Holland America Line, Britain, Scotland, Ireland & Norse Legends from Rotterdam, May 11, 2024

Cruising from: Rotterdam, Netherlands;

Departure Date: 11 May, 2024;

Cruise Line: Holland America Line;

Cruise Ship: Rotterdam;

Duration: 21-day cruise;

Ports of Call: Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Lewis, Isle of Skye, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Holyhead, Cork, Bruges, Rotterdam, Eidfjord, Alesund, Geiranger, Bergen, Rotterdam;

Day 0 Rotterdam, Netherlands

The port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. The terminal is situated within the so called 'Manhattan on the Maas' right in the City Centre. The city of Rotterdam is known for the Erasmus University, riverside setting, lively cultural life and its maritime heritage. A few square kilometres of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in terms of modern architecture.

Day 1 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 2 Edinburgh, Scotland

The harbor is an excellent starting place for excursions to the city's Old Town, as well as to the medieval castle and other historic landmarks in the area. The Old Town, which was constructed during the Middle Ages when there was a continual fear of assault, huddles high on the Castle Rock with a view over the surrounding plain below. On the other hand, the New Town is comprised of a breathtakingly beautiful series of streets, crescents, and terraces.

Day 3 Inverness, Scotland

Inverness is in the North of Scotland and known as Scotland's 'Highland Capital'. With its suspension bridges across the River Ness and old stone buildings, it is a pretty place which is well-known for its floral displays. Most popular places to see are The Tomatin Distillery, Fortrose Cathedral, Corrimony Chambered Cairn and Inverness Historic Trail.

Day 4 Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Stornoway is the main town of the Western Isles and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland. Stornoway is an important port and the major town and administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides. Stornoway offers a warm welcome to anyone choosing to visit Lewis as part of their Outer Hebridean explorations. Strolling along the quay at Stornoway Harbour and hearing the shouts of the fishermen, visiting the historic Lews Castle and the adjoining Lews Castle Museum and Archive, a key cultural centre for Outer Hebrides heritage, are among things visitors can experience. The largest island of the Outer Hebrides, Lewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The island is blessed with a diverse range of habitats many of which are rich in wildlife. Although Lewis is the most densely populated of the Western Isles, much of the population is centred in and around Stornoway.

Day 5 Isle of Skye, Scotland

Portree, the main town on the Isle of Skye, is a bustling port and a thriving cultural centre in the Highlands of Scotland famous for its scenery and landscapes that will take your breath away. Portree has a pretty harbour lined with brightly painted houses, excellent leisure facilities including a swimming pool, pony-trekking and boat cruises. Fringed by high ground and cliffs and great views of the surrounding hills the town is a popular tourists' holiday destination. Isle of Skye is a world class destination for walkers and climbers, for Wildlife watching with the White Tailed Sea Eagle at the top of bird watchers lists. Isle of Skye is welcoming place where spare time can be spent in restaurants or in charming pubs and bars. The Isle of Skye in the Highlands of Scotland is famous for its scenery and landscapes that will take your breath away. Skye is a world class destination for walkers and climbers, for Wildlife watching with the White Tailed Sea Eagle at the top of bird watchers lists. It It is welcoming place where spare time can be spent in restaurants or in charming pubs and bars.

Day 6 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 7 Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast is Northern Ireland's capital. If passing through as part of a cruise, be sure to head straight for the so-called Golden Mile, which runs from Belfast City Hall to Queen's University, and is where you'll find the majority of the city's historic attractions as well as its best bars, restaurants and cafes.

Day 8 Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland is steeped in Celtic legend, and is one of the liveliest and most historic cities in Europe. Among the many must-see highlights that the city offers is the National Museum of Ireland, which is spread out over several venues, each covering a different speciality. The famous Book of Kells can be seen in the Old Library at Trinity College, while the Christ Church Cathedral is Dublin's oldest building.

Day 9 Liverpool, England

The Port of Liverpool is 7.5 miles dock system that runs on the the River Mersey. Liverpool is a city with unique attractions, exciting events, legendary football clubs and a rich musical heritage that includes the Beatles, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and other groups from the Merseybeat era.

Day 10 Holyhead, Wales

Holyhead is a town in Wales and a major Irish Sea port serving Ireland. Settlements in the area date from prehistoric times, with circular huts, burial chambers and standing stones featuring in the highest concentration in Britain. The current lighthouse is on South Stack on the other side of Holyhead Mountain and is open to the public.

Day 11 Cork, Ireland

Cobh is a town on the south coast of Ireland, on an island in Cork city's harbour. It's known as the Titanic's last port of call which sailed from here on 14 April 1912. The centre of Cobh is compact and quite flat with a large waterside park and a good selection of bars, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Day 12 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 13 Bruges, Belgium

Zeebrugge is a Belgian port and seaside resort. It's linked to the city of Bruges by the Baudouin Canal. Located in the Flanders region of northern Belgium, Bruges is the closest thing you're likely to find in the real world to a fairytale city. The focal point of the town is Grote Markt, a large medieval square overlooked by the most perfect belfry you'll ever see. Bruges is also home to a number of fascinating art and history museums, with the Groeninge Museum being one of the best.

Day 14 Rotterdam, Netherlands

The port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. The terminal is situated within the so called 'Manhattan on the Maas' right in the City Centre. The city of Rotterdam is known for the Erasmus University, riverside setting, lively cultural life and its maritime heritage. A few square kilometres of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in terms of modern architecture.

Day 15 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 16 Eidfjord, Norway

Eidfjord is a municipality in the county of Hordaland situated where the Hardangerfjord ends, Norway's second longest fjord. The cruise port is located in the centre of Eidfjord which makes it easily accessible for cruise passengers who want to experience the destination by foot. Eidfjord is one of the most beautifully sited towns in this part of Norway, dwarfed by sheer mountains and cascading waterfalls.

Day 17 Alesund, Norway

Alesund is adventure capital of the Fjords, named Norway's most beautiful city. Some of the most spectacular buildings are located around the area Brosundet, in Kongens Gate, Brunholmen and Kirkegata. After devastating fire a new town rose phoenix-like from the ashes - in the distinctive Art Nouveau style.

Day 18 Geiranger, Norway

This third biggest cruise ship port in Norway, Geiranger is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and has been named the best travel destination in Scandinavia. Geiranger boasts one of the most magnificent settings in western Norway and the village itself negotiates the steepest of hillsides, its scattering of houses built on a series of narrow shelves. Tours of the nearby historic farms of Knivsfla and Skagefla are available from Geiranger.

Day 19 Bergen, Norway

Bergen, situated between the longest fjord Sognefjord and the beautiful Hardangerfjord is a popular cruise destination and the leading cruise port in Norway. This stunning destination is home to some of the country's top museums and galleries, so it's a fantastic place to learn more about the colourful characters that helped shape Norway's history and culture.

Day 20 At Sea, At Sea

Wonderful day at Sea.

Day 21 Rotterdam, Netherlands

The port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe. The terminal is situated within the so called 'Manhattan on the Maas' right in the City Centre. The city of Rotterdam is known for the Erasmus University, riverside setting, lively cultural life and its maritime heritage. A few square kilometres of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in terms of modern architecture.