Nestled in North Holland, IJmuiden is the captivating "Gate to the North Sea." Known for its vibrant fishing ports, it serves as a vital gateway to Amsterdam, the iconic capital renowned for its enchanting canals and world-class art museums. This charming town, established in the 1870s, showcases resilient architecture, notably the Stadhuis van Velsen, a testament to its post-WWII revival. Cruise visitors can explore the local charm of IJmuiden, with complimentary shuttles to its center, beckoning you to embark on an unforgettable Dutch adventure.

The famous white chalk cliffs cradle England’s southeast’s principal cross-Channel port of Dover. It lies only twenty-one miles from the continent, and on a clear day the low cliffs of Calais are visible. The Romans put Dover on the map when, having conquered Europe, they decided to move on toward Britannia, using the natural harbor of Dover as the base for their northern fleet. They erected a lighthouse to guide their ships into port. Following their withdrawal from England in the 4th century when the Normans constructed the keep that now presides over the bulk of Dover Castle. This superbly positioned fortress had been in continuous use as some sort of military installation until 1958. A network of tunnels constructed beneath the castle during the Napoleonic wars was extended during World War II for use as headquarters for the Dunkirk evacuation. More recently, sections of the 3.5 miles of tunnels were provisioned as a refuge for Kent’s elite in the event of nuclear war. Now that there seems no longer a need for such facilities, the tunnels have been restored and opened to the public. Pier Information The ship is scheduled to dock at Dover’s Western Docks. The distance to downtown Dover is two miles. Taxis may have to be called for pierside pickup. Dover is 85 miles from London. Frequent train service connects the port with London; traveling time is approximately 90 minutes (subject to traffic conditions). Shopping Stores in Dover are limited interest to visitors. Serious shoppers will want to set time aside to explore the endless shopping opportunities in London. Some of the most exclusive shops are found along Oxford, Bond and Regent Streets. Upscale department stores such as Harrods, Selfridges and Liberty offer convenient shopping with everything under one roof. Designer clothing, china and antiques may be of interest. Purchases are subject to a 17.5% VAT (value-added tax). Guests not residing in one of the EU countries can obtain a partial refund of the VAT after spending a certain amount of money. Proper forms have to be requested from the shop at the time of purchase. The refund can be claimed at the airport VAT Refund Desk; if leaving the ship, check on board with the Purser’s Office for procedures. The local currency is the British pound. Cuisine The town of Dover has a limited selection of pubs and restaurants and more can be found in the surrounding countryside, serving meals cooked from locally grown produce and accompanied by a wide variety of bars and wines. Other Sites The county of Kent is a fascinating part of England that is dotted with Castles, historic houses, beautiful gardens and bustling market towns. Dover Castle Dominating the town from its hilltop location, this is Europe’s oldest concentrically-planned castle. From its position you can enjoy a fine panorama of Dover, its white cliffs and the English Channel. Inside the castle is Hellfire, a secret underground war room used by Winston Churchill. In addition to Dover Castle, other attractions include the Old Town Goal, a new museum, the White Cliffs Experience and the Roman Painted House. This ancient guest house was discovered during the construction of a car park. The excavated rooms feature the finest Roman wall paintings in England. Guests in transit to the next cruise may check with the Tour Office on board for additional sightseeing possibilities or arrangements by private car.

If there is one thing that Belgium does well it is cobbled lanes, quaint architecture and yes, waffles. And Antwerp has all of them in spades. As Belgium’s second city, it has a small-town charm that attracts everyone from diamond dealers to independent fashion designers. But be wary of thinking of Antwerp as sitting in the shadow of Brussels; au contraire, think of it as Belgium’s younger, cooler, little sister.Antwerp was originally put on the map by both diamond merchants and the Flemish painter Ruebens in the 16th century. Fast forward 400 years and the city is still making waves – this time in the edgy fashion scene – with the Antwerpt Six. This collective of six fashion designers hailing from the city changed the face of fashion forever with their minimalist, structured clothes, and opened industry thinking to independent design.Thus Antwerp is a powerful magnet for anyone who has a love affair with arts of any kind. Street markets are filled with original, quirky souvenirs to take home, while the centuries-old history in the old city centre offers much for those who don’t like shopping. Head straight to Grote Markt, found right in the centre of the old town. Lovely, historic guildhalls line the edges of the square, with the impressive Antwerp city hall taking pride of place. The Cathedral of Our Lady, in Handschoenmarkt is a treasure trove of art and gothic architecture, and simply a must see. If you’re lucky you can attend a service. And if you’re not, well, there are still those waffles.

