Northern Europe Grand Odyssey

15 Oct 27
Depart: 05:00 PM

16 Oct 27 - At Sea

17 Oct 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

18 Oct 27 - At Sea

19 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 04:00 PM

As Canada's most easterly province, the island of Newfoundland is situated on the North Atlantic, with St. John's as its provincial capital. The city of St. John's is on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, and is the oldest city in North America. It has always been a busy fishing port with a good natural harbor bounded by hills. Its history and cultural spirit show strong Irish and Scottish influences evident in its pubs and music. The surrounding land is rugged, with a dramatic coastline heavily indented with bays and inlets, which give way to an interior terrain of wild mountains, hills, lakes and rivers.

20-23 Oct 27 - At Sea

24 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 06:00 PM

Founded in the 7th century by St. Fin Barre, Cork is your gateway to romantic Ireland. Stroll down narrow country lanes or see the Lakes of Killarney. The intrepid visitor may scale the narrow passages of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. The region around Cork is also home to one of the densest concentration of prehistoric monuments in Western Europe. And, in a land where fable and fact blend to become folklore, it was near Cork that the great Tuatha De Danaan, a race with magical powers, was driven underground by the conquering Celts.

Cobh was the single most important port of emigration from Ireland.

Note: Your ship will dock in Cobh which is about 15 miles from Cork.

25 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

26 Oct 27
Arrive:  07:00 AM
Depart: 06:00 PM

27 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:30 AM
Depart: 08:00 AM

28 Oct 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM
Depart: 07:00 PM

29 Oct 27 - At Sea

20 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 03:00 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.

31 Oct 27
Arrive: 10:00 AM

01 Nov 27
Depart: 07:00 PM

02 Nov 27 - At Sea

03 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 10:00 PM

Germany's leading seaport, Hamburg is the gateway to Berlin - and a fascinating place to visit in it own right. Situated on the banks of the Elbe, the city is built over the water and boasts more than 2,100 bridges, more bridges than in Venice and Amsterdam combined. Established by Charlemagne in the 9th century, Hamburg has managed to preserve its Gothic old quarter. The city's other attractions range from St. Pauli, the ribald red-light district, to the fashionable shops of Jungfernsteig and the St. Michael's Church, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

04 Nov 27 - At Sea

05 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 07:00 PM

Mention Holland and most people think of tulips, windmills, and wooden shoes. In reality, Amsterdam has been a vital European cultural center since the Middle Ages.

The Dutch boast that God may have made the world, but they made the Netherlands. Dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee have allowed the Dutch to reclaim their low-lying country from the North Sea. The marsh that originally surrounded Amsterdam steadily disappeared beneath the expanding city. Vibrant, fascinating and always alive, Amsterdam is imbued with the quality the Dutch call "gezelligheid." Explore the city's 700-year-old streets and marvel at its stepped-gable houses. Cruise down its bustling canals and browse the colorful flower markets. Did we mention that you can shop for everything from cheese and chocolates to diamonds and Delftware?

06 Nov 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 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.

07 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM 
Depart: 08:00 PM

08 Nov 27 - At Sea

09 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:30 AM
Depart: 04:30 PM

10 Nov 27
Arrive: 10:00 AM
Depart: 07:00 PM

With La Coruña's impressive and extensive history, visitors are often surprised at how modern the city is. It was from here that, in 1588, Spain sent its "invincible" Armada sailing. A year later, Sir Francis Drake sent those ships scrambling, burning most of the city just for good measure. Drake's invasion was ultimately repelled by the peoples of La Coruña, inspired by the local heroine, María Pita.

In the process, La Coruña lost all of its Roman antiquities, including the Torre de Hercules, the present day monument as undergone several transformations over the centuries, the most important one carried out in 1788 by the engineer Eustaquio Giannini, who built the current façades around what remained of the Roman lighthouse, now declared a World Heritage Site. The city does, however, still offer incredible vistas, situated as it is on an outstretch of land blanketed on each side by the sea.

