18 nights · Netherlands South Holland · Departs Rotterdam (Netherlands) · Visiting Cobh-Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Reykjavik, Grundarfjordur, Qaqortoq, St Anthony NL, St Johns NL, Halifax, Boston · Aboard Holland America on the ms Volendam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Volendam |
| Duration | 18 nights |
| Port calls | 11 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,809 per person |
| Year built | 1999 |
| Guests | 1718 |
| Cabins | 716 |
| Crew | 647 |
| Length | 237 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 23.0 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.
Cork is Ireland’s most independent-minded city, built on islands in the River Lee and shaped by its maritime past. Most cruise ships berth at Cobh, a handsome harbour town about 15 miles from Cork. A direct railway connects the two. Browse the English Market, visit St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, or seek out the city’s cafés and pubs. Allow time for Blarney Castle, a short drive away.
Dublin is a city best explored on foot, where Georgian squares, lively lanes and centuries of history sit close together. From Dublin Port, the centre is a short drive away, making a day ashore easy to shape. See the Book of Kells at Trinity College, then trace the Liffey through the city centre. A pint in a traditional pub is an invitation to linger.
Belfast pairs a proud maritime past with a lively, walkable centre. At Titanic Belfast, the story of the famous liner unfolds beside the shipyard where she was built. Nearby, grand City Hall and the Cathedral Quarter reveal different sides of the city, from civic confidence to café-lined lanes. Across west Belfast, political murals offer a vivid perspective on its recent history. With the Giant’s Causeway within reach, Belfast also makes a compelling starting point for Northern Ireland’s dramatic coast.
Reykjavík is a capital with one foot in the wild. The Atlantic frames the city, volcanic mountains rise on the horizon, and geothermal water warms its pools. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, whose tower commands broad views, then walk down to the harbor and Harpa concert hall. Cafés, design shops, and museums make the compact center easy to explore on foot. Beyond town, geysers and waterfalls make a striking day trip; return for a soak in a neighborhood pool.
Grundarfjörður sits on the north shore of Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula, a fishing village beneath steep mountains. Its signature sight is Kirkjufell, a 463-metre peak shaped like an arrowhead. Walk or drive to Kirkjufellsfoss, where cascades frame the mountain. Further west, Snæfellsjökull glacier crowns a volcano and the national park around it. Weather changes quickly here, so bring warm, waterproof layers. Come for scale, silence and light.
Qaqortoq is southern Greenland’s largest town, set around a sheltered harbor beneath steep, bare hills. Colorful houses climb the slopes, while fishing boats give the waterfront its working rhythm. Follow the town’s Stone and Man carvings, then visit the museum for insight into Greenlandic life and Norse history. Boat trips can take you to nearby Norse ruins or Uunartoq’s natural hot springs.
At Newfoundland’s northern edge, Saint Anthony faces the Strait of Belle Isle, where icebergs drift south each spring. In season, whale-watching boats head offshore; coastal trails and the working harbour bring the region’s maritime life into view. Nearby, L’Anse aux Meadows preserves a Norse settlement recognized by UNESCO. Saint Anthony also traces Dr. Wilfred Grenfell’s medical work, which served Labrador and northern Newfoundland.
St. John’s sits at the edge of the North Atlantic, where steep streets descend toward a working harbor. The compact center rewards time on foot, with Victorian row houses, independent shops and historic churches clustered around Water Street. Climb Signal Hill for views across the harbor and coastline. At Cabot Tower, learn how Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal here in 1901. Leave room for fresh seafood and local music.
Halifax rewards visitors who begin on foot, where the harbourfront’s historic warehouses, boardwalk and seafood restaurants meet. Climb to the star-shaped Halifax Citadel for broad harbour views. At the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, exhibits trace Nova Scotia’s seafaring past and Halifax’s connection to the Titanic. Beyond downtown, Peggy’s Cove pairs a working fishing village with a lighthouse set on wave-worn granite.
Boston rewards visitors who like their history close at hand and their cities easy to explore. From the waterfront, follow the Freedom Trail to landmarks of the American Revolution, including Faneuil Hall. Beacon Hill’s brick streets, the Public Garden and North End cafés reveal distinct sides of the city. Make time for harbor views and New England seafood; Boston’s pleasures are as tangible as its past. Its museums and universities give the compact city a lively, modern edge.
Published September 17, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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