Norwegian Fjords & Arctic Circle

Southampton is a bustling port city bursting with history as well as shopping opportunities, great restaurants and superb pubs. Nearby you’ll find the quaint town of Windsor, where you can visit the many boutiques of High Street or enjoy a tour of historic Windsor Castle.

Bruges, Belgium is called “the Venice of the North,” and its canals and romantic cobblestone alleys twist and turn to show visitors a perfectly preserved side of medieval history and culture. The city center of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, meaning a stroll through its center is a must-see and must-photograph opportunity for travelers. History and art buffs will find plenty to see during a cruise to Bruges, like hearing stories of ancient Belgian lore or touring 19th century castles like Loppem Castle or Castle Wijnendale along the way. Then there’s the Groeningemuseum, an impressive art gallery featuring work from artists like Jan Van Eyck to Magritte.

As a stop on a Northern European cruise, Belgium also offers plenty of chances to relax, whether you’re taking a tour of a brewery or simply strolling around the Markt, a medieval square where restaurants, cafes, and weekly markets promise plenty of people-watching. Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Belgium without trying the region’s signature beer and chocolate, so leave time and room for a cold one and a rich dessert.

Ålesund’s architecture is known far and wide. Turrets, spires, and other whimsical art nouveau architectural touches give the town its distinctive, fairy-tale-like character. Scenic Geiranger Fjord, one of Norway’s best-known attractions, is just a stone’s throw from this quaint little town.

The town of Flåm is nestled in a tributary of the world’s longest and deepest fjord. Surrounded by steep mountainsides, roaring waterfalls, and deep valleys, visitors here experience a one-of-a-kind encounter with nature.

Tromsø, a city in northern Norway, is a major cultural hub above the Arctic Circle. It’s famed as a viewing point for colorful Northern Lights that sometime light up the nighttime sky. The city’s historic center, on the island of Tromsø, is distinguished by its centuries-old wooden houses. The 1965 Arctic Cathedral, with its distinctive peaked roof and soaring stained-glass windows, dominates the skyline.

Deep in the land of the Midnight Sun, Honningsvag is the northernmost town in Europe. And with more than 1,000 cruise ships calling during the summer season, it is also the largest and busiest cruises port in northern Europe. Given its location, be on the lookout for free-roaming reindeer grazing the tundra on the outskirts of town.

Trondheim is a city on the Trondheim Fjord, in central Norway. Dating back to the 11th century, Gothic Nidaros Cathedral features an ornate rose window and a detailed west facade. Nearby, the Archbishop’s Palace Museum houses archaeological findings and sculptures, including gargoyles, removed from the cathedral. Ringve Museum is a music museum in a former manor house and barn.

Southampton is a bustling port city bursting with history as well as shopping opportunities, great restaurants and superb pubs. Nearby you’ll find the quaint town of Windsor, where you can visit the many boutiques of High Street or enjoy a tour of historic Windsor Castle.