Seven Seas Voyager
July 12, 2024

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.

Amsterdam, Netherlands, offers docking at Amsterdam Port. Travelers explore Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House. Excursions visit Keukenhof Gardens. Local markets sell stroopwafels. The peak season, April to September, brings mild weather for canal tours. Photography captures historic canals and North Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes haring, a Dutch favorite. Souvenirs, like delftware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dutch Golden Age history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Amsterdam’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Dutch stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic museums and scenic canals, making Amsterdam an engaging destination for exploration.

Returning to Amsterdam — see Day 2 above for port info.

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

Newhaven Harbour (Edinburgh), Scotland, offers docking at Newhaven Port with excursions to Edinburgh. Travelers explore Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile. Excursions visit Holyrood Palace. Local markets sell shortbread. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures medieval castles and Georgian architecture. Dining onboard includes haggis, a Scottish favorite. Souvenirs, like tartan scarves, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Scottish history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Newhaven’s access to Edinburgh offers a vibrant Scottish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks, cultural heritage, and scenic beauty, making Newhaven an engaging gateway to explore Scotland’s capital and its rich traditions.

Invergordon (Inverness & Loch Ness), Scotland, offers docking at Invergordon Port with excursions to Inverness. Travelers explore Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness. Excursions visit Cawdor Castle. Local markets sell shortbread. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Highland landscapes and North Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes haggis, a Scottish favorite. Souvenirs, like tartan crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Jacobite history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance battlefield walks. Invergordon’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Scottish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites and scenic lochs, making Invergordon an engaging destination.

Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, has docking at Lerwick Port. Travelers explore Scalloway Castle and Jarlshof’s prehistoric site. Excursions visit seabird cliffs at Noss. Local markets sell Shetland wool. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather. Photography captures rugged coasts and Viking relics. Dining onboard includes bannocks, a Shetland staple. Souvenirs, like knitwear, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Norse history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate. Binoculars enhance birdwatching. Lerwick’s rugged heritage offers a vibrant Scottish stop, blending history with coastal beauty.

Ullapool, Scotland, offers docking at Ullapool Port. Travelers explore Ullapool Museum and Loch Broom. Excursions visit Corrieshalloch Gorge. Local markets sell shortbread. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures fishing villages and Highland vistas. Dining onboard includes haggis, a Scottish favorite. Souvenirs, like tartan crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Highland history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the cool climate, while sturdy shoes enhance gorge walks. Ullapool’s maritime charm offers a vibrant Scottish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic lochs and cultural heritage, making Ullapool an engaging destination for exploring Scotland’s northwest coast.

Belfast, Northern Ireland, offers docking at Belfast Port. Travelers explore Titanic Belfast and Giant’s Causeway. Excursions visit Ulster Museum. Local markets sell Ulster fry. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures basalt columns and Irish Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes Irish stew, a Northern Irish favorite. Souvenirs, like linen crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Celtic history. Light layers and waterproof boots suit the temperate climate, while sturdy shoes enhance causeway hikes. Belfast’s cultural charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of industrial heritage and scenic coasts, making Belfast an engaging destination for exploration.