The ultimate fairytale city Bruges is a snowglobe medieval town brought to life and lovingly preserved. The medieval majesty rises just inland from Zeebruge's busy port and sandy beaches and the two are linked by the short stretch of the Baudouin Canal. Arrive in Bruges to discover a dreamlike place where time has stood still. Explore the Unesco World Heritage Site centre to wander at leisure among some of the world's most atmospheric streets. Laced with pretty canals winding paths of cobbled stones and glorious squares surrounded by soaring church spires Bruges is an irresistible journey back through time. A city for the seasons see the towering cups of tulips glowing or snowy layers adding a cosy blanket during winter. The climb is not to be underestimated but there are few better places to start a visit to Bruges than the ascent up to the 83-metre lookout of the Belfry of Bruges which rockets up from the city's primary market square. Discover the city's pretty canals and admire the colour-splashed facades - tangled with ivy - that line up appealingly on their banks. With plenty of museums and galleries among the incredible architecture Bruges is a city that effortlessly lives up to its heavy hyping and there are countless cultural attractions to immerse yourself in. Indulge a sweet tooth at the chocolate museum - or sample the wares of countless artisan chocolate shops - to leave this Zeebrugge's port with the most satisfying of tastes lingering.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Oh la la! Prepare yourself for a taste of living life a la Francaise in Rouen. Gothic architecture and history at every turn? Wide, leafy squares and timbered Norman houses? Enough French food that will keep your stomach full and tastebuds happy for hours? Yes, Rouen is all that and more. Set on the banks of the Seine and less than two hours from Paris, Rouen is about as French as you can get.The city’s roots go back to the 10th century, when Vikings and Romans laid claim to the city. If you think that the cathedral looks familiar that’s probably because Rouen’s most famous resident Claude Monet painted the city in his many canvases. But well before the impressionist painter immortalised Rouen with his beautiful brushwork, the city was host to many other famous faces. William the Conquerer, Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc… take your pick. While the others may have left their hearts metaphorically, Joan actually did leave hers – on a funeral pyre inn 1431. A museum to the Roman Catholic saint opened in 2015.Touring the city by foot is by far the best way to discover the riches of Rouen. The emblematic Gros Horlage (Big Clock) is by far the city’s number one must see but with gothic churches streets at every turn, every sight is a marvel. If you get bored of strolling the cobbled streets, head for the ceramic museum, in the Hôtel d'Hocqueville, for a wonderful collection of Sèvres porcelain. The elegant seaside resort of Deauville, as well as the D-Day beaches are just a short drive away.

The crammed together, timber-framed houses of Honfleur's delightful waterfront simply beg to be painted, and the waterfront beauty has been immortalised on the canvases of artists like Monet, and Honfleur's celebrated son, Boudin. Located in scenic Normandy, where the Seine opens out into the Channel, this is one of France's - and the world's - most spectacular, historic harbours. Impossibly picturesque, the Vieux Bassin's Norman harbour townhouses are an artist’s dream, reflecting out onto the still water, between bright wooden fishing boats. It may be gorgeous, but it’s also a historically important port, and Samuel de Champlain's epic voyage - which resulted in the founding of Quebec - launched from these waters. Take a stroll back in time, as you wander cobbled streets where flowers spill down walls or sit to indulge in Calvados – brandy made from Normandy's famous apples. A museum dedicated to Eugene Boudin, the town's influential impressionist artist, displays visions of the harbour and region, as well as paintings of the town's stunning wooden church. Wander to Eglise St Catherine itself, to see the twisting structure, which is France's largest wooden chapel. Constructed from trees taken from nearby Touques Forest, it replaced the stone church that stood here previously, which was destroyed during the Hundred Years War. Out of Honfleur, The spectacular Pont de Normandie cable-stayed bridge loops up over the Seine's estuary, bringing excursions to Le Havre even closer. The pensive, sombre beaches of the D-Day landings stretch out across Normandy's coastline, while the Bayeux Tapestry unfurls within reach of Honfleur's picturesque scenery.

