Day 1 – Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Departs 05:00 pm.

The largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is an intriguing mix of the old and the new. The city’s lineage is ancient – Count Willem III granted city rights to the sleepy fishing village on the Rotte in 1328, yet much of the city dates from the six decades following the end of World War II. An important industrial center and a major European port, Rotterdam was among the first targets of the Nazi blitzkrieg against the West. On May 14, 1940, the German Luftwaffe firebombed the city, Rotterdam was gutted. The post-war years saw a slow rebuilding but by the early 1960s the maze of port facilities extended all the way to the North Sea. Today, this city of over half a million is the economic powerhouse, not just of the Netherlands but of Northern Europe.The Nazi bombardment of 1940 gutted most of the old city. As a result, Rotterdam’s architecture is an intriguing mix of old and new: modern glass skyscrapers often stand adjacent to 19th- and 18th-century buildings.

Day 2 – At Sea

Day 3 – At Sea

Day 4 – Lisbon, Portugal

Arrives 12:00 pm.

Draped across seven hills, Lisbon was once the center of a vast maritime empire that stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Spice Islands of the East Indies. Then, on November 1, 1755, a violent earthquake destroyed two-thirds of the city in the space of 10 minutes. Only the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter, survived. Today, Lisbon is a stately city of Neoclassical buildings and wide plazas.

Day 5 – Lisbon, Portugal

Departs 04:00 pm.

Draped across seven hills, Lisbon was once the center of a vast maritime empire that stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Spice Islands of the East Indies. Then, on November 1, 1755, a violent earthquake destroyed two-thirds of the city in the space of 10 minutes. Only the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter, survived. Today, Lisbon is a stately city of Neoclassical buildings and wide plazas.

Day 6 – Seville (Cadiz), Spain

Arrives 11:00 am, departs 08:00 pm.

Mention Spain and the images that inevitably spring to mind are images of Andalusia – shadows falling across the bullring, the staccato rhythms of flamenco, the waft of orange blossoms from a Moorish garden. Cadiz is your gateway to this storied land and the city of Seville. Visit Seville’s massive Alcazar fortress, modeled on the legendary Alhambra Palace of Granada. See the city’s cathedral, a 15th-century Gothic masterwork that boasts a Moorish patio, fountain and minaret. Seville is also the legendary home of Don Juan, Bizet’s Carmen and Rossini’s Barber of Seville.Cadiz is one’s of Europe’s oldest inhabited cities, dating from 1100 B.C., and your gateway to Seville and Andalusia.

Day 7 – Malaga, Spain

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

One of Spain’s oldest cities, Malaga has been inhabited since the time of the Phoenicians, who called it Malaka. A city of narrow streets, whitewashed houses, churches and sunny plazas, Malaga offers an idealized image of Spain. Malaga was the chief port for the Kingdom of Granada, the last stronghold of Moorish Spain. The city fell to Ferdinand and Isabelle in 1487. The re-conquest of Spain ended with the fall of Grenada in 1492, the year Columbus discovered the New World. In addition to the fabled Alhambra, Granada boasts some significant landmarks such as the Old Quarter, the majestic Granada Cathedral, Alcazaba – an ancient Moorish fortress nestled above the city, and the Royal Chapel – the final resting place of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Andalusia’s main port is also your gateway to the resorts of the Costa del Sol.

Day 8 – Alicante, Spain

Arrives 10:00 am, departs 09:00 pm.

Stroll the city’s old quarter and take in a visit to the Castillo de Santa Barbara. Also, Alicante is known for its miles of beaches.Stroll down the wide, palm-lined Esplanada de España, visit the imposing Castillo de Santa Barbara, or simply sit back and relax with an apéritif on the terrace of a café overlooking the harbor. No wonder locals hail this charming city on Spain’s Costa Blanca as “la millor terreta del mon” – the best place on Earth. Lying across a stretch of the Mediterranean from Algeria, Alicante reflects Spain’s long and sometimes turbulent relationship with Islamic Africa. Moorish influence is found not only in the city’s architecture, but also in the date palm groves outside the city. The Algerian influence can also be seen – and tasted – in the Old Quarter. Wherever you go, do not be alarmed by the talking traffic signals. Alicante is home to one of the main offices for La ONCE, one of Spain’s associations for the blind.Stroll the city’s old quarter and take in a visit to the Castillo de Santa Barbara. Also, Alicante is known for its miles of beaches.

Day 9 – Cartagena, Spain

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Cartagena is an ancient port – the city served as Hannibal’s Spanish headquarters during the 2nd Punic War with Rome. The city remained a major trading port under the Romans and the Moors. Today, Cartagena is Spain’s principal naval establishment and the site of an annual international maritime festival. The city is also your gateway to the Costa Calida, a region that boasts some of Spain’s mildest weather along with 175 miles of beaches.

Day 10 – Gibraltar

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

The Rock crouches over the sea like an ancient stone beast, looking Sphinx-like to Africa. Beneath the white cliffs of this natural fortress grows a profusion of palm, pine, and cypress. No fewer than 600 varieties of flowers thrive here, some not found anywhere else on Earth. Gibraltar’s stunning setting is matched by its history – five countries have battled for 13 centuries to control the passage between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The result made for a cultural melting pot. Veiled Moroccan women in caftans and vacationing Englishmen and Spaniards stroll along the narrow, steep lanes. The locals revert to a liquid Spanish when talking among themselves. And visitors to a 15th-century cathedral pass through a blue-tiled courtyard, once part of a 13th-century mosque.Helmeted bobbies, pillar-boxes and pubs make for a bit of Britain in the Mediterranean. Gibraltar is a fascinating place, from its caves and batteries to the Barbary apes gamboling on the slopes of the Rock.