Be sure to visit the Ciudad Vieja, the small old town that watches over the Darsena de La Marina harbor. Here you will find many pleasant cafes from which you can people-watch. Notice that most of the streets are lined with glass covered balconies built for protection again the city's winds and rain.

The port of La Coruña serves as your gateway to Santiago de Compostela, one of the greatest pilgrimages of the Middle Ages. As the site of the supposed shrine of St. James the Apostle, it is the third holiest site in all Christendom, following Jerusalem and Rome. Pilgrims believed that making the journey here would reduce their sentence in purgatory by one-half.

11 Nov 27
Arrive: 09:00 AM
Depart: 06:00 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.

12 Nov 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM 
Depart: 11:59 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.

13 Nov 27 - At Sea

14 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 08:00 PM

15 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

16 Nov 27
Arrive: 06:00 AM
Depart: 08:00 PM

For many, the word Casablanca conjures up Hollywood's vision of an exotic city of intrigue. But the reality is far removed from film fantasy, more complex and fascinating. Casablanca is Morocco's largest city, the busiest port in North Africa, and home to nearly four million people. An important trading center since the days of the Phoenicians, Casablanca is an evocative blend of more new than old, more familiar than exotic. It is a modern commercial city with an old heart that is home to narrow, cobbled alleys, bazaars and souks, minarets and medinas.

Casablanca is a modern city with beaches bordering the Atlantic and broad, tree-lined avenues. The city is also your gateway to Morocco's interior and the exotic "Imperial Cities" of Rabat and Marrakech.

17 Nov 27 - At Sea

18 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

The capital of Madeira is named after the fennel (funcha) that once flowered there in profusion. The largest island in the Madeira Archipelago was discovered in 1419 by Portuguese explorers venturing south into the Atlantic. The island is nearly equidistant from Lisbon and the African coast, and its unique geographical position allowed Madeira to play a pivotal role in European discovery. Seamen such as Christopher Columbus gained knowledge and experience plying the routes of the island's sugar trade. When sugar declined, the island's famed wines continued to provide a robust trade. By the late 18th century, Madeira's mild climate, rocky peaks, and lush valleys provided a winter haven to Europe's aristocrats. Visitors still flock to the island today, drawn by its scenery and its weather.

Funchal is noted for its superb hand-embroidery and wicker ware, both Madeira specialties. The island, of course, is also noted for its superb wines: they are perhaps the world's most complex and long lasting wines.

19 Nov 27 - At Sea

20 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 04:00 PM

Rising from the depths of the Atlantic, the rugged, volcanic Azores lie 800 miles off the coast of Portugal. Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the nine islands have provided a haven to Atlantic mariners for over five centuries. The Azores offer travelers spectacular landscapes that range from lush meadows fringed with brightly colored hydrangea to ancient caldera filled with lakes. And the many small villages and shops retain an otherworldly air and 18th-century charm.

Ponta Delgada is located on São Miguel, the largest of the nine Azores. The island's rich volcanic soil sustains fields of tobacco and tea, vineyards, and pineapple greenhouses. The Azores are also noted for fine crafts, particularly basketry and pottery.

21-25 Nov - At Sea

26 Nov 27
Arrive: 06:00 AM

A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture and fashion, and entertainment. The city consists of five boroughs and an intricate patchwork of neighborhoods. Some of these include Lower Manhattan and the New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park and South Street Seaport, Chinatown, trendy SoHo and Greenwich Village, along with Little Italy, the flat Iron District and Gramercy Park. Famous Central Park covers 843 acres of paths, ponds, lakes and green space within the asphalt jungle. Many districts and landmarks have become well-known to outsiders. Nearly 170 languages are spoken in the city and over 35% of its population was born outside the United States.

