23 nights · Netherlands South Holland · Departs Rotterdam (Netherlands) · Visiting Alesund, Trondheim, Tromso, Hammerfest, Alta, Molde, Bergen, Lerwick, Zeebrugge, Portsmouth UK, Cherbourg, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Bilbao-Getxo, Porto-Leixoes, Lisbon · Aboard Holland America on the ms Rotterdam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Rotterdam |
| Duration | 23 nights |
| Port calls | 16 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,274 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 3218 |
| Cabins | 1340 |
| 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.
Ålesund makes an immediate impression: its waterfront is lined with Art Nouveau buildings, rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1904. Beyond the elegant façades, this is a working Norwegian port framed by islands and steep mountain peaks. Climb the 418 steps to Mount Aksla for a sweeping view across the town and Sunnmøre Alps. Then visit the Atlantic Sea-Park, one of Northern Europe’s largest saltwater aquariums.
Trondheim rewards a shore day on foot, from its harbour to Norway’s most important medieval cathedral. Founded in 997, it grew around Nidaros Cathedral, Norway’s national shrine above Saint Olaf’s tomb. Cross the Old Town Bridge into Bakklandet, where timber warehouses and cafés line the Nidelva River. Continue along the waterfront for museums, shops and restaurants, with fjord views nearby. Its compact centre makes the city’s history and waterfront easy to explore in one day.
Tromsø puts the Arctic within easy reach, yet its cafés, galleries and university give the city a lively, modern pulse. Set on an island above the Arctic Circle, it is linked to the mainland by a bridge and tunnel. Visit the Polar Museum and the Arctic Cathedral. Ride the Fjellheisen cable car for views across mountains and sea. In winter, the northern lights may appear overhead.
At 70°39′ north, Hammerfest is among the world’s northernmost towns, set on Norway’s Arctic coast. Its harbour welcomes fishing vessels and the coastal express, carrying travellers through stark northern scenery. Visit the Museum of Reconstruction to learn how the town was destroyed during the German retreat in 1944, then rebuilt. By the waterfront, the Meridian Column commemorates the Struve Geodetic Arc, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Alta is a small town in Norway’s far north, set at the head of Altafjord. Its position beneath the auroral oval draws winter visitors hoping to see the northern lights. At the Alta Museum, UNESCO-listed rock art offers a glimpse of life here as far back as 7,000 years ago. In summer, long daylight opens the Finnmark plateau to walks and scenic drives. Sámi traditions, including reindeer husbandry, shape the wider region.
Molde sits on the Romsdalsfjord, with a mountain panorama that has earned it the name City of Roses. From Varden viewpoint, 222 peaks rise across the fjord, creating one of Norway’s most memorable coastal vistas. Explore the waterfront and compact centre, then visit the Romsdal Museum, where historic buildings illuminate regional life. In July, Moldejazz fills the town with performances and a lively festival atmosphere. Beyond town, the Atlantic Ocean Road offers a memorable excursion across bridges and islands.
Set between seven mountains and the North Sea, Bergen makes a graceful introduction to Norway’s western fjords. Its handsome harbour, Bryggen’s timber wharf and the fish market sit close together, easily explored on foot. Ride the Fløibanen funicular for a clear view across the city and islands, then linger over fresh seafood. Bergen is compact, cultured and an ideal place to begin a journey into fjord country.
Lerwick feels more like a North Atlantic outpost than a Scottish port, with stone-fronted streets facing a working harbour. Shetland’s capital rewards a stroll along the waterfront and through narrow lanes. The Lodberrie, an eighteenth-century merchant’s house built partly over the sea, is one of its most distinctive landmarks. Visit Shetland Museum and Archives for the islands’ Norse heritage and contemporary life. Beyond town, open moorland, sea cliffs and wildlife offer a striking change of scale.
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.
Portsmouth is Britain’s great naval city, where the nation’s maritime story remains vividly present. At the Historic Dockyard, step aboard Nelson’s HMS Victory and visit the Mary Rose Museum. The Tudor warship, lifted from the Solent after 437 years, reveals extraordinary detail of life at sea. Beyond the waterfront, find lively cafés, independent shops and views from the 170-metre Spinnaker Tower. Portsmouth rewards those who want history close at hand beside a working seafront.
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.
At France’s Atlantic edge, Le Verdon-sur-Mer marks the meeting of the Gironde estuary and open sea. Walk the dunes and pine-backed beaches, or head to Pointe de Grave for broad views across the water. Ferries cross the estuary to Royan, while boat trips reach Cordouan Lighthouse, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Inland, the Médoc’s celebrated vineyards and château estates reveal another side of this maritime region.
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 September 6, 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!