Day 11 – At Sea

Day 12 – Porto (leixoes), Portugal

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

Porto is a fascinating and vibrant city that is rapidly becoming one of Western Europe’s most respected tourist destinations. The city boasts an extensive history. There is a lot to see and do in Porto, and this diverse city will appeal to a wide range of visitors. Opening up like a pop-up book from the banks of the Rio Douro, edgy-yet-opulent Porto entices with its historic centre, sumptuous food and wine, and charismatic locals.The region is famed for the production of Port, which is still stored and matured in the vast cellars that stretch along the banks of the Douro River.

Day 13 – At Sea

Day 14 – At Sea

Day 15 – Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

The largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is an intriguing mix of the old and the new. The city’s lineage is ancient – Count Willem III granted city rights to the sleepy fishing village on the Rotte in 1328, yet much of the city dates from the six decades following the end of World War II. An important industrial center and a major European port, Rotterdam was among the first targets of the Nazi blitzkrieg against the West. On May 14, 1940, the German Luftwaffe firebombed the city, Rotterdam was gutted. The post-war years saw a slow rebuilding but by the early 1960s the maze of port facilities extended all the way to the North Sea. Today, this city of over half a million is the economic powerhouse, not just of the Netherlands but of Northern Europe.The Nazi bombardment of 1940 gutted most of the old city. As a result, Rotterdam’s architecture is an intriguing mix of old and new: modern glass skyscrapers often stand adjacent to 19th- and 18th-century buildings.

Day 16 – Zeebrugge (for Brussels/Bruges), Belgium

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Zeebrugge is your gateway to Brussels. The capital of Belgium, Brussels is really two cities in one. Old Brussels is a city of superb Baroque architecture with ornate guildhalls, cobbled lanes and one of the finest squares in Europe. New Brussels is the modern city, the capital of the European Union, the home of NATO and the seat of the European Atomic Energy Community. It is a city of fascinating contrasts.

Day 17 – Dover (for London), England

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

Visible for miles from sea, the White Cliffs of Dover are an instantly recognizable symbol of England. Modern highways make Dover the doorstep to London – Britain’s ever-fascinating capital. Visitors to this great city have a wealth of pleasures to choose from. Explore the notorious Tower of London and view the Crown Jewels. Visit Windsor Castle or see Westminster Abbey. The choices are fascinating and endless. Dover is also your gateway to Kent’s green countryside, dotted with old medieval towns and castles.Dover has played a major role in world history since the days of the Norman invasion. Today 13th century Dover Castle dominates a harbour filled with cross-channel ferries and merchant and passenger shipping.

Day 18 – Cherbourg, France

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 07:00 pm.

Perched at the crossroads of France and Great Britain, it’s no surprise that this piece of real estate was a prize among its many conquerors. Romans, Vikings, Saxons and Normans all fought over this strategic port on the English Channel. Cherbourg’s port was once again the center of conflict when German forces captured it during World War II. Liberated by American forces in 1944, Cherbourg serves as your gateway to the historic Normandy landings of D-Day. And there’s more to explore-medieval villages, a rugged countryside, charming city sights and castles and churches are all reminders that Cherbourg is a fascinating city worth discovering.

Day 19 – Le Havre (for Paris/Normandy), France

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 09:00 pm.

Perhaps no other place in France holds more associations for English-speaking visitors than Normandy. The historic Allied landings on D-Day – 6 June, 1944 – live on in the memories of British and Americans alike. Nor has Le Havre forgotten the dark days of the war. The port was nearly completely destroyed during the Normandy campaign. Today, Le Havre is France’s second largest port and the gateway to Paris, “City of Light,” the Norman countryside, and the historic landing beaches. Travelers usually head for the historic landing sites or to Paris. Yet Le Havre was designated a World Heritage Site in 2005. The Musee des Beaux Arts Andre Malraux boasts one of the finest collections of Impressionist painting in the world.

Day 20 – Portland, England

Arrives 05:30 am, departs 07:00 pm.

Situated along the southernmost part of the Dorset Coast site lies the fabled island of Portland. This natural harbor was used for over 500 years by the British Royal Navy, and when breakwater construction was performed between 1848 and 1905, it created one of the largest man-made harbors in the world. An important launch site during both World Wars, the harbor was used for naval exercises until 1995, after which the waters became popular for tourism and were used for the sailing events during the 2012 Olympic Games. The tiny limestone island is home to the Abbotsbury Swannery, the only place in the world where you can walk freely through colonies of nesting mute swans, and is a perfect jumping-off point to visit the stone ruins of Corfe Castle, built by William the Conqueror. Take in the nearby magnificent Salisbury Cathedral, and experience the ancient mystery of the somber plinths of Stonehenge. Just four miles long by a mile and a half wide, Portland is ruggedly beautiful, with endless vistas and wild, natural landscapes.

Day 21 – At Sea

Day 22 – At Sea

Day 23 – At Sea

Day 24 – At Sea

Day 25 – At Sea

Day 26 – At Sea

Day 27 – At Sea

Day 28 – At Sea

Day 29 – At Sea

Day 30 – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Arrives 07:00 am.

According to the popular 1960 beach movie, Fort Lauderdale is “where the boys are.” The city’s reputation as America’s Spring Break capital, however, has been replaced with the more favorable image of a prime family tourist destination, attracting more than 10 million visitors annually. The most popular beach resort in Florida is even more rightly famed as the “Yachting Capital of the World,” with more than 40,000 registered crafts calling its waters home. The city also prides itself on being the “Venice of America” with more than 300 miles of navigable waterways. Fort Lauderdale boasts world-class theaters, museums, sightseeing, and shopping. The city sits 24 miles north of Miami and is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. Look hard and you might find remnants of three of them today. More people seem to be interested in taking a water tour aboard the “Carrie B.”