North Europe - MSC Preziosa

Day 1: Hamburg

Embarkation on MSC Preziosa from Hamburg port the ship departs at 21.00.

Day 2: At sea

Day at your leisure to enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard MSC Preziosa.

Day 3: Rotterdam, Netherlands

The ship arrives at Rotterdam port at 08.00 and departs at 20.00.

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands after the national capital of Amsterdam. It is in the province of South Holland, part of the North Sea mouth of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, via the "New Meuse" inland shipping channel, dug to connect to the Meuse at first and now to the Rhine.

Rotterdam's history goes back to 1270, when a dam was constructed in the Rotte. In 1340, Rotterdam was granted city rights by William IV, Count of Holland. The Rotterdam–The Hague metropolitan area, with a population of approximately 2.7 million, is the 10th-largest in the European Union and the most populous in the country.

Fun Fact #1: Though tulips are not native to Holland, they flourished greatly when brought home by Dutch explorers and are now known as such. 

Fun Fact #2: be sure to snack on a traditional stroopwafel, a waffle made of two thin layers of dough with caramel syrup in the middle.

Day 4: Zeebrugge, Belgium

The ship arrives at Zeebrugge port at 07.00 and departs at 18.00.

The ultimate European city, Brussels has tonnes of museums, fountains, gardens and great shopping. Stroll the Old Town area to see St. Hubert Arcades and its shops, as well as Butchers' Street with its plethora of restaurants and cafes and the Grand Place with its Baroque guild houses.

Famous For the narrow streets of this medieval gem past gabled buildings and the bustling market.  

Fun Fact #1: Take a boat ride along the city’s canals, spend the day exploring Brussels and its famed Grand Place  

Fun Fact #2: Find beautiful lace in Bruges, chocolates in Brussels and diamonds in Antwerp.  

Fun Fact #3: Enjoy a typical Flemish dish of beef cooked in beer, fresh game in season or a delicious waterzooi, a stew of chicken or fish.

Day 5: La Havre (Paris), France

The ship arrives at Le Havre at 09:00 and departs at 21:00.

Paris is an iconic city — a melange of everything artistic and sublime, with a worldwide reputation for excellence in cuisine, fashion, architecture and the fine arts. After you take the drive in from the port (just over two hours), hit the streets to see the city's monumental landmarks: Pass through the Arc de Triomphe, and stand in the presence of the Eiffel Tower. The beauty here is only matched by the history and culture. Cruise to Paris to feel the cool morning air outside Gothic Notre Dame cathedral, and see works from prehistoric to postmodern at the Louvre. At evening, walk the lamplit avenues as restaurants' wooden tables and rattan chairs spill onto the sidewalks and terraces. Pull up a seat, order a glass of vin rougeand a plate of pate on toast, and dive in.

Day 6: Southampton, United Kingdom

The ship arrives at Southampton at 07.00 and departs at 20.00.

Protected from the frequent storms of the English Channel by the Isle of Wight, Southampton has survived a turbulent history to serve as a principal port of the United Kingdom today. Pay homage to one of the most famous ships to sail these shores at the Mayflower Memorial. Visit the stoic walls of Bargate and the Tudor House Museum.

Day 7: Day at sea

Day at your leisure to enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard MSC Preziosa.

Day 8: Hamburg

The ship arrives at 07.00 in Hamburg port.