord cafes. Souvenirs feature Sami silver spoons. Taxis average 100-150 NOK short trips. Snowshoe rentals available for winter fjord trails.

Honningsvag, Norway, has docking at Honningsvag Port. Travelers explore North Cape’s Arctic cliffs, the northernmost point of Europe. Excursions visit Sami villages. Local markets sell reindeer jerky. The peak season, June to August, brings midnight sun. Photography captures Arctic vistas and fjords. Dining onboard includes cod, a Norwegian staple. Souvenirs, like Sami crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Arctic culture. Warm layers and waterproof boots suit the cold climate. Binoculars enhance wildlife spotting. Honningsvag’s polar beauty offers a unique Norwegian stop, immersing travelers in its Arctic grandeur.

Gravdal, Lofoten Islands, Norway, has docking at Gravdal Port. Travelers explore Lofoten’s dramatic peaks and fishing villages. Excursions visit Nusfjord’s UNESCO-listed rorbuer cabins. Local markets sell dried cod. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather and midnight sun. Photography captures fjords and red cabins. Dining onboard includes stockfish, a Norwegian staple. Souvenirs, like wool sweaters, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Arctic history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance scenic views. Gravdal’s stunning landscapes offer a breathtaking Norwegian stop, immersing travelers in Lofoten’s rugged beauty.

Trondheim, Norway, offers docking at Trondheim Port. Travelers explore Nidaros Cathedral and Old Town Bridge. Excursions visit Røros’ mining town. Local markets sell brunost. The peak season, June to August, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Gothic spires and Nidelva River vistas. Dining onboard includes fårikål, a Norwegian favorite. Souvenirs, like Viking crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norse history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Trondheim’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of medieval landmarks and scenic rivers, making Trondheim an engaging destination for exploring Norway’s central coast.

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.

Bergen, Norway, offers docking at Bergen Port. Travelers explore Bryggen Wharf and Mount Fløyen. Excursions visit Hardangerfjord. Local markets sell fiskesuppe. The peak season, June to August, brings milder weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Hanseatic 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. Bergen’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Norwegian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic fjords, making Bergen an engaging destination for exploring Norway’s west coast.

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.

Returning to Southampton (London) — see Day 1 above for port info.