29 nights · Netherlands South Holland · Departs Rotterdam (Netherlands) · Visiting Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga, Alicante, Cartagena Spain, Gibraltar, Porto-Leixoes, Zeebrugge, Dover, Cherbourg, Le Havre-Paris, Isle of Portland, Fort Lauderdale · Aboard Holland America on the ms Nieuw Statendam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Nieuw Statendam |
| Duration | 29 nights |
| Port calls | 14 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $2,739 per person |
| Year built | 2018 |
| Guests | 3214 |
| Cabins | 1339 |
| Crew | 1025 |
| Length | 297 m |
| Beam | 34 m |
| Cruising speed | 24.0 kn |
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, but its appeal extends well beyond the quays. Bold architecture rises beside the Maas, while the city’s maritime past remains close at hand. Cross the Erasmus Bridge for skyline views, explore the striking Markthal, or take a harbour cruise among working vessels. Rotterdam rewards curious visitors with modern design, excellent food, and a Dutch city that refuses to stand still.
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.
Cádiz is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, set on a narrow peninsula where Atlantic light reaches every street. Its compact old quarter is made for unhurried exploration, with watchtowers, shaded plazas and the cathedral’s golden dome. At the Mercado Central, fishmongers display the day’s catch; nearby taverns serve fino sherry and local seafood. Beyond the walls, La Caleta beach and the seafront promenade offer a bracing taste of Cádiz’s maritime life.
Málaga is more than a gateway to Andalusia; it is a port city with a confident life of its own. In the old centre, the Roman Theatre sits below the Moorish Alcazaba, while the cathedral rises above nearby streets. Visit the Picasso Museum or his birthplace, then try grilled sardines and local wine at a pavement table. The Mediterranean is close: city beaches, Atarazanas Market and palm-lined promenades make lingering easy.
Alicante makes a graceful first impression: its Mediterranean harbour opens onto a lively, walkable city centre. Ride the lift to Santa Bárbara Castle, perched on Mount Benacantil, for sweeping views across rooftops and sea. Below, old-quarter lanes lead to the Basilica of Santa Maria and the Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. Stroll the palm-lined Explanada de España, then try turrón, Alicante’s famed almond-and-honey confection. Beaches, cafés and the Archaeological Museum offer rewarding stops within easy reach of the harbour.
Cartagena rewards visitors who look beyond its busy harbor. Founded by the Carthaginians in 227 BC, this compact port city carries layers of Roman, military, and maritime history. Follow the waterfront to the Roman Theatre, uncovered in 1988 and now paired with a museum. Explore the old quarter’s elegant Modernista buildings and naval landmarks. Cartagena is easy to navigate, yet rich enough to hold your attention all day.
Gibraltar stands at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, looking across the Strait towards Morocco. The Rock rises above a compact town shaped by British, Spanish and Mediterranean influences. A taxi tour of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve brings far-reaching views and close encounters with Barbary macaques. Below, explore the Great Siege Tunnels and Moorish Castle, then browse Main Street’s shops and cafés.
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.
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, but its appeal extends well beyond the quays. Bold architecture rises beside the Maas, while the city’s maritime past remains close at hand. Cross the Erasmus Bridge for skyline views, explore the striking Markthal, or take a harbour cruise among working vessels. Rotterdam rewards curious visitors with modern design, excellent food, and a Dutch city that refuses to stand still.
Zeebrugge is Belgium’s North Sea gateway, but Bruges is the reason many travellers come ashore. The medieval city lies about 17 kilometres inland, its canals, brick gables and market square remarkably intact. The coast has its own appeal: stroll the broad beach, watch fishing boats return, or find seafood near the harbour. Choose your day well, and you can pair Bruges’ rich history with the Flemish coast’s open skies and sea air.
Dover is a working Channel port, but its appeal begins before you leave the harbour. Above the waterfront, Dover Castle has watched over the Strait for centuries, with Roman, medieval and wartime history to explore. Walk the clifftop paths for views across the water. At Fan Bay, explore a wartime tunnel complex cut into the chalk. Inland, Canterbury offers a celebrated cathedral and a compact old centre.
Step ashore in Cherbourg, a working harbour at Normandy’s northern tip, and find a city shaped by the sea. Its deep-water harbour has long anchored life here. The Cité de la Mer brings maritime history to life in a former transatlantic terminal. Beyond town, the Cotentin Peninsula offers quiet beaches, cider farms and stone villages. Cherbourg rewards time ashore, whether you follow the waterfront or explore the countryside.
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.
Portland is a limestone island off Dorset, linked to the mainland by a causeway beside Chesil Beach. Its stone has shaped landmarks from St Paul’s Cathedral to the United Nations headquarters. At the southern tip, Portland Bill Lighthouse watches a dramatic stretch of coast. Explore cliff-top paths and former quarries, then admire Portland Harbour, sheltered by monumental breakwaters. Nearby Weymouth offers a graceful Georgian seafront and access to the Jurassic Coast.
Port Everglades puts Fort Lauderdale within easy reach of the city’s waterways, beaches and cultural attractions. A short drive brings you to Las Olas Boulevard, where galleries, restaurants and boutiques line a walkable stretch. Visit the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens for a glimpse of old Florida, or head west toward the Everglades. Fort Lauderdale’s broad Atlantic beaches offer an easy counterpoint to the city’s lively dining scene.
Published August 9, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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