Spirit of Discovery
March 17, 2024

Portsmouth, England, provides docking at Portsmouth Port. Travelers explore the Historic Dockyard and HMS Victory. Excursions visit Stonehenge’s ancient stones. Local markets sell pork pies. The peak season, May to September, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures naval ships and Solent vistas. Dining onboard includes fish and chips, an English favorite. Souvenirs, like nautical crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover maritime history. Light layers and waterproof shoes suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance dockyard walks. Portsmouth’s naval heritage offers a vibrant English stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic ships, prehistoric sites, and coastal charm, making Portsmouth an engaging destination for exploring England’s maritime and ancient history.

Gibraltar, U.K., offers docking at Gibraltar Port. Travelers explore Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Cave. Excursions include dolphin-watching tours. Local markets sell fish and chips. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes roast beef, a British favorite. Souvenirs, like monkey-themed crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Barbary history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance rock hikes. Gibraltar’s unique charm offers a vibrant British stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of natural wonders and scenic straits, making Gibraltar an engaging destination for exploration.

Salerno (Naples), Italy, offers docking at Salerno Port with excursions to Naples. Travelers explore Pompeii’s ruins and Amalfi Coast villages. Excursions visit Capri’s Blue Grotto. Local markets sell limoncello. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Tyrrhenian vistas. Dining onboard includes pizza margherita, a Neapolitan favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Roman history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Salerno’s historic allure offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and coastal beauty, making Salerno an engaging gateway to Naples.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers docking at Gruž Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and Lokrum Island. Excursions include kayaking along Adriatic shores. Local markets sell travarica. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval ramparts and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance wall walks. Dubrovnik’s historic charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic coasts, making Dubrovnik an engaging destination for exploration.

Split, Croatia, offers docking at Split Port. Travelers explore Diocletian’s Palace and Marjan Hill. Excursions visit Trogir’s historic center. Local markets sell soparnik. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Roman ruins and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lavender crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance palace walks. Split’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic hills, making Split an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Trieste, Italy, offers docking at Trieste Port. Travelers explore Piazza Unità d’Italia and Miramare Castle. Excursions visit Postojna Cave in Slovenia. Local markets sell gnocchi. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Habsburg architecture and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes jota, a Triestine favorite. Souvenirs, like glass crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Austro-Hungarian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Trieste’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic plazas and scenic coasts, making Trieste an engaging destination for exploring Italy’s Adriatic hub.

Returning to Trieste — see Day 12 above for port info.

Zadar, Croatia, offers docking at Zadar Port. Travelers explore Sea Organ and St. Donatus Church. Excursions visit Plitvice Lakes. Local markets sell maraschino liqueur. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures acoustic art and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance lake hikes. Zadar’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique installations and scenic lakes, making Zadar an engaging destination for exploring Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Cagliari, Sardinia, offers docking at Cagliari Port. Travelers explore Poetto Beach and Castello district. Excursions visit Nora’s ancient ruins. Local markets sell malloreddus. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval towers and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes fregola con frutti di mare, a Sardinian favorite. Souvenirs, like cork crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Nuragic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Cagliari’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient ruins and scenic beaches, making Cagliari an engaging destination for exploration.

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.

Returning to Portsmouth — see Day 1 above for port info.