23 nights · Iceland · Departs Reykjavik (Iceland) · Visiting Torshavn, Kirkwall, Leith-Edinburgh, Le Havre-Paris, Saint-Malo, Fowey, Waterford, Holyhead, Isle of Man, Liverpool, Brest, Saint-Nazaire, Bordeaux, Bilbao-Getxo, Porto-Leixoes, Lisbon · Aboard Crystal Cruises on the Crystal Symphony
Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Crystal Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Crystal Symphony |
| Duration | 23 nights |
| Port calls | 17 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $11,320 per person |
| Year built | 1995 |
| Guests | 606 |
| Cabins | 310 |
| Crew | 530 |
| Length | 238 m |
| Beam | 31 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
Reykjavík is a capital with one foot in the wild. The Atlantic frames the city, volcanic mountains rise on the horizon, and geothermal water warms its pools. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, whose tower commands broad views, then walk down to the harbor and Harpa concert hall. Cafés, design shops, and museums make the compact center easy to explore on foot. Beyond town, geysers and waterfalls make a striking day trip; return for a soak in a neighborhood pool.
Tórshavn is one of the world’s smallest capitals, yet it offers a revealing introduction to the Faroe Islands. Begin at Tinganes, where red-painted timber buildings cluster on a narrow headland beside the harbor. The Løgting, the Faroese parliament, meets nearby, continuing a political tradition rooted in the islands’ Norse past. In the compact center, cafés, shops and museums offer an easy pause before the Atlantic’s open horizons reclaim your attention.
Kirkwall is Orkney’s compact capital, where Norse history remains part of everyday life. Begin at St Magnus Cathedral, a striking red-sandstone landmark founded in 1137. Nearby, the ruins of the Earl’s and Bishop’s palaces reveal the power once held here. Beyond town, prehistoric sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar make a compelling excursion. Leave time for the harbor, local shops, and a dram of island whisky.
Leith brings Edinburgh within reach, but rewards those who stay by the water. Once a working port, this lively district pairs maritime history with independent restaurants, galleries and a strong local character. At Ocean Terminal, step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal residence now open to visitors. Trams and buses connect you with the capital: Edinburgh Castle, its museums and Georgian streets make an easy day ashore.
Le Havre is more than a gateway to Normandy; it is a city worth seeing in its own right. Rebuilt after wartime destruction under architect Auguste Perret, its striking concrete centre earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Visit the Musée d’Art moderne André Malraux for an exceptional collection of Impressionist paintings, then walk the seafront. Beyond the city, Normandy offers medieval Honfleur, the D-Day landing sites and the abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel.
St-Malo rises from the Breton coast in granite, its old town enclosed by formidable seventeenth-century ramparts. Walk the walls for sea views, then enter Intra-Muros, where narrow lanes lead to cafés, shops and the cathedral. Privateers once sailed under royal authority; their story gives the city a character beyond its handsome stones. St-Malo’s tides rank among Europe’s highest, lending each visit a changing edge; save time for oysters and Breton crêpes.
On Cornwall’s south coast, Fowey is a handsome harbor town. It climbs steep streets above the River Fowey, where fishing boats and yachts share sheltered water. Browse independent shops, then take the passenger ferry across to Polruan or follow the coastal path toward St Catherine’s Castle. Daphne du Maurier made the estuary her home and a setting for her novels. Her presence still lends Fowey a distinctly literary air.
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city, founded by Vikings in 914, and its compact centre rewards exploration on foot. Begin at the Medieval Museum, where the city’s story unfolds through remarkable objects, including a fragment of ornate cloth-of-gold vestments. Then follow the Viking Triangle’s lanes to Reginald’s Tower, a riverside landmark that has stood watch for centuries. Allow time for Waterford’s celebrated crystal, still made here, and a meal of local seafood beside the River Suir.
Holyhead is more than a ferry port. It opens the way to Anglesey, an island of cliffs, castles and quiet roads. Walk Holy Island’s coast to South Stack Lighthouse, or climb Holyhead Mountain for views across the Irish Sea. The town itself is a working gateway, with regular sailings linking Wales and Ireland. Further east, Beaumaris Castle offers a striking lesson in medieval ambition.
Douglas, the Isle of Man’s capital, welcomes visitors with a broad seafront. Its Victorian promenade and Manx Museum offer a concise introduction to the island’s history. Ride the electric railway north to Ramsey, or visit Tynwald Hill, where the island’s parliament holds its annual open-air sitting. Beyond town, rugged cliffs, sandy bays and quiet roads reward exploration on foot or by car.
Liverpool’s waterfront makes a striking first impression, but the city’s appeal reaches well beyond the Mersey. At Pier Head, the Three Graces—the Royal Liver, Cunard and Port of Liverpool buildings—reflect the city’s maritime wealth. The Cavern Quarter recalls the Beatles’ early years, while the Walker Art Gallery offers a strong collection of European art. Leave time to explore the Georgian Quarter’s handsome streets and independent cafés.
Brest stands at France’s western edge, where the Atlantic has shaped a formidable naval port. Rebuilt after extensive wartime destruction, the city has broad avenues and a distinctly modern feel. The harbor’s Château de Brest houses the National Maritime Museum, a vivid introduction to France’s maritime past. Visit Océanopolis for a different view of ocean life, then look beyond the city toward Brittany’s rugged coast.
Saint-Nazaire is a working Atlantic port where ocean liners, wartime history and broad beaches meet the Loire estuary. Its vast submarine base, built during the German occupation, now houses Escal’Atlantic, a museum devoted to ocean travel. Nearby, Chantiers de l’Atlantique builds some of the world’s largest passenger ships. At the fortified lock, step aboard Espadon, a former French Navy submarine now open to visitors.
Bordeaux is best approached through its river: the Garonne leads into a city shaped by trade, wine and ambitious architecture. Along the UNESCO-listed Port of the Moon, eighteenth-century façades frame broad quays and the Place de la Bourse. Beyond the centre, renowned wine estates and the Médoc’s château-lined roads invite a longer excursion. Stay in town for a market, a riverside walk and a glass of local claret. Venture farther for vineyard landscapes that explain Bordeaux’s global reputation.
Bilbao rewards visitors who look beyond its celebrated Guggenheim Museum. Cruise ships berth at Getxo, roughly 20 kilometres from the city centre. A taxi or arranged transfer brings you into Bilbao, where Frank Gehry’s titanium landmark rises beside the Nervión River. Beyond the museum, explore elegant boulevards and the seven streets of Casco Viejo. Stop at La Ribera Market, then sample pintxos with a glass of crisp txakoli.
Porto is a city best approached on foot, where steep lanes descend towards the Douro and the Atlantic beyond. Across the river, Vila Nova de Gaia’s historic port-wine lodges offer tastings and views back to the old town. Between them, the Ribeira waterfront, tiled churches and iron bridges tell the story of a trading city shaped by water. Taste tawny port, then linger over market halls, intimate museums and unhurried meals.
Lisbon is a city best approached with time and comfortable shoes. Its seven hills rise above the Tagus, linking tiled lanes, grand squares and viewpoints with wide river views. In Alfama, narrow streets preserve the feel of old Lisbon. In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery and Tower recall Portugal’s age of discovery. Pause for coffee and a warm pastel de nata between sights.
Published August 4, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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