24 nights · Netherlands South Holland · Departs Rotterdam (Netherlands) · Visiting Alesund, Trondheim, Tromso, Alta, Andalsnes, Bergen, Lerwick, Portsmouth UK, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Bilbao-Getxo, Lisbon, Cartagena Spain, Valencia, Barcelona · Aboard Holland America on the ms Rotterdam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Rotterdam |
| Duration | 24 nights |
| Port calls | 15 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,749 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.
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.
Torvik brings you to Herøy, a working island community on Norway’s rugged Sunnmøre coast. Fishing remains central here, while bridges and causeways link a scatter of islands and fishing villages. Fosnavåg, the municipality’s lively harbour town, offers a closer look at maritime life and local seafood. Beyond the port, the Atlantic opens onto low islands, open water and dramatic mountain horizons. Choose a scenic drive toward Runde, famed for its seabird cliffs, or enjoy the quiet pace of the coast.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Valencia rewards travellers who look beyond its waterfront. Spain’s third-largest city pairs a handsome old centre with the bold architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences. Visit the Central Market for local produce, then follow the Turia Gardens towards the coast. Paella has deep roots here; seek it in its birthplace, not merely on the menu. With efficient transport and a compact historic core, Valencia is easy to explore at your own pace.
Barcelona is a Mediterranean port city built on Roman foundations, with Gothic lanes and striking modernist architecture. La Rambla runs from Plaça de Catalunya towards the waterfront and the old town. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell show the city at its most distinctive. Set aside time for a market lunch and a walk through El Born, where medieval streets meet lively cafés. Barcelona’s beaches offer a welcome pause between visits.
Published September 26, 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!
