Seven Seas Voyager
June 28, 2024

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.

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.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France, offers docking at Saint-Jean-de-Luz Port. Travelers explore La Maison Louis XIV and sandy beaches. Excursions visit Biarritz’s surfing coast. Local markets sell gâteau basque. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Basque architecture and Bay of Biscay vistas. Dining onboard includes piperade, a Basque favorite. Souvenirs, like espadrilles, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Basque history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance beach walks. Saint-Jean-de-Luz’s coastal charm offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and Basque culture, making Saint-Jean-de-Luz an engaging destination for exploration.

Nantes, France, offers docking at a Loire River port. Travelers explore Château des Ducs de Bretagne and Machines de l’Île’s mechanical creatures. Excursions visit Clisson’s medieval castle. Local markets sell galettes. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Loire riverfronts and steampunk art. Dining onboard includes beurre blanc fish, a Breton dish. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Brittany’s history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance castle walks. Nantes’ blend of history and innovation offers a vibrant French stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic fortresses, artistic creations, and scenic riverfronts, making Nantes an engaging destination for exploring Brittany’s cultural and creative heritage.

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

Concarneau (Pont-Aven), France, docks at Concarneau Port, a 10-minute walk to the Ville Close, population 20,000. Travelers visit the 15th-century walled island. Local markets sell kouign-amann. Excursions to Pont-Aven, 15 minutes north, explore Gauguin’s art sites. Peak season June to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes crepes at harbor bistros. Souvenirs feature Breton pottery.

Brest, France, docks at Port de Commerce, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles for 10-minute rides. The city, population 140,000, features the 17th-century Château de Brest with naval exhibits. Travelers visit Océanopolis aquarium for penguin displays. Local markets sell buckwheat galettes. Excursions to Locronan, 45 minutes south, explore Celtic villages. Peak season June to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes kouign-amann at port cafes. Souvenirs feature Breton stripes.

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.

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.

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.

Antwerp (Brussels), Belgium, docks on the Scheldt River at Kattendijkdok, 2 kilometers from Antwerp’s Grote Markt, with trams or a 20-minute walk to the city center. Antwerp, population 530,000, features the Cathedral of Our Lady with Rubens’ altarpieces. Excursions to Brussels, 45 minutes south by train, visit the Grand Place and Atomium. The MAS Museum in Antwerp details maritime history. Local markets sell Belgian waffles. Travelers bike along the Scheldt for city views. Peak season April to October; trams cost 3 EUR. Dining includes moules-frites at brasseries. Souvenirs feature lace bookmarks and pralines. Taxis average 10-15 EUR for short trips. Guided tours cover Antwerp’s diamond district.

Returning to Antwerp (Brussels) — see Day 14 above for port info.