15 Oct 27
Depart: 05:00 PM

16 Oct 27 - At Sea

17 Oct 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

18 Oct 27 - At Sea

19 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 04:00 PM

As Canada's most easterly province, the island of Newfoundland is situated on the North Atlantic, with St. John's as its provincial capital. The city of St. John's is on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, and is the oldest city in North America. It has always been a busy fishing port with a good natural harbor bounded by hills. Its history and cultural spirit show strong Irish and Scottish influences evident in its pubs and music. The surrounding land is rugged, with a dramatic coastline heavily indented with bays and inlets, which give way to an interior terrain of wild mountains, hills, lakes and rivers.

20-23 Oct 27 - At Sea

24 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 06:00 PM

Founded in the 7th century by St. Fin Barre, Cork is your gateway to romantic Ireland. Stroll down narrow country lanes or see the Lakes of Killarney. The intrepid visitor may scale the narrow passages of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. The region around Cork is also home to one of the densest concentration of prehistoric monuments in Western Europe. And, in a land where fable and fact blend to become folklore, it was near Cork that the great Tuatha De Danaan, a race with magical powers, was driven underground by the conquering Celts.

Cobh was the single most important port of emigration from Ireland.

Note: Your ship will dock in Cobh which is about 15 miles from Cork.

25 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

26 Oct 27
Arrive:  07:00 AM
Depart: 06:00 PM

27 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:30 AM
Depart: 08:00 AM

28 Oct 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM
Depart: 07:00 PM

29 Oct 27 - At Sea

20 Oct 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 03:00 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.

31 Oct 27
Arrive: 10:00 AM

01 Nov 27
Depart: 07:00 PM

02 Nov 27 - At Sea

03 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 10:00 PM

Germany's leading seaport, Hamburg is the gateway to Berlin - and a fascinating place to visit in it own right. Situated on the banks of the Elbe, the city is built over the water and boasts more than 2,100 bridges, more bridges than in Venice and Amsterdam combined. Established by Charlemagne in the 9th century, Hamburg has managed to preserve its Gothic old quarter. The city's other attractions range from St. Pauli, the ribald red-light district, to the fashionable shops of Jungfernsteig and the St. Michael's Church, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

04 Nov 27 - At Sea

05 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 07:00 PM

Mention Holland and most people think of tulips, windmills, and wooden shoes. In reality, Amsterdam has been a vital European cultural center since the Middle Ages.

The Dutch boast that God may have made the world, but they made the Netherlands. Dams, sea gates, and the 19-mile dyke walling out the Zuider Zee have allowed the Dutch to reclaim their low-lying country from the North Sea. The marsh that originally surrounded Amsterdam steadily disappeared beneath the expanding city. Vibrant, fascinating and always alive, Amsterdam is imbued with the quality the Dutch call "gezelligheid." Explore the city's 700-year-old streets and marvel at its stepped-gable houses. Cruise down its bustling canals and browse the colorful flower markets. Did we mention that you can shop for everything from cheese and chocolates to diamonds and Delftware?

06 Nov 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 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.

07 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM 
Depart: 08:00 PM

08 Nov 27 - At Sea

09 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:30 AM
Depart: 04:30 PM

10 Nov 27
Arrive: 10:00 AM
Depart: 07:00 PM

With La Coruña's impressive and extensive history, visitors are often surprised at how modern the city is. It was from here that, in 1588, Spain sent its "invincible" Armada sailing. A year later, Sir Francis Drake sent those ships scrambling, burning most of the city just for good measure. Drake's invasion was ultimately repelled by the peoples of La Coruña, inspired by the local heroine, María Pita.

In the process, La Coruña lost all of its Roman antiquities, including the Torre de Hercules, the present day monument as undergone several transformations over the centuries, the most important one carried out in 1788 by the engineer Eustaquio Giannini, who built the current façades around what remained of the Roman lighthouse, now declared a World Heritage Site. The city does, however, still offer incredible vistas, situated as it is on an outstretch of land blanketed on each side by the sea.