Ship sails flutter in the breeze at the natural port of Saint-Malo - a historic and resilient walled city which watches out over golden sands and island fortresses. Strung tenuously to the mainland Saint Malo was the historic home of a rowdy mix of skilled sailors and new world explorers - as well as the plunderers who earned the place its 'Pirate City' title. Explore streets that breathe with maritime tales and medieval charm - restored from the intense damage sustained during the Second World War. Cathédrale de St Malo rises above the tight paths offering views of the peppered islands and fortifications. Boatloads of fresh oysters and scallops are heaved ashore - savour them or grab savoury crepes galettes stuffed with cheese and ham. Wash Saint Malo's foods down with a Brittany cider which challenges wine as the indulgence of choice in these parts. A highly tidal region the pocket-sized islands of Petit Bé and Grand Bé join the mainland and you can explore at leisure as the tide recedes. The incredible island of Mont Saint Michel also looms in the estuary of the Couesnon River nearby hovering like a cinematic mirage above high tide’s waters. Elsewhere Cap Fréhel's lush green peninsula juts out from the emerald coast towards Jersey tempting with rich coastal hiking trails.

The picturesque capital of Guernsey proves that you don’t have to go to the Caribbean for white sand and crystal clear water. St Peter Port is both wonderfully pretty and atmospheric, full of blooming floral displays, tiny stone churches and brightly painted boats. What’s more, summers are mostly sunny and comfortable, making the weather something you don’t have to worry about.As the capital of Guernsey, St. Peter Port is where the “action” is found. This mainly takes the form of strolling the cobbled streets, stopping every now and then to admire, and perhaps photograph, the stunning views. Once French (original name: St. Pierre Port), the town is at least 800 years old, with the stone castle and maze like streets to prove it. Once you have made you way up to the ancient castle, make like a local and find refreshment with a cream tea, washed down perhaps with a glass of cider!If the weather is on your side, then surely there is no more invigorating pastime than hiking up to the spectacular Guernsey cliffs, taking in stunning views of wildflowers, sandy beaches and English Channel views. For those who want to spread their wings a little further, the tiny island of Herm is just a 20-minute boat ride away, and homes no cars, one pub, a few cows, some puffins and about 50 people.Don’t be fooled by St Peter Port’s nostalgic exterior. The seaside town has made a name for itself as a foodie heaven, with everything from beach huts to Michelin starred restaurants offering sumptuous, locally sourced fare.

Home of the ill-fated Titanic departure, Southampton has a long maritime history. Henry V’s fleet bound for the battle of Agincourt left from here, as did the Mayflower (not from Plymouth as many believe) and the great British ocean liners, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary both departed on their maiden voyages from the port. So suffice to say, that Southampton is a seafearing place.Today Southampton is the cruise capital of Northern Europe, so expect a city that understands how to have fun. This comes in a variety of ways: a castellated old city that has lots of charm, some excellent museums (the most notable of which is the Sea City Museum) and extensive green spaces. Authentic Tudor remains provide a fascinating insight to 15th century living while other landmarks date back even further. A stroll around the city is generous in its attractions, so there is no better way to see Southampton than on foot. Culture wise, the city’s bustling Guildhall Square is the centre for art, education and food and drink.Southampton’s location of the south coast of England means just a short distance away lie some interesting spots. Pre-historic enigma Stonehenge is less than an hour away while the quintessentially English market town Salisbury is perfect for a bit of shopping. Both are well worth a visit. For those who prefer their entertainment crafted by Mother Nature, a short ride to the New Forest will give you peace; think idyllic glades, ancient woodland, open moors, heathland and cliff top walks.