12 nights · Norway · Departs Oslo (Norway) · Visiting Mandal, Ostend, Brest, Royan, Santander, Aviles, La Coruna, Vigo, Lisbon · Aboard Ponant Cruises on the Le Laperouse
Image courtesy of Ponant Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Ponant Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Le Laperouse |
| Duration | 12 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $8,790 per person |
| Year built | 2018 |
| Guests | 264 |
| Cabins | 92 |
| Crew | 112 |
| Length | 131 m |
| Beam | 18 m |
| Cruising speed | 15.0 kn |
Oslo rewards curious travellers with a rare balance of grand history, modern design and easy access to nature. From the harbour, walk to City Hall, the Nobel Peace Center and Akershus Fortress, whose ramparts overlook the fjord. Across the water, Bygdøy gathers standout museums, including the Fram Museum and Norwegian Folk Museum. Save time for the Opera House, where a public roof offers a striking view over the city and Oslofjord.
Mandal rewards a slow arrival. This southern Norwegian town lies where the Mandalselva meets the Skagerrak, with white wooden houses gathered around its harbor. Walk the riverfront into the old center, then visit Mandal Church, one of Norway’s largest wooden churches. In summer, Sjøsanden’s long, pale beach is an easy walk from town. The appeal is simple: sea air, handsome streets and a distinctly southern pace.
Ostend offers a bracing North Sea welcome, with a broad beach and lively seafront promenade. Its harbour serves fishing and trade, while seafood restaurants bring the catch close to the table. Art lovers can explore the former home of local painter James Ensor, now a museum. Direct trains link Ostend with Bruges and Brussels, making inland excursions straightforward.
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.
Royan sits where the Gironde estuary meets the Atlantic, with broad beaches and a lively seafront. After wartime destruction, the town was rebuilt in a confident 1950s style. Its landmarks include the sweeping Notre-Dame church and shell-shaped central market. Stroll the waterfront and sample oysters with local wine. Boat trips reach Cordouan Lighthouse, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the estuary. Sheltered coves and villas recall Royan’s long life as a seaside resort.
Set on a sheltered bay on Spain’s Cantabrian coast, Santander pairs maritime life with elegant seaside streets. Renzo Piano’s Centro Botín anchors the waterfront with exhibitions and bay views. Nearby, the old quarter rewards an unhurried stroll through market halls and cafés. Across the peninsula, the Magdalena Palace overlooks the Bay of Biscay, while El Sardinero invites a bracing walk. Order Cantabrian anchovies or seafood before returning to the ship.
Avilés offers a quieter face of Asturias, with a handsome historic quarter shaped by centuries of Atlantic trade. Walk from the port into arcaded streets and lively squares. Plaza de España is the historic heart, framed by civic buildings. Across the estuary, the white curves of Centro Niemeyer bring a striking modern counterpoint. Pause for Asturian cider and seafood; this is a port best explored on foot, at an unhurried pace.
La Coruña rewards a shore day spent looking beyond the waterfront. In Galicia’s Atlantic capital, glass-fronted galerías brighten the marina. Old town lanes lead to quiet squares and the church of Santiago. Walk the headland to the Tower of Hercules, the world’s oldest working Roman lighthouse and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then settle over local seafood and Albariño, with the ocean never far from view.
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.
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 September 2, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!