Be sure to visit the Ciudad Vieja, the small old town that watches over the Darsena de La Marina harbor. Here you will find many pleasant cafes from which you can people-watch. Notice that most of the streets are lined with glass covered balconies built for protection again the city's winds and rain.

The port of La Coruña serves as your gateway to Santiago de Compostela, one of the greatest pilgrimages of the Middle Ages. As the site of the supposed shrine of St. James the Apostle, it is the third holiest site in all Christendom, following Jerusalem and Rome. Pilgrims believed that making the journey here would reduce their sentence in purgatory by one-half.

11 Nov 27
Arrive: 09:00 AM
Depart: 06:00 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.

12 Nov 27
Arrive: 08:00 AM 
Depart: 11:59 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.

13 Nov 27 - At Sea

14 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 08:00 PM

15 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

16 Nov 27
Arrive: 06:00 AM
Depart: 08:00 PM

For many, the word Casablanca conjures up Hollywood's vision of an exotic city of intrigue. But the reality is far removed from film fantasy, more complex and fascinating. Casablanca is Morocco's largest city, the busiest port in North Africa, and home to nearly four million people. An important trading center since the days of the Phoenicians, Casablanca is an evocative blend of more new than old, more familiar than exotic. It is a modern commercial city with an old heart that is home to narrow, cobbled alleys, bazaars and souks, minarets and medinas.

Casablanca is a modern city with beaches bordering the Atlantic and broad, tree-lined avenues. The city is also your gateway to Morocco's interior and the exotic "Imperial Cities" of Rabat and Marrakech.

17 Nov 27 - At Sea

18 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 05:00 PM

The capital of Madeira is named after the fennel (funcha) that once flowered there in profusion. The largest island in the Madeira Archipelago was discovered in 1419 by Portuguese explorers venturing south into the Atlantic. The island is nearly equidistant from Lisbon and the African coast, and its unique geographical position allowed Madeira to play a pivotal role in European discovery. Seamen such as Christopher Columbus gained knowledge and experience plying the routes of the island's sugar trade. When sugar declined, the island's famed wines continued to provide a robust trade. By the late 18th century, Madeira's mild climate, rocky peaks, and lush valleys provided a winter haven to Europe's aristocrats. Visitors still flock to the island today, drawn by its scenery and its weather.

Funchal is noted for its superb hand-embroidery and wicker ware, both Madeira specialties. The island, of course, is also noted for its superb wines: they are perhaps the world's most complex and long lasting wines.

19 Nov 27 - At Sea

20 Nov 27
Arrive: 07:00 AM
Depart: 04:00 PM

Rising from the depths of the Atlantic, the rugged, volcanic Azores lie 800 miles off the coast of Portugal. Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, the nine islands have provided a haven to Atlantic mariners for over five centuries. The Azores offer travelers spectacular landscapes that range from lush meadows fringed with brightly colored hydrangea to ancient caldera filled with lakes. And the many small villages and shops retain an otherworldly air and 18th-century charm.

Ponta Delgada is located on São Miguel, the largest of the nine Azores. The island's rich volcanic soil sustains fields of tobacco and tea, vineyards, and pineapple greenhouses. The Azores are also noted for fine crafts, particularly basketry and pottery.

21-25 Nov - At Sea

26 Nov 27
Arrive: 06:00 AM

A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture and fashion, and entertainment. The city consists of five boroughs and an intricate patchwork of neighborhoods. Some of these include Lower Manhattan and the New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park and South Street Seaport, Chinatown, trendy SoHo and Greenwich Village, along with Little Italy, the flat Iron District and Gramercy Park. Famous Central Park covers 843 acres of paths, ponds, lakes and green space within the asphalt jungle. Many districts and landmarks have become well-known to outsiders. Nearly 170 languages are spoken in the city and over 35% of its population was born outside the United States.