Germany Cruise from Hamburg to Funchal — 15 Days

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg rewards visitors who look beyond its grand harbor to discover a city shaped by trade and water. From the Speicherstadt warehouses and canals to the Elbphilharmonie’s sweeping river views, Hamburg pairs historic character with modern ambition. Stroll around the Rathaus and lakeside paths, then sample fresh fish or coffee in a city with enduring maritime energy. Allow time for a harbor ferry: it offers a memorable view of Hamburg’s working waterfront.

At Sea (At Sea)

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam pairs world-class museums with the everyday pleasure of canal-side life. Its Golden Age houses, narrow waterways and lively markets make the city rewarding well beyond its famous sights. Visit the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masters, then explore the canal belt on foot or by boat. Leave time for a neighbourhood café: in Amsterdam, the best discoveries often come between the landmarks.

At Sea (At Sea)

Alderney Island

Alderney, part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, rewards visitors who prefer a quieter Channel Island. From Braye Harbour, the island’s compact scale makes St Anne and its granite lanes easy to explore. Walk the clifftop paths for sea views, or visit the Victorian forts and wartime sites that mark its strategic past. Birdlife is another draw along the coast. Allow time for a meal in town; local seafood makes a fitting finish.

Sark Island

On Sark, private cars are prohibited. Travel instead by bicycle, tractor or horse-drawn carriage along quiet lanes. Walk to La Coupée, the narrow ridge joining Sark to Little Sark, with steep drops on either side. Then explore La Seigneurie’s gardens or follow cliff paths for broad sea views. Reached by ferry from Guernsey, Sark rewards visitors who value unhurried days and a landscape best seen on foot.

Herm Island

Herm is a small inhabited island in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, reached by ferry from St Peter Port. At just 1.5 miles long, it is easy to cross, yet its coves and headlands invite an unhurried day. With no cars, explore on foot. Walk to Shell Beach, where pale sand and millions of tiny shells meet clear waters. Return by ferry after a coastal walk or leisurely lunch.

Guernsey Island

Guernsey rewards travellers who look beyond its handsome harbour. St Peter Port rises from the waterfront, its lanes climbing past Georgian houses and independent shops. At the harbour entrance, Castle Cornet has guarded the island for centuries. Beyond town, cliff paths, sheltered coves and country lanes reveal a landscape shaped by sea and history. Guernsey is a self-governing Crown Dependency, not part of the United Kingdom. It uses sterling, and issues its own banknotes and coins.

Jersey Island

Jersey rewards a closer look than its compact size suggests. St Helier’s Central Market pairs Victorian ironwork with lively stalls, close to the harbour and the island’s maritime past. Beyond town, Mont Orgueil Castle guards Gorey’s harbour, while the Jersey War Tunnels reveal life under German occupation. Time your coastal outing carefully: Jersey’s tides expose vast stretches of seabed, reshaping familiar shores within hours.

Lorient, France

Lorient sits on Brittany’s southern coast, where the Scorff and Blavet meet the Atlantic-facing roadstead. Its port has shaped the city since the French East India Company established a base here in 1666. Wartime bombing devastated Lorient; its postwar streets contrast sharply with nearby old Breton towns. Explore the vast former submarine base, now home to museums; nearby, the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly celebrates sailing. Ferries reach rugged Île de Groix, while August brings the Festival Interceltique.

At Sea (At Sea)

Vigo, Spain

Vigo is Galicia’s working Atlantic city, built around one of Europe’s finest natural harbours. From the quays, the old quarter climbs towards Castro fortress, with views across the Ría de Vigo. Follow Rua das Ostras for oysters opened to order, then browse the market and waterfront cafés. Beyond town, ferries reach the Cíes Islands, with white beaches and clear water inside a protected national park.

Porto-Leixoes, Portugal

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.

At Sea (At Sea)

Porto Santo Island Madeira, Portugal

Porto Santo rewards travellers who prefer substance to spectacle. Set in Madeira’s Atlantic archipelago, this small island is known for a remarkable nine-kilometre sweep of golden sand. Vila Baleira, its compact main town, offers cafés, a harbour and the house associated with Christopher Columbus. Beyond the beach, volcanic hills and dry, open landscapes invite unhurried walks and island-wide views. Come for clean horizons, long swims and a gentler pace than Madeira’s livelier resorts.

Funchal, Portugal

Funchal sits in a broad, sunlit amphitheatre above Madeira’s deep Atlantic harbour. Its compact centre rewards exploration, from the Old Town’s painted doors to the cathedral’s carved cedar ceiling. Ride the cable car uphill to Monte for sweeping views, then descend through gardens or by traditional wicker toboggan. Madeira’s wines and market produce offer a taste of the island before your ship sails.

• Deserta Grande Island Madeira (Scenic Stop)