Seven Seas Splendor
September 25, 2027

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.

Honfleur, France, has docking at Honfleur Port. Travelers explore the picturesque harbor and Sainte-Catherine Church. Excursions visit Deauville’s beaches. Local markets sell Calvados brandy. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures cobblestone streets and Seine views. Dining onboard includes moules marinières, a Norman dish. Souvenirs, like cider bottles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Impressionist history. Light layers suit the temperate climate. Comfortable shoes enhance harbor walks. Honfleur’s charming waterfront offers a delightful French stop, blending artistic heritage with coastal beauty.

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.

English Channel, a historic waterway, has no docking; ships sail between England and France. Travelers spot dolphins and seabirds like gannets from the deck. Lectures onboard cover maritime history, including D-Day landings. No facilities are available; provisions come from the ship. The peak season, May to September, offers calmer seas, though weather varies. Photography captures distant cliffs of Dover or French coasts, appealing to history buffs. Dining is onboard, often featuring European-inspired dishes like coq au vin. Souvenirs, such as nautical charts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings highlight navigational history. Binoculars enhance wildlife and coastal views. The channel’s busy shipping lanes and historical significance make it a fascinating transit. Passengers need light layers for mild but breezy conditions, ensuring comfort while enjoying the scenic and historic passage.

Cruise Bay Of Biscay, no docking; ships sail along French/Spanish coast. Travelers spot dolphins. Lectures cover maritime history. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season May to September; weather unpredictable. Photography captures coastal cliffs. Dining limited to ship. Souvenirs include nautical charts.

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.

Bordeaux, France, docks on the Garonne River at Port de la Lune, a 10-minute walk to the city center, population 260,000. Travelers visit the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André and Place de la Bourse. Local markets sell canelés. Excursions to Saint-Émilion, 45 minutes east, explore wine chateaux. Peak season April to October; trams 2 EUR. Dining includes entrecôte bordelaise at riverside bistros. Souvenirs feature wine corks. Bike rentals explore vineyard trails.

Returning to Bordeaux — see Day 6 above for port info.

Returning to Cruise Bay Of Biscay — see Day 4 above for port info.

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.

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.

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.

Vigo, Spain, offers docking at Vigo Port. Travelers explore Cíes Islands and Santa María Cathedral. 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 rugged islands 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 island walks. Vigo’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Spanish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural islands and historic shrines, making Vigo an engaging destination for exploration.

